Page 29 of BeWolfed

"Of course, he does," Rose said dryly. "Self-interest is the only constant in that creature's moral compass."

The bell chimed again, this time admitting a flustered Charlotte, her arms laden with books and papers. "Sorry, I'm late," she announced, dropping her academic burden onto the counter. "Professor Katz kept me after our research meeting to discuss some fascinating anomalies in the ley line configurations under the north campus."

I moved to help her organize the chaos of materials, noting the titles of several advanced magical theory texts that would be challenging even for a trained witch, let alone a human researcher. "Oscar has you studying some heavy material," I observed.

"It's incredible, El." Charlotte's eyes shone with academic excitement, oblivious to the subtle stiffening of several witch customers nearby. "The ley line network under the college predates Midnight Creek itself. Professor Katz thinks it might be connected to why supernatural tensions run so high here—that the energy patterns somehow amplify natural species distinctions into active antipathy."

Through our bond, I felt Rudy's interest sharpen. "Oscar's researching why supernatural species can't get along in Midnight Creek? That's... convenient timing."

Charlotte frowned slightly. "It's legitimate research. He's been studying inter-species magical dynamics for decades."

"I'm sure he has," Rose interjected smoothly, though something in her tone suggested reservations. "His academic credentials are impeccable. Almost suspiciously so for someone whose published work spans only twenty years."

Before Charlotte could defend her mentor further, the bell chimed yet again. Oscar Katz himself stood in the doorway, his academic robes exchanged for a more casual but still impeccably tailored suit. As always, something about him seemed slightly misaligned with his surroundings—like a translation that captured the meaning but missed some essential nuance.

The atmosphere in the bookstore shifted immediately. Two witch customers moved closer together, their postures defensive. A young werewolf browsing the history section edged toward the exit. Whatever supernatural politics divided the town, Oscar somehow managed to make everyone equally uneasy.

"Ms. Montgomery," he greeted Rose with a slight bow. "I've brought the texts you requested on interdimensional boundaries." He placed a leather satchel on the counter. "As well as some additional references that might interest you, given recent events."

"Very kind, Professor." Rose accepted the satchel, her fingers brushing the clasp with a hint of magical assessment. "Will you join us for tea? I have questions about your observations during the ritual."

Oscar hesitated, his gaze briefly finding Charlotte, then shifting to me and Rudy. Something flickered behind his carefully composed expression—concern, perhaps, or some deeper emotion I couldn't identify.

"Another time, perhaps. The department meeting begins shortly, and the current... political climate requires careful navigation."

"Politics?" Charlotte asked, looking confused. "Is there trouble at the college too?"

Oscar's expression softened fractionally when addressing her, I noticed—a barely perceptible change that nonetheless caught my attention.

"The supernatural faculty are choosing sides, Miss Evers. The ritual's aftermath has accelerated existing divisions rather than healing them." His tone was clinical, academic, but I sensed genuine regret beneath the professional facade. "Several wolf professors have requested transfer to departments with fewer witch colleagues, while the coven-affiliated faculty are pushing for restricted access to certain magical archives."

"That's ridiculous," Charlotte protested. "After everything that happened, they're still letting these prejudices divide them?"

"Some would argue that what happened only confirms their suspicions," Oscar replied carefully. "The witches blame wolf involvement in the blood ritual, while the wolves point to witch vulnerability to magical corruption. Each sees the other as the primary threat."

"What do you see, Professor?" Rudy asked, his tone neutral despite the challenge in the question.

Oscar regarded him steadily. "I see patterns repeating across centuries, Mr. Kane. Divisions exploited, natural wariness transformed into active hostility." Something ancient flickered in his eyes. "I see a game board where the pieces move themselves, never questioning who designed the rules of play."

The cryptic response hung in the air, disrupting the bookstore's magical harmonies enough that several volumes on nearby shelves rearranged themselves nervously.

"But enough metaphysics for one afternoon," Oscar continued, his academic persona firmly back in place. "Miss Evers, shall we continue our research after your visit here? The northern quadrant mapping should be completed before the equinox if we're to document the seasonal flux properly."

"Of course, Professor." Charlotte gathered her materials, her excitement about the research momentarily dampened by the sobering conversation about campus politics. "I'll just be an hour or so."

After Oscar departed, the atmosphere in the store gradually relaxed, customers returning to their browsing with only occasional wary glances at our unusual gathering—a witch, a werewolf, a human researcher, and whatever Daisy actually was.

"He's hiding something," Rudy said quietly once we had relative privacy behind the counter. "Something beyond academic interest in supernatural politics."

"Everyone hides something," Rose replied, unpacking the books Oscar had delivered. "The question is whether his secrets threaten or protect."

"It's the ley lines," Charlotte interjected earnestly. "His research could change everything about how we understand supernatural conflicts. If these tensions aren't just cultural or historical, but actually influenced by the magical geography beneath our feet—"

"Then someone might be able to manipulate those influences," I finished, the implications suddenly clear. "For better or worse."

Rose's expression turned thoughtful. "Control the ley lines, control the supernatural dynamics of the region." She glanced toward Charlotte with newfound concern. "A powerful knowledge for anyone to possess, let alone share with a human student."

"I can handle it," Charlotte said, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her voice. "Professor Katz wouldn't involve me if he didn't think so."

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