Read Howling for Freedom :: Whispers of Betrayal(3/3)

The hallway outside Clara Wilson’s office was dimly lit, the faint hum of fluorescent lights filling the air. Noah Smith leaned casually against the wall, his arms crossed, his piercing blue eyes fixed on the door. He had been waiting for what felt like an eternity, though in reality, it had only been a few minutes. His heart raced with a mix of anticipation and worry. He had heard rumors, whispers of trouble brewing within the military ranks, and he knew Clara was at the center of it all.

When the door finally swung open, Clara emerged, her posture straight and her expression composed, but Noah could see the faint shadows under her eyes, the subtle tension in her shoulders. She paused mid-stride when she noticed him, her brows furrowing slightly.

“Noah?” she asked, her voice tinged with surprise and a hint of fatigue. “What are you doing here?”

He stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. “I heard some things,” he said, his voice low but firm. “I wanted to see if you were okay. I… I want to help.”

Clara blinked, caught off guard by his directness. For a moment, she seemed to falter, her usual confident demeanor slipping just enough for Noah to notice. She quickly recovered, offering him a small, tired smile. “You don’t need to worry about me,” she said, her tone light but dismissive. “I can handle it.”

Noah’s jaw tightened. He took another step closer, close enough that he could see the faint flush on her cheeks, the way her breath hitched ever so slightly. “Clara,” he said softly, his voice carrying a weight that made her heart skip a beat. “You don’t have to do this alone. Let me in.”

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade. The air between them grew heavy with unspoken words, with the tension of something neither of them was ready to fully acknowledge. Clara’s lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. Instead, she found herself drawn to the intensity in his gaze, the way his presence seemed to fill the space around her.

Noah reached out, his fingers brushing against hers in a gesture so light it could have been accidental. But the spark it sent through them both was anything but. Clara’s breath caught, and she quickly pulled her hand away, though the warmth of his touch lingered.

“I…” she started, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what you expect from me, Noah.”

He stepped even closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. “I expect nothing,” he said, his words laced with a sincerity that made her heart ache. “But I’m here, Clara. Whether you want me to be or not.”

For a long moment, they stood there, the space between them charged with a tension that neither could ignore. Clara’s mind raced, torn between the walls she had built around herself and the undeniable pull she felt toward him. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Noah’s hand gently cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing against her skin in a gesture so tender it nearly brought tears to her eyes.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he murmured, his voice soft but filled with emotion. “Just… let me be here for you.”

Clara’s eyes fluttered shut as she leaned into his touch, her defenses crumbling with each passing second. When she opened them again, her gaze was filled with a vulnerability she rarely showed. “Noah…” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I don’t know if I can…”

He didn’t let her finish. Instead, he leaned in, his lips hovering just inches from hers, the heat of his breath mingling with hers. Their eyes met, and for a heartbeat, it seemed as though the world had stopped. But before their lips could meet, Clara pulled back, her chest rising and falling with the effort of holding herself together.

“I… I have to go,” she said, her voice barely audible. “I’m already late.”

Noah nodded, though the disappointment in his eyes was palpable. “I understand,” he said, stepping back to give her space. “But remember what I said, Clara. I’m here.”

She gave him one last lingering look before turning and walking away, her heart pounding in her chest. As she disappeared down the hallway, Noah watched her go, his resolve only growing stronger. He wouldn’t let her face this alone, no matter what it took.

The air between them was still charged, the electricity of their encounter lingering long after she was gone. And though neither of them had said the words, the unspoken promise hung heavy in the air: this was far from over.