@princesircasticĀ liked for a starter!
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā The key to his apartment lay in her open palm, streetlights casting a glow on its silvery surface as the pad of her thumb traced along the jagged edge that fitted into the lock. Since the curse had broken, Ruby and James had kept their distance, but amidst the turmoil of losing Snow and Emma, David had managed to give the she-wolf a much needed talking to, reminding her of what she already knew.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā James cared for her ---- deeply and truly ---- and the sordid details of her past ---- and all that entailed --- would matter precious little to him in the grand scheme of things. The fault was in her, in fears that arose anew when memories came flooding back - Peter, her mother, the hunters. People sheād loved, lost because of what she was, what she was afraid to become again with wolfstime nearing. Without the security of her cloak, after 28 years of losing touch with the wolf, Ruby couldnāt trust herself during the next full moon cycle.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā But she could trust James.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Drawing in a breath, she jabbed the key in the lock and turned on the exhale, pushing open the door to find James on the couch, surprised to see her after so much time had passed.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ā I ---- ā Though she had rehearsed all that she planned to say a thousand times over, the moment her gaze locked with his, words failed. Lower lip trembled briefly before rows of white caught it between them, pressing down to stifle the noticeable quiver. ā Iām ...Ā Ā ā Ā Iām the wolf. I killed my first and only love before you. I killed my mother. I donāt know whatās going to happen when the next full moon rises and Iām terrified of losing someone else I care about to my curse. Please, donāt hate me. ā ... sorry. ā Brief syllables were laden with emotion, conveying more than the yet unspoken explanation for her avoidance could.