Chapter 265.1: A Night of Wolf and Dog
Celeste, unlike Wofoo, waited patiently outside the tent, not attempting to eavesdrop. Inside, Adele sat cross-legged, her posture relaxed and carefree. Wofoo, however, stood before her, her head bowed, her hands clasped nervously, her hood concealing her ears, her eyes red-rimmed, her body trembling slightly.
Adele gestured for her to remove her hood.
Wofoo obeyed, her ash-gray hair cascading down her shoulders, revealing her wolf ears, now flattened against her head in a gesture of submission, the feline equivalent of “airplane ears,” a sign of fear or shame. Whether werewolves called it the same, Adele didn’t know, but it was clear that Wofoo was consumed by guilt and anxiety.
“Silly girl,” Adele murmured, her voice soft, not accusatory, but filled with a gentle exasperation. If Adele had been angry, it would have been easier for Wofoo to bear, the punishment a welcome relief from her guilt. But Adele’s tenderness, her understanding, was far more difficult to confront. It broke down Wofoo’s carefully constructed defenses, leaving her exposed and vulnerable.
“I’m sorry... I’m so sorry, Adele!” she cried, her voice trembling.
“What are you sorry for?” Adele asked, patting the space beside her.
Wofoo sat, her knees drawn to her chest, her gaze still averted. Despite her inner turmoil, she was obedient, her body instinctively responding to Adele’s commands. She was, in a way, already being tamed.
Adele’s arms wrapped around Wofoo, her cheek resting against the girl’s shoulder. Wofoo’s body was tense, but she didn’t pull away, the unexpected intimacy a strange comfort. She had never imagined being held like this by Adele, and the realization brought tears to her eyes. She bit her lip, trying to compose herself, and finally confessed,
“I... I met Celeste.”
“I know,” Adele replied, her voice light and teasing. “You two seem to be getting along well now.”
“...It’s not like that,” Wofoo said, her voice trembling, the words tearing at her soul. “When I saw Celeste... I wanted her gone. So she wouldn’t... interrupt us.”
Adele froze, and Wofoo’s body went cold, the confession a heavy weight on her heart. She had revealed her ugliness, her selfishness, to Adele, and the anticipation of Adele’s rejection, of her disgust, drained her of all her strength. Tears streamed down her face, her eyes empty, devoid of hope.