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He stops at an alcove in one of the corners at the end of one of the aisles. "This should be a good place for you to set up. The shelves on either side have most of what you're looking for. If you have specific titles in mind, I can find those for you."
I wave him off, thankfully distracted from him by a few titles catching my eye. “That's okay, I'd rather browse and dig through everything myself."
He smiles. “I’ll leave you to it, then. If you need anything, I'll be around somewhere."
I raise a brow. “Will I be able to find you in this massive place?"
He laughs, the sound husky and seductive. “Just shout out "Marco" and I'll come find you."
I shake it off. "All right. Thank you."
"I'll come check on you in a bit. Ask for Oliver if you don’t find me right away.”
I watch him walk away, disappearing deeper into the library. I’m half-tempted to follow, to explore every inch of this hallowed ground, but first I want to unload this heavy bag of research materials and get set up. I also want to know what exactly sort of anthropology and biology books they have.
It doesn't take long for me to forget all about the rest of the library once I fill the table with tottering piles of books. Not a single one of the libraries I’ve visited has been anything like this. They were boring, normal, uninspired.
This place was designed by a kindred spirit. Someone who values knowledge and discovery and believes in the power of the written word.
I wonder about the omega librarian who showed me around. Did he have anything to do with this place?
His scent of petrichor and parchment strengthens, making my stomach flutter.
“How are you doing?” His husky voice comes from right behind me.
I startle, jerking my head up to blink at him in astonishment.
The omega makes a valiant attempt to hide his amusement. “Sorry. I didn’t realize how deep you’d gone.”
I clear her throat, a flush rising to my cheeks. “What time is it?”
“You’ve been here for five hours. I’m sorry I took so long to check on you, we got busy for a while with Storytime and other events.”
It feels like it’s only been five minutes.
Five hours?
That might be a new record.
I shrug. “I’m not your responsibility. I lose track like this rather often.”
He chuckles. “I understand. Books are powerful escapes."
"It must be wonderful to work here." I cast a wistful glance around the place, irritated with myself for not wandering around a little more.
A happy light brightens his green eyes. “I can't imagine a better job. I get to be a part of the community, I get to explore and go on adventures and bring people along without ever needing to leave town." There's a tinge of longing in his voice, like he wishes those adventures were actually real.
"I'm... no offense, but I'm surprised you have a job here. How have you been allowed to do that? You're not... mated. And you can't be old enough to have aged out." I grimace. "Sorry. Curious nature I don't always keep locked away like I should."
He smirks at me. “Did you think you're the only omega who fights and strains against the bullshit system?"
I wince. “Of course not. I've met dozens. More than that. But here I am, taking part in this bullshit program. I just want to know your secrets."
He rubs the back of his neck. “I think you'll find the longer you're in this program that not all communities follow the laws quite so rigidly as they do in the cities. And I'm part of a pack, we're just not... we haven't...anyway. We aren't official yet, so that was enough to keep me from being sent off on the program."
"Ah." I have so many more questions, but they’re all inappropriate.
"Not the answer you were hoping for?"
