CHAPTER 252: CHAPTER 252 - A BIT OF TERRITORIAL JUDO

Glowing orange flickered into confusion and something that looked almost like relief. But the ears were slightly crooked from my first placement, so I took off one of the gloves before I reached up to adjust them.

My fingers began sliding through the silky strands of her hair, stained with sweat for some reason, and she went perfectly still at the contact. Her breathing became shallow and rapid as I took my time positioning them just right.

"There. Much better, hm?"

I murmured while letting my fingertips trail light scratches along her scalp as I withdrew my hand. Kyrie was frozen midway between indignation at being steered so decisively... and something that looked like arousal at being handled so boldly in a public setting.

"Hold this."

There was no way I could prevent my smirk. Pressing the glove into her free hand, my fingers lingered over hers as I helped her grab it tight with a proper grip. Watching her pupils dilate from the little jolt of direct skin touch made me raise my chin.

Then I stepped back while I pulled out my phone. And without another word or a request... just started taking photos. Truly, the tabloids would pay a lot more for this than handing off some plastic bag to me.

"Citra, what are you-"

"Chin up. Don’t soften your features. You’re supposed to be intimidating, remember? Let’s see some of that stunning anger again. "

I interrupted her question, snapping several more shots in quick succession. Her posture straightened up, like muscle memory from the years of corporate headshots. A bit too rigid for my liking.

That commanding presence takes over even while wearing ridiculous wolf ears. But the combination of her natural regality and the absurd costume does create a strangely captivating story.

I wonder how she’d answer to it if anyone ever saw these?

"Good. Now tilt your head slightly to the right. The light catches your pretty face better that way."

After a few more, I moved closer... ostensibly to fix the collar of her shirt, but really to gauge her reaction as I invaded her personal area all over again. Her scent was still sharper than normal. But Kyrie’s eyes were already back to mostly brown.

"Hold still, the outfit needs to look more put together. Not like you were ambushed in an alley by some other vixen before you came to find me."

My knuckles brushed against her throat as I worked and accused at the same time. I felt her swallow hard, though whether it was from this proximity or because I’ve explained how this all looks to *me*...

Regardless, I smooth a set of imaginary wrinkles on one shoulder while I studied her face. Looking at me standing more level with her than usual with a warmth that made my pulse quicken.

Yes, I know her lips are right there. No, I’m not kissing her.

With her rage seemingly dismantled, my wolf grew a spine and ran headlong into annoying me with persistent suggestions that would get me trapped into a path of being marked. I may have to stop calling the spirit ’friend’.

"Better..."

Stepping back, I breathe out warmly. And ignore that my face is probably red.

"Now, I want you to look with a tilt to the left and smile. Like you’re remembering something good that happened recently."

She turned her head obediently and I caught several stunning shots. If she hadn’t been so eager to run a whole business, I think she would have made it in fashion. She can’t take her own photos, but she looks good in all of them I take.

"Excellent. Now eyes up to me, but this time... I want you to envision me never talking to you again."

My thumb struck the shutter over the string of hurt and uncomfortable faces.

"Because you assumed something about a situation on sight."

Each one stabbed at me. But I’m glad I’m taking them.

Ellie showed me how weak I am to the sad face. I need to become immune!

"And because I grew fed up with you... buying another character print body pillow."

After a couple pictures of confusion, the corners of her mouth twitched when she realized everything I’d said was just me bullying her in revenge. But I’d also taken a ’shot’ at someone else in the room.

From my peripheral vision, I could see Ellie sitting up on the floor and trying to stack the scattered books. Her mouth hung open as she slapped for more of them without looking.

Watching this impossible seeming scene unfold. The most powerful Alpha in the region was being pushed around like a model by someone who was... clearly more than just an acquaintance.

Okay, I may have overplayed my hand on that part.

I can only hope that neither of them notice how intentional what else I’ve been doing is. As I’ve ’adjusted’ her stance and given feedback from up close.

Pressing and rubbing all the spots on my clothes... that I can recall the werewolf she was so jealous of ever touched. A shame I can’t bring myself to rub the top of my head on her... but that may be a step too far in public.

It already feels like a few steps too far to me now! What logical person shifts around and stands back to back for any of what I’m doing?! And why must I be taking any pictures with me in-

Alright, yes, I understand why I would take pictures of myself in the frame at any time, even if she is turned around in them behind me. Shut up!

"Just like that. You’re doing beautifully. One more."

I said this while pressing my side into hers. The same one that Ellie was squeezing into in the booth and while watching the video. Truly, I had not been prepared to take a two-shot - but I have no other excuse for what I’m doing.

Reaching up to thread my fingers through Kyrie’s hair and push it back behind her ear, because the way she is glancing down at me is making that ruin the composition... I took my time while she stood not-so perfectly motionless under my touch.

"There. Now the camera can see your face."

Her breathing had become noticeably uneven, and her eyes began to flicker orange again to the point that I almost forgot to even thumb the shutter button a fifth time. When I pressed my hand briefly over her heart, I felt the tension that had coiled in her in the way it beat.

See? I’ve calmed her down. No more violence. No big deal.

My phone pressed over my lips to coyly hide the smile Vrika’s excited barking brought. Because, while the way she looked definitely was still her wanting to ’attack’ someone, it was no longer with the purpose to injure them!