Burning the Alpha

CHAPTER FOUR

One of the things I enjoy most about the library is knowing just how quickly I could turn the entire contents to ash....not that I would...it just tickles me to think about.

My favourite librarian was working. I don't tend to learn names unless absolutely necessary, so I just referred to her as scowly-grey-hair. She was the best human, because she was the fastest to say 'shh' to anyone who made the least amount of noise. We expressed our friendship by completely ignoring eachother. I only knew she was there because I saw her in my periphery as I walked up to the computer I'd booked from 1pm to 2pm on this fine Saturday afternoon.

I wasted no time typing in my search term: 'werewolves'.

The immediate results did not fill me with confidence. Images for a new game, a few websites dedicated to some new movie, some rather disturbing pictures of deformed wolf/human-hybrid-looking beasts.

Deciding to change my approach, I tried a new term: 'Shaun McCallum'.

I had barely pressed 'enter' when a voice behind me said: "You know, if you were curious, you could just ask me for yourself."

I don't believe I've ever moved so quickly in my life. My temperature flared - ready to bring the fire, if necessary - but I was quick to get it under control.

No prizes for guessing who my stalker was.

"Hello again." He gave me a confident smile.

"Hey now, don't get the wrong idea." I tried to explain. "I've never met..." I lowered my voice, "someone like you, before. I was just curious."

"I don't blame you." That smile again. "Why don't you come for a walk with me, and we can discuss any questions you may have."

I considered the proposition. River would definitely hate this, without a doubt...if he managed to find out...which he shouldn't. He would be at the office till about 6pm, and I'd left my phone at home, so he couldn't track me. (I hated the stupid thing anyway, and delighted in 'forgetting' it as often as possible.)

"You know what?" I finally answered. "Sure. Why not?"

"Good." He seemed pleased. "Did you want me to wait until you've finished researching me or...?"

"No. I'm sure there's no need." I answered, shutting the browser and logging off. "But I can always come back to it later, if necessary."

"That is true." He nodded, looking around the desk I'd been using. "Did you need me to carry anything for you?"

"Why? Do I seem too weak to manage my own belongings?" I asked, genuinely confused.

He laughed. Such a human response. He didn't answer the question, and I decided not to press it any further.

I hadn't brought anything with me to the library, so I walked past my friend, scowly-grey-hair, and out through the automatic doors.

We walked quietly for a bit, I wasn't really sure where to start. I couldn't even guess at what Shaun was thinking.

Just when I was beginning to think this day was going to go alright for me, I was ambushed by the weather.

Normally, I'd have paid more attention to what the sky was telling me, but these rain clouds had come out of nowhere, and I have to admit I'd been a little distracted.

My first clue should have been the grey clouds, but it was actually the stinging hiss of a water droplet hitting my arm.

Shaun's eyes widened as he watched the steam rise from my arm. This indicated that he was surprised. See? Sometimes I paid attention to human emotional cues.

I guess you could say I'm allergic to rain. It's not lethal, my humanoid flesh is as water-proof as the next gal's, but it's not super pleasant either.

Another droplet hit my forehead and ran into my eye.

"Ouch!" I tried to wipe it off me.

"Okay so..." Shaun was watching me and shaking his head. "Am I about to watch you go up in a puff of smoke or...?"

Shaun liked asking open-ended questions. Information acquired.

"No it's fine." Another drop of rain. "Youch! So, first question: you're mortal, right?"

"That's right." He answered. "My turn: do we need to find shelter? You are clearly not enjoying this rain."

"Don't be ridiculous." Another drop. "Yeesh! So is your life-span as short as a regular human's?"
"If we're allowed to die a natural death, we can live a bit longer. A lot of us don't make it that long though..." We both paused. He frowned at me. "Look, I'm not enjoying watching you suffer. Come to my pack-house. We've got a fire-place and it's out of the rain. We can continue there."

It was a terrible idea. I knew it was a terrible idea. So I said the only thing that made sense to me in that moment.

"Okay, fine. Lead the way."