Chapter 9 : A Step Closer

Ren’s Point of View

Ren stepped out of the seminar hall, the late afternoon sunlight spilling across the campus. The crisp air should have cleared his mind, but his wolf was already growling in his thoughts.

You walked away, the wolf snarled, its tone a mix of anger and frustration. Again.

Ren exhaled sharply, his hands clenching at his sides. What did you want me to do? Claim her in front of an entire class? She’s not ready.

She felt the pull, the wolf countered. She wanted you to stay.

The words stung because they were true. He had seen it in Elena’s eyes, the way her gaze lingered on him during the lecture, the way her voice had trembled slightly when she spoke to him afterward. There was something between them - something undeniable - but he couldn’t just storm into her life and expect her to understand.

She’s human, he reminded his wolf, though the argument felt weak even to himself.

She’s ours, the wolf growled back. She needs to know.

Ren stopped walking, his jaw tightening. His wolf was restless, pacing in his mind like a caged animal. And truth be told, Ren was just as unsettled. He had tried to give her space, to approach her slowly, but every moment he spent away from her only made the pull stronger.

Damn it, he thought, running a hand through his hair. He couldn’t keep doing this - watching her from a distance, leaving before things went too far. It wasn’t fair to her, and it wasn’t fair to him.

With a deep breath, he turned on his heel and headed back toward the seminar hall. His wolf quieted slightly, its growl softening into a low rumble of approval.

What are you doing? his human side asked, though he already knew the answer.

I’m going back. If she’ll have me, I’ll take this one step at a time. A normal, human step.

When Ren reached the seminar room, he hesitated outside the door, his sharp hearing picking up the soft rustle of papers inside. She was still there, likely tidying up after her lecture.

His wolf urged him forward, and this time, he didn’t resist. He stepped inside, his footsteps deliberate but quiet.

Elena looked up from her desk, her expression shifting from surprise to something he couldn’t quite place - relief, maybe, or curiosity.

“Ren,” she said, her voice soft. “I didn’t expect you to come back.”

“I know,” he replied, his tone steady. “But I realized I couldn’t leave without asking you something.”

Her brows lifted slightly, and she set down the papers in her hand. “What is it?”

He took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. “Have a drink with me.”

The words hung in the air between them, simple yet charged with meaning. Ren watched her carefully, noting the slight widening of her eyes, the way her lips parted as if she were about to speak but couldn’t quite find the words.

“A drink?” she echoed, her voice almost hesitant.

“Yes,” he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Nothing complicated. Just a drink. A chance to talk.”

She studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Ren’s heart pounded, his wolf tense with anticipation. This was it - the moment she could say yes or no, the moment that could bring him closer to her or push him further away.

Finally, she nodded, a small smile breaking through her initial surprise. “Alright. A drink sounds nice.”

Relief coursed through him, though he kept his expression composed. “There’s a place just off campus,” he said. “If you’re free now, I can walk you there.”

Elena glanced at her watch, then back at him. “I have a bit of time,” she said. “Let me just grab my things.”

Ren waited as she gathered her papers and slipped them into her satchel, his wolf calming slightly now that they were taking this step. When she was ready, they left the seminar hall together, walking side by side through the bustling campus.

The café Ren had mentioned was quiet and cozy, tucked away on a side street lined with trees. They found a small table near the window, the warm light from the setting sun casting a golden glow over the room.

Elena ordered a glass of wine, while Ren chose a whiskey neat. For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the hum of the café around them providing a soothing backdrop.

“So,” Elena said finally, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. “Why are you so interested in mythology?”

Ren chuckled softly, taking a sip of his drink. “Is it that obvious?”

“Well,” she said, tilting her head, “most people don’t show up to seminars unannounced unless they’re very interested or very curious.”

He smiled, his gaze meeting hers. “Let’s just say I’ve always been fascinated by stories of transformation. The way people see themselves reflected in something greater. Something primal.”

Elena nodded thoughtfully, her expression softening. “That’s a beautiful way to put it. Most people think myths are just stories, but they’re so much more than that. They’re windows into our deepest fears and desires.”

Ren’s smile widened slightly. “I couldn’t agree more.”

They talked for a while, the conversation flowing easily despite the undercurrent of tension between them. Ren found himself drawn to the way her eyes lit up when she spoke about her work, the way her passion for her subject seemed to fill the room.

But even as they laughed and shared stories, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more he needed to say - more he needed to reveal.

Not yet, he reminded himself. For now, this was enough. A small step toward something that felt inevitable.

As the evening wore on, Elena glanced at her watch and sighed softly. “I should probably get going,” she said. “I have an early start tomorrow.”

Ren nodded, though a part of him didn’t want the evening to end. “Of course. Thank you for joining me.”

She smiled, standing and gathering her things. “Thank you for inviting me.”

As they stepped outside, the cool evening air wrapped around them. Ren walked her partway back to campus, their steps slow and unhurried.

When they reached the crossroads where they’d part ways, she turned to him, her smile warm but shy. “Goodnight, Ren.”

“Goodnight, Elena,” he replied, his voice low.

He watched her walk away, his wolf restless once again but calmer now, content in the knowledge that this was only the beginning.