“Hi. My name is Oswald. I’m the new librarian.”
He opened the door wider. “That’s nice. I’ve been wondering when it would open again. I’m Greg.” The alpha extended his hand, and I took it. My fox went silent. Somehow the world did as well.
His warmth seeped into my body, sparking all kinds of effects. “It’s…” Goddess, I was stuttering out of nervousness. “It’s nice to meet you. What is the Bear’s Den, if you don’t mind me asking.”
“Ah.” He glanced at the sign. “I’m opening an inn. There is a severe lack of B&Bs in this town.”
“I was hoping you’d say that. I got into town today and was supposed to be living in an apartment owned by Henry?”
He nodded. Of course, everyone in this town probably knew each other.
“Anyway, there are some repairs going on, and I can’t move in. The motel is booked, and I’m out of options. Is there a chance you have a room available?”
He stepped fully out on the porch. I had to look up to make eye contact.
I did love a tall alpha.
“I’m sorry, but my inn isn’t ready for guests. It should be soon, but that doesn’t really help you, does it?”
I shook my head, demanding that I not shed a tear. Not a single one. The day and the last couple of life changes were crowding my senses and making it hard to breathe.
“Do you know anywhere else I can stay?”
“Maybe there’s somewhere in the next town over.”
I shrugged. “I tried. There’s a food truck thing here this weekend, and apparently everyone is booked up tight.”
Most strangers wouldn’t have cared about someone else’s troubles, but he looked truly torn.
“What will you do?” Greg asked. His eyes were warm pools of brown. So easy to get lost in.
I let out a laugh, even though there was nothing remotely funny. “Sleep in my car, I guess. I don’t have another option. Maybe something will open up tomorrow. Thank you anyway, Greg. It was really nice to meet you.”
“You too,” he whispered.
I turned to walk down the stairs but as I reached the last one, Greg yelled out, “Stop!”
“What is it? Did you think of somewhere?”
He sighed and nodded. “Yeah, I thought of something.”
Chapter Six
Greg
Mate.
Well, that came out of nowhere. My bear had decided this fox was our mate and determined that he should not stay in his car or anywhere other than our den. Specifically, our bed in our den. I was more than charmed by the omega, but mate? His scent of oak and cinnamon drew me in, and the way he’d marched up to the door to knock intrigued me, but I’d been attracted to omegas before. Omegas my bear had shown no interest in.
We’re just lonely,I chided, but he was having none of it.
Mate. Ours. Now.
“What did you have in mind?” asked the librarian. Was there anything sexier than a librarian? At least this one. Before, I’d just admired them for their minds.
“As I said, I’m not ready to open for guests yet, but I do have one room that’s finished. It’s small, not furnished much yet, but there is a bed, and the bathroom near it is functional. I wish I could offer something better, but it’s not as bad as sleeping in a car.”
“I could hug you!” he said, arms lifting so that for a second, I believed he might do that. “If it’s indoors, I’m all for it.”
