CHAPTER 222: CHAPTER 222 - KNOW YOUR ROLE...? (HOW DOES ONE DO THAT WITHOUT TALK!)

The blue glow of the system map filled my vision as I checked the time in the corner of it once again. Now it was 12:47 AM... five minutes past the last time I checked it.

Since the last time I glanced at the available tasks and wished I’d brought my phone. But each time I think of that device and of the modeling task, I also look over at her and want the camera function.

Purely for personal use. But It’s been hours since the pool. I have the interview that wields Anise’s trust and she has her own work tomorrow that supports her pack.

My wolf listens to the repeated explanations I give, for the third time, and just blinks slowly at me. But this time I *actually* rally all of my nerve to face whatever conversations may follow.

"Kyrie. We need to go back."

Unlike the soft phrases in my language, I speak this sharply. She sits up quickly and blinks around the area, finally trying to focus on my face in the fading moonlight. The waxing moon was out early today, so by now it’s at an angle that doesn’t shine well into the forest.

"What time is it?"

"Late enough that you probably have meetings to cancel if you want any good sleep."

The practical response seemed to cut through her haze faster than anything else could have. I watched her try to push herself up to sitting right beside me again. But what had happened... why isn’t her wolf helping?

"I can... I can walk."

She declares while facing away from me. When she actually tried to stand, her legs gave out immediately. Her shoulder caught against the trunk as she looked frustrated with her own weak state.

Without thinking too deeply about it, I moved into a partial shift. Just enough to feel my muscles strengthen and my balance improve as power flowed through my human-shaped frame.

"No, you can’t."

Before she could protest, I scooped her up in a carry, one arm under her knees and the other supporting her back. Her eyes went wide at how easily I lifted her - probably expecting more struggle on my face.

Struggle is all just in my heart.

"This is... supposed to be the other way around, isn’t it, Princess?"

She tried to joke, though her voice was still shaky. The comment hit harder than she probably intended it to. I know she only meant because they called it a ’princess carry’ here... but it also brought to mind traditional Alpha expectations.

The way things *should* be between them and their mates versus what was actually happening between us. I started walking toward the trail, towards the backpack... without responding. Because I don’t trust myself to.

"Citra, I’ll really be fine to-"

"You’re not. You won’t."

She fell silent after that and hid her eyes, but after I stopped walking, her arms came up to circle around my neck for stability. The intimacy of it - the scent of our encounter still clinging to both of us - made my chest tight.

Actually, it was already uncomfortable. She’s pressed right into one breast... someone with my size chest should not be doing this!

Especially with a naked woman that could decide to shift into a werewolf at any moment. I don’t actually think she is acting weak, but if I think about her truly being so because of me... it makes me feel things I don’t want to acknowledge.

"I’m going to set you down. Spray us down and put your clothes on carefully."

Kyrie Voss does as she is told. And despite wanting to on some level, I don’t look away as she looks reluctant to use the neutralizer on herself... as her eyes flicker and blaze orange worse with a form of possessiveness when I lift my dress.

I can tell it’s not even just that she wants to touch me - but that she hates this. Hates erasing her scent mixed with mine. Though I don’t want to admit aloud that I’m feeling a similar feeling tonight as the misting spray strikes me.

"...The clearing will still have our scent for some time."

Saying this while licking my lips and looking away, I all but admit it anyway. My wolf howls a matching lonely feeling. When the dark clothing covers her messy, nude skin... my hands clench tight.

I carried her again after that. Even though she protested once. Following the system map’s guidance back toward the main trail for several minutes.

Enhanced strength made her weight negligible, but the emotional weight of holding her as she refused to look at me felt crushing. When we finally reached more level ground, she spoke quietly into the night.

"You can put me down now."

Watching close to make sure her legs would support her, she walks ahead for all of five seconds before I caught her wrist in my hand - the same possessive grip I’d used at the pool.

"Stay close."

We walked the rest of the way in relative silence, side by side with my fingers wrapped around her wrist like a tether. She didn’t try to pull away, didn’t ask why I needed to maintain that connection when I was clearly trying to distance myself emotionally.

I wouldn’t know how to answer. Because I can’t let go completely even when I should. Even when it would be safer. Why can’t I this time?

The forest around us sounded of nothing except for our footfalls and the occasional rustle of nocturnal creatures and insects in the foliage. I kept my responses short when she tried to make a little conversation.

Just entirely too focused on getting us back to civilization. Where we could part ways for a while... and I could think clearly again. Where the system’s task notification and the danger of risking being hurt wouldn’t feel quite so tempting.

"Citra? Did I do something... wrong back there?"

Her voice was so hesitant that it made me stop walking entirely. She thought she had done something wrong? When the problem was that she’d done everything right - so right that some cosmic force wanted to reward me for binding myself to her permanently.

If I wanted to be vain, I’d think she has a system too. That she is being rewarded with me, somehow.

Vrika barks once, not a laugh or denial. Maybe even an impression that it was plausible. I can’t tell if it is learning to joke with me or that it didn’t understand that I was only joking... sort of joking. I do think I’m also a prize, despite the pregnancy.

"No. You were good. Perfect, sweet wolf."

The words slipped out as I began to tug her along again, and I heard her sharp intake of breath behind me. Perfect. That was the problem.

She was perfect. Sexy, strong, smart, seemingly devoted beyond all measure... and I was terrified of what that meant. That I am going to get so attached and something will ruin it.

Keep moving. Get home.

It barely registers that I’m thinking of her city as home, but it does... and it’s why I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was already too late for any kind of distance. The warmth of her wrist in my grip felt weighty, like both an anchor and a chain.

And I’m the one that is welding it there.