Beneath the Wolf’s Gaze

The night air was cool, but I barely felt it.

She walked beside me, her small frame lit by the streetlights. She wasn't saying much—just fidgeting with the sleeves of her sweater, avoiding my gaze like she knew something had changed.

And she was right.

I carried the grocery bags, but my focus was elsewhere. On her. On the way she hesitated every time I shifted slightly closer. On the way she stole quick glances but never met my eyes for long.

She knew I was watching.

And yet, she kept walking, pretending she wasn't trembling just a little.

Her reaction only made it harder to look away.

Did she realize how easily she gave herself away? The way her breathing changed, the way her shoulders tensed just slightly—she was always so easy to read.

She must have felt it, too. The shift between us.

And then, for a second, our eyes met.

Tears.

She was tearing up.

I should've looked away. Maybe I should've said something to reassure her.

But instead… I smirked.

I don't even know why. Maybe because she looked so unsure, so flustered, and it was just—adorable.

Ah… bunny.

Even though she was scared, she wasn't running.

The thought sent a strange rush through me.

It wasn't like I wanted to scare her. But something inside me wanted to push her just a little further—to see how long she'd hold out before turning red and pushing me away.

But tonight… maybe I went too far.

She was shaking.

She was breathing differently.

Was she really afraid?

That thought stuck with me as we reached the apartment.

She fumbled with the keys for a moment before finally unlocking the door. The moment she stepped inside, I followed.

The door clicked shut.

And then—I locked it.

I heard her sharp inhale.

She knew I always locked the door, but this time was different. The top latch. The one she couldn't reach.

Her shoulders tensed as she slowly turned to face me.

Her eyes found mine instantly.

I didn't move. Didn't say anything. Just let my gaze slowly travel over her.

And then, my eyes stopped—right at her chest.

She stiffened.

Tears welled up at the corners of her eyes again.

What was she thinking? That I was going to break my promise? That I had lost control?

The thought alone made my smirk deepen.

She was so innocent. So easy to fluster.

I leaned in just slightly, just enough for her to feel the shift in space between us.

I said something, but she didn't hear it.

She just stood there, frozen, trying to read my lips.

S…T…R…

Ah.

That's what she thought?

Bunny, you really have no idea.