A God Amongst Wolves

28

Word Count: 1747

~Alvera

Wiping the back of my hand across my damp forehead, I release a long breath.

The work here is endless. Committing myself to restoring the library has been taking up most of the day, every day this week. Keeping busy has kept me sane, although each day it feels as though the stacks of books are closing in on me.

I've just completed today's task of sifting through all the books and disposing of the one's so far gone they cannot be fixed.

Dusk has already shifted into night, which means I'm stuck sleeping here for the night. Again.

I know it's cowardly of me to avoid Venn. Thankfully he's been dealing with his own business, so when I am in his manor, it's easy to slip by him unnoticed.

Accepting our connection is one thing. Having to endure it is another...

Stretching my legs out in front of me, I try to ignore the fact that I'm sitting on the musty floor, books crowding me in great, perilous towers.

Tapping my phone screen, it lights up the dim space, showing no notifications from Eldon. Sighing, I bow my head back, wishing the heavy feeling on my chest would ease.

He doesn't want to hear from me...fine. I don't blame him. I just wish he would flick me a message at some point and let me know he's safe.

Footsteps suddenly sound from behind me, forcing me to cast a look back over my shoulder.

Able appears from between the stacks, his gait loose and his smile wide. I huff out an irritated breath, pressing back the subtle disappointment that he's not Venn.

"This place is improving already." He surveys the area with vague interest, taking in the books and empty shelves before he looks down at me.

I don't know who this guy is, or why he keeps appearing. I shouldn't have told him I plan to move in here, or that I'm even working on restoring it. Despite realising I need more friends and he's been nothing but friendly, I can't help the uneasy feeling I get whenever he's near.

"How did you get in?" I mumble.

"I have my ways," he muses. I pin him with a look. "Through the back."

"Oh." I shake my head, recalling the exact moment I locked that door. "Ah...hey."

"I just came around to see if you had followed through on your plans." He strolls closer before sinking down onto the floor, sitting cross-legged amongst the books.

I eye him carefully, wanting to stay aware but not too cautious around him. He hasn't done anything to indicate he can't be trusted.

As long as he isn't here to try to seduce me, we should be fine...I don't think he wants to become an enemy of his own Alpha.

"Updating the library is proving to be a slower process than I would like, but I'm getting there," I huff, returning to inspecting each book carefully, checking for dents and tears.

"Still planning on moving in here?" He asks.
 
"I haven't done anything about that yet." I narrow my eyes on him. "Maybe I shouldn't if strange men sneak into the library, even when I lock all the doors."

His eagerness to get in here is mildly concerning, and so is his easy, casual demeanour. Maybe I'm being unreasonable, or maybe it's

He offers a crooked smile. "The locks are old."

"Believe it or not, locks signify that I don't want people coming in," I bite back.

"Surely I'm not included in that." He leans back on his hands, his smile never faltering. He clearly doesn't see how this invasiveness could be construed as creepy.

"I don't even know you," I deadpan, sliding the book into my hand on top of the keep stack.

"You know my name is Able, you know I'm a werewolf and I live in this tired old town." He gestures around him, his smile bland.

I massage the spot between my brows, shaking my head. Why he's in this tired old town if he's dissatisfied with it, I don't know, although I suspect there aren't many places for werewolves that isn't in their own pack.

"That's nothing really," I comment. "Tell me something actually interesting or I'll demand you leave."

He's silent for a moment, weighing his options before he speaks again. "Fine, I'll share one secret if you share one too."

"The deal is you tell me something, and I don't kick you out," I mutter, clambering to my feet before my legs start to turn numb.

He joins me, reminding me that's he's eerily tall and could really hurt me if he chose to. I keep a few paces distance, rubbing my hands together nervously.

"Come on, this is the start of our friendship," he insists.

As I lean over and pick up a stack of books destined for the shelves, I allow myself a moment to think. I'm not sure how I feel about secret sharing with this stranger, but I'm sure my harsh judgement is coming from a part of me that is scared of werewolves. I shouldn't allow myself to think that way until he gives me a reason not to trust him.

"Go on then, tell me this secret," I mutter.

"Venn is my brother," he deadpans.

I just stare at him for a long moment, my brain seeming to stutter as it struggles to comprehend that information.

"Venn...as in—"

"As in Alpha Venn, yes." He rubs the back of his neck, his expression stuck in a half grimace as he anticipates my reaction.

"Are you certain?"

"I think I would know." He grabs half of the books from my arms.

Now that I'm looking at him, I see the resemblance. They have the same nose and remarkable jawline, and Able is staring at me with the same intensity Venn tends to.

The problem is, Venn warned me away from his brother...

"He mentioned he had a brother." I set the books down on the shelf behind me, trying not to panic. "He told me you're not a very good guy."

He shrugs, his eyes gleaming. "Well that's debateable."

"That's why you're here, trying to talk to me...you're trying to get at him." The realisation dawns on me suddenly, making perfect sense.

I knew his motivations weren't entirely innocent. People don't just tend to shove themselves into your life unless they want something, and this guy is relentless.

I just wish he would stop looking at me with those bright hazel eyes. It's unnerving.

"I'm assuming you never mentioned me to him, considering he hasn't hunted me down to kill me," he muses, strolling closer.

I sidle out of the way, poised to run. He sets the books down next to where I set mine before he leans against the shelf.

"You're not very relevant in my life, believe it or not," I grumble.

Frankly, I didn't mentioned Able to Venn because I didn't want an innocent person to fall victim to his protectiveness if it came to it. Plus, I liked having something in my life not related to everything else, which seems like a foolish notion now.

Turns out the person I've been protecting doesn't need protecting at all...

"Look, Venn and I don't have the best relationship right now, but that doesn't mean I want it to stay that way." He scrubs his hand through his curls.

I cross my arms. "So what, am I the middle man or something?"

"You're part of his life now," he muses. "I want you both to accept me."

I press my fingertips against my temples, feeling my world spiralling. I've been dragged into something I don't want to be a part of.

"What's your intentions?" I question.

"I want to repair my relationship with him. That's it," he insists, his smile dropping. "He has no reason to trust me, but things have changed."

I look over him, tapping my foot. He seems sincere, and part of me wants to believe him. I wish Belle shared the same desire to repair our relationship...

"Fine, I'll talk to him," I relent.

His brows rise. "You will"
 
"You two have to deal with repairing your relationship yourself, that's not my responsibility," I snap, grabbing another stack of moderate quality books. Considering how many are going in the bin, I can't be picky.

"Thank you Alvera," he murmurs.

"I'm only doing this because I want the same thing for me and my sister, but I can't get through to her." I turn to the shelf, ignoring where he's leaning against it as I start stacking the books upright, not worrying about what order they are being placed in.

I'll deal with that when there isn't a handsome idiot right next to me.

"Belle, right?"

I pause. "You know Belle?"
 
"Somewhat." He lifts one shoulder. "You two look so alike."

"Twins," I say. "Have you spoken to her?"

"Here and there." He rubs his jaw. "I would like you to facilitate a dinner with you, Venn and I. Can you do that for me?"

His serious tone gives me pause. This isn't some whim, he actually wants this. I'm not sure if Venn is going to want this, but I think I can actually make a difference with their relationship. More so with Belle and I, anyway.

"That's up to Venn, but I can ask."

He pushes away from the shelf. "Perhaps you could invite Belle."

I frown. "She would never come."

"Tell her I'll be there." He grins, his eyes glistening as he backs away.

"Will that matter to her?" I question. At this point, I don't think Belle cares about anything but that house.
 
"I should go, it's getting late."

"Able—"

"I'll see you at dinner some night, okay?" He backs away, melting into the dim shadows. "I'll explain everything then."

I sigh as I hear him depart. He's left me with more questions than answers, but that's not surprising. At this point I'm used to it.

All I'm sure about is this dinner needs to go ahead, which means Venn is going to need convincing.

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The Night I Met The Alpha

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