Chapter 5: Reasoning

This was where she drew the line. The short amount of time she had spent with Gil was overwhelming enough, and now he wanted her to do that, times ten? No way. This may be the life he was used to, but she was not.

"What do you mean? Stop what?" he asked.

"I don't want ten bodyguards. I've only had a few hours to understand this, and you expect me to jump in straight? No questions asked?"

"This is about your safety. You don't know who you're dealing with Enora, he'll do whatever he wants! And he's laying low because of that!" he shouted.

"That's my point, Vic. I don't know anything. Thus, why surrounding me with what he knows best, only puts me further on his radar."

Victor threw his hands up in frustration, pacing back and forth and looking at her incredulously.

"That's not how this works. Once he knows where you are or tries something once, that's it. So, the more people with you the better. Which you don't seem to understand."

"And whose fault is that?" she snapped, fingers pressing into her temples.

He yelled out then, hitting the wall with his fist. That was when she glimpsed his nails; long and dark, like a wolf's. She bit back a gasp. The sudden outburst had made her jump, but she didn't want to back down.

"Damn it Enora, why are you being unreasonable?!" he questioned.

"I'm not! This is uncomfortable and... a lot. I'm sorry that I need time for this. You think I want to feel this way?" she asked, completely exasperated.

"F*ck!"

He shook his head, growling this time as he locked himself in the bathroom; the force of the door slamming behind him, shook her pictures on the surrounding walls. A moment later, she heard his voice coming through in a low muffle, and the water turning on to mask it.

Her body fell back onto the couch, focus on the ceiling as tears slowly fell from her eyes. She had seen him angry like this once before, but it was brief. He'd said that she had instantly eased his negative thoughts.

Looking at the past few hours of arguing left a sour taste in her mouth. This wasn't them and she refused to let it be them for even a day. There had to be compromise here.

Victor emerged a half hour later, hair wet from the shower he'd eventually turned on, and looking more exhausted than he had earlier. His eyes narrowed when they landed on her face, "You were crying." he stated, jaw twitching.

She took a moment to answer, debating whether to deny it or not, but thought better of it. There was no point in hiding it; she nodded.

His fists clenched, "I didn't mean to. I lost my temper and–"

"No, I'm not blaming you. It was everything, not just you. Honest." she interrupted, grasping his hands to reassure him. He used the action to lace their fingers together and pull her into him, pressing their foreheads together gently.

"I'm sorry." he whispered.

"Me too."

The switch to an embrace was quick, and it made her smile; his frame engulfed hers, but she fit inside of it perfectly. Every time. The sound of his inhale followed, as it often did, and his nose gently tickled her neck.

"Mm, you smell like blueberries and mint." he shared.

It made her laugh, "You're so weird. You always say that, but none of the products I use have those ingredients."

"So? I like those scents. Also, you drink a lot of mint tea, could be its oozing out of you."

"Ew, that sounds gross. And what do blueberries and mint smell like? That combo doesn't seem like it would go." she questioned.

"It's sweet and clean. Fresh? Something like that."

She pursed her lips, not sure what to think, but let it go. His weirdness was what added to his charm after all.

"I've decided. Let's have some dessert and come to an agreement now, ok?" she voiced, chin pressed to his chest so she could look up at him. She knew this position was one of his weaknesses, claiming it was "very cute". And as soon as he noticed, a smile graced his lips and he kissed her forehead, nodding in agreement. She felt bad for using it, but it was better to butter him up first.

He put his phone away hurriedly when she brought in the ice cream and cookies from the kitchen, his nervous foot taps ceasing.

"Alright, what's your proposal? That doesn't involve a whole escort team suffocating me?" she opened, eyebrow raised in question.

He pouted, "Why not? You could pretend you're the president or something."

She made a face, expressing her obvious aversion to the idea, which pulled a laugh out of him.

"Fine. You have two guys with you AT ALL TIMES," he began, with emphasis on the end part of it. "AND the others stay around the apartment and your café, but not inside. Though they will do a daily perimeter check and sweep. Fair?"

It was fair, which surprised her. Unfortunately, it also made her feel like the a**hole because of what she had to say next. But there was no other choice.

"I agree. That shouldn't be too bad, but I still have a request..."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"After today, I'd like for you to not be one of my guards. I think I need space."

The room became so silent it was stifling. Enora felt her chest swelling from how intensely she held her breath. Would he refuse out right? She was tempted to take off running.

He didn't look at her when he finally spoke, "Can I ask why?"

The lump in her throat had grown exponentially and dried up. It took several gulps of water for her to form words.

"There's tension between us. You saw how negatively we reacted to one another. This isn't something I can put a band aid on and forget about; the wound is open and bleeding."

"We apologized. We know how to fix things. I don't understand. And you're crazy if you think I'll stay away right now." His words were heated, chest heaving in anger.

"Please, listen. I need time to think about this on my own, is all. With you around, I'd be too distracted and influenced to process this."

"Is this a breakup?"

She flinched at the word, feeling its weight on her heart.

"Of course not. Just a break. Although, I'm unsure for how long."

He gave a hum of approval and moved away. The phone vibrated loudly in his pocket, swearing under his breath after checking it. He flicked the television onto the news as he told someone on the phone to: "get up here, now!".

Breaking News flashed across the screen, and a scene similar to what she had witnessed last night appeared. Another rogue wolf attack was in progress; this time on one seventy sixth street in Washington Heights. Cars had crashed on both sides of the street with barely moving bodies littered nearby. The chilling, haunted feeling had returned to settle in her bones. Why was this happening?

Victor turned at the knock at the door. Gil was on the other side, giving Victor and Enora a nod as he went directly into the rooms, likely to check the windows.

"I have to go." Victor said.

Her head whipped in his direction. She wasn't ready.

"O–ok. I understand." she replied, trying to sound ok. But when he opened the front door to go, she threw her arms around his neck, body trembling.

"Please be careful." her voice whispered, tiny and shaky.

His hands grasped her face, wiping the tears she hadn't felt falling. He pulled her in for one last kiss, expressing everything he couldn't say.

"I'll see you soon." He gave her a playful wink before disappearing.