Page 61 of The Omega Archives: Part One

And I hoped I never had to manage it again.

Chapter

Sixteen

ELLA

Iitched at the inside of my arm, rolling out my neck once I finished cleaning up and headed upstairs to the main library. On the first floor, the sun poured through the windows. Mid-day, the space felt far too bright after being cooped up for too long.

My hunched-over muscles protested each movement I made to the main offices.

I knocked on the edge of the open doorway. “Mr. Wolfern?”

The alpha librarian I’d only seen in passing the past week as he ran around campus for meetings he diligently organized on his work calendar for everyone to take note of, jumped at the sound of my voice.

Quickly, he collected himself. He looked up from his desk where he toggled between his computer and a rather large book spread out in front of him.

He clicked out of whatever he might have been looking at.

Wasn’t my problem, though, I couldn’t help but notice what was on his screen. I was pretty sure he was looking at employment rosters. If he didn’t meet everyone in the library by now, he was much further behind than I figured.

“Ms. Jones. How can I help you?” He gave a polite smile.

I hesitated by the doorway, fine with staying where I was until he stood, waving me inside. His crisp pinstriped button-down was rolled up at the sleeves, revealing his forearms and giving more attention to the shiny gold ring on his left hand.

Not only was Mr. Wolfern bonded with his omega, but it looked like he was married. Marriage was more of a beta tendency to make things official, I always thought, since betas couldn’t physically bond another to them.

I guessed I was wrong.

“Please, come in. Shut the door if this is something you’d rather do,” he advised, looking behind me towards where students and faculty milled.

Taking a single step inside, I didn’t bother with the door. I didn’t plan on spending much time here.

I cupped my hands in front of me as I adjusted my weight, foot to foot as I tried to find balance. Even that felt off, or maybe I was just fidgety after so many hours stuck at my computer. “I just wanted to let you know that I sent you the links to all the information and collections you requested for the alumni weekend coming up. Everything is complete.”

His warm eyes widened in shock. “You’re kidding.”

Did he think I wasn’t going to get it done?

“If the link to the public database isn’t already up and running it should refresh itself within the hour,” I explained.

“I apologize. That’s just amazing. To be honest, when I first looked into how you were archiving and repurposing all the information into a user-friendly flow for the alumni, I figured your attention to detail would slow you down a bit. I’m stunned at your work quality.”

Pressing my lips together, I cleared my throat again.

The moment I was in his office, I got a heavy scent of him I hadn’t noticed before. At least not in such great detail. Paper and tobacco.

I coughed, covering my mouth with my elbow.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, I apologize." I didn’t think his scent was that strong before, but now it made my eyes water. “Thank you.”

“No, thank you, Ms. Jones. Your persistence on this project has been noted. I’m grateful that we have you here on our team right now when we are in such a time crunch.”

“You’re welcome,” I said, trying to hold my breath. All it made me look like, however, was a little breathless.

I closed my eyes and swallowed, my throat tight.

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