by Fay Walsh
Sven needed to figure it out, and he would need to do his own research on this. Travis didn’t think there was anything wrong.. It had been going on for some time, but at this moment it the worst it had been in a long time. Furthermore, the fact that his alpha kept dubbing it just “acting weird” instead of actively seeking what was causing this disturbance, unsettled him greatly. However, this wasn’t the first time that the alpha just ignored his warnings. He did care about Travis, but the alpha didn’t think things were wrong until he saw them with his on eyes.. Maybe just getting away from here would help him.
He walked, trying to figure out where in town he could go. He noticed that the library was still open, the meager sign flipped to “open.” There he’d be able to at least spend some time in quiet. He stepped in, and he took a quick look around.
It certainly left much to be desired. The rows of shelves contained books that were probably as old as Sven was, probably even older That’s why the majority of them couldn't help him with his endeavor. Sven though was determined to find the answers he was seeking, before it was too late.
He began his research on one of the nonfiction shelves on the left. But, a presence interrupted him. When he raised his eyes from the book he saw that a girl with grey eyes was staring at him. She had her eyes lined with eyeliner, big, red lips, and wore a staid dark suit. Her black hair was pulled back, and she looked quite strange compared to everyone else who came through this area. For a moment, Sven didn’t say anything. He remained still, just looking at her.
“Yes?” he finally asked her.
“Hey, I was just...trying to figure out if you needed some help,” she said.
She looked nervous, and Sven lightly pressed his hand into his hair, threading it through the tendrils. He let out a deep sigh.
“I mean, if you want to help, you’re welcome to,” he said.
“what do you need help finding?” she asked.
He couldn't explain to this girl the real reason why he was there. Instead, he simply smiled and looked at her with an anticipatory grin.
“I mean, it can be whatever it is that I need,” he said.
“that doesn’t help whatsoever, but I do think I can assist you with what you’re looking for. I do know the library pretty well,” she said.
“I mean, if you want to, go for it,” he said.
She blushed, and he could tell that she was definitely not used to this kind of encounter.
“s-sorry. Anyway. Do you need any help?” she asked.
Sven looked at her. She was pretty cute, he had to admit, and she did have that strange charm that he enjoyed from a woman like that. But still, he definitely wished he could be alone.
“I think I'm good for now,” he said.
“are you sure? I mean, I can show you books on the history of the town, if that’s what you’re looking for,” she said pointing at the book on his hands.
That was what he needed, and Sven nodded in appreciation. .
“I mean, that would be appreciated,” he said.
“O-Okay! I can do that,” she said.
She rushed off, and Sven continued to skim at the shelves. He couldn't believe that this girl was so nervous around him. He wasn’t used to women being nervous around him. Then again, he rarely talked to women, so he was a bit taken aback by her friendliness. After a bit, she came back with some books on her hands. He looked at her with a big smile.
“thank you very much. Can I read these on my own now?” he asked.
Even though he wouldn’t mind her presence beside him, right now, he needed all the information he could get uninterrupted. She looked down, giving Sven the impression that she was disappointed.
“y-yeah. Of course you can,” she said.
He looked at her with a shy grin. As a response, she blushed. She was pretty cute.
“by the way, what’s your name?”
“V-Vicky. Yourself?” she asked.
“Sven. Thank you for the help by the way.,” he said.
“Oh, you're so welcome!” she said.
She looked red as a tomato. It was pretty cute, and he could tell from the flush of embarassment she didn’t talk to many guys. t she did have that mysterious vibe to her, which made Sven curious. He went over to one of the tables and focused on reading the books that Vicky had brought him. Occasionally, he would look up at her, resuming her work at the counter. Many of the times that he looked over at her, she was already staring at him. He found that cute, but maybe it was just being friendly, and nothing more.
Yeah, had to be that. There was no way she’d be interested in him. In fact, he was used to girls acting a little strange around him. However, little did he know that Vicky had a lot more in her head than just a quiet encounter.
Chapter 2
Vicky was trying so hard not to act awkward around him. This guy, Sven was stupid cute. It was probably just the way that he conducted himself, but she couldn't stop herself from staring at him. Whenever he looked over, she would quickly hide her face. The last thing that she needed was him to figure out that she was stealing glances at him. She was sure though that she did a poor job.
His mysterious vibe only added to his attractiveness. Vicky couldn't help but find him charming. She didn't want to scare him off, but she wanted to at least say something.
While he was reading quietly at the table opposite her, she took the time to study his face. couldn't’ help but lock eyes with him occasionally, the gaze shared between them making her heart thump. He was super cute, and usually, the library as quiet at this time of the night. But, with his long blonde hair, perfect blue eyes, and his little accent, she couldn't help but feel enthralled by this. She spent a few moments just watching his face, the perplexed, then curious, then calming expression he had. His face had eyes cast down into the book, loking nowhere else. She noticed his nose curl at one point at whatever he was reading. He bit his lip, and for a moment Vicky just looked at him, studying this beuatiful man.
But, she was scared. She had never asked a guy out. She was sure that she would mess up and she also dreaded the rejection. When the stranger stood up, she noted that he had a couple of books in his hands.
She mentally congratulated fate for giving her this chance, for allowing her to talk to him once again. She looked over at the man as he brought the books he had chosen over to her.
“do you have a library card?” she asked.
She knew that it was protocol, and if he didn’t, she would need to get that sorted out. He simply shook his head.
“no. this is my first time here. Could you help me out?” he asked.
“yeah sure. I definitely can help with that,” she said.
She opened up the old system that they had, and Sven scoffed.
“that really prints out library cards? Looks like it belongs in the Stone Age,” he said pointedly.
“you’d be surprised. I don’t know how, but it still works. I think it’s due to the fact that it’s just used for the cards and checkouts and nothing more. I can’t even use the internet on this. I don't understand why my boss hasn’t replaced it yet though,” she admitted.
“I see. Well, I guess I should give you my information then,” he said.
Vicky awkwardly typed out the information that he gave her. Every now and then she looked at him, and every time he would gaze away before looking back at her.
“by the way, are you free at all this coming week?” she said.
She reddened at her words, surprised she had it in herself to ask this daring question. She expected him to maybe hesitate, but then, he shook his head.
“I'm sorry, but if it’s a date that you're looking for, you're going to be very disappointed. I don’t really do dates. Or rather, I don't’ know how to do that,” he said.
“I understand,” she said, trying her hardest not to feel disappointed. She looked at him again, trying to figure out how to approach him. She knew for a fact that if she kept acting upset and disappointed, it would only make
everything worse. But then, she looked over at one of the books that he had. It was about the paranormal, some kind of investigations into the unknown. She never really tried to make a move like this, but it was the only thing she knew that she could do, so she decided to work with this.
“by the way, you’re interested in the paranormal, right?” she asked.
Immediately, the tone of the conversation changed. Instead of seeming bored by her presence, he immediately looked at her with a quizzical glance.
“what do you mean?” he asked.
“well, I do know quite a bit about the paranormal. I definitely could help, if that’s the information you’re looking for. it’s been a personal favorite subject of mine, and I've done a lot of research on it. I do believe in ghosts, and potentially shifters, that can change into animals. So, take that as you will,” she told him.
She didn’t know that this would work. She was just being honest towards Sven and expected him to maybe be interested in this. But immediately, his gaze changed.
“Would you want to talk about this further? I'm doing some research on it, and I've been dealing with a lot of backlash from the people that I thought could help me, so I'm looking for someone who is willing to at least provide a little bit of help to me, whatever that may be,” he said.
“I'm not really the best at this, but I can tell you everything that I know,” she said.
Vicky knew what he would say next would be the determinant. He looked at her intently.
“what’s the price?” he asked.
She smiled to him with a coy grin that she hoped would convey everything that she needed.
“if you're willing to go out on a date with me, I'll tell you what I know,” she said.
He started at her with a hint of surrender in his eyes.
“you’re pretty damn persistent about this, aren’t you?” he asked.
“well, you're a cute and charming guy, and I'm an awkward girl. I don't’ know if that’s a combination that will work, but I'm willing to try,” she said.
She was just being honest. She did find him cute, and she was curious about what he knew. Because he sure as hell did know something, he just wasn't telling anyone about it.
“I see. So you've figured it out then. Very intersting,” he said.
”Well yeah, I know a lot about it. Plus you seem nice, and I want to get to know you.
“well, I guess I can humor you. Anyway, when do you want to meet up?” he asked.
“when are you free? I do work second shift most days, but I can talk to my boss, and we can make this work,” she said to him. She tried her best to quell the excitement. She didn't expect such an attractive man to actually accept her offer, since he seemed so disinterested till now. d.
“well, I can do next Thursday at like 7 or so. If that works,” he said.
“I can get the time off. that’s perfect,” she said, a smile present on her face.
“alright. Anyway, I'll see you around,” he said to her.
She nodded, looking at him with a smile on her face.
“I'll see you then,” she said.
She noticed he was begrudging about the whole ordeal, which wasn’t how she wished it would go, but he at least agreed to a date. It was the first time in a very long time she went on a date, and with a guy who as about ten times cuter than the ones she dated in the past. But, there was something so mysterious about him.
The fact that he was interested in the paranormal, a subject she was mildly obsessed with, was one thing, but there was something deep down that he wasn’t telling her, and she could tell immediately that it was the case. She grew curious about this whole ordeal, wondering if he would tell her more about himself and if things would change. She wondered as well if he would open his heart up what so ever, or if this would be just a formal date to discuss information.
Of course, the truth was, Vicky definitely knew a lot more than what she was letting on, and she did want to tell him that, but she also feared what might happen if she did say anything. She wondered if things would change between them for the better. She didn't know for sure, but in her head, she definitely had a lot of questions for Sven, and more answers that she craved more than anything else, and she had a feeling that Sven was going to tell her many things.
Her face curled into that of excitement, and she wondered just what she would learn from this man, and the truth that had yet to be revealed.
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About Fay Walsh
Fay Walsh loves to write about curvy heroines and their hot alpha males. Her paranormal romance stories are sizzling hot with lots of action, humor, and a happily-ever-after! Current obsessions: bears and dragons!
Right now she lives in Northern California with her husband and their grey ball of fluffiness, Shadow. Besides writing, she can never say no to chocolate and a big cup of coffee.
Also by Fay Walsh
● Book 1: Bonded to the Bear
● Book 2: Bear’s Temptation