Rain tapped steadily against the windows constantly. It was dead into midnight, and the sounds of wolves howling into the moon could be heard from afar.

Aire stood beside the bed, staring at the unconscious girl laid across it.

Her fingers curled slightly at her sides. She was tempted. So tempted to do the little she could do, and heal the girl immediately.

However, she can’t afford to draw such suspicion or attention to herself. This world isn’t a place for people like herself.

Tomorrow, she would step into something she did not understand. Tomorrow, she will become Luna.

Aire swallowed. The word pressed heavily against her chest.

She didn’t feel like a Luna.

She didn’t feel like anything close to it. She felt lucky the Alphas didn’t see her fit to come and complete the ritual intimately.

Her hand moved to the part of her neck, where their mating mark would rest upon soon.

The rain grew louder.

A low rumble of thunder followed, distant but enough to make her shoulders stiffen.

Her gaze shifted toward the window. The view was cold, dark, and endless.

She exhaled softly, then turned away quickly in fear. She stared at the girl again, tucked her properly under a blanket, and checked her temperature.

Everything was fine, so she stood straight.

A small coat hung near the edge of the room. She picked it up, slipping it over her shoulders and fastening it carefully across her chest.

Her fingers lingered on the clasp for a moment.

Then, she opened the door, and moved out of the room.

The corridors were quieter than usual as most had already retired.

The guards stood at a distance, but she barely noticed them as she walked past. A few bowed at her.

Her steps were soft as she walked past the guards. It was almost like she was afraid of being heard.

The library door stood tall before her. Mabel had once given her a tour here, and she had made sure not to forget the turns to get there.

She pushed it open gently, stepped inside the large hall, and closed it behind her with a soft click.

The library was silent, warm and calm.

Aire exhaled.

Her shoulders relaxed just a fraction as she walked toward the shelves.

Her fingers trailed along the spines of the books, brushing against them lightly. She let out a small and genuine smile.

This, she understood. Books didn’t expect anything from her. They didn’t look at her like she was something to be measured, judged, or a curse.

Her fingers paused, and she pulled one out.

"That’s my personal German book." A voice came from the shadows, low, soft, and unmistakable.

Aire gasped.

The book slipped from her hand, hitting the floor with a dull sound.

Her heart jumped. When she walked in, she hadn’t caught sight of anyone in the dimly lit room.

She bent quickly, picking it up, as a nervous laugh escaped her.

"I just needed a book," she said, lifting it slightly. "I can pick another if you don’t like me touching this."

Alaric stepped out from the shadows.

A book rested loosely in his hand hand, and his fingers separated the pages of the book. His presence filled the room without effort.

"No," he said, shaking his head slightly. "That’s fine." His gaze lingered on her. "Everything here is now yours."

Aire swallowed.

The words didn’t sit right.

Thunder cracked. This time, the sound was closer, and sharper. She flinched and without thinking, she stepped closer to where he stood.

Alaric’s brow lifted slightly.

"I hate thunder," Aire admitted quietly, in case he was wondering.

Her fingers brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "When it rains... my father reads to me." She declared, raising the book up for him to see.

A pause.

"I’ll leave now."

She turned slightly, but didn’t get far when Alaric moved.

His hand wrapped gently around hers.

He looked down at her hand in his, as his thumb brushed faint patterns across her skin. "I’ll read to you." He murmured softly.

Aire blinked.

Her heart skipped. "No."

"I insist."

"No." Her voice was firmer this time.

Silence stretched between them. The rain filled the silence, and immediately, the bond... tightened.

Aire inhaled slowly. Then, her eyes softened, and she parted her lips. "If you want me to stay..." Her voice softened. "You’ll agree to something first."

Alaric’s gaze sharpened slightly. "Say it." He permitted, ready to give her anything.

She hesitated for a second. "The human girl." she let out a soft breath after saying those words.

The room stilled immediately. To thw wolves, humans are taboos. Humans have caused so much damage, and war to them.

"I want her to stay."

Aire’s fingers tightened slightly in his hold. "You will not send her away. You will not harm her."Her voice didn’t shake as she spoke, but her heart did.

Alaric’s jaw tightened.

His wolf stirred. For the first time, he felt his wolf disagreeing with her. His wolf pushed, ready to rise in disagreement.

A human?

Weak.

Unnecessary.

A liability.

Destructive.

His grip on her hand tightened just slightly. His grip was not strong enough to hurt her, but it was strong enough to show resistance.

"You’re asking for too much."

Aire shook her head softly. "No." Her eyes lifted to meet his. "This is the only thing I’m asking for."

The bond pulsed, sharp and insistent.

Alaric exhaled slowly. His control held barely. "Fine."

The word came out quieter than expected.

Aire’s breath left her softly. She felt relief wash through her. "Thank you."

Alaric didn’t respond. He simply released her hand, and walked toward the seating area.

"Come." He tapped on the space beside him.

Aire hesitated, then she followed.

They sat close, not touching but also not far either.

He opened the book casually, and began to read from it.

His voice was low, steady, and calm. He wasn’t like the jerk Aire had met the first day he claimed her with his brothers, and they called her a breeder because she was cursed.

Aire listened. At first, her body was tense. Her shoulders remained stiff. Her breathing was uneven.

But slowly, she eased.

The rain softened, or maybe she stopped hearing it.

Alaric’s voice filled the space instead.

His wolf stirred again, closer this time.

’Mate.’ His wolf growled softly in his head, itching to be closer

He clenched his jaw slightly. He ignored it, and continued reading.

Aire shifted beside him.

The bond pulled her closer. She felt her body slowly burning up, and wanting him close. It felt physically painful being apart when she could just close the distance.

"Come here." Alaric ordered again.

The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Aire stilled. Her fingers curled slightly in her lap. She didn’t want to. In fact, she strongly shouldn’t.

However, the pull, the warmth, and the quiet safety in his voice wasn’t enough for her to stay away.

Her body moved, and she slowly shifted closer. She went closer until she rested against him.

Her head stilled against his chest, and her breathing fastened.

Alaric’s body went rigid.

His wolf purred, soft, and satisfied.

He exhaled slowly. Breathing too deeply might break something fragile between them.

He continued reading.

Aire’s eyes fluttered slightly. Her breathing evened in relief, and relaxation.

The bond settled.

Alaric paused reading for a minute when he remembered something. "I heard you relieved Madam from her duty."

Aire nodded softly against his chest. "Yes."

Alaric’s hand paused briefly on the page. "She wouldn’t dare poison you."

Aire frowned slightly.

"I’ve known her since I was a child," he continued. "Even if she hates you... she wouldn’t do it like that." he paused, then added. "She’d look you in the eyes."

Aire’s fingers tightened slightly against his shirt.

"You need her," he added. "More than ever. Tomorrow changes everything."

Aire didn’t respond, but her body leaned into him just slightly more.

Alaric noticed. He didn’t comment. He simply resumed reading.