Page 2 of Bad Wolf's Nanny
The woman groaned, slamming the book shut. “Look, I can tell that you’re very passionate—”
“Takethe Iron Walkers,” Lola insisted. “The traditional model has had only a central alpha, but the Iron Walker Alpha…there are rings of power around him, with clearly defined roles and expectations for each level of the hierarchy. It’s a rare approach, but there’s a reason the Iron Walkers are so powerful, and I think that it’s precisely because of the original pack establishment of that precise power structure. So please. Please let me stay, please let me study what I can from your archives. I really,reallythink I can be of use to you!’
The woman considered her for a moment, tapping her fingernails against the desk, her gray-blue eyes narrowed in concentration. “What classification are you familiar with?”
Lola sucked in a breath, blinking at the sudden change of topic. “Um…Yale uses the Library of Congress Classification, but I’m very familiar with Dewey-Decimal as well; it’s what the library in my hometown uses.”
The woman hummed. “What ethical procedures would you follow when digitizing rare or culturally sensitive materials?”
Lola tugged on the sleeve of her cardigan. “Consult the head librarian first, and then reach out to a cultural committee within the pack if one exists, and if necessary, requestpermission from the alpha where the material contains highly sensitive information about pack ceremony, tradition, or law.”
A strange gleam entered the woman’s eye, and she cocked her head. “What sort of glue would you use in the restoration of an eighteenth-century calfskin folio?”
Lola bit her lip as she tried to recall her rudimentary bookbinding knowledge.Whyhadn’t she taken that specialized summer course last month? “Animal glue for the main structural adhesion, and then paste for any further paper adhesion, such as endpaper replacement.”
The woman lifted one arched eyebrow. “Very impressive. Okay, Lola Devereaux. One last question, and I’ll give you a chance.”
Lola exhaled, nodding vigorously, preparing herself for any number of niche or tricky questions designed to catch her out. There wasnothingshe knew better than books. She could answer any question, recall any tiny scrap of random knowledge, deduce exactly what it was this woman wanted for her library—
“Do you intend to join the pack?”
Lola stopped short. Shit.Shit. She hadn’t even considered that. Hadn’t even thought it would be necessary—she was only going to be here for six months! When she’d officially left her original pack, she’d never joined a new one, never felt the need to. A pack wasn’t somewhere she felt comfortable; studying them, sure, that was fine. That was her contribution to shifter culture. But actuallyparticipatingin a pack…
The idea opened old wounds that she had absolutely no intention of revisiting.
She didn’t want to join the pack, and she knew that would be written all over her face.
The woman closed the ledger with a definitive thump, a sympathetic yet satisfied smile curling over her face. “I’m very sorry, dear. If you don’t intend to join the Iron Walkers, then I’m afraid we’re done here.”
“But, but—” Lola stammered, tears pricking her eyes. She had waitedmonthsfor an opportunity like this. Her research had ground to a halt; she’d run out of sources. Shifters were sonotoriouslysecretive, sheneededthis.
“It’s as you said, dearie,” the woman said, “certain documents that you would be working with are highly sensitive in nature and require a good deal of collaboration with higher members of the pack. For that level of access, I couldn’t ask Felix to trust an outsider.”
“I’ll join the pack!” Lola said suddenly, her voice cracking. “I’ll do anything. I need this research. Please.”
Sighing, the woman sat down, massaging her temples. “Well, you’re persistent, I’ll give you that. And Professor Conrad did write you a glowing letter of recommendation…”
She tapped her chin a few times, looking Lola up and down. Lola stood in agonizing silence, her hands clasped together, desperately hoping,praying…
“Alright,” the woman said at last, “I’ll make you a deal. It’s clear that you’d prefer not to join the pack, but I simply cannot allow you access to the more sensitive material unless you are a member. So you will work for me for the next three months without joining the pack, during which time you will take every opportunity to embrace the Iron Walkers. You will go to pack events, you will contribute to fundraisers, you will spend time with our people.”
Lola’s throat went dry. “You mean like…like socializing with them?”
The woman narrowed her eyes. “Yes, of course, what else would you be doing?”
Lola swallowed, and she laughed nervously, “See, here’s the thing…I’m kind of…not the best with people. I prefer my own company most of the time. In social situations, I kind of…say the wrong thing.”
With a barely concealed smirk, the woman crossed her legs. “I can see that. Nevertheless, youwillprove to me that you are willing to involve yourself in the current pack culture, not just its history. You will give back to our community as well as take the knowledge you need from it. If, after three months, you accept the pack and we accept you, you may join, and I will give you access to the more sensitive materials you require. If not, you will go back to Yale without a fuss. Is that a deal?”
Lola cringed. Her thesis, her PhD, her whole academiccareerwere now reliant on her ability to make friends.
She was doomed.
Still. She was never one to shy away from a challenge, and she would hardly go running away with her tail tucked between her legs now.
Whatever it takes.
She could do this. Shewoulddo this. The Iron Walkers were unlikely to be anything like her pack growing up. Or her fellow students at Yale. Or most of the faculty. She had to be optimistic.
