35 Shadows and whispers …

35 Shadows and whispers …

Lyla

At that moment … I would have gladly chosen the shifters but they seemed to shrink back at the sight of Mr Dupree , their cocky expressions fading into apprehension .

The alley fell into an eerie silence as Mr Dupree’s imposing figure loomed at the entrance .

My eyes darted between him and the shifters , my body growing tense with surprise and wariness .

First of all , what was he doing e ? Second , why were the shifters looking scared ? He was a human , if anything he should be the one backing away from them .

Why did it seem they were shrinking under his gaze , looking at him sheepishly ?

“ Why is no one answering my question ? ” Mr Dupree chuckled – even that sounded sinister .

“ Is there a problem here ? ”

The leader of the shifters , the one that had tried to flirt with me in the café shook his head .

“ None , we were just leaving ,” he muttered .

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35 Shadows and whispers …

I watched as they turned and hurried away .

As they disappeared from my line of vision , I found myself alone with Mr D.

The relief I felt at the shifter’s departure was quickly overshadowed by a new kind of unease .

I forced a nonchalant smile as I stepped back , trying to suppress the urge to run .

Swallowing hard , I murmured turning to Mr Dupree whose gaze was on me now .

“ They’re just lowlifes , I could have handled them .

His lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes .

“ It didn’t look that way to me , Miss Lyla .

Are you alright though ? Did they try to attack you ? ” he asked , as his gaze flickered all over my body .

I felt exposed .

“ No ! ” I shook my head eager to change the subject , I blurted out .

“ What are you doing here ? ” I winced internally at how accusatory it sounded .

If he was offended by my question he didn’t show it , instead , his expression softened , though it did little to ease my nerves .

“ I live in the neighbourhood , ” he replied casually .

“ Xander and I were just taking an evening stroll.

We were in the coffee shop a while ago

19:27

2/10

<

35 Shadows and whispers …

when I overheard those men talking about teaching someone a lesson .

” His eyes bore into mine .

“ When I saw you heading towards the back door and those men leaving shortly after , I put two and two together .

I shifted uncomfortably under his intense gaze .

There was something about the way he looked at me as if he could see right through me .

“ I didn’t realize I was followed .

Thank you for helping me , ” I said awkwardly , my fingers twitching as I resisted the urge to light another cigarette .

“ You shouldn’t be in dark alleys at this hour , ” he continued , his eyes straying to the cigarette pack peeking out of my pocket .

“ And sn woman .

You should know better .

You’re a

burned at the

retort but I thought

managed another tense , uncomfortable smile

should probably head back inside , ”

for …

go ,

panther shifters , ” he said his tone as cold as ever

They might come back ; cats can be quite

So ,

Shadows and whispers …

to wander around

froze my hand on the door

did he know

? And why did it sound like he knew more than he was letting on ? My brow

Panthers are messengers

creatures and since they could mask their scent naturally and take up any form just

had access to almost any realm

were they doing here ?

voice cut into my

it common to see shifters

back to face him , shaking my head ,

No ,” I said

my first time running into any

had confirmed something for

careful

world can be a dangerous place for a young woman … especially one with your unique qualities

, he turned and walked away , disappearing around

4/10

<

Shadows and

of the

watching him go , my skin prickling in a way it hadn’t done in

rubbed my arms , trying to shake off the unsettling

were screaming that something wasn’t right , but I couldn’t quite put my finger

breath , I

the café .

, the familiar warmth of the place did little to

eyes scanned the room , and they immediately

, casually scring through his phone while sipping coffee and plain

he hadn’t a care in

come in when I was

on a slice

on Xander for

about him and his father felt … off

those shifters as if

me like I was

he a werewolf

creature ?

other

he entered the café and made

5/10

and whispers

Xander’s table .

leaned down , whispering something in Xander’s ears before taking

the

presence and a strange aura that commanded the respect he seemed to carry, the way he bowed his head as he spoke

as if , despite

Dupree was

the master .

this thought crossed my mind , Xander suddenly

he raised his

mile spread across

in

moment our eyes locked ,

full force ,

as I managed a weak smile, feeling my heart beat a little

hoping

focus , get back to work and ignore the

before I could fully retreat, the front door of the café

Shadows and whispers

entered two women

… they were werewolves

Mr Dupree’s table

all werewolves

way they could associate with those two

mood soured instantly and my mind whirled with

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