Ezra's Winner

Five

Ezra's POV

The library was always somewhere I could find some peace. 

I hadn't read a book in a long time...well since--but I was feeling rather lighter after my conversation with Kenai. I don't know, it was nice having someone to ground me and stay true to my wants rather than try to push me to do what they want. And in turn, I might be able to sway him towards Whitney and get them together. 

I sat in that restaurant for about four hours and decided that it was time to face the real world. I couldn't hide myself away forever. No matter how badly I wanted to. 

'No more hiding. When need to show ourselves as a leader.' Lucien grumbled, and I rolled my eyes.

'We will. In time. Soon people will start to notice me and know who I am.'

'How? You don't go into public places.' 

'I'm in a public space now, aren't I?'

I looked around the shelves as Lucien muttered under his breath. The library was silent as always but even more so today. There was usually a decent amount of people here but there was only me and the employees.

'There is no one here,' He mumbled.

'It's still public.'

'You know what I mean. We can't keep hiding, alright? We have to let our pack know that it's being led by a strong leader--'

'I know, Lucien, I just--' I sighed and leaned my head against one of the shelves. 

'I know,' He said gently, 'I know.'

Alphas were known for being tough, strong, and extroverted males. So I got big, and I got tough. But I didn't get the extroverted part. Sure with my family I am more myself and I feel safe to be silly and loud. But in front of a pack full of hundreds of wolves? 

The idea of doing a speech was enough to make me nervous, and want to run away. I hated big groups of people and even more so talking about myself. I never knew what to say anyway and it just ended up sounding like a huge mess. 

Not at all how an Alpha should behave.

"Oh, uh hi!" I jumped at the voice and immediately sat up.

I looked over my shoulder to see the last person I thought. He looked a lot more relaxed...and himself. He wasn't wearing a snotty-looking button-up or slacks. He had changed into a sweatsuit and his hair was pushed back by a headband.

"Hi," I breathed out. "I thought you were resting?"

His cheeks warmed for a moment but didn't look away, "I am," He pointed to the two books shoved under his arm. "Reading helps me relax." 

"Same," I held up the book I had grabbed and I watched as he quickly read the title and made a face, "What?"

"You read, nonfiction?" He said it with such distaste that I was a little taken aback and chuckled.

"Yes, I do." I looked down at the book and frowned, "I've heard this memoir is really good. Plus I like to learn while I read."

Donnie scoffs and starts walking away and I find myself following after him. "Reading is supposed to be fun, Alpha Ezra."

"It's just Ezra, and who says memoirs aren't fun?" My eyes trailed down his back. He was lean but not fragile. And even in his small frame, he had an ass whi---