“Shit,” I mutter, frantically slathering my scent blocker lotion all over my body. I’m late for work, and it’s my turn to read to the kids at the library today.
I tug on a soft blue dress with one hand while rubbing lotion into the back of my knee with the other. The fabric sticks slightly from the leftover residue, but there’s not much time to care. I have to make sure my scent stays hidden from the humans I work with because I’m not prepared to answer a bunch of questions, which would probably end up with me being poked and prodded at a lab.
This morning I overslept, having woken up from a nightmare at three a.m. The nightmare was so vivid, and I woke up in tears, believing Zorin was still beating me in the rain.
As I run my fingers along the large scar on my left arm, memories come flooding back—the night Zorin and his pack attacked me, leaving me broken and bleeding.
Four years later, I’m here, living in hiding, passing off as a human, but the pain still lingers.
Turning my gaze to the picture frame on my dresser, I see the smiling faces of my sisters, Carmen and Francine. The photo was taken at a friend’s barbecue, our laughter and goofy antics frozen in time. The glass is shattered, a stark reminder of the distance between us now. I miss them, but I know it’s too dangerous to follow them to Howl’s Edge Island, where Zorin might have moved to.
I wish they could be here with me so I’m not alone.
My mother, on the other hand, is a different story. She was never particularly kind to us girls growing up, and her harsh words and cold demeanor left me feeling unwanted and unworthy. Maybe it was one of the reasons I stuck with Zorin’s pack for so long, waiting for love or any sign of affection.
“Focus, Lena,” I tell myself, pushing the memories away. “Today is going to be a great day at work.”
Later that day, I’m in the library and take a deep breath as I open the worn copy of Red Riding Hood. Even though I was a little late, my co-workers were able to
The children sit cross-legged on the colorful rug, their eyes wide with anticipation.
“Once upon a time,” I begin, my voice chirpy and filled with enthusiasm, “there was a little girl named Little Red Riding Hood who lived in a village near the forest.”
The children listen intently as I read the tale of the little girl and her journey through the woods.
“Miss Lena,” a small boy with thick glasses interrupts, raising his hand. “If the wolf is so big and bad, why doesn’t he just eat everyone in the village?”
Giggles erupt from the other children, and I can’t help but smile at the innocence of his question.
“Well, you see,” I explain gently, “the wolf isn’t interested in eating everyone. He’s just trying to survive like anyone else. And besides, it would be a very short story if he did that, don’t you think?”
The children nod in agreement, and I continue the story until its thrilling conclusion.
As I close the book, Paige, my co-worker, guides the children toward the shelves where they can choose their own books to take home. She’s petite, with a pixie-like face framed by dark curls, her green eyes always sparkling with energy, but her energy reminds me of my sister Francine.
“Great job today, Lena,” she whispers with a smile before returning to the eager young readers.
“Thanks,” I say, smiling as I watch the children fighting over a book on the shelves. “Good luck.”
“I could use some of that,” Paige sighs, but she quickly inserts herself into the argument between the children. “Shh, don’t cry! I have more of those books in the back.”
Carrying the now-closed book in my hands, I head to where it belongs, not wanting to pile it up with the other books in the containers we didn’t get around to organizing.
I quickly slide the book back into its place so I could help Paige out.
“Your reading was quite captivating,” a deep male voice says from behind me, and alarm goes through me, knowing immediately that he isn’t human.
My chest tightens as I whirl around to face the unexpected voice.
He’s an alpha right here in my library, and it doesn’t help that he’s breathtaking. His steel-gray eyes are intense beneath dark blonde hair that falls effortlessly across his forehead, framing a chiseled jawline that could cut glass.
“Uhm… are you a father with a child here?” I stammer, trying to maintain my composure as my heart races. This is the fucking last place I ever thought I would see a wolf like myself. Alphas were much bigger than omegas and usually came in packs, with an omega as their mate to share between them.
“No,” he replies, his voice smooth and rich like melted chocolate. “I was looking for a book on military tactics. Your voice caught my attention, and I had to stop and listen. The sound of your voice is very…captivating.”
“Thank you,” I say, forcing a smile despite the unease curling in my stomach. I can’t help but feel exposed, vulnerable under his gaze. My scent blockers should be working, but being this close to an alpha has me on edge.
I instinctively want to flee, but politeness keeps me rooted to the spot. Plus, if I run, he will know I’m hiding something. Alphas don’t like to be kept in the dark about anything.
“Could you help me find the book I’m looking for?” he asks, eyes scouring my body. God, he isn’t even discreet about it. He must not have a mate.
I wonder if he has a pack. No, I can’t let my mind go there.
“Of course,” I reply, swallowing hard. As we walk through the library, he follows closely behind me, his presence practically radiating heat. My heart hammers against my ribs, and I concentrate on keeping my breathing steady.
But my pussy is clenching as I try to keep my slick from releasing. Alphas could sense when an omega is horny, and I can’t let him suspect me for a second.
After my horrible experience with Zorin and his pack, I need to push him away.
“Sometimes these books can be a bit disorganized,” I blurt out nervously as we arrive at the correct shelf, trying to fill the silence between us. “But I’m sure we’ll find it in no time.”
“Your dedication to this library is admirable,” he says, joining me in scanning the shelves. We reach up to touch the spine of the same book, our hands colliding.
A sudden bolt of electricity goes through me, and my breathing stops as he sharply looks at me.
Shit, he must have felt that too.
“Oh! Here it is,” I announce, distracting him by pulling the book from its hiding place. “This should be what you’re looking for.”
“Thank you,” he murmurs, his fingers brushing mine as he takes the book. The contact sends another shiver down my spine.
“You’re welcome,” I say softly, unable to meet his intense gaze any longer.
My heart races as he pauses and sniffs the air, his steel-gray eyes suddenly locking onto mine with the intensity of a thousand stares. Panic bubbles in my chest, and I freeze, wondering if he can sense that I’m really an omega beneath the scent blockers.
If an alpha pack discovered an omega was around, they wouldn’t waste any time claiming them.
“Very nice,” he says, holding the book, but his eyes are still on me.
“Uh, this is the general area for the books you’re looking for,” I stammer, making a hasty excuse to leave him there.
As I move away, I can feel his eyes on my body, my blue dress swishing around my thighs. My heart pounds so hard I’m sure he can hear it.
Ten minutes later, I’m chatting with my co-worker at the front desk when the alpha approaches, a stack of books cradled in his arms.
“Whoa, he’s hot,” whispers Annabelle.
“Don’t stare,” I hiss as he deliberately approaches my side of the desk, placing the books down.
My heart races as I try to act nonchalant, focusing on scanning the books.
Suddenly, the alpha places his hand on top of mine, stopping my movements and sending lightning spikes through my body.
“Have you lived here your whole life?” he asks, his question coming out of nowhere. But I know he’s trying to figure me out and getting frustrated.
I laugh nervously, trying to hide my discomfort.
“Yes, of course,” I lie, my breathing labored as slick seeps from my pussy. My underwear is probably wet as hell. It’s been years since I’ve been around an alpha, and his presence is affecting me on another level.
I turn my attention back to the computer screen as he checks me out. His name is Gunnar Thorne, and I file it in my mind, planning to look him up later on social media.
Relief washes over me as he gathers his books and leaves with one last look at me.
“What was that about?” asks Annabelle, her eyebrows raising as we watch the hot alpha saunter his way to the exit doors.
“Sometimes we get the odd ones,” I shrug, feigning nonchalance. “I’m not too worried.”
But deep down, I’m worried.
Alphas don’t like to be confused, and something tells me he’ll be back for answers.
The downpour outside is relentless as I organize the books in the library before locking up for the night. The books are a hot mess, and I don’t want to drive outside right now, so I might as well make use of my time.
As I organize the romance novels from the returned stack, I can’t help but flip open the pages and read some of the chapters.
I might as well pass the time until the storm passes.
The sound of thunder echoes in the distance, and I glance out the giant window. The storm is moving faster than expected, already cloaking the world outside in almost pitch-black darkness. Rain doesn’t usually bother me, but the heavy downpour sends unease snaking through me, reminding me of that fateful night when my previous pack left me for dead in the rain.
“They’re not here anymore. I’m okay,” I whisper to myself to stay grounded.
Putting away the book, I hug myself as I shiver. Standing before a bookshelf, I take deep breaths, attempting to push away the memories that threaten to consume me.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, startling me out of my reverie. I pull it out and see a tornado warning alert on the screen.
With a sigh, I realize it’s too late to drive home. Being stranded out there sounds like a total nightmare.
Luckily, I have a bag in the employee break room with snacks and a blanket in my car. I hope I don’t have to spend the entire night in the library because that would be uncomfortable.
“Guess it’s just us tonight,” I murmur to the rows of books surrounding me. Ever since my ex-pack left me for dead, I think back on why I stayed with them for so long. Zorin never cared about me after charming me to be their omega. And I had fallen for them hard, which was a big mistake.
As I continue organizing the shelves, I can’t help but think about Gunnar, the alpha who had visited the library earlier.
My heart races as I recall our brief encounter, his touch lingering on my skin. I had lied to him, telling him I had lived here my whole life. Would he find out the truth? What would he do if he discovered that I was an omega?
I shake my head at the sudden, intrusive thoughts because there’s no point in worrying about that now.
Instead, I focus on the task at hand, finding solace in the familiar rhythm of organizing the books. The storm outside rages on, but inside these walls, surrounded by stories, I feel a sense of safety, even if it’s only temporary.
After organizing the shelves and reordering the books as much as possible, I grab the thickest book to read for the night after retrieving the blanket from my car.
It was horrible outside—my clothes were mildly drenched, even from how fast I ran. I can’t imagine driving in the storm.
I settle onto the large couch in the middle of the library, lying on my back as I read.
The thunder rumbles overhead, a deafening clap that makes me shiver as I wrap the blanket tighter around me.
This is one of those moments when I hate being alone.
I wish I had a pack.
“But that’s not safe,” I whisper, trying to focus on the book. Alphas are enticing at first and then pure monsters after they snare an omega.
My heart races as I listen to the rain pounding against the windows. I can’t shake the horrible memories of the beating—the fear I felt that night for my life.
I try reading again, hoping to escape into the pages of a world where love conquers all. The words blur together as my mind races, unable to focus on anything but the thunderstorm outside.
Suddenly, a loud banging at the library’s front door startles me, and I jump, dropping the book to the floor.
Panic seizes me as I struggle to breathe.
“Oh my god,” I whisper to myself—my voice barely audible above the howling wind. A single thought pounds through my brain relentlessly.
It could just be my co-workers coming back briefly. Or even… Gunnar?
