Page 4 of A Pack of Cozy

"Great!" Clara gushes, oblivious.

"You won't need to bring anything since it's your first time," Winnie assures me.

"The book we're reading isThe Kraken's Omega," Clara says. "It's my pick."

"But if you can't finish it by next Saturday, we'll understand," Winnie adds. Clara makes an incredulous face. Clearly, she won't understand if I don't finish. I thank them all and assure them I'll see them on Saturday. It's Tuesday, and my week isn't as gloomy as before I entered the Café.

As I head out the door, I realize I don't have time to stop by the lake to eat the rest of my honey cake. Talking with the girls had taken up all my usual morning time. But I find I'm not bothered. The morning went well in other ways. So, I walk up the street to the Library and slip in through the side entrance to start my day.

Calliope

It'sbeenthekindof week that makes me truly appreciate my job. We hosted a vibrant book club for middle-school-aged children who'd selectedAnne of Green Gables. Watching them discuss one of my favorite childhood reads with such enthusiasm filled my heart with joy, and reminded me that the world can be a delightful place sometimes. We received generous book donations, allowing us to expand certain sections and replace worn-out books barely held together with tape and dreams. A knitting group that meets in our conference room surprised me with a beautifully crafted multicolored scarf as a welcoming gift for being the new librarian. I couldn't help but tear up a little at their thoughtfulness.

To top off a truly fantastic week, Saturday has arrived, and it's my first book club meeting at Clara's tonight. I've just finishedThe Kraken's Omega. I listened to part of it as an audiobook while at the Café, and the barista handed me my drink during a particularly steamy scene involving Kraken alphas, their tentacles, and their omega. I'm sure I turned bright red before scurrying away as fast as possible.

Everything's going well until midday, when Tyler, the assistant librarian and a beta, approaches me with a shaken expression. He leads me back to one of the stacks where books are piled on the ground. As I approach, I realize they've all been vandalized with thick black marker and pages have been torn out. As I sift through them, I discover that each one is considered "controversial" in certain political circles. But really, they're just beautiful stories of diversity. It hurts my heart that someone feels the need to take away the community's access to stories simply because they themselves don't want to read them. We don't have security cameras, and we might need them. Although I'd rather spend the funds acquiring more books or hosting more children's programs.

"Did you see who did this?" I ask Tyler.

"No. I think one person came in around noon, but they were wearing baggy sweatpants and a hooded sweater, so I couldn't see their face. They weren't very tall, so I don't think it was an alpha. But beyond that, I don't know." With his limited scent abilities as a beta, he wouldn't be able to tell if the person was another beta or even an omega

I nod, gather up the books, and take them back. It seems silly to cry over books, but a place I was beginning to love and care for has been invaded and vandalized. It feels like a personal attack in some ways. I call the police and report the crime. They say they'll send an officer to gather evidence.

It's my day to leave early, but I feel reluctant to go. Tyler assures me there's nothing I can do and encourages me to leave it to him. So, I gather my things and head out the door, vowing to enjoy myself at the book club and not let what's happened ruin my week.

Connor

TheLakesidePointPublicLibrary smells like the wind before a big rainstorm. It's petrichor and lightning, and I'm drowning in its intoxicating pull. I need to find it, need to breathe it in like someone on the brink of suffocation. I bolt through the stacks, barely registering the startled looks of tutors and contemplative frowns of old men settled in their leather chairs. I desperately search for the scent that hovers just out of reach. My heart races as I push deeper into the shelves.

I stop, frustrated, and a cough behind me has me spinning around. A beta is lingering there. It's the assistant librarian, though I can't remember his name in my frenzied state. My alpha growls within me, driving me to hunt down the source of that tantalizing scent. I have to find and claim whoever it's leading me to.

I've never placed much importance on scent sensitivity. While scent matching is undeniably essential in any relationship, statistically helping to determine deeper psychological compatibility, it doesn't guarantee success. However, scent sensitivity is a rare and valued trait. Extensive scientific research has shown that over 90% of scent-sensitive matches lead to successfully bonded packs. Furthermore, every pack that bonded due to scent-sensitive matches reports higher levels of happiness and fulfillment. My pack hasn't ever sought out scent sensitivity but we've talked about what we'd do if we found it. It's such a blessing. We'd said we'd fully embrace it.

My life will forever be divided into two parts: The time before I opened the Lakeside Point Public Library doors, and after I stepped inside.

"Can I help you, Mr. Evergreen?" asks the assistant librarian. Tyler. I vaguely remember his name through the haze of scent surrounding me. I know he won't be much help. betas aren't nearly as sensitive to scents as Alphas and omegas. It's fading, indicating that whoever the omega is, they've already left.

"No," I reply, my voice trembling as I struggle to keep my composure. Desperation bubbles beneath the surface.

I storm out of the Library and head to my Jeep. I need to get back to my pack. I speed down the snow-covered back roads, taking the tree-lined curves too fast. I slide to a stop in front of my house. The Café serves only breakfast and lunch and closes at two in the afternoon. My pack is home, likely in the office, tackling extra paperwork for our other cafés scattered throughout northwestern Michigan.

I rush up the wooden porch steps, taking two at a time, my heart racing. I fling the door open, and the sound of the guys talking in the office hits me like a wave. Stomping down the hall, I burst through the door, desperation fueling my every move. Both of them look up at me, surprise etched on their faces.

Bax is alpha-tall at six foot three, lean but muscled, with a warm, umber complexion and dark brown eyes. He manages the cafés' financial matters, a job I don't envy. I'm absolute shit with numbers.

Seth is a broad wall of an alpha with a fair complexion, long sandy brown hair that he wears in a messy top knot, and a neatly trimmed beard that matches his hair color.

"What's wrong with you?" Seth asks. A small, crooked smile plays on his lips at my expense.

My breathing is heavy, both from the short run and the hit of adrenaline I'd gotten from the scent in the Library.

"I…" How do I explain what I scented? We'd talked about finding an omega. We'd each tried bringing home ones that we dated to see if they'd be a good fit. And though they'd all been lovely, they only scent-matched to one or two of us, and they had never been a scent-sensitive match to anyone. It's been proven that if an omega scent sensitively matches to one person in your pack, they'll match to every member. Something about hormones syncing amongst a pack.

So, I talk through the story slowly, detailing what happened in the Library and what it means. They're both wide-eyed by the end of my little speech. Seth's fingers are laced together behind his head while he blows a long breath at the ceiling. Bax leans forward with his elbows on his knees, fingers steepled in front of his face, and his head bowed like he's saying a silent prayer. His eyes are determined but hopeful when he looks back up at me.

Seth's face cracks into a giant goofy grin and he lets out a small whoop. I know he's the most excited of us all. He'd grown up in a large pack with two male alphas, one female alpha, two female betas, and one scent-sensitive male omega. I'd lived with him for my last few years of high school. The house was pure, chaotic happiness. We won't be that big, but he won't mind. He just wants to be in something that close-knit.

"How do we find them?" Seth asks. I stare at him.

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