Panic Attack

CARMEN POV

His eyes are so gentle. They don't make me scared, but I feel exposed when they are on me. Like Mike can see everything that I am trying to hide. Every scar or nervous tick is exposed to his searching gaze.

I find myself wondering what is going through his mind as he looks at me. Is he disgusted like Nick was? Does he pity me? I'm not interesting. I'm not beautiful. It must be pity.

"I think it's her naptime," I whisper and Mike chuckles as he spots the droopy-eyed little girl sitting in the corner with toys in her lap.

"I think you're right. I will carry her. I haven't held her in a while...That probably sounds weird to you since I'm not her Dad, but there's a reason...I promise. In a small pack like ours, we like to keep the scents of the pups mixed with ours. It helps if the pup is ever lost or in danger...most predators know the scent of adult shifters. They fear us," Mike explains as he stands and I nod while pushing my lips together.

His discomfort is