He clung pitifully to the last thread that bound him to his carefully woven self-control and forced his eyes into an expression that was hard and practically spitting a defiant, cold fire. Jase knew that he'd hurt her; that was the one thing that had left him as not only her closest friend when they were younger, but as her protector as well. Steel hearted Jase could take insults and sharp words that the young ivory girl could not, and so to save her from feeling any hurt, he took it all for her. Who would have thought that after all of that, he would be the one attacking her? The embers within him brought to life, his self-hatred and self-inflicted guilt flared. Jase kept it from his sapphire eyes, and chose instead to concentrate his attention on the gray dust settled on her shoulder. He didn't want to look at her, or see the pain in her eyes.
There was no possible way for him not to, though, as she swiveled and threw him a look that he almost felt searing into his skin. Jase's flesh prickled and his russet fur rose on end, ebony ruff stiffening with that challenging glower. Rey - No, Reyna, he corrected himself fervently - hissed words at him that did not normally hold a negative connotation, not with them, but he felt them like he felt poison. Biting back sympathy and slamming a wall around the part of him that ached to just go back to her and apologize for the few things he had already said and the things he'd damaged, Jase rose to his full height and stared down at her. There was no doubt that he was the wolf who was the stuff of children's nightmares, who should not and would not be crossed. The lingering tenderness behind his eyes faded slowly until there was only an arctic look there and a smirk curled at his mouth, one that was suggestive and dangerous.
"How about you help me with that?" He purred, voice huskier than usual and tail swinging behind him in a misleadingly jovial way. This was an inappropriate tone to use with her, his conscience told him. Jase pushed that back, though, and continued to watch. To his surprise, she turned and stormed away from him. The russet boy was conflicted between a deep relief that he would not have to worry about anyone knowing of their interaction, and a similarly deep, far more rooted sadness. It hurt to see her go. He stood there in the same spot he'd been, his shoulders sagging lightly and his tail dropping instantaneously. A few minutes later, a howl broke the air. One that was free of restraint.
She was free.
She didn't need him.
JASE,
WHEN SHE SMILES
WELL IT'S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH ME;