Bella’s POV
What I appreciated most about this library was how ticulously everything had been catalogued and arranged.
Derek selected a weathered gray volu from one of the towering shelves, and we settled ourselves on tiny wooden stools tucked between the narrow aisles.
"Here we go. See this? ’The Gray Wolf,’" he said, flipping open the table of contents and tapping a specific Chapter heading with his finger.
An unexpected thrill coursed through my entire body.
Throughout my childhood, countless people had repeatedly told that I would never possess a wolf of my own, and eventually, I had started believing their harsh words.
That’s why when I experienced my first transformation and Derek inford that my wolf appeared unique, with its distinctive gray coloring, I felt genuinely exhilarated.
Perhaps finally people would discuss my wolf in the sa way they had once gossiped about my supposed lack of one.
My mind wandered as he flipped through pages, searching for the specific section about gray wolves.
His frustrated exhale and bewildered grunt snapped back to the present mont.
"What’s wrong?" I questioned, fidgeting restlessly on my uncomfortable stool.
"This is bizarre. Soone has torn out all the pages," he announced, causing my pulse to race erratically.
Not from anticipation this ti, but because everything associated with seed destined for failure.
"There have to be additional copies of this particular book," I declared, rising from my seat and making my way toward the librarian’s desk.
Regrettably, her response brought disappointing news.
She explained that this represented their sole copy, which struck as peculiar in itself.
"But surely there must be another thod to locate this information," Derek insisted as he approached us.
He elaborated that we required it for an urgent matter and that if this library didn’t possess it, surely another establishnt would.
"I’m afraid I can’t be certain," the librarian responded, pushing her wire-rimd glasses higher up her nose. "We never ordered any duplicate copies. What exactly seems to be the issue?"
"Several pages have been removed," Derek explained, sliding the damaged book across her counter.
She examined it carefully, then looked up at both of us.
"What’s your interest in gray wolves? Are you thinking there’s a connection to the children’s mysterious illness?" she inquired, obviously recognizing us from recent news coverage about our mission to help the sick children.
"Not exactly—" Derek hesitated mid-sentence.
The expression she wore made us both deeply uncomfortable, and neither of us wanted to reveal our true motivation.
"We figured studying various wolf types might help us understand why soone would target the children with this sickness," I offered, stepping out from behind Derek’s protective stance, realizing my explanation sounded weak but pressing forward regardless.
The librarian scrutinized my features, then pursed her lips and lifted her shoulders dismissively.
"I doubt a gray wolf would provide much assistance. From everything I’ve been told, they bring nothing but catastrophe."
Her offhand comnt made every muscle in my spine tense with indignation.
"Do you possess any details about the book’s author?" Derek inquired, deliberately overlooking her insulting remark.
"I’m not entirely sure, but I could investigate if you’re interested," the elderly woman replied, offering him a weak smile.
We departed the library feeling utterly defeated and requested that she contact us if she discovered any details about the writer.
"Don’t sulk like that. Have I ntioned this before? You look absolutely adorable when you’re frustrated and deep in contemplation." Derek’s playful comnt made turn away self-consciously.
"Co on, don’t be so rigid. You realize you still can’t resist my charm." He moved closer, his warm breath tickling my ear. I took a step backward and arched an eyebrow skeptically.
"I didn’t understand things clearly back then. That explains why I developed feelings for you," I responded, watching him roll his eyes in that familiar way.
"You’ll fall for again the mont you stop pretending about this imaginary husband," he declared, once more boasting about his supposed irresistibility.
"Well, believe , that won’t happen," I replied with a casual shrug. "If you could see my husband, you’d quit asking whether I might still have feelings for any of you."
After I finished speaking, I observed his reaction. The look that crossed his face brought complete satisfaction.
He appeared genuinely jealous.
"You constantly ntion this mysterious husband of yours," he said, raising his fingers to create mocking quotation marks. "I’d really enjoy eting him soday. Perhaps when you look in the mirror," he added, his stare intensifying.
I shook my head at his persistent attempts to win over.
"We should return ho. My children are expecting ." I made my excuse, attempting to escape this conversation.
The truth was, I recognized that he had given up significant things for my sake, but I couldn’t comprehend what that ant anymore.
I had forgiven him for past mistakes, but I couldn’t consider pursuing anything romantic with him.
The issue wasn’t his previous rejection of . He had rescued , selected , and declared his love.
The real problem was that I no longer harbored those types of feelings for him.
As we began walking away, sothing captured my attention. I halted and looked twice.
Inside one of the coffee shops across the street sat two won.
I instantly identified my half-sister, but the woman seated opposite her demanded my focus.
"Beth?" I whispered quietly, squinting to confirm what I was seeing.
"What?" Derek asked, moving nearer and following my line of sight. "That’s your half-sister, correct?"
"Yes, but observe the woman beside her." I gestured toward the reporter.
Derek gasped audibly and began growling with fury.
"No wonder she showed up at the cabin carrying those caras," I muttered, stamping my foot in frustration.
"Exactly. She attempted to destroy your reputation and create gossip about us having an affair, so that—" Derek abruptly stopped talking.
But I had caught his words, and I intended to address this with him later.
Right now, I had soone else to confront. Without hesitating for even a mont or allowing Derek to predict my intentions, I crossed the busy street.
"Wait!" Derek yelled, still complaining as he worked to halt traffic so I wouldn’t be struck.
I didn’t even glance sideways before pushing through the café entrance.
The small bell above the door chid, and every patron looked toward , except the two won who remained absorbed in their private conversation.
Everyone here assud I was human, but with my wolf finally awakening, I wondered whether they might detect sothing different.
Probably not until I received my mate’s mark. That remained the established rule here, no distinctive scent without the marking.
I approached their table and crossed my arms, waiting for their acknowledgnt.
My sister appeared as though she had encountered a supernatural apparition.
"I was curious about how you managed to appear at the cabin and decided to broadcast live without obtaining any authorization," I began, using my most authoritative tone.
"But now I understand exactly how and why," I tapped my foot rhythmically against the floor, observing both won looking utterly guilty.
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