Page 35 of Rogue If You Want To
“We’ll have a large rug and beanbags where they can read and listen to story time.” My mate’s enthusiasm was infectious, and I cleaned and polished the newly installed windows with increased energy.
Listening to his plans for the library brought back memories of when Mom took me to story time at our local library. It was there I imagined faraway places and adventures, never dreaming of how my life would turn out. If I could go back and tell some of my contemporaries what I’d experienced since leaving town, they wouldn’t believe me. Some days, I didn’t either.
With the structure complete, Otto and Lazlo designed bookshelves that would maximize the space and create separate reading areas for adults as well as kids.
Bree, a fox shifter, painted a mural on the wall of the woods outside the building, and we installed a counter where people could make tea or coffee. There were small tables, each with reading lamps, situated around the space and a large desk for the librarian.
Everyone traipsed in after Otto insisted they remove their shoes and admired what the pack had accomplished.
“What we’re missing is books,” Otto said.
Auden surprised us by hauling over a tattered box with books he said were from his “previous life.” And many of the pack members donated novels they’d read, including Creven andLarkin who had brought books from their old cabin, while I donated my mom’s favorite cookbook.
“I have nothing from my previous life.” Otto sighed.
I slung my arms around him, saying we were creating new memories and his contribution was in the building itself. “You’re part of this place, just as we all are.”
“I have something.” Creven placed a leather book on the shelf we’d labeled pack history. “I’d like to invite every pack member to take a page and say how they arrived here at Stoney River and what it means to be part of the pack.” He said we could add our story in words, images, photos, or even comics.
Otto was teary, and he sniffed on hearing what Alpha said, but he ushered everyone outside and gave me a large ribbon to string across the porch pillars. He handed Creven a pair of scissors and instructed everyone to take photos.
“I declare the Stoney River Library open.” Creven cut the ribbon, and everyone cheered.
It was close to dinner time, and the pack members headed to the dining hall. But Otto and I went into the library and planted ourselves in the kids’ beanbags. The sun was setting, and we each pulled a book from the shelf.
“Just think, generations of adults and kids will come here to read and study, and some might want to escape the noise outside.” Otto rubbed a foot over mine.
We needed kids’ books, and I suggested we drive down the mountain and visit a secondhand book store on the weekend. We could also scour the internet for garage sales, as they often had cartons of books.
“It’s a new beginning, not just for the library but for us too.” Otto looked around with pride at what we’d created. “And just like me, it’s possible that when everything is bleak and your life is in chaos, you can rebuild from scratch.”
I kissed the top of his head, content that going forward our lives wouldn’t be constant upheaval.
Outside the window, lights were being turned on in the cabins, and I got up and flicked on the library porch lights.
“Hungry?” I asked. Otto was curled up in the beanbag with my mom’s cookbook. But if we didn’t get to the dining hall, we’d miss out on dinner.
“I suppose. It’s a shame we can’t live here. Imagine waking up and being surrounded by books.”
I pointed out that he’d be here every day and the library was only a short walk away from where we were staying.
We wandered toward the dining hall, greeting people who’d already had their meal and were returning home or out for an evening stroll. Some of them congratulated Otto on the library and asked about the opening hours.
My mate paused and placed my hand on his belly. “Just as we're winding down for the night, our little one is waking up. I might need to shift and swim after the meal.”
We were convinced our baby was an otter shifter because he loved when Otto was in the water. There’d be no pruney fingers and toes for our little one.
20
OTTO
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Torin held me close, both of us ready for our day, but not quite ready to go our separate ways.
“No, mate. Stay here. According to Creven, you guys should be able to have the final touches on the new place done this morning, and coming with me might hold that back.”
There was a time when I would have been happy with not ever finishing the project, when I wasn’t sure I wanted to leave the cabin we were staying in… the one designed for people as temporary housing while they figured out if this pack was for them. But after the pack run, I realized that while the building felt safe, it had nothing to do with the structure itself. It had to do with the people.
It had to do with my pack.
