Ivailo Bridge

Ollie should have been offended. She wasn't considered weak, well, among humans but her mouth refused to move. Her lips were trembling and she slammed her eyes shut when he pushed his nose onto her cheek and smelled. She didn't know what he was doing. She didn't want to know what he was doing. She was just praying in her frightened heart that he wasn't contemplating cooking her for stew tonight.

After what felt like a millennium, she felt the hand leave her chin and suddenly the pressure that was heavy in the atmosphere lifted. Air filtered into her lungs and she found herself sucking it in rapidly through her mouth. She moved her trembling hands to her chest.

"They could have at least sent one who didn't look so frail,"

Ollie shifted her eyes to the wolf who was now standing with his arms crossed and his head leaned to the side with a frown on his lips. He looked displeased, displeased with her. Ollie wanted to step forward and slap him. He was mocking her. She could feel it. Were all werewolves this rude or was it this one only?

Ollie felt anger pool into her veins. She already felt dislike for the wolf coursing through her. She wasn't one to hate someone on the first meeting but his dismissive attitude pricked something inside her. She stifled her hectic breathing and straightened her slightly hunched back. She tried to calm herself again and moved her hands back to her side. She was going to try this one more time. She wasn't one to give up when she was challenged in such a brazen way, werewolf or not.

She pushed the brown strands of her hair out of her face and cleared her dry throat.

"Well, regardless of whatever you deem as strong, I was sent to take care of your two niece and nephew," She said ignoring the cracks in her voice. She forced a smile again. She tried to look as relaxed as possible when she was anything but. Ivailo stared at her and arched an eyebrow at her display. Ollie didn't know why his eyes unnerved her so. She felt like he was looking right through her like he knew what she was feeling.

"I'm not sure you would be able to handle my niece and nephews...Ollie, "He replied with his eyes narrowing into slits. Ollie could see his perception of humans as clear as day in his scrutinizing gaze. He thought they were weak, fragile, breakable.

Ollie could feel her smile straining.

"I assure you, Mr Bridge, I will do my utmost best with the children. This program was developed to help werewolves mend into human society with ease," Ollie responded while trying to hold back the anger in her words. She came here with no thoughts to judge because they were unfamiliar species but to be judged instead was downright disrespectful.

"At least," Ivailo stepped close again and the air plummeted like an anchor, again, oxygen felt deficient. She couldn't help tensing. Ollie figured the wolf had a problem with personal space. He leaned down towards her ears and whispered,

"You do seem to have some fire in you,"

Ollie's hands on her side curled into a fist. She contemplated punching him in the face.

"So where are the children? Can I see them?" She inquired directing this stifling conversation away from her. She wanted this day to end already and it just began.

"The pups are asleep," He answered leaning up and turning away from her. He unfolded his arms and stepped into the house. It was quite a beautiful and spacious one. Ollie had a hard time finding her way to it because of how similar the houses were. They were very grand and seemed to be able to hold a whole extended family with ease. Ollie didn't dare to ask around until she came upon one that fitted the description on her file perfectly.

Ollie didn't know if she was supposed to follow because he hadn't invited her in so she remained standing at hee position. Ivailo continued into the house but stopped suddenly and turned.

"Aren't you going to do your job?" He asked. His tone was very much ridiculing like he was talking to a child.

Ollie swore her biology class was easier to handle than this. She would rather dig a hole and climb into it than deal with this wolf, anything else but him. His expression was one of impatience like she was wasting his time with her presence but his body was relaxed and his hands were tucked into his pockets. He stood there like she wasn't anything near a threat either. Werewolves couldn't be this high and mighty, could they?

Ollie quickly got rid of the thought because who was she kidding? Humans were no different.

She smiled again and crossed the threshold, reluctantly solidifying that she was going to go through this. She couldn't turn and run for the hills now. She didn't want to add 'coward' onto this bastard's list.

The house wasn't what she expected it to be but she was beyond being surprised now. She took it in stride The walls were a seamlessly painted light blue. It had everything a living room held and all the furniture were strategically placed in a square-like pattern.

It had a homely feel to it and it made her insides feel cosy. It reminded her of her childhood home. The fake smile on her face turned to a genuine one when she saw the torn up toys littered about the place on the floor and colouring books accompanied them. It was quite an endearing sight.

It was a striking contrast to the hostility the wolf who was walking in front of her displayed. She could do this if it was only the kids. She didn't know how long she would last with Ivailo around, staring her down, judging her every move. He made the hairs on her neck rise and something about the way he moved felt primal.

Ollie didn't fail to notice how every step he took was filled with confidence and the way his back muscles rippled with the cautious tentative movements. Ollie couldn't even hear his footsteps. He looked aware, like he could hear, see and smell everything. He was definitely a werewolf. Everything in her being told her so, that humans were no longer the top of the food chain. They were.