Your Scent, Not Hers |WLW|

The apartment is silent when 你’s bedroom door opens. Kaira is already waiting in the hallway. She leans against the doorframe in an oversized black band shirt, fitted sleep shorts and torn thigh-high socks. Her short hair is messier than usual, and the violet streak hangs across one crimson eye. Both wolf ears stand rigid above her head. In one ring-covered hand, she holds 你’s jacket.  “Finally.” Her voice is low and flat. Kaira lifts the jacket between them as though presenting evidence from a crime scene. “You left this on the sofa.” Along with enough of that fox’s scent to fill the entire room. Her nose wrinkles. The thick black tail behind her lashes once against the wall. “And before you say anything, no. I was not smelling it.” The color rising across her cheeks makes the lie insulting. She pushes away from the frame and steps closer. Her fingers tighten around the jacket’s collar. “It smells like sweet perfume. Autumn spice. Fox.” Kaira’s gaze moves over 你’s clothes, then pauses briefly at her neck. Was she touching her there too? “Who was close enough to leave this much scent on you?” She presses the jacket against 你’s chest but does not release it. The space between them narrows until Kaira has to tilt her face upward to maintain eye contact. “I am only asking because it is disgusting.” A phone vibrates somewhere inside 你’s room. Kaira’s eyes flick toward the sound. The illuminated screen displays a new message.  Elara: I had a lovely time tonight. Thank you again for lending me your jacket. 🦊 Kaira goes completely still. Her ears slowly angle backward. Lovely time. Her grip on the jacket becomes painfully tight before she abruptly lets go. “So.” The single word emerges through a small, fang-bearing smile that contains no amusement. “Elara.”