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 condescending

opened my mouth to retort but I thought better of

, I managed another

back inside , ” I said taking a step towards

for … intervening and saving me

moved to go

panther shifters , ” he said his tone as cold as

back ; cats can be

So ,

and whispers …

not to wander around alone

my hand on the

did he know

it sound like he knew more than he was letting on ? My brow furrowed slightly as I

Panthers

world , they’re always used to track stray were – creatures and since they could mask their scent naturally and take up any form just like

, they had access to almost any realm

doing

cut into

Is it common to see shifters

face him , shaking my head ,

,” I

is my first time

had confirmed something for

careful , Miss

a young woman … especially one with

he meant by that , he turned and walked away ,

4/10

<

Shadows and

of the

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

to shake

something wasn’t right , but I couldn’t quite

breath , I turned and went back

the café .

place did

eyes scanned the room , and they

one of the tables , casually scring through his phone

he hadn’t

I was

on a

eyes lingered on Xander for

about him and his

those shifters as

me like I

he a werewolf or any

– creature ?

other

the café and

5/10

and whispers …

Xander’s table .

leaned down , whispering something in Xander’s ears before

might have seen nothing wrong in the interaction but to

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

as if

, Mr Dupree was the servant and

the master .

suddenly lifted his eyes and our gaze

face and he raised his

mile spread across

me in a

our eyes locked ,

of apprehension returned in full force , sending a shiver

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

away, hoping to avoid

and ignore the growing sense

the front door of the café

Shadows and whispers

entered two women and

scents hit me … they were werewolves

and Mr Dupree’s table that was when everything dawned

all werewolves

could associate with those two

and my

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