Oliver Burton

The bear within him was antsy but then again, most weres were generally on edge. But a were who neglected their inner beast was more dangerous than a loose cannon. He could feel it pacing up and down that invisible inner line like a feral monster, threatening to get out of its bone cage. It was pissed, it practically vibrated with that violent urge to escape, to have an outlet. He played a dangerous game of pushing and bending until it couldn't bend anymore. He was arrogant in the sense that he believed he could overcome it all, even overcome the beast within him. No were could do that, eventually, that inner beast always prevailed.

Unfortunately, for this poor girl, so close to the full moon he was particularly on edge. Yet, she still dared to touch him. Very few ever dared to touch him. Her touch was so very gentle and timid, all the things that the business mogul was not. He was overpowering, big, intimidating and currently short-fused. The woman seemed to sense that anger as she recoiled from. He realized she could have easily not involved herself in his mess, like everyone else in this city, so absorbed within themselves to care, to even mention a word. He was one of those people, so wrapped up in his own affairs he would hardly meddle in others.

As if perfectly timed, almost comedically, the rest of the papers scattered out from the briefcase with a flop, the latch finally giving way. The timid woman seemed like she flinched as though she was going be struck. What? By him? Was he really that bad? He could hardly hold back that growl at the situation of his papers now strewn across the filthy concrete. "You did nothing wrong.. You were not the one who couldn't bother to latch a latch properly." He admitted, his voice smooth but agitation still peered its way through. He gazed up at her while crouched, trying to contain his mess of papers. But he was too strong headed to admit that this debacle was all his fault, he was too hasty and out of his mind that he didn't latch it properly.

Her fear, however, was all too distracting, he could smell it. It trigged something within the predator inside of him. He drew a breath as if to contain himself, focusing on the mess before him. He drew a calming breath, allowing his eyes to flutter closed for a brief moment to center himself before he thanked her. He could hardly hear the woman's reply, it was so very soft that it got carried away with the loud, obnoxious sounds of whirling cars and honking of an enraged driver. He focused on those sounds. He didn't expect the woman to drop to her knees and help him and yet she did. The woman was truly too kind for her own good. She shouldn't be around him now, not when he was like this. In truth, the man shouldn't have been around anyone. He should have dropped those papers and took a car to his property outside of the city, wander out there and succumb to the animalistic urges that threaten to fuel him.

There was a sudden wind gust that swept those papers away in a rush, he had managed to get most of them safely secured in that bag. He was dead certain he would make sure his company switched to an electronic paperless system after this, he didn't care for this situation in the least. He had been wanting to for a while now, but the man he was doing the merger with was entirely old fashioned and well just plain old and stuck in his ways. He rambled on for a good 30 minutes about having a paper trail and how important hard copies were and how computers were dangerous mechanisms used by spies and thieves. Well, now there was a paper trail down the bloody street. It would be pain in the ass to redo these papers.. Disgruntled, he was almost was willing to give up as at least ten to fifteen papers twisted and twirled within the road.. away and into the road and across the other side of the street. However, the woman had a look of resolve upon her delicate features. She tugged upon the fabric from the sleeve of his charcoal grey shirt. They weren't going to give up yet. They briskly walked with purpose to hunt down these papers, or at least attempt to. Somehow the tiny form of the woman was surprisingly quick on her feet. She practically ushered him, even though it was in the most delicate way that he could hardly feel her fingers leading him by the fabric of his shirt.. Leading him! The 6ft plus man with much longer legs and a domineering personality, had somehow allowed himself to be led by the petite woman. It was almost humorous to witness.

Even with purpose her anxiety was palpable like a tiny rabbit, eyes darting from place to place, from person to person in a frantic way. How it made the bear want to bury himself in that scent, as the delicate balance of predator and prey threatened to show. He couldn't quite tell what was wrong with the woman, why she was so fearful and yet so willing to help. Yet he needed all the help he could get.. Even if it was a disaster allowing anyone near him when he was like this. Yet, he decided to simply focus on the task at hand, he had kept the imposing bear at bay for a good chunk of his life, shoving it down, way down was usually easy enough.. So that is what he did so he could focus on the mundane task of tracking down those remaining lost papers. "You are certainly full of determination." He spoke idly as they followed the wild goose chase of papers. Every time it felt like they got close a wind would pick up and they had to venture further and further away. The two eventually split up, she followed the ones along the sidewalk and he went after the ones that flew in a precarious corner, near a homeless man and a garbage can. He was able to collect a hand full which unfortunately left several papers still at large. He wondered if she had any luck. With a quick scan, he was certain he collected what he could. Thank goodness the pages were numbered at least, it would make it easier for his assistant to recollect the missing papers and organize this mess..even though it only put them behind schedule, yet again. He drew out an exhausted sigh.

He tried to seek her out, but his view was obscured by people, he moved toward the direction she had gone in. His dark eyes were peeled for the papers and the petite woman who had somehow made it her mission to help him on his quest. He didn't even know her name, she had decided to keep that to herself.. So it wasn't like he could call out her name. With long, powerful strides, he was able to cover ground much more quickly in hopes to find her.

Ah, there she was. He caught a glimpse of what looked like her, but she was facing the other way. She was off to the side a little and talking to man, that much he could see. He could only make out her long black hair and a grinning male peering down at her. Maybe someone she knew? Hm, he had half a mind to leave her to that, when suddenly there was a commotion. A deep frown formed as he heard a scream and saw her small form fall backwards. He didn't waste a moment to close the distance between them, he noted the torn paper and saw the woman helpless, scared on the ground. What the hell? Who the hell?

He couldn't hold the bear back as anger flooded within him, his eyes hardly looked human in that very moment. "Is there a problem?" His voice lacked the liquid, dark smoothness it once held, his voice was once like velvet shadows now seemed gravelly and strained. He put his body in between the woman and the man, noting that sheer look of fear and despair in her eyes. How endearing and almost pitiful she appeared as she clung to those papers as though she wouldn't let the other man have them, as if she was willing to defend them with her life. She should not be on the ground, cowering to this man. A growl of warning reverberated from him, a grating sound that by no way came from a human.. He reached a hand to her with arrogant confidence as the Englishman left himself exposed momentarily to help the woman onto her feet. He placed his briefcase down by her feet once she stood, before that intimidating gaze and stature faced the other man.

How close his animal side was to breaking forth the threshold, but he couldn't change here, not in public, not in front of so many humans. Someone would surely get killed and a scene would occur, he would have nowhere to hide, nowhere to go as a 2200 pound creature in the middle of the city.. He strained to keep the bear at bay but his control was slipping.. "I suggest you apologize to the lady and go before I have to make you." His lips quirk into a malice filled smile, which was more of a show of teeth. At this point, they sharpened as his control waned helplessly.

Without question, he put his body like a shield between the woman and the man whom magic seemed to cling to. Warlock.. His enhanced abilities told him that much but that was hardly enough to have him back down. As far as his bear was concerned, this woman was his.. or at least under his protection. But it didn't matter, there was no way he was going to allow him to harm the timid creature who only desired to help him.

He hadn't realized his body shook, his muscles twitching, a familiar sensation to the change.

No.. Not here.. He... would.. control it..