Page 6 of The Librarian and Her Alphas

“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 downpouroutside 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 organizingthe 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.

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