Page 65 of The Librarian and Her Alphas

Damon whistles lowly when I walk into the living room.

His eyes rake over my body, growing darker with desire the longer he looks. I squirm under his smoldering gaze. The plug Max left inside me was feeling heavier by the moment.

“You look good enough to eat, baby doll,” he growls, and I blush.

Gunnar smiles at me, his eyes glowing with pure affection for me.

“You look beautiful, love,” he murmurs, taking my hand and kissing the back of it. “Are you excited?”

“Yes, let’s go,” I reply, despite the anxiety churning in my stomach.

Max sits with me in the back of the car, holding my hand, while Damon and Gunnar sit up front. Damon is driving, and I watch the city lights fly by as we travel across town. If I know anything about the alphas, it’s that they have some elaborate plan in place to spoil me tonight.

My heart aches at the thought of leaving the pack forever.

I don’t understand my reaction to them, but I know I can’t stay. They’ve been nothing but kind, watching out for me when I least expect it, but my past makes it difficult to move on.

They will never meet their baby.

A tear drips down my nose and onto my dress, sparkling under the light of a streetlamp we pass. I dab it away quickly, acting as if nothing is wrong.

I don’t want them to see me cry.

Max notices and squeezes my hand despite my best efforts, prompting me to look up at him. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? Why are you crying?”

I shrug, embarrassed to have been caught mourning the loss of these alphas.

“It’s nothing,” I murmur, grabbing a tissue from my purse to wipe my cheeks. “I’m just being silly.”

“You can tell us,” Gunnar growls, meeting my eyes in the rearview mirror, and I quickly look down.

My mind whirls as I think of an explanation, finally settling on something as close to the truth as possible.

“I’m so grateful to you all for your care and protection,” I say quietly to everyone. “I’ve never experienced this before. It feels so…nice.”

“Lena, honey,” Damon replies, his eyes glinting. “You’re precious to us, and we will do anything to make sure you know it.”

I nod, trying my best not to cry at his sweet words. Leaving will be much harder than I anticipated.

I haven’t allowed any of them close enough to mark me or kiss me on the lips, even though I almost caved the night before. When Damon and Max were making love to me, I desperately wanted to turn and kiss Damon, but self-preservation held me back. That urge scares me, so I know it’s time to leave now.

* * *

Ten minutes later,we finally arrived at the restaurant.

Damon parks in front and gets out, rounding the car to open my door. He hands the keys to the valet, and the four of us make our way inside.

“Welcome to La Belle Époque,” the hostess greets us warmly. “Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes, it’s under Lovel,” Damon replies, and the hostess leads us to our table.

The restaurant is beautiful, with tall, arched windows framed by soft gold accents and gauzy curtains. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting a warm light across the room. Soft classical music plays from hidden speakers, and the hushed conversations of well-dressed patrons fill the space. The thick carpet mutes our footsteps as we walk to the table, and my eyes widen at the elegant yet welcoming décor—plush velvet banquettes in jewel tones and crisp white linens draped over the tables.

“This place is beautiful. I’ve never been here,” I whisper, still in awe of the sheer luxury and elegance surrounding me. I don’t think I’ve ever visited a restaurant this fancy.

“Just wait until you try the food,” Damon says with a chuckle, winking at me as he caresses my knee under the table.

The waiter comes to take our order, and the alphas engage in easy banter that reflects their long-standing friendship. I smile as I watch them over dinner, wishing I didn’t have to leave. Despite my reservations, being with these alphas feels effortless.

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