Skinwalker - Completed

CHAPTER 33

(Rylie's POV)

"What is this place?"

"It's our library."

Rylie looked around, and she was amazed by the number of books inside it. It smells like a dusty book but pleasant to smell. She could finally do what her father couldn't. She could jot down what she reads about werewolf culture and well keep the knowledge to herself. She can't really share her discovery with the world, just like her father.

"What are you thinking?"

"My dad. He didn't publish his works to protect your pack. He knew it was morally wrong."

"Your father is a good man. The younger generations such as myself are thankful to him."

Rylie's heart swelled with pride. She's so proud of her father. "I hope I can live up to him."

"You will live up to him, Rylie. You didn't expose that the legends are true."

Rylie bit her lip. What should she say? Should she say that she plans on exposing the werewolf or not? Her eyes became shaky.

"U-Uhmmm about that. I-I was actually planning on exposing it, but I became a werewolf, so...." Rylie bowed her head a few times. "I-I'm sorry, Aly."

She didn't hear anything from Aly, and Rylie had to look up. Their eyes met, and Aly showed her a soft expression.

"I know you are stubborn and determined, Rylie. So I thought you will still expose us, but what changed your mind?"

Aly leaned on the same table she was leaning in. And Rylie can't help but opened her mouth and close it again out of surprise.

What changed my mind partly was because of you. Rylie wants to say that, but she knows Aly has solid beliefs and convictions about her pack. Now she can't even say that she likes this blue-eyed woman. All because the Alpha is now claiming Rylie as hers.

"W-Well, you all grown up on me." Especially you. Aly. She wants to say that too but chooses to keep her mouth closed.

"Hmm..." Aly nodded, smiling.

Rylie can hear the amusement in Aly's voice.

She turned her back and started scanning the bookshelves. Rylie doesn't know what to say. Aly took that cue and didn't say anything, just observing Rylie from where she is.

Though Rylie felt awkward. She forced herself to pick up a book and put it on the table.

Aly leaned in on the book, and Rylie has to suck in her breath because she can smell Aly's natural fragrance. The smell of dusty books can't hide that smell of Jasmine.

"This is from elder Helena. She was our priestess. You picked up a good book."

Rylie's heartbeat started beating fast inside her chest. The sound is thundering inside her ears. She was aware of where Aly's body is, and right now, she can't help that her temperature is spiking up again. She can't help but wet her lips. Where is this thirst coming from?

"A-Are you really ok here?"

Rylie missed Aly's body when she quickly stood up.

"L-Let's just spar again tomorrow or later after you finished reading a book here."

Rylie tilted her head when she noticed that Aly is growing bright red in the face and ears. Aly was also covering her nose like she smelled something unpleasant inside the room. Then before Rylie knows it. Aly headed for the door without much of a glance towards her.

She unconsciously put up her sleeves and smelled herself. Her eyebrows furrowed when she didn't smell anything unpleasant. Thinking that her mouth must have smelled like what she ate for breakfast. She then proceeded to smell her own breath, but she can't smell anything unpleasant. So what did Aly smell?

Rylie shook her head off. Wolf's senses are keen. Keener than that of a step 1 werewolf like her. So it must have been something terrible for Aly to cover her nose. She shook her head again before opening the book.

The title was about mating rituals and the history of werewolves. Rylie became interested right away. She took her ball pen and notebook on the table and began jotting down the information she saw was essential for her research. She smiled once in a while when a topic she finds interesting was shown on the page.

Then her eyes widened when she saw a paragraph about werewolf's senses.

Werewolves can sense-desire and fear. It's strongest when we are around our mates. But you won't know who your mate is when you are not fully transformed into a werewolf. The wolf inside every werewolf is the one who can sense who our mate is.

Shit! Rylie looked at the door. Aly exited. Aly must have sensed her desire! She hangs her head down on the table. She was so transparent this whole time! That's why Aly walked away from her during their sparring because the latter can sense her desire.

It's so embarrassing!

-------------------------

"Are you finished?" Aly was talking with many men and women under her command but immediately walked with Rylie when she saw her exit the makeshift library.

Rylie can't even look into Aly's eyes because of the embarrassment she felt. She can still feel her cheeks burning. Aly must have thought that she's a creep for having a crush on her.

"What's wrong? Did you find something odd in the books?"

"N-No." Rylie forced herself to answer Aly. But the latter must have sensed that there is something wrong with her.

"Then why are you suddenly like this?"

Aly held her arms and made Rylie look at her. Rylie was forced to stop and look at those blue eyes. Aly searched her eyes, and Rylie bit her lip. What should she say? She's the one who is embarrassing herself in every situation. She shouldn't tell Aly, or they'll get awkward with each other. But there's something that she wants to know for sure.

"D-Did you find your mate?"

Rylie knew that by the age of 22, werewolves will know who their mates are. Especially if they are already a full werewolf.

Aly's mouth hangs open in shock, clearly caught off guard by her sudden question. But when Aly was able to speak, her words came out raspy.

"N-Not yet. I didn't."

Rylie breathed out a sigh of relief. There's still a possibility that she's Rylie's, true mate. But in the meantime. She needs to make herself stronger before the full moon. Then find the person who murdered her father.