n a t a l i e

I don’t mean to worry you, I just know that this isn’t going to get better for a while. She’s not going to leave us alone easily, and that’s the grim truth– I’m going to have to do things that I haven’t done in a long time. I can’t… I can’t lose you or my pack. I can’t go through this again.

I’m sorry, Natalie. I should have been the one to tell you everything.

Whatever you have to do, I’ll be here. So long as whatever it is means I won’t lose you too. I can’t lose you either, I can’t even think it.

Good, you’re aware of who I am.

I know you sent them my photo that day. I’m not your enemy, this is between me and those twins.

Those twins are my family, and I have it on good authority that you’re planning to hurt them. So, tell me again how you’re anything but my enemy?

Not quite.

I think it’s time you and I were honest with each other, Miss Saunders.

Oh. It’s you.

I don’t think you ever could have made anything worse, so don’t apologize. Just knowing that you’re here with me and that you’re okay, at least that’s one thing that’s going alright.

That was never in doubt.

Things are… not good right now, it seems.

I’m sorry, if I made things worse.

He couldn’t help but smile as he felt her look around the library for anyone nearby, though Spencer already knew that there weren’t. The library was completely empty save for the two of them. His hands moved to envelope her waist as he could feel her eyes on him– feeling the warmth between the two, the closeness that both calmed his wolf and riled him; it was a constant reminder that she was made for him. His mate. “Natalie, listen to me,” Spencer said as he reached up to smooth his hand against her cheek, “anything that involves you is something I want to do.” He couldn’t help the smile that grew on his face as she said out loud what he’s felt for so long– there were so many things that he needed to tell her. He needed to tell her about Charlotte and his past, but their future was also important. “I love you, too,” Spencer said with seriousness, though the smile was still on his face, “there’s something that you need to know when it comes to werewolves, Nat. We’re free to pick whoever we want to be with, but sometimes there’s someone that we meet that our human side and our wolf side inexplicably loves unconditionally. That’s what we call our mates.” He took a moment to feel a silken lock in his fingers, wishing he could see the expressions on her face with his own eyes instead of relying on his other senses. “You’re my mate, Natalie.”

One of her hands moved into his hair, scratching the back of his neck softly. She leaned into his touch and sighed softly, dreamily even, as she swayed closer to him. Her brow furrowed slightly as she listened to him explain more about the werewolf side of him. There was so much she didn’t know, so much she wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to understand. What she did know was that she was in love him, and that was what mattered most to her. “If I was a wolf...” she started softly. “I think you would be mine too.” Her face turned into a teasing smile as she pulled herself up onto her tiptoes. “Does being your mate mean I get any cool super powers? I think I’d like to be able to tell what you’re thinking, that’d be handy for dinner times.”

You shouldn’t believe a single word that comes out of that bitch’s mouth.

”Her name’s Charlotte Atwood. A hunter.” Olivia’s fingers gripped her phone tightly as she stared down at the picture, wishing she could squeeze the life from who it captured. “She murdered our family and blinded Spencer.” She directed her gaze to Natalie, “He really didn’t tell you.”

To say she was shocked was an understatement. Her stomach had dropped and Natalie felt completely numb from the knowledge. A hunter. Murdered family. Blinded Spencer. She had had no idea, about any of it. She felt horrible, sick to her stomach with unease and sadness. Nat had stood in the same room with a person who had... had... She couldn’t even think it, it was so horrible — so monstrous. “No...” she mumbled with grief, cheeks wet with tears. “I... I just knew you were werewolves. I didn’t... she...” Natalie looked at Olivia with a mix of confusion and grief. “I’m so sorry.”

I just kind of figured I’d get the first thing that caught my eye. Otherwise, I’d probably just re-read some other books I’ve liked; you can never go wrong with the Sherlock series.

Well, you’re always welcome to take whatever you like Mac.

You are the coolest boss who ever lived if you are providing your employees with infinite reading material and a proper uninterrupted education by dragging what seems to be bottomless boxes of books. The cool thing was never in doubt.

Thank you — I appreciate that my efforts aren’t for nothing. They don’t tell you how hard it is being the cool boss.

I cannot believe she would have the audacity to show up there.

I’m going to kill her.

You still haven’t told me who she is. She said her name was Rosalyn... I’m guessing that was a lie.

Ugh– don’t I know it. One time I pronounced some new ‘hip’ word wrong and a teen had the audacity of calling me an old lady; I’m not even that old.

Oh gosh — that’s my worse nightmare. I already feel like I’m broaching on uncool librarian. I don’t need the kids calling me old too.

It was a calculated mixture of cockiness and thrusting her feelers for what Natalie might or might not reveal a reaction over, she could either pay no attention to the intentional verbiage as merely that, an expression not applicable to the man she fancied or the woman can settle along the stoic path for that nuisance’s protection. It’s possible as well Charlotte revealed her hand far sooner than intended, but it could also hold its enjoyment if Natalie knew who she was, and even better, who she was to Spencer. She didn’t take pleasure hurting a fellow human, but one broken heart should mend in the long run once Natalie saw the real wolf behind the VanWarren. “Well, it seems to me you know exactly what you and him are if you’re all domesticated. Baby would make three and that’s quite the company.” Charlotte turned her back and she bent over to pop open one of the boxes, rolling her eyes with disgust where Nat couldn’t see, and replacing that expression with a gentle smile when she turned back around. “Do you mind if I borrow this one? I think my son would love Psycho.” She glanced over the cover, “He liked the movie.”

“Maybe, but it’s a lot of work” she grinned at Rosalyn. “As I’m sure you know.” Natalie disguised the chill that went down her spine. She was becoming more and more unsettled. Maybe it was silly of her, but everything that Rosalyn said after “pup” felt intimidating and threatening, like the woman thought she was being smart by leaving innuendoes under Natalie’s nose. Then an idea came to her. “Of course, it is however policy to have a library card to borrow items out of the building. It doesn’t take long, I just need a photo and I can print the card from my phone. Natalie directed Rosalyn to a blank wall, not giving the woman a moment to hesitate or back out. If she wanted to come in here and suss Natalie out, then she could deal with “pushy librarian” for a moment. She counted down and took the photo, smiling widely at Rosalyn to prompt the woman to do so. “I’ll just send it to the printer...” Natalie quickly sent the image to Olivia, no message out of fear the woman would let on, then she sent the photo to the printer. “...there. Sent! If you give me a moment I can set you and your card up!”

Spencer smiled when he felt the warmth of Natalie’s hand in his, squeezing her hand back. “I’m sorry– sometimes I forget that there are things expected when it comes to different species,” Spencer responded, “you can assume anything you want of me and you, Natalie. I will always only want you.” He smiled, feeling her hand brush against his cheek, his hand encapsulating hers; pressing his lips into the palm of her hand, “I would. I never would have before I met you, but for you… I’d do anything.”

it was weird, sometimes it still surprised her that they weren’t the same. To the eye, the town seemed filled with humans, but he and more than half the population now were supernatural. She rolled her eyes good naturally before looking around, making sure no one was looking at them. Natalie reached up and wrapped her arms around Spencer’s neck, looking at him pointedly. “I appreciate you, and everything you’re saying. I don’t want you to move in with me for me – I want you to move in with me for you. Because I love you and we can’t just do all the things I want because you like me. a lot”

Charlotte’s eyebrows slowly lifted, almost wanting the woman to finish that statement in complete honesty and knowing she would pull, what a majority of the townsfolk have for those who weren’t familiar with the supernatural piece of the puzzle, the denial card. The excuses, they became a cumbersome charade she knew the truth about. “It’s like we’re all back in high school and I’m the new shiny toy everyone is curious about. Well, I imagine the only gossip floating around this place is how welcoming and trusting the librarian is. It makes a difference for them, comforting, I would say.” Char forced herself to bit her tongue in refrain from asking too many questions about Spencer or portraying too deep of an interest in someone she supposedly wasn’t meant to know. “He sounds more than just pretty great, sweetie. Take it from someone who has seen her share of dating, know who you’re spending the rest of your life with. If it’s real and he wants the pups running around,” Even that thought caused nausea for the woman, “You can’t walk away from that. Make sure true love is true.” She cracked an apologetic smile, “I don’t mean to be sappy, I’m sorry.”

Natalie had been enjoying her chat with Rosalyn — that was until she said the word “pup”. If they’d been in any other town, maybe the word wouldn’t have stuck with Natalie. But it was placed so calculatedly in their conversation, holding an entirely different meaning when Natalie was dating — dating? — a werewolf. While she was dreamy and lived in books, Natalie had never believed in coincidences. Especially not one that felt so directed, so personal. Natalie felt a shiver down her spine, but refused to show it. She was good at pretending, a talent mastered when you spent your life purposefully blending in. Not breaking the pretence of their conversation, Natalie kept smiling. “No, don’t apologise. I’m a pretty sappy person myself. I definitely don’t plan on walking away. We practically live together as it is.” Natalie wasn’t sure what was the right or wrong thing to say, but she wanted whoever this woman was to know that Natalie was rarely alone.

Spencer leaned against the side of the desk, slightly propped up by the box he had carried– knowing that he was standing across from the girl he thought about pretty much every part of the day. Natalie was always there in his mind but being in her presence made him feel at peace with everything, even while the town was all but self-destructing. He had never thought that he would find a mate, and it was nothing like he could have imagined– he knew that eventually he would have to talk to her about it; them. His head cocked to the side as he felt her anxiousness, a slight frown marring his face. “You got nervous just now,” Spencer said quietly as he placed his hand palm up in front of her for Natalie to take, needing the connection just as much as she did, “I was teasing you, but maybe it wasn’t quite fair since I’ve never been… exactly clear in things. If there was anyone I would move heaven and earth to be with, it would be you, Natalie. No need to get anxious over anything, not when it comes to me.”

Natalie took a step forward, taking his hand and squeezing it softly. “I’m always nervous,” she laughed, but her smile became softer and warm. “We’ve just... we’ve never really put a label on this, and I just didn’t want to assume anything.” She stepped even closer until her other hand brushed his cheek softly. “I would do the same, you know? If it meant being with you I would face all the spiders in the world. Before was my very not subtle probing of if you would ever want to live together... with me... obviously.” 

“I wish I could see your stern face because I think it’d be anything but stern. Maybe more along the lines of insanely adorable,” Spencer said as he placed the box on the circulation desk next to her seat before propping himself against the counter, cocking his head towards her. He heard her heart rate increase at his words, a smile quirking onto his face. “Oh, no beaches for me– I don’t think I’d do well with all of the sand,” Spencer said before he let out a wistful sigh, “I haven’t thought about moving until a special someone walked into my life and made me think about it. If you had the opportunity, would you upscale or move?”

"Ha-ha, very funny,” she tried to scowl but she just laughed instead. He was right, annoyingly. Natalie had never been great at being mad — well, staying mad at least. She leaned on the part of the desk across from him, her fingers tapping on the desk to curb the desire to touch him. “I’d like to see, you might even surprise yourself. I’m sure wolves can run on sand,” she teased quietly. She blushed softly, but a part of her refused to fully trust that he meant her. She was so used to being unnoticed that it felt strange that she had his, and his pack’s attention now. “I...” she paused from nerves, her fingers stopping their tapping. “I think I wouldn’t mind either way, so long as it was with someone special.”