Word Count: 2144

~Lavelle

The next day, Zyre leads me through the city toward the grand library.

Everything here is alive, and so much more developed than back home. The buildings are larger, made of grey brick and rich timber. The window reflect the sea that surrounds most of the city, and the sun that shines brightly overheard.

"This pack is absolutely incredible," I marvel distractedly, my attention getting caught on a shop front littered with tiny eclectic goods someone has crafted.

Zyre grabs my sleeve, keeping me close to him. We pass by hordes of people going about their day — I don't think I've seen so many people in one place before.

"It's the most successful pack in the land, and has been for centuries," Zyre explains, turning me onto a different street.

"Why not challenge this Alpha instead of Avi?"

Zyre laughs under his breath. I almost miss the sound beneath the clamour of the people passing us by.

"I wouldn't have been able to cement control here. The army is too large, fealty too high." He tugs me a little closer again, our shoulders brushing. "You forget that Avi was a poor leader, and people suffered as a result. Alpha Liora is a strong, powerful leader who people respect."

I nod mutely, well aware of how true that is, even if I never allowed myself to see it.

Avi made a bad decision, and it plunged the pack into more debt than he let on. When Zyre first told me, I was sceptical, but then I was shown the evidence, the ledgers, all of it.

And he was going to use me to pay it all off.

The next street we turn into reveals a massive building that rears up toward the sun. Zyre takes my hand, leading me up the grand stairs to the entryway, nestled between several massive marble columns.

We haven't spoken about last night, about the kiss. When I met Zyre in the foyer of the inn, he appeared as he usually does, indicating nothing about he is feeling.

So much for him staying away from me...

Low lighting and the sound of hushed voices greets us as we step into the magnificent library. Stacks upon stacks of book are shelved on great wood cases that reach for the ceiling. People mill about, noses in books barely off the shelves, or on desks scattered about the room.

In the centre of the room is the librarian's desk. Their head is bowed as they study something before them.

"What are we searching for?" Zyre asks softly, keeping his tone low as if most people haven't raised their cases to him the moment he stepped inside. I swear most can sense his power, his authority, without him having to make a sound.

"Any records on Hensley's. It's my mother's maiden name."

Suddenly seeing the amount of books in this library, I feel certain we will find something. Whether we are able to locate it in the few days we are to stay in this pack, I can't be sure.

Zyre looks sideways at me. "You don't believe your father has the interesting history?"

I huff out a breath. My father only ever did one interesting thing in his life, and it was a horror.

"No, I'm well aware of his history, and there is nothing salacious there," I mutter. "I don't know anything about my mother and her family. I never grew up with other relatives on her side."

Zyre nods determinedly. "Alright, let's see what we can find."

"You look around while I ask the librarian for guidance. See if there's anything on the shelves."

Zyre walks off upon my instruction to search the shelves while I approach the librarian's desk. She looks up at, taking a moment to look over my person with vague curiosity.

I'm sure I look a sight. Still a bit sickly and wearing clothing that isn't nearly modern enough in this pack.

I lay my hands on the polished surface of her desk, leaning closer with a small smile.

"Excuse me, I was wondering if I could access your archives. I'm looking for information on the Hensley name."

I half expect the female, barely much older than me, to tell me she's heard of no such thing. But to my surprise, her eyes flare wide and her lips part.

"Hensley?" She looks over her shoulder, then back at me, her voice so low I almost don't catch it. "Why?"

"I'm researching my some relatives," I explain.

She grimaces at the volume of my voice, but I'm barely speaking at a normal level. I suppose in here, where the space is dense with quiet, words travel much further.

"Quiet. You're lucky I don't report you," she hisses lowly, a shadow passing over her face.

I frown. "Report me?"

"What business do you have asking about that name? Are you a fool?" She snaps.

Her voice splits through the room, turning a few heads nearby. Realising her mistake, she sinks further back into her seat, swallowing uncomfortably.

I stare at her, confused. "Look, I'm not from around here, I'm—"

"Then go home, the both of you." She gestures behind me. "Do you realise what asking about that name means?"

I look over my shoulder to see Zyre lingering close. He's searching a shelf, but it's clear he's listening into our conversation, turning his head in our direction every so often.

Clearly he is as confused about this reaction as I am.

Has my lack of knowledge about the workings of this pack forsaken me this bad? Is there some rule about not saying the Hensley name here? If so, why? What could possibly be so offensive about my mother's maiden name?

I can only hope the Goddess has been merciful, and not made my mother as much as a monster as she made my father.

"What does it mean?" I ask.

"You won't find anything on Hensley's here. Any information on that name was burned a long time ago." She speaks under her breath, conspiratorially.  I'm starting to think she believes this to be a scandal unfolding before her eyes rather than an innocent investigation.

"Burned? Why?"

She sighs, wiping her forehead. It pushes her spectacles all lopsided for a moment.

"Listen, I can't help you, but I know someone who may be able to," she says softly, leaning forward so I can hear her. "But you didn't hear it from me."

I nod slowly, wondering if this is a misunderstanding, if she has the wrong idea. She can't possibly think it's so bad to speak a single name into existence.

"Okay, who?" I ask impatiently.

"Mr Langley. He owns a little antiquity store in Emerald Grove." She looks down, tearing at a piece of paper on her desk. "If anyone asks, it's a quirky store selling witchcraft items, but he may or may not harbour some historical pieces that could help you."

My brows flicker up.

"You're telling us he is harbouring illegal items?"

"Shh, he's a friend of mine, so if this gets out, the authorities will hear about it," she growls, scrawling something onto the paper before her.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I can see Zyre sweeping by, still maintaining that he's looking at the books. I'm sure the turn in this conversation has piqued his interest as much as it has mine.

"Why are you telling me this? You don't know if you can trust me," I murmur, seeing that's she's writing an address down.

She risks a glance back up at me.

"If you're asking about the Hensley name, then there is something about you Mr Langley will be interested in investigating," she says. "And your friend there is very handsome."

Her gaze sweeps to Zyre, who looks up from the book he was pretending to read. At my sharp glare, he looks away.

"Zyre?"

She leans forward. "Absolutely gorgeous."

I can't blame her for that opinion, because she is most definitely not wrong. Zyre is beautiful, and he doesn't escape notice wherever he goes. But after our kiss last night, I'm feeling strangely territorial.

"He's actually my husband," I say bluntly.

I can sense Zyre looking at me, but I ignore him.

"Wow, how lucky you are," she whisper, a smile melting away her earlier reservation. "Mate?"

"No..." I say immediately, before I shake my head. "I mean, I'm not sure. We only just got married."

"A shame," she sighs wistfully. "I would never let him out of my bed if he was mine."

Zyre smiles before turning his back to us. It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes, even if I feel inclined to agree with the librarian. She has no idea about his talents in bed either.

"Alright, thank you so much for your help," I breathe, taking the slip of paper she pushes in my direction.

Zyre smiles as I approach him, closing his book slowly. One glance tells me the book is on botany, and has absolutely nothing to do with what we're here for.

"Learn anything?"

"You have an admirer." I nod back at the librarian.

He shrugs loosely, taking my arm, guiding me back toward the main entrance of the library where we come to stand. The oppressive quiet is far less intrusive here.

"Apparently the Hensley name is cursed or something, because any archives relating to my family have been burned," I tell him. "But I know where to go to get information."

"It sounds like we're on the right track." He nudges me.

"Let's go."

Following the librarian's directions, we head through the city until we find a narrow, cobbled street. It is far less occupied as the main streets, giving us nothing to weave around as we breeze past various shops looking for Mr Langley's place.

Just as the librarian described, Mr Langley's shop is full to the brim with bizarre curiosities and historical antiquities. Were I to stumble in here off the street at random, I would see nothing odd about the place.

An older man is settled in the back behind a small desk. It's cramped with various goods, including a black bird cage with green parrot inside. It cants its head as we approach, assessing us as assess it.

"Are you Mr Langley?" I ask.

He raises his head from where he was fiddling with an old clock. It's little pieces and cogs are strewn about the desk.

"I am. Can I help you?" He peers at Zyre and I behind foggy lenses.

"I was sent here by the librarian at the city library," I explain. "She said you would be able to help me."

He takes off his glasses, revealing an aged face and light blue eyes.

"Mm, interesting." He spreads out his hand. "Perhaps I can."

I lean down low, dropping my voice. "I'm here looking for information on the Hensley name."

He startles, blinking rapidly. "Why?"

"My mother was a Hensley."

I'm really hoping I'm not giving the wrong information to the wrong person. He is after all, a complete stranger, and only the instruction of a librarian fawning over Zyre brought us here.

"That's impossible," he whispers.

I exchange a glance with Zyre. He nods encouragingly.

"Well...no, it's not," I mutter. "She didn't go by that name legally, but it was spoken about in my family that she was one. She even had jewellery engraved with the name."

He looks over me. "Do you have any?"

"I do."

Sliding my hand into my pocket, I produce the necklace that has travelled overseas with me. I lay it onto the desk, turning it upside down so he can read the engraving.

Leaning over it, he shoves the spectacles back onto his nose. A trembling fingertip drags over the locket.

When Mr Langley looks up at me, his eyes are wide with marvel.

"This can't be possible, yet here you are." He hurries around the desk, reaching for me. Zyre holds out his hand, giving him a warning look.

"Careful."

"It's okay, Zyre," I assure him. I'm starting to get the sense that this male will be the key to finding out about my heritage.

He pauses before me, smelling like lavender and old parchment. He lays his hand on the side of my face, weathered but soft.

"I recognise those eyes, the bloodline they represent," he whispers.

I frown. "Bloodline?"

"A line of Alpha's, my dear," he breathes, lowering his hand. "You are Liora's biggest nightmare."

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~Midika 💜🐈‍⬛