"Just like that?"
"Just like that."
"But what if I'm horrible at it?" I blurted.
Drystan laughed. "If an Elder vouches for you — well, it's as good as done. Now, why don't I go over the schedule with you while Ethan makes himself scarce. Are you okay with starting work tomorrow? I had to fire someone yesterday for stealing, so I'm a bit shorthanded."
"Sure."
I was about to follow him when Ethan tugged me back and whispered in my ear, "Be careful."
A cold chill settled over me. I wasn't sure why I needed to be careful, considering he was going to be leaving me alone with this guy for hours on end, but I decided to listen to him regardless.
"Schedule…" Drystan moved toward a workstation located in the middle of the store. "…is always kept on the computer. And we do all our sales through Square, so we don't really have a typical cash register. Are you familiar with it?"
Technology. Yes. I was the one who was supposed to be teaching them — at least at one point. I nodded.
"Good." He clapped his hands together. "We get new books every Tuesday. You'll have to sign for them, and if we aren't busy, you're free to stock the shelves." He pointed behind him. "Books that are left out need to be reshelved at the end of the day and, luckily, you don't have to make coffee or scones. My wife does all that."
"Wife?"
He grinned. "We work together. It's a mate thing."
"Do all mates work together?"
His eyes darted behind me as if looking for Ethan. "Well, it's different for each of us."
"Oh."
"I'll pay you fifteen an hour. Though it's not like you need it, considering who you're with."
I blushed. I didn't like the idea of owing Ethan anything; somehow it felt wrong. I didn't deserve it, didn't earn it, and regardless of how well things were going that day, I had no idea if one minute he was going to get tired of me, and I'd need money for some reason.
"Great." I found myself shaking his hand, excited that I wouldn't be stuck at the house and would be able to actually contribute to society.
Drystan squeezed my hand, then flinched and jerked it back, like I'd hurt him.
"Is everything okay?" Ethan asked, approaching us.
Drystan shared a look with him. "Ethan, a moment?"
Ethan's smile was forced. "Sure. Genesis, why don't you pick out some books?"
I nodded and watched them walk off.
Had I done something to offend the werewolf? Everything had seemed fine until I'd touched him.
He'd flinched.
Why would he flinch?
I started mindlessly walking the aisles of books, when I heard Ethan's growl.
Slowly, I moved closer until I could hear his voice.
"I can't protect her if he comes." Drystan's voice was frantic. "I have a family, Ethan."
"He won't."
"He could bring them down on me and my family. You know he could, and I don't know how much time I have left with her — before she dies like the others. I don't want to spend that time worrying that a Dark One's going to kill me."
Ethan sighed heavily. "Trust me."
"I do. You know I do. It's her I don't trust."
What? That made no sense! I was a mere human!
"She's trustworthy," Ethan barked. "You dare insult my mate?"
"You dare bring in a marked one?"
"We've bonded — it's done."
"But it's not," Drystan argued. "Not unless she fully gives herself to you — you know that."
"She will."
Drystan swore. "How long do you have?"
Ethan's breathing picked up. "We have time."
"How much?"
"This is ridiculous. I'm an Elder."
"Ethan—"
"She's already chosen."
"No." Drystan's voice was distant. "She hasn't. Ice still flows through her veins. She may have said the words, but she isn't there, not yet, and until she is, he will continue to come for her."
I was listening so intently that I almost let out a yelp when Ethan called for me.
I grabbed the first two books I saw and ran around the corner to find him. He didn't seem on edge, but I knew he was. I could feel the distance building around his body again.
"What books did you choose?"
I looked down at the books in my hands and almost choked. "Um, you know what? I don't need any books today."
He rolled his eyes. "Give me the books, Genesis."
"I think I've changed my mind. I'm just going to go—"
He snatched them out of my hands and looked down. I knew the exact moment he'd read the titles.
Because he started shaking.
His eyes flashed black then green then black again as he looked at me, his fangs elongating.
I took a step back.
Drystan pretended to ignore us.
And my heart picked up speed as Ethan's gaze devoured me.
"We'll take these." He set them on the table, his smile indulgent. "It seems my human likes to… study."
Drystan gave nothing away as he scanned the books, took Ethan's change, and handed him the bag.