“Pretty sure this one has a high heat level.” I’d already sussed out the spicy books and suggested to Evelyn they should be on their own shelf. She’d agreed, and most of our romance readers sought out that section. They often fought over new releases, and we’d had readers engaging in fisticuffs until on my recommendation, Evelyn introduced a reservation system.
Evelyn was telling Roland how well she and I worked together which made me smile. I did most of the tasks, and she told me what to do. It worked for us, and I wasn’t complaining.
“Make sure Creven allows you to stay permanently because I’d hate to lose Bryden.”
“It’s not my decision, but we both want to stay.”
After Mrs. Martinson left and I tidied up, the group of children who were reading in the bean bags begged me to read a story. I caught Roland’s eye, and he nodded before plonking himself in a spare bean bag and saying how much he looked forward to the story.
I picked up the large picture book and sat and the kids settled themselves around me. Holding up the book so I could read and show the illustrations, I began. The kids listened intently but asked questions at the end of every page. I adored their vivid imaginations and how they perceived the characters’ intentions. Roland joined in asking questions too, and the kids giggled, and one snuggled up beside him.
When I finished they asked for a second story, and I promised I’d read another one tomorrow.
We wished Evelyn a good night and walked out arm in arm.
“That was sweet with you and the kids. I loved how you included each one and asked them questions about the story.”
“I’m always pleased when children come into the library and they’re not peering at a screen.”
Fewer kids in the pack had tablets or phones than outside, but Creven refused to ban them, as that would only have people sneaking them in.
“Watching you in the library had me thinking about us and our own kids.”
We’d never discussed having children because we’d been together such a short time and our situation had been and still was fraught with danger.
“Would you like to be a dad some day?” Roland asked.
“With you?”
“No, some random guy on the mountain. Of course with me, silly.” He tickled my side.
“Absolutely, but we don’t even have a pack yet, so talking about having babies is a little premature.” I didn’t want to tempt fate, but we had to secure a place in the world before we became parents.
“I know it’s early, but can we go to the dining hall so that pair of zebras don’t eat all the vegetarian options?”
“That’s fine.” I was hungry, having not eaten much during the day.
“Oh goodie. My favorite. Chickpea curry.” Roland gave the zebra shifters jostling behind us side-eye. “I’m taking a double helping because there won’t be any left if I want seconds.”
We sat in the corner so my mate could see the entrance. He was like an old-style mafia. Never sit where you can’t see who’s coming in. But when Creven walked in and his gaze alighted on us, my mate dropped his spoon.
“Shit, something’s happened.”
Alpha came to the table and said to bring our food outside. We sat at an outdoor table that was currently empty thanks to a chill in the air.
“The security guards scented strangers near the perimeter.” Alpha got straight to the point.
“Any idea who?”
Creven scraped off dirt from the table. “There were horses.”
Gods, this was what we were afraid of. Roland’s herd was searching for him, and whether that was to take him back or hand him over to poachers for a substantial fee, Alpha couldn’t make that determination. My mate tensed up, his eyes avoiding us.
I put both elbows on the table. “So, what do we do?” We’d discussed various options, but the best had been using the escape route to disappear.
“There were others as well,” Creven added.
He told us humans were present and a tiger shifter. Tigers were mean so-and-so’s, and I didn’t fancy my beast fighting one if they were intent on a huge payday.
