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But my feet are moving before I can stop them, drawn to her like a magnet to true north.
As I get closer, I notice something that makes my protective instincts flare. Sarah looks uncomfortable, her posture tense as she scans the crowd with wary eyes. She's clutching her drink like a lifeline, her knuckles white around the glass.
The urge to comfort her, to ease her discomfort, is overwhelming. I want to wrap her in my arms, to shield her from whatever's causing her distress. But I can't. Not here.
Instead, I approach slowly, making sure she sees me coming. I don't want to startle her.
"Ms. Mitchell," I say, keeping my voice soft and neutral. "I didn't expect to see you here."
Sarah jumps slightly at the sound of my voice, her eyes widening as she turns to face me. "Dr. Morgan," she breathes, and the sound of my name on her lips sends a shiver down my spine. "I... Jenna invited me. We work together at the elementary school."
I nod, trying to ignore how my heart races at her proximity. "Of course. Are you enjoying the party?"
She gives a small, forced smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "It's lovely. Everyone's been very welcoming."
But I can see the lie in the tension of her shoulders, smell the anxiety rolling off her in waves. I lean in slightly, lowering my voice. "You seem a bit overwhelmed. Would you like to take a walk? Get some air?"
Sarah looks up at me, relief flooding her features. "Actually, that sounds wonderful. If you don't mind?"
"Not at all. There's a nice path just beyond those trees. Shall we?"
As we step onto the moonlit path, away from the noise and lights of the party, I can sense Sarah's relief. Her shoulders relax, and her grip on her glass loosens slightly.
"Thank you, Dr. Morgan," she says softly. "I was feeling a bit overwhelmed back there. I don't know many people here except for Jenna."
I nod, understanding her discomfort. "Large gatherings can be intimidating, especially when you're surrounded by unfamiliar faces."
Sarah glances at me, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "If you don't mind me asking, how do you know Jenna and Ryan? I didn't expect to see my professor at a party like this."
For a moment, I hesitate. This is it - the moment of truth. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for her reaction.
"I'm actually part of Ryan's pack," I say, watching her carefully. "I'm a wolf-shifter, like him."
Sarah's eyes widen, and she takes an involuntary step back. The scent of her fear spikes, sharp and acrid in the night air. My wolf whines, desperate to comfort her, to show her we mean no harm.
"You're... you're a shifter?" she whispers, her voice trembling slightly.
I nod, keeping my posture open and non-threatening. "Yes, I am. I'm sorry if that makes you uncomfortable. I should have mentioned it earlier."
Sarah's gaze darts around, as if looking for an escape route. The sight of her fear tears at me, my protective instincts surging to the forefront.
"Sarah," I say gently, using her first name without thinking, "I promise you're safe. I would never hurt you."
She looks at me then, really looks at me, and I can see the conflict in her eyes. Fear wars with trust, her past experiences battling against what she knows of me as her professor.
"I... I'm sorry," she says finally, her voice small. "I didn't mean to react like that. It's just... I've had some bad experiences with shifters in the past."
My wolf growls at the implication, angry at whoever hurt her. But I push that anger down, focusing on the present moment.
"You have nothing to apologize for," I assure her. "Your feelings are valid, and I respect them. If you'd like, we can head back to the party, or I can find Jenna for you."
Sarah shakes her head, surprising me. "No, it's okay. I... I trust you, Dr. Morgan. You've always been kind to me in class. I just wasn't expecting this."
Relief washes over me at her words. She trusts me. It's a small thing, but it feels monumental.
"Thank you," I say softly. "That means a lot to me."
We continue walking in silence for a few moments, the sounds of the forest surrounding us. I can hear Sarah's heartbeat gradually slowing, her scent losing its sharp edge of fear.
