Page 25 of The Omega Archives: Part Two

No fear. No judgment. Only work.

I pushed open the front door, waving to the circulation desk where a librarian sat I didn’t recognize. I never walked into work so late at this time of day. I never came back up from the archives unless there was an emergency until the end of my shift.

I made it to the stairs leading down into the pits of the library–

“Miss Jones.”

I froze, my foot wobbling over the steps.

Peeking out of his office around the corner, I couldn't pretend as if I hadn’t heard him. Mr. Wolfern called me back with a short nod of his head when he caught my eye. “If I could have a moment of your time?”

Fuck.

I was almost shocked as I swore.

Cal must’ve been rubbing off on me more than I thought. At the thought of him, a new rush of fire climbed up my neck and I froze.

No. I was fine.

It was warm out for the start of fall. There were always days like this every year. It was just normal heat.

Not a heat.

Clearing my throat, I looked around the couches. There were only a few other students, their scents sharp with sweat and caffeine from sugary energy drinks.

I wanted to gag.

I glanced around for a trash can just in case it happened.

Once I made it to the librarian’s office, Mr. Wolfern narrowed his eyes when I didn’t immediately step inside. “Please, come in.”

I attempted to hold my breath from the distinct smell of alpha, only this time it had a strong bitter edge.

Mr. Wolfern looked more rugged than he usually did. Then again, as a librarian around here, most of us were in a constant state of either looking perfect or ragged. He was teetering towards the latter with crisp frown lines marring his expression. “Are you well, Miss Jones?”

I tried to breathe through my mouth when I had to gulp air. It didn’t help. “Yes. Of course.”

“I noticed you were a bit late. You look under the weather.”

I forced myself to swallow again and forced a small smile. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

He still seemed unsure, but clearly wasn’t about to argue. He gestured down towards the seat in front of his desk. “Please, sit.”

Holding my breath, my heart raced as I sat down, fidgeting as I sat down on the rough knit of the standard office supply chair, stiff and uncomfortable. My head spun. I held onto the wooden armrests tightly.

Oh fuck.

I was swearing again. But I was still sweating.

A line of perspiration dripped down the back of my neck before I could casually wipe it away, rolling out my neck.

Mr. Wolfern couldn't tell that, could he?

Luckily, it didn’t seem like Mr. Wolfern was looking at me at all now. He paced behind his desk as if he too was uncomfortable as he spoke about… I didn’t catch what he said. “I hope you understand.”

Wait, what?

“I’m sorry.” I blinked. “I wasn’t paying attention. I apologize. What was that?”

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