Xanthe's phone buzzed on the nightstand stirring her from half- sleep. She frowned glancing at the clock.
Midnight?? She wasn't use to Lynam calling this late and moreover it has been less than 24 hours since she spoke to him. The sight of his name on her screen brought an odd flutter to her chest.
Lynam? She murmured picking the call
A pause lingered on the other end before his deep voice finally came through.
I didn't mean to wake you. His tone different from usual - softer, without the edge she'd come to expect. It threw her off guard and she found herself gripping the phone a but tighter .
Couldn't sleep anyway she said though it wasn't exactly true. Is something wrong? She asked
Silence stretched again as if he was hesitating. No he finally said. I just... I just wanted to hear your voice.
His confession made her speechless. She didn't know how to respond and the silenced dragged on. She never heard him speak like this as if he needed her in some inexplicable way.
That's... unexpected she managed to say. Her voice barely a whisper.
It's strange he admitted. Being a way feels different. Xanthe swallowed caught off guard by his sudden confession. She wanted to ask him more to pry into the mystery that always hang around him.
Different how? - She asked.
A short laugh echoed over the phone. I don't usually miss people.
Xanthe's heart skipped a beat. Something warm and unnerving bloomed in her chest and she felt a faint blush creeping into her cheeks.
What was this feeling? She brushed it off reminding herself that he was simply being polite perhaps nostalgic. But still,she couldn't deny that his words struck a chord on her heart.
Maybe, you're just getting sentimental in your old age she teased trying to keep things light.
Maybe. There was this magical softness in his voice which always leaves her breathless. But then, he turned serious again.
Xanthe there's something I haven't told you yet. Something important.
Piquing her curiosity, she asked what is it?
Another hesitation followed. She could hear his breathing as if gathering his courage. It's about me. There's a part of my life you don't know. I wanted to wait until the time was right.
She felt a pang of excitement in her wolf instincts sharpening. A sense of anticipation filled her as if he was about to reveal the reason behind all those mysterious glances, all the strange sensations she felt when he was near.
Lynam her voice gentle as ever almost inviting. You can tell me. I'd rather know the truth.
He sighed sounding almost relieved. But then in a faintly apologetic tone, he murmured soon. I promise.
There was something vulnerable in his voice that made her chest tighten. She wanted to press him into reveling the truth but a part of her didn't need to. For now, his promise was enough though she could feel a pull towards him stronger than anything she'd felt before.
When the call ended, Xanthe lay in the dark, staring at her phone her mind buzzing. She couldn't deny that the distance between them had brought them closer somehow.
She drifted to sleep his voice lingered leaving her wondering if maybe - just maybe - her heart was beginning to betray her.