It took longer for Lanius to recover than it did for your wave of panic to pass. Your breathing evened out and your heart rate slowed, but she kept you locked in her embrace, murmuring apologies and petting your hair.
God, this was right up there in contention for the most embarrassing experience of your life.
"Stop," you told her at last, pushing her away. "Enough already. I'm fine." For a long moment, a string of snot connected your nose to the front of her flannel. Gross. If she noticed it before it broke, she didn't say anything, though.
"What the hell was that?" Her voice was rough, as if she'd been the one crying.
"Panic attack," you said. "I get them sometimes. Doesn't mean anything. I'm fine." She gave you an incredulous stare, which you met steadily. "I'm fine." Your tone left no room for argument, but you knew Lanius. She could make room.
She didn't, thankfully. She hesitated, like she was thinking about it, before ultimately letting it go. There were undoubtedly conditions to her surrender, though.
"It's freezing out here. Let's get you back inside," she reasoned before herding you back towards the front door. One thing was for certain... She wasn't going to let you walk away, no matter how desperately you wanted to.
It was still worth a shot.
"I think I should go," you muttered, digging in your heels and refusing to take one more step towards the entrance.
"Nonsense! You haven't even had dessert yet!" Dessert did sound nice. Now that you had emptied the contents of your stomach out into the snow, you were actually kind of hungry again. But you had to be strong.
"The blizzard has only gotten worse, though! If I wait any longer, I won't be able to make it home."
"You already waited too long. But don't worry... You can stay here for the night."
"What?! No!"
"You don't have much choice in the matter. Roads are unsafe." You considered just sneaking out... But that's when you remembered that your keys were in your coat pocket and you foolishly entrusted Lanius with your coat when you first came in.
She gave you a brilliantly white smile, like she knew she'd won. "I don't suppose I could interest you in a slice of pumpkin-gingersnap tiramisu? Maybe a bowl of strawberry gelato? We've got a little something for everyone!"
"I guess..." You sighed, your mouth already puckering into a pout.
"That's the spirit!" She crowed before throwing an arm around your shoulders and all but dragging you inside.
...
Dessert was delicious. You never doubted it would be after how good the main meal was. But even better was the dessert wine.
You may have indulged a little too much... But who could blame you? After that minor outburst, everyone was treating you with kids gloves. They checked in on you constantly --none more so than Lanius-- and talked low and slow like you were a wild animal they didn't want to spook. You weren't a child!
They were all but driving you to drink. Eventually you stopped counting how many glasses you'd had, just wanting to let loose and have fun.
It felt like just when you were starting to feel good, the party was over. The last of the adults were only still milling about because you, as the guest, hadn't retired yet.
"Let's get you to bed, hun," Lanius murmured warmly with smiling eyes.
"But I'm not sleepy," you whined as you held your wine glass against your face, partly to cool your cheek and partly to keep it as close as possible in case someone tried to take it from you.
YOU ARE READING
The Work of Wolves || Yandere!Werewolf X F!Reader
Horreur"People should be judged not by their outward demeanor but by their works, for many in sheep's clothing do the work of wolves." Based on Mr Wolf, What Time Is It?
