My eyes opened blearily and I lazily turned my face to bury it into the pillow safely away from the weak winter light coming in through the window that felt like it was stabbing straight into my eyes. I yawned widely as I twisted around in the blanket to get it to fit more snugly around myself, peaking open an eye to glance at the clock across my bed. Letting out a groan as I realized I had woken with only minutes left to nine.

Before I had left for vacation I had secured a job working at the local library as a librarian. Throughout my degree I had enjoyed the literature classes more but simply done accounting because it was expected of me as the omega of highest status in the pack to acquire a skill useful to the pack. I was allowed to choose not to but I knew my mom hoped I would take on an important role in the pack, she'd been ecstatic when she realized I was good at math, and very bad at hiding that happiness when she realized I liked literature more. She'd tried to convince me I could do as I pleased but I was completely fine with going into accounting, I liked reading and studying literature but wasn't interested in writing or editing so I might as well have.

Since I was still so young as were the current pack accountants, none showing any signs of retiring, I was free to work wherever I pleased. In a decade or so I'd have to start training with them but until then I planned to try every job I had even the slightest interest in and I had always loved libraries, even the human ones.

We were told from a very young age that the humans despite looking like us were considerably different and it was for the best to remain hidden from them. Over the centuries many times had we been exposed, and although at times it started off as pleasant, eventually the humans would turn on us. They had a bad habit of blaming the behaviour of just a few individuals belonging to a group on the entire group, believing rotten apples represented the entire basket. Every time they came to know of us they would eventually try to hunt us down, so it was better we remained hidden.

We were to limit interaction with them so as to lessen the chances of exposure, of course there were the wolves who fell in love with humans, and that wasn't forbidden per say but discouraged. Those individuals were asked to leave the packs behind, never to expose their whereabouts. It wasn't only due to risk of exposure that it was discouraged though, it was also the difference in lifespan. Wolves overall had greater health and so the average life expectancy was about 120, while as far as I knew the human one was 80.

Family of those packs were of course allowed to visit that individual, and if they were close to the alpha, the alpha would go to see them as well. They were also protected by the pack in case they were to ever run into trouble with other wolves, however they were never allowed to step foot on pack grounds. Whoever went to visit them had to make the journey very long, never going directly there or back. It was also recommended that at some point in the journey they used a fake passport. Wolves were very serious when it came to safety.

We used to pride ourselves on mating for life the way the animals we were named after do, but problems occur, and some individuals are truly horrible so it was wrong to force that, separation was allowed but uncommon. Wolves were loyal creatures and felt very deeply, they had a lot of difficulty letting a partner go and would not do it unless absolutely necessary.

I startled as the alarm on my phone went off making the pillow it was wedged under vibrate along with it. I reached for it blindly quickly turning the alarm off, sighing as I lay in my bed stubbornly for a moment before throwing the covers off me. Swinging my legs to the side of the bed, I ran a hand through my hair, brushing it away from my face, wrinkling my nose at how static it had become from my tossing and turning during the night. I moved a lot in my sleep. That was why whenever my siblings and I used to sleep in the same room when we were younger I was always paired with my eldest sister because she had a habit of clinging onto something like a koala as she slept, so she kept me still.

We used to love Fridays because my mom would let us sleep in that one guest room in the house with two beds in it, and watch TV for as long as we wanted before falling asleep. Since I was the youngest they would always watch cartoons until I fell asleep which was always quicker than the rest and then put on a horror movie. Come to think of it, it was possible that was why my sister clung to me. She was an alpha so she acted very tough and no one else could know this but she was highly spooked by the idea of other worldly things. She was so scared of them she got uncomfortable when the craziest of the pack elders would chant things at pack meetings although she never showed it.

My door swung open revealing my father and I frowned at him for entering my room at this ungodly hour. He chuckled at my expression, calling out that I was awake to whoever had been curious enough to send him to wake me.

"Get ready sweetheart, we'll drop you on our way to meet with the elders." My father said and I nodded, giving him a thumbs up making him shake his head at me.

He closed the door behind him and I got off the bed, mourning it's comfort as soon as I was out. Technically I was the alpha's daughter there was really no reason for me to work, I could just sit at home and eat, but no one would let me do that. If I ever acted too lazy one of my older siblings would use me as an assistant for their jobs, and although I found their careers fascinating, I would rather bite my own finger off than work with them.

I went into the washroom, going about my morning routine, taking a quick shower just to wake myself up, careful not to wet my hair. I wrapped myself into a robe to get out, heading straight for my closet and picking out the shirt I had picked for this very day.

It was a light grey knitted sweater with a white collar poking out, and ended off looking as though it was a collar shirt, nothing yelled out librarian more than knitted sweaters with collared shirts underneath. I put on a pair of comfy black jeans and had to fish around to find plain socks. I owned very few socks fit for making a good first impression.

I ran a brush through my dark hair quickly and grabbed my purse before I was out the door. I trotted down the stairs, waving at Lola as she opened her door yawning, she waved back at me with a sleepy smile. She worked as a mental health specialist but her hours were quite awesome. She didn't start work until noon and since we were the children of the pack alpha and hence lived in the pack home which the entire pack was aware of, she could simply see her clients at home when she wanted.

"You shelve those books little sister, you shelve those books hard." My sister cheered making me giggle.

"Will do." I called out to her as I entered the kitchen , my parents already seated at the table heaving breakfast.

"Your brother grabbed fresh muffins before he left for work since it's your first day, they're on the counter." My mom said and I smiled at her, immediately changing course to go for the muffins, debating between the banana chocolate chip and the white chocolate cranberry before going for the latter, knowing these remained soft for the shortest time.

I put my muffin on a plate before joining my parents at the breakfast table, my mom squeezing the back of my neck affectionately when I sat next to her.

"Eat quickly baby, we need to leave in ten if we want to get you there on time, especially considering your dad's driving." My mom said, throwing a smirk at my dad who let out an offended sputter.

Alphas weren't very patient when it came to all things but their pack, so driving with my 2 alpha siblings or mother was terrifying for the rest of us causing us to forbid them to drive if we were in the car, but of course they made fun of us for our "dweeby" law abiding.

I broke chunks off the muffin, shoving them into my mouth and chewing quickly, drinking some milk over it to get it down quicker.

"Let's go?" My mom asked as I shoved the lasts of the muffin into my mouth and I nodded with my mouthful in response.

My parents waited patiently as I struggled to tug my boots on, my father handing me my jacket as soon as I had. I patted the pockets of it as soon as I had it on, weirded out by how puffy they were.

"I put your gloves and hat in there, you always forget yours at home." My mom spoke up when she noticed me staring down at the bulging pockets.

"Thanks mom." I said and she shook her head at me fondly, motioning for me to get out the door so that she could lock up behind us.

True to my mom's word, my dad's driving turned the ten minute drive into a twenty, especially considering the fact that the impatient people having to be on the road in this weather kept cutting him off.

My dad parked the car right in front of the library, both of my parents turning to face me.

"You ready baby?" My mom asked and I nodded looking away from the suddenly daunting looking building to face my mom. She raised her brows at me as if silently asking if I was really sure.

"You know I could tell Josephine that you'll start next year. You could help one of us for your first year of work, the way all your siblings did. Or anywhere in the pack really. Anywhere without humans, they always ask so many horrible questions and the flirting, god Pari the horrible flirting they indulge in." My mom said her eyes widening dramatically as she mentioned the flirting.

Werewolf courting was different, it had more intent. It was encouraged that young wolves engage in courting as much as necessary to find out what they liked, who they liked and what they really didn't, but in wolves it was a bit more formal. We didn't ever flirt with others as entertainment, only when we really had feelings, and only with one person at a time. Courting was declared once both parties had consented to it.

"Ma I've been to university, I was surrounded by humans there, it's really no big deal, I can handle it. Plus humans are usually a little scared of us, it's uncommon for them to flirt with us since they're instincts tell them there's something off about us." I reassured her and both of them visibly shuddered when I mentioned university.

University was every wolf parent's worst nightmare. A time when their children were surrounded by humans, away from pack, many different scents rubbing on them , getting them smelling all funky and the god awful possibility of them falling in love with one of the humans. It was allowed but wolves couldn't stand being away from pack members for long, and if mated to a human, the wolf had to live away from pack, so would only see their family once in a while. Schooling was easier, wolves got their children enrolled in the nearest schools, and homeschooled them, some pack members qualified enough to do so would teach the wolf children in what was the pack school. Children couldn't be expected to protect the secret, they were too young and concealing their identity was too big a burden to put on such tiny shoulders.

"Don't remind us of university Parisa." My dad interjected, my mon nodding along with him.

"Baby fear can be a very powerful aphrodisiac, it starts a sudden frenzy in-" My mom beings and this time I shudder, interrupting her immediately.

"Mom I'll be fine, now I'm gonna go before you pull out powerpoints and start a whole sex ed class here." I told my mom, opening up the door and ducking out quickly.

"We love you baby, good luck." My mom called out from the window my father had rolled down, looking so nervous I was afraid if I didn't hurry in she would get out and carry me back into the car.

I rushed up the stairs, not bothering to look back as I waved at them, only stopping once I was in through the door. All alphas were impulsive, all wolves were really due to how in touch with our more animalistic side we were, but my mother was overboard being the pack alpha. For both my eldest siblings they had had to make two trips to the university when dropping them off for their first day, and they had both missed their very first lectures because my mom had been unable to let them go. For my eldest sister she had been so out of control that she had actually carried her back into the car and drove all the way back to the pack. My brother was a bit luckier, he got tugged by the hand with dignity. When it was Lola and my turn we simply didn't allow our mother to drive us to our first days.

There was nothing my mom hated more in this world than humans flirting with her. It happened very often too, which was understandable considering her aura of authority and confidence, and her short glossy hair, beautiful prominent features and striking height. She was 6'1, but the way she held herself made her seem even taller.

My father was considerably good looking, however out of fear for the impeccably dressed and downright dangerous looking woman accompanying him, humans kept their distance from him. However that didn't apply to us, it was funny when humans approached my siblings or I while we were in public, my mother couldn't keep her eye from twitching and clenched her fists so hard her palms usually began bleeding. The dripping blood from her hands, twitching eye, accompanied with the eerily fake smile she had on her face was always enough to chase the human away.

I hovered by the front counter uncomfortably waiting for a familiar face to show itself, trying to look busy with the magazine pile sitting in front of me, but my heart was beating so fast in my chest the frantic pulsing was all I could focus on.

"There's more erotic magazines downstairs." A soft voice said and my head flew up as I realized the person was addressing me. I looked up to make eye contact with green eyes that couldn't be described as anything but coy. A perfectly arched eyebrow was raised and I looked down to see the magazine open to a page of a woman holding two very well placed pizza slices to ensure the image was still technically legal to publicize.

I dropped the magazine immediately, grimacing at how worn and suspiciously stained the cover looked.

"Hand sanitizer?" The girl offered and I nodded. The brunette grabbed the bottle of hand sanitizer, squirting some into my outstretched hand. I rubbed it into my hands quickly, mentally praying to all the gods that people had just spilled chowder on the cover and it wasn't what I thought it was.

"Parisa?" A feminine voice called and I looked up to see Josephine, discreetly taking a step away from the magazines making the librarian who had given me the sanitizer snort.

"Hi Josephine." I said.

"Now no need for formalities dear, you may call me Josephine." The woman said, looking at me from being her spectacles and offering me a motherly smile. Josephine was a very nice lady, she was up in the running for becoming a part of the pack elders however every year she somehow lost by just a few votes because as nice as she was, Josephine never listened to anyone. She simply guessed what you would say and responded to that. The legend of wolves said that we used to have special abilities, at least the very first wolves did. They could read minds, compel others to do their bidding, predict the future, or many other absurd things. Josephine was one of the few that believed some wolves were still gifted with those abilities, and she believed herself to be one of them.

She earnestly believed she could see the future, predicted some horrible thing would happen to the pack at least once a year and would come running to my mother to tell her. However luckily she always provided my mother with some mundane thing to keep the event from taking place. The latest had been tying a single clove of garlic to all of the trees in the pack house, and because my mother liked to be tolerant of all believes, she did so without question.

The brunette smirked at me, obviously unaware that I had known Josephine for years considering she was apart of the pack. To my knowledge the only werewolf working at the library was Josephine, and now me, if you were to not count the werewolf adolescents who completed their mandatory volunteer hours at the library.

"This is Jean, Jean prefers working at the counter which is great because people like her very much." Josephine told me.

"Where would you want me?" I asked.

"Yes I too thought the yellow polka dots really brought out the blue of my eyes." Josephine said and I forced my lips into a smile, nodding along as though that was exactly what I had been saying.

"She'll get to it eventually." The girl reassured me amusement dancing around in her green eyes.

"Let's get your stuff put away." Josephine said, holding open the little door that kept the counter closed off to patrons. I walked through it, following Josephine into one of the little rooms behind the counter.

The room looked like a little lounge for the employees. A long wooden table with chairs all around it, the wall lined with a long counter that had a microwave, coffee machine and sink. There was a small fridge at the back corner. Hooks lined up along the wall closest to the door where coats and bags had been hung. I hung my purse from the closest empty hook, shrugging my jacket off and hanging it atop the purse.

Josephine waited to the side, inspecting her glasses closely. When she noticed I was done she motioned her head out towards the rest of the library, and I followed her out.

"Since you come to the library so often you probably don't need a tour, however since you will be spending most of your first few weeks here shelving, I want to show you exactly how we shelve the books." Josephine said, gesturing for me to follow her, as we walked I looked back to see Jean mouthing good luck to me.

I followed Josephine around the library, smiling politely as she explained the Dewey decimal system with great detail, going completely off topic every time I asked a question so I simply stopped asking after I had noticed that today was one of the days she wasn't wearing her hearing aid. Josephine liked to practise her seeing abilities, she said it was like exercising your body, you had to exercise your abilities as well to keep them at peak performance. Josephine had unfortunately been near by a bomb explosion a decade or so ago, and while werewolf abilities were very good at healing, some things even they couldn't fix so she needed a hearing aid, not that she really listened to anyone while she had it in.

My mother had told me when I was applying that if I wanted Josephine to listen to me, then I had to be touching her, to grab hold of her arm or hand, because that was the only time she listened. She claimed touch distracted her and kept her from accessing her talents.

"Do you think you've got the hold of it dear?" Josephine asked and I nodded, having researched the Dewey Decimal system I had been quite familiar with it as it was.

The books had stickers on their spines that displayed their themes, so even if I did get confused, I would be able to locate the section myself.

"Let's get back up there then, I need to make some phone calls about unreturned books but I'll leave you with Aspen, he's going to be shelving the returns. Stick with him today, he'll show you the floor routine." Josephine said and I nodded not wanting to reply in case she used her talents and formed the conclusion that I had an issue with that.

"Oh dear one of the phone calls is going to go very poorly." Josephine said suddenly, turning to look at me while she led me up the stairs and I gave her what I hoped looked like a sympathetic smile.

"Aspen." Josephine called out as we passed by an aisle. The poor boy who had been stooped down, fixing something on the shelf startled so badly he dropped the three books he was holding. He turned around, staring at Josephine with wide hazel eyes that had a Disney like quality to them in the way they seemed to twinkle even in the dim lighting of the library. He was pale with curly light brown hair he was currently using the back of his hand to push back.

He walked toward us, offering me a shy smile as he came closer. I blinked as I caught his scent, a werewolf then, an omega by his demeanor, although the cologne he wore stopped me from being able to tell for sure.

"This is Parisa, she's the new recruit. You're gonna be training her today, so try to be nice for once." Josephine said making me frown at the sneer-like tone to her voice. I'd never heard Josephine address anyone that way, not that I had come in contact with her often, but pack members never spoke to one another that way unless someone had done something particularly bad. Especially to omegas, there was something gentle about omegas that others couldn't help but try to replicate when talking to them. It was the way humans naturally tried to reflect another's behaviour.

"I'm Aspen." The boy said, and I smiled at him. Finding it a bit weird that he hadn't shook my hand considering wolves were very tactile.

Josephine stared between us for a moment before stepping back, causing me to do so as well since I still stood slightly behind her. She leaned in close to me, narrowing her eyes at Aspen and he immediately went back to the shelf he had been organizing.

"Careful Parisa, I've seen arson in this boy's future." Josephine whispered lowly to me making my eyebrows shoot up my forehead in surprise. The slender omega was smiling down at the picture of a mother holding a baby on a cover as he tucked the book onto the shelf.

Pressing my lips into a tight smile I gave her another nod, stepping away from her. She lowered her face to look at me over her glasses, widening her eyes to emphasize how serious what she was saying was.

Seeming convinced that she had effectively made me wary of the boy, she retreated, leaving us alone in the aisle.

The boy turned to face me, his pale complexion having turned a faint pink making it clear that he was quite aware of the nature of what Josephine had told me even if he hadn't heard what it was.

"How do we organize non-fiction?" I asked, offering the boy a small smile as his eyes widened slightly as though he had been expecting very different behaviour.

He smiled gratefully at me before beginning to explain how the non-fictions books were separated into categories, whispering as he led me through the aisles, showing me explicitly where which books were and explaining what uses each section had to people. Josephine had given only a quick vague tour, whereas Aspen was much more detailed in his.

"You're the pack alpha's daughter right?" Aspen asked suddenly, and I realized he had probably been waiting till we were in a more secluded section of the library before asking to ensure no humans overheard.

"Yeah." I replied, looking between the two books I was holding mentally going though the alphabet to figure out which to put first.

"I've seen you at pack meetings, but I wasn't sure." He mumbled in explanation and I nodded.

"The second one goes first, it'll get easier as you work here, Jean still sings the alphabet song but that's just cause she doesn't shelve often." Aspen offered kindly and I let out a polite breath of laughter in response.

We finished up the cart, Aspen doing most of the books, and giving me a few to do in the same aisle, keeping an eye on me to ensure I put them in the right place. Although he was too kind to correct me when wrong, I noticed him correcting books I had placed wrongly when he thought I wasn't looking.

"Let's do a quick round of the silent study and then we can go for break. People leave books there a lot." Aspen explained and I followed him up the stairs, averting my eyes from his pert backside to keep from being creepy.

We walked along the tables trying our best to keep from disturbing the people sitting there but our presence was distraction enough, many curious eyes seeking a break from working followed us as we completed the mundane task of picking books up from vacant tables. I couldn't contain my smile as I glanced down toward Aspen's feet to see him tiptoeing in his sneakers to avoid making any sound as he walked.

We gathered the books up in our arms, quietly making our way back to the second floor when we were done, Aspen quietly panting from all the tiptoeing as we put all the books up. My cheeks flushed as he looked towards me while he put a book back onto a higher shelf, his eyes widening as he realized I had been looking at him, the smile yet to leave my face. His face flushed pink shyly and he turned back towards the bookshelf.

"Let's go for break?" Aspen asked as we finished putting back the last of the books, and he put the one that belonged on the third floor on the cart for returns as we passed it to head into the backroom behind the counter.

Jean sent me a smile over her shoulder as we passed, writing something down for a lanky looking teenager making heart eyes at her. She was quite pretty with her dark brown hair and bright green eyes that glinted with mischief unlike most human's eyes that seemed to be very flat to me. She had a small upturned nose and a mouth that till now had always been turned up into a smile.

"Did you bring a lunch?" Aspen asked and I shook my head, my brows furrowing as I realized I hadn't even thought about lunch.

"I'll just buy something." I said shrugging.

"The grocery store nearby has a deli that makes really good sandwiches. Their roast beef sandwich is good enough to satisfy a wolf. I brought a lunch, but I can walk you there if you want?" Aspen offered kindly, his voice dropping to a low whisper when he mentioned wolves.

"That's alright, I'm quite familiar with this area, but thank you." I said, and he nodded, going towards the fridge.

I quickly pulled my coat on, and grabbed my purse, turning to give a little wave to Aspen who was heating up his lunch in the microwave. The heavenly scent of grilled meat wafting from across the room. Werewolves ate more meat than the regular person did, we had to have some with our supper or we still felt hungry. I was really hoping that sandwich actually had enough roast beef to satisfy a wolf, because I was starved from all the walking.

As I walked out of the room, shutting the door behind me, Josephine and Jean both turned to look at me.

"You didn't bring a lunch?" Jean asked and I shook my head, Josephine nodded along as though trying to tell me she had known I would not.

"You should've asked Aspen to share his, he brings the best lunches." Jean said making me huff out a little laugh.

"I'm going to grab a sandwich from the grocery store, do either of you want something?" I asked and they shook their heads. Sending them a little smile, I walked out of the library. The cold winter air immediately chilling my skin. I hurried down the sidewalk, turning into the little plaza, at the corner of which was the little Italian grocery store with the name I had no idea how to pronounce.

I let out a breath of relief as I walked into the heated grocery store, sniffling slightly as I made my way towards the little hot food table. I took a quick look around, glancing around quickly before taking a few deep inhales, grabbing the big roast beef sandwich since that was the thing that smelled best.

I brought it to the little counter where a man wearing a chef's hat stood. He cashed me out politely and I took my sandwich to one of the little tables along the corner. Settling down on one of the chairs and quickly unwrapping my sandwich. I bit into the sandwich, my eyes nearly rolling into the back of my head at how good it was. The roast beef slices were put generously into the sandwich, and seasoned with savoury spices, a slice of some white cheese was on there although it tasted stronger than mozzarella, and some black olives and mushrooms were slathered in a paste like blend along the sandwich.

After the first bite I nearly devoured the rest. The Italian man who had cashed me out staring at me with wide eyes when he realized how quickly I had scarfed down the entire thing when I got up, holding only a wrapper. He offered me an uneasy smile and I grinned back at him toothily, offering him a wave which he reluctantly returned as I got up to head back to the library. I ducked my head down as I walked, only able to avoid barreling into a little old lady on my way back by my sensitive hearing picking up on her footsteps.

"Back already?" Jean asked as I passed by the counter to get to the backroom. I nodded and she shrugged to herself going back to paying attention to the woman who stood at the counter looking positively scandalized as having been ignored for even a moment.

Aspen looked up from his meal as I walked in, his cheek puffed up with food to offer me an awkward smile. I had to bite my lip hard enough to draw blood to keep from laughing.

I sat at the end of the table, pulling out my phone from my purse and messaging my friends who had gotten sick during our vacation, asking them how they were feeling. I messaged with the two sisters until the hour we had for lunch was up, allowing Aspen to read the book he had on the table in silence. I hated it when people tried to talk to me while I read, so I wasn't going to force conversation on him.

After our break I followed Aspen out of the breakroom, and he pushed the cart of returned books out ahead of us since it had gotten full once again. To avoid him the trouble of having to attempt to be subtle, something he was clearly horrible at, I only grabbed the books I was sure I knew how to shelve correctly, and simply took note of where he put the rest.

I shadowed him for the rest of the day, looking to him every time someone approached me to ask where something was, and he stepped in. After another librarian had arrived, Jean also joined us for a few minutes. She was much more talkative than Aspen and I combined, and carried the conversation effortlessly without us having to try too hard.

By the end of my first shift I had made note of nearly a cart full of books that I wanted to take out. Many of them though I would have to buy. Wolves had a more delicate sense of smell, all the scents of people who had borrowed the books distracted me too much. Leaving me quite unable to concentrate on the books most of the time, especially if it was a popular book. Otherwise if it only smelled like the library, then I could tolerate it.

"I hope Aspen took care of you dear, wouldn't want you quitting on us on your first day." Josephine said from the other side of the shelf I was trying to put the books in order on. Aspen startled so badly he dropped all the books he was holding. Josephine eyed him with disdain as if he was crazy for not foreseeing the lunatic elderly lady popping up from behind a shelf of books.

"He did, I think I've got the hang of it now thanks to him." I answered, making Aspen flush pink again, but he smiled gratefully at me anyway although Josephine looked less than pleased upon my praising the supposed to be arsonist omega.

"Well it's time for you two to go home now. Tomorrow you'll be paired with Jean, she's willing to work on the floor if paired with another person." Josephine said and I nodded, sidestepping Aspen who was crouched down gathering up the books. It was useless for me to help him since only two had fallen, which it would only take longer for me to pick up and give them to him then him doing it himself.

I had my coat on and was grabbing my purse when he walked into the breakroom.

"Thank you for today, I really think I've got the hang of it now." I said.

"You're welcome, you're a quick learner." He replied, his face looking so dangerously red I was afraid he might explode.

"Bye." I said, walking out, smiling at the middle aged male librarian at the counter giving me a curious glance as I walked out. I waved at Josephine who was gesturing madly as she talked to a group of middle aged women who were listening to her raptly. She waved back, pointing me out to the women who all smiled at me widely. I offered them an awkward smile before ducking my head uncomfortably as I walked out of the library.

I hurried towards my brother's car that was parked across the street from the library, and who was waving at me from within the car as though I would not have recognized his car without that. I didn't mention it though as I got in.

"How was the first day?" My brother asked as soon as I was properly seated.

"Good, it's a little slow, but I expect it to get a bit better once I'm able to alternate between being at the counter and shelving, although the peace and quiet is very nice." I said, letting out an unladylike grunt as my brother wrestled his arm around my neck, mussing up my hair with the other.

"Our little librarian nerd, of course you love the quiet." He said with a strange amount of fondness for such teasing words. He pressed a loud kiss to my hair making me wrinkle my nose at him as I pushed him away making him laugh loudly like the hooligan he was as he put the car in drive. Nearly running poor Aspen over who had been crossing the street.

My brother rolled down the window and called out a loud apology, ruining it by barking out in his usual loud laughter as he noticed me crouching down in my seat, trying to hide my face.

"Say sorry Parisa." He said purposely loud and I whacked his arm in retaliation, glancing at Aspen from the rear view mirror to see him staring at our car in confusion.

"You're such a jerk Micah, I work with him." I grumbled, whacking his arm again for good measure making him flinch away, nearly driving us into oncoming traffic.

"Geez I'm driving here Pari." My brother said, letting go of the steering wheel completely to rub his arm. I lurched forward grabbing a hold of the steering wheel to ensure we wouldn't roll into a ditch.

"I don't understand who gave you your permit, I want to see some proof of them being an examiner." I growled.

"Humans are so cute, you just sit straight act all stoic and flash your canines, they'll do anything. Plus I'm a very good driver, the canines were just backup." My brother said making me scoff.

"I'm gonna ask Nina to pick me up from tomorrow." I grumbled.

"You sure you wanna go that? She'll come an hour early and just hover around you as you work, growling at every human that dares to look at her little Pari." My brother batted his lashes at me at the last part. I grabbed his face roughly turning it back towards the road.

"Eyes on the road you mutt." I said angrily making him laugh again knowing he had won, I really couldn't have Nina driving me. I loved her but she was so horribly protective, and I was a grown woman so it was really quite embarrassing.

We reached home after only three near accidents which was sadly quite good considering the way my brother drove. Fast like all alphas do, but he was also terribly distracted, and his left turns were more a vicious incomplete triangle then the smooth quarter circle they should be to avoid maiming all parties involved.

He unlocked the door, stepping aside to let me step through first. I offered him a small genuine smile for picking me up making him grin in response, ruffling my hair once more affectionately.

I'd only just gotten my coat off when I was surrounded by my family asking too many questions all at once, all trying to get their scents on me to get rid of the smell of humans from the library. But even with how overbearing they could be, I'd choose being in their midst, rambunctious handsy group that they were then the library or anywhere else for that matter on any given day.