𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐃 been anything but pleasant, thanks entirely to her harsh words launched in his direction. He was her blood and that took on new meaning to the wolf when she witnessed that he wasn’t immune to being harmed. The thought of losing family again had shaken her, pushing her to extremes. If being near her could possibly cost him his life, then living a long life away from her was the only option. That was the only option she believed she had.
Time had changed that for her in some respect. Life had become more fragile. Hayley knew just how easily it could be taken. To waste time by continuing a facade of not caring, of verbally scarring someone with everlasting effects, was torturous— not only to herself, but to those on the receiving end.
Which made this clandestine chance meeting, something she decided not to ignore. “Congratulations. It looks like you’re winning in that challenge. Do you think you can manage that and drinking at the same time?” Based on the disdain on his face from the sight of alcohol, it was questionable.
She didn’t wait for an invite, knowing her presence was unwelcomed. It didn’t stop her from taking a seat across from him, sliding his tumbler of whiskey in her own direction as she lifted it to her lips, draining the contents in one swift swig. Shoulders lifted towards her ears, shrugging at his question. “It’s a free country and I guess I’m in a giving mood, so why not?”
“The real question is: what brings you here in the first place?”
A warning growl rose in his throat as the other wolf made herself comfortable across from him. Not that he would ever harm his sister, the fact that she had gotten through their last encounter without a scratch was a testament to that -- but he was not in the mood for deflecting any possible abuse she may chuck his way.
The fact humans and only God knew what else surrounded him all who reeked of drugs and alcohol had left him on edge already. He felt like he was going to crawl out of his skin, the only thing that probably was keeping him from it was that he had changed the night before -- which made his body's natural response to the situation easy enough to hold back.
At her response to his sarcasm, he almost smiled, forgetting how easy it was to see where the siblings were alike -- apart from the whole turning into canines thing. Sometimes he wondered if his abrasive personality wasn’t entirely due to his first change being at such an early age.
He stiffened slightly at her question, looking away and staring out the window which was further across the room then he would have preferred it. He usually was not one to lie, not one to beat around the bush -- but for a moment he considered it. Why? Because he was aware of how the truth could be seen as a weakness on his part. But he couldn't help it, ever since he had found out about the woman across from her he had wanted to make sure she was safe -- protected. It would have been going against his nature to do anything else.
Finally, he looked at her again with a blank stare." Checking up on my baby sister - but don't worry. I will be sure not to test your generosity and will be leaving soon." His voice was cold, void of any discernible emotion as his fingers tapped against the table - having lost the tumbler to occupy them.
