Page 13 of The Wolf Professor

“Didn’t sound wolf. Fae?”

“No, er… human, actually.”

“Human! Good on you. A human working for a wolf, that takes some trust.”

He could almost see his cousin’s fangs glinting as he grinned.

“Bring her along,” Benjy continued jovially. “We’d love a chance to prove our hospitality to a human. Can’t understand why some of ’em are scared of us.”

Yeah… Wonder why the fuck that is.

With difficulty, Max unclenched his jaw. “I will certainly accept for myself, but I’ll hazard a guess that Charlie has other plans. I’m sure she has a myriad of friends to catch up with.” Including that damn orc, probably.

“Yeah, well, if she wants to join us, all are welcome at a Hunt shindig. See you around 6 pm, with or without your little human.”

Max opened his mouth, shut it. Opened it again and muttered, “Wonderful.”

Wonderful be fucked.

He threw his phone down with a muttered curse.

It took him a few moments to compose himself, raking fingers through his hair, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, and trying to slow his breathing. He’d go, put up with his pack in the name of good manners, and make an early exit. He would not, of course, take Charlie.

Gods, even if his pack weren’t a total embarrassment, he would not take Charlie. Not with the way his senses were reacting to her.

Social activities with his assistant were off limits from now on. His guard had been down today. From now on, he’d be mindful to keep things professional—and these bizarre thoughts and feelings under control.

When he finally returned to the office, she looked up with a smile that did him in all over again. Max steeled himself. “It’s time you finished for the day.”

“Sure, though I’m happy to keep working if you need me to.”

“It’s five o’clock and I’m sure you have plenty you want to get on with,” he pointed out.

“Oh, I—” She glanced at him from under her lashes. “I could rustle something up for dinner if you like.”

Max stemmed the overwhelming desire to accept. “You are here to work on my research, nothing else.” He must have sounded curt because her face fell slightly, which made him feel like a bastard, yet again. She was simply trying to be helpful, and he was shutting her down at every turn.

He sighed. “Look Charlie, I’m an introverted guy who is best left alone with my books. Sad to have to admit it, but there you are. Most nights I eat at my desk. Your evenings are yours to do what you like. By all means, use the kitchen, cook for yourself, or eat whatever food Mrs. Bates has left—but cooking for me, that is absolutelynotin your job description.”

She was busy closing her computer, gathering her things, her curls hiding her expression. “Sure, I get it.” She glanced up, smiled once more, but he saw a flatness in her eyes. He’d hurt her feelings, and he hated himself for that. But she had to know he was not going to spend time with her outside of work hours.

For her safety.

And his sanity.

He tried to lighten the mood with a shooing motion of his hands as she made for the door. “Go on, go have some fun.” He sounded woefully like a musty old professor, but it was true, she’d have much more fun if she went out with friends like that young eager orc.

At the door, she turned. “We’re going to the library tomorrow morning, aren’t we? What time would you like me here?”

Max rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Let’s say 9 am. That should give us plenty of time to walk.”

He had no idea why he felt disappointed when she said, “Cool. Have fun with your books, Prof,” and disappeared.

CHAPTER 7

The librarian who greeted them at Motham Library reminded Charlie of her mom.

Not that there was any physical resemblance, apart from the glasses on a chain around her neck. The woman was a gorgon, her snakes tied tightly in a scarf around her head. Only the tiniest movement, the smallest twitch under the paisley pattern showed that they were even alive in there.

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