Chapter 10 Alexandru

I glance around the library and feel a rare sense of pride, for Rick, for our pack. He really did finish it. It's fully furnished, equipped with everything a reader could want. Towering shelves line the walls, cozy reading nooks tucked in corners. Everything about this place whispers comfort and quiet.

I carefully open a box of books and start shelving them the way Francia instructed. We've grown a little close lately. She's hard-working, focused, and passionate about this library project.

"If that book falls, I swear I'll bundle your ass out of here," she snaps suddenly, making me nearly drop the book in my hand.

"Damn, Fran. Take it easy." I grin, adjusting the book on the shelf.

Reading has never really been my strong suit. It's something I've always struggled with. But this space? Even I want to pick up a book and sit a while. I reach for the next box and frown at the label, Erotica.

"What's erotica, Fran?" I call out, but she's too busy yelling at someone else to hear me. I open the box, curious, and pull out the first book: Your Dad Will Do by Katee Robert.

I blink, confused. I reach for the second, Priest by Sierra Simone. Then the third, Does It Hurt? by H.D. Carlton. These titles are... suggestive. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I flip open a random page.

I frown as I try to make sense of what I'm reading.

Then, oh.

My eyes widen as realization dawns, the book slipping from my hand with a loud thud.

Francia stomps over, ready to scold me, but stops when she sees my expression and the book on the floor. She looks at my face, and bursts out laughing.

"You poor baby."

"Porn. In a book," I manage to say, dumbfounded.

She laughs harder. "It's called erotica. A book dominated by sex scenes. We don't watch porn, we read it. Like a fucking lady."

She picks up the book and adds, "How about you grab us coffee from the café down the road? Clear your head."

"More like erase my memory," I mutter, shaking my head with a reluctant smile.

But as I turn to leave, the smile fades.

How dare I smile when Addie's gone? How can I laugh when the woman I loved, could've loved, is no longer here? Then again, she didn't stay long enough for me to love her. Just long enough to be seared into my memory. I can miss her, ache for what we might've been, and still try to move on.

__

The walk to the café is a quiet one. It's been days since Camille attacked me, and I've been avoiding her. Not that it's difficult, she hasn't sought me out.

Peter apologized almost immediately, explaining that his wife's grief over their lost child has made her unpredictable. But that doesn't excuse her hurting me. Still, I said nothing. I was raised to respect my elders, even when they don't deserve it.

I step into the café and stand in line, even though there's a pack member behind the counter. I need coffee for nearly ten people, and muffins, of course. The line moves quickly. So do I.

But when I reach the counter, I'm surprised to see a new face.

I smile. "I need ten coffees, mixed blends, and a box of assorted muffins."

The girl nods, scribbling the order. "It'll take a few minutes. Can you take a seat and I'll call you...?"

She trails off, and I raise a brow until it clicks.

"Luc," I say, and she smiles.

"Take a seat, Luc." She repeats my name with a grin.

I nod, heading toward the nearest seat. But as I'm about to sit, I notice something, an earring glinting against the cushion. I pick it up, and my senses tingle. There's something about being a werewolf, our senses are too heightened to ignore even the smallest things.

I sit, earring in hand, just as someone clears their throat beside me. I turn, and spot a woman with bright blue hair.

Witches have covens, unlike werewolf packs, which can be vast, covens are smaller, tighter-knit. Maybe thirty members max. I can't explain how I know she's a witch, maybe the hair, or the scent of moringa and scent leaf lingering around her.

"Hi," I say.

She smiles. "I'm Blu."

"No way," I chuckle.

"I know, right? My parents had a sense of humor," she says with a wink.

I gesture to her hair. "Matches the name."

"I just like the color. Not my fault it makes me look like my name," she replies, grinning.

"It's nice to see a cool witch," I say.

She tilts her head, and I realize I haven't introduced myself.

"Luc," I say.

"I know who you are. You're the Lycan. The only one in the pack."

"The only Lycan alive," I correct gently.

She watches me for a beat and then nods. "Sure."

That's the thing about witches. Creepy as hell sometimes. Cryptic and cagey with information. Still, Blu seems... alright.

"So," I ask, keeping my voice low, "what's your specialty?"

"Ghosts and love potions," she whispers with a mischievous grin.

I frown and shake my head. Creepy, like I said.

"Order for Luc!" the barista calls.

I stand and turn back to Blu. "Nice talking to you."

She salutes me. I chuckle, grab the order, and head for the door, ignoring the barista's flirty glances.

I take a muffin from the box and take a bite, just as I bump into someone.

I stagger, regaining my balance, and freeze when I see her.

Camille. And she's with my mother.

"Eating while walking? I raised you better than that," Mom teases.

I grin, but it vanishes as I look back at Camille.

__

"Hey, Mom," I say as we enter the library. Francia spots us, takes the coffee box, greets them both, and disappears.

We settle into one of the nooks, away from watchful eyes.

"Alexandru," Mom begins.

I stiffen. I told everyone to stop calling me that. "Luc" stuck, only Mom and Addie dared to use my full name.

"What's this I hear about you avoiding Cami?" she asks.

Mom and Camille go way back, nearly forty years of friendship. They're so close, it sometimes makes me wish I had a male friend like that.

"I'm not avoiding her," I say simply, taking another bite of my muffin.

"I'm sorry," Camille blurts.

I look at her, setting the muffin down.

"I shouldn't have cast that spell on you. I never meant to hurt you. And you were right, I was lashing out. Blaming you for Aurora leaving, for not being enough to make her stay."

I nod slowly.

"I know what you're capable of. And the fact that you didn't retaliate, not even under that kind of pain, just shows how much respect you deserve. You're a good person, Luc. You could be with that human librarian, and I'd have no right to say a thing."

I remain quiet. I'm not angry anymore. That anger faded days ago.

"Which is why," Mom cuts in, "we've decided on something."

"Oh no," I mutter, knowing exactly how this could go.

"We're going to help you move on, from Aurora," Camille says.

"Absolutely not," I snap. "I don't need help. I'm capable of moving on by myself."

"Sit," Mom says, and I do. Because who argues with her?

"We'll set you up on dates," she continues. "You've spent half your life waiting for that girl, and all you got was heartbreak. It's time to start living, for yourself."

Camille nods. "I can't blame Aurora. I haven't been the best mother to either of you. But I want to change that. We've both lived for our children. Now it's time to live for ourselves. And you, Luc, you deserve to let her go. If you do, you'll glow."

I stare at her, then laugh unexpectedly.

They chuckle too.

I sober, thinking about everything they've said. "I'll think about it," I say.

But they laugh harder.

And I frown.