Page 30 of The Librarian’s Familiar

This was not how August expected his evening to go. It was supposed to be a quiet drink with his brothers before they headed home to their families. Then he’d go back to his parent’s place.

It would’ve been rude to let Charlie sit on his own after his brothers left. His brothers were already aware of the new librarian in part because their wives had already taken the kids to the toddler story time that now ran at the library.

If they suspected something else, they hadn’t said anything, for which he was grateful. The last thing he needed at the moment was his brother’s ribbing. Everything was too new and too raw for that. He wiped his palm on his jeans. “You’re serious.”

Charlie shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I be? Unless you don’t want to follow me…” He took another sip of his beer, eyebrows lifted.

Something had changed since the last time they’d spoken, and it wasn’t only that he had told his brothers. There was a glint in Charlie’s eyes. A wildness that he usually only saw in shifters. Not that he was complaining…he kind of liked the idea of stalking Charlie home.

That he was actually contemplating it and thinking about how much fun it would be, both the stalking and the going home part, was slightly disturbing. Maybe it was because he’d spent the last twenty-four hours shifted and his blood was still running hot. Running hot and going straight to his dick—which didn’t happen when he hunted on four feet. Or maybe it was the fact that he’d been hunting for the first time in years that he wanted to continue with the thrill of the chase in human form.

He was glad that Charlie couldn’t hear the rapid beating of his heart or smell the impact the idea was having on his dick. It pressed against the fly of his jeans, begging for escape. He resisted the urge to readjust because he was sure Charlie would notice that. But from the curve on the librarian’s lips, August suspected he already knew the effect he was having even without heightened shifter senses.

Perhaps that was because he knew what he was looking for, so he was able to find tells the same way he did when he was playing.

August nodded. He did want to follow him, and there was no point in denying it. Was this a bad idea? Definitely. But then he could say that for most of his encounters. This time, the risk was different as he’d see Charlie around town. It wasn’t anonymous, and he liked being around Charlie.

That definitely seemed dangerous.

“So you’re going to leave, and I’ll catch up after paying the tab?”

“Sounds like a good plan.” He took a sip like he was in no rush to leave. “What did you do on your trip?”

August stared at him. Did he need to sit there and have a conversation now that all he was thinking about was following Charlie home? “I shifted with my brothers, and we roamed around and hunted.” He shrugged. “Same as usual, but I needed it. I managed in the city, but it’s different being out in the wild, and not only because I don’t have to worry about being seen.”

Charlie smothered a laugh. “Yes, I imagine a polar bear strolling down the streets of New York or Seattle might cause a stir. Less so up here.”

“It’s still a problem here. We have an informal rule about not shifting in town, mostly for our own safety as we don’t want to freak out anyone, especially out-of-towners.”

“Yeah, even though I know this is a paranormal town, I think I’d still have a small panic if I saw a polar bear walking down Main Street.”

“I would too until I worked out if they were shifter or animal.”

“You’d work it out much quicker than me.”

“And that’s why we have the informal rule. We can’t make it a law because putting that on the books would be unusual.”

“It might draw unwanted attention, and the Coven doesn’t usually make those kinds of rules.”

“How was the library?”

“Busy today, given that it was a Saturday. People wanted to see the new books and talk about what I can get in. They asked questions about the digital library and when that will be happening. I want to do something for teenagers, even though some of them are only back for the school holidays. Know any teachers who can tell me what kids like these days?”

It was about a 50-50 split between who went away for high school and who stayed. The smart ones went to Anchorage or Fairbanks, so they could get ready for college. Some returned after getting their degree as the town always needed teachers and healthcare workers, and people who knew shit about planes and construction. Some stayed away for a few decades before returning because they wanted their kids to grow up in a paranormal town where they weren’t constantly hiding.

“You’re not that old,” August said, wanting to know exactly how old he was.

“I’m almost thirty, which makes me ancient, both to teenagers and some gay men.”

“Jesus, I must be practically a fossil.”

Charlie shook his head. “Nah…you’re big and gruff. You’d slide into bear or daddy.”

August pulled a face. “I am no one’s daddy. I’m not sure I can be trusted to look after myself. That’s what coaches and dietitians were for. The team kept us in line.”

“And now you have to fend for yourself.”

He sounded pathetic. “Something like that.”