In Reach?

Mira’s POV

I’m in the library looking through the books again, but more specifically the one with the girl reaching for the moon. Something needs to make sense here. I would have liked that Charlotte woman to be here. Maybe she can help me with it. But I haven’t seen her in a while.

I’m sitting in the middle of the floor with the books spread around me. Maybe this will help me focus.

I notice there are a few similar drawings and inscriptions in the various books, but how can I make a link when the others are written in what seems like Greek. At least my grandmother’s books had a few notes in English on the side, which seemed to help a bit.

Uuugghh!

“I thought I told you to stay clear of these books.” How did I not notice him standing behind me? I always sense him when he’s in the same room as me. Well I thought I did.

“Uhm. I just wanted to get a closer look at something.” I say looking up to him.

He raises his brow and squats down in front of me looking at the books.

“I didn’t know you could read Latin or Greek?” He looks at me curiously. He’s always suspicious of me.

“I don’t. But the pictures help a lot.” I chuckle trying to make light of this situation.

“But why do you seem so interested in this book?” He points at the one I have open on my lap, the one with the picture.

“Actually, I have something to tell you.” I take the book and crawl to him to sit next to him.

His curious look doesn’t go away, but he too decides to sit on the floor now next to me.

“Do you see this?” I open the book again to the two pages, that the ritual was one. The picture is on the right page, whereas the inscriptions are on the left, with other small pictures on it, which I originally thought to have been ingredients for the ritual.

“I know this might sound ridiculous, but I think I know how I got here.” He turns his gaze from the book and to me. “And I think this, whatever this is, may just be able to help me get back.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well the thing is, ever since I woke up here, I couldn’t really remember things before then. So I couldn’t exactly tell you even when you asked me. But, I think I remember now.” I say to him smiling.

“What do you remember?”

“The night before I got here, I was back home, but……… something happened.” I don’t really know how to tell him this. He probably won’t believe me. But he wants the truth from me, and I want to give it to him. It’s up to him if he chooses to believe me or not.

“What happened?”

“There was an accident.” He raises he brow again. Probably wants me to elaborate. “The details aren’t really important, but something similar to this happened.” I tap onto the picture again. “I think this…… ritual or spell, whatever it is, brought me here that day.”

“What makes you think it is this exact spell that did it?”

I know he wants to say more, but doesn’t. I think he wants me to speak and maybe clear his suspicions.

“Well, thing is. I’ve actually seen these books before, specifically this one.”

Now he’s leaning in on me, and I just lean back to keep whatever distance is between us there. “Where? Where have you seen them?”

“I have them?”

“What do you mean you have them? Where did you get them?”

“I,…….I found them.” He seems too interested in this. I don’t know if he’s angry or annoyed.

“Mira, these aren’t the type of books that just lie around. So, tell me, who gave them to you.”

“My grandmother left them to me.”

“Your grandmother?” I just nod. “What was her name?”

Really? Is he going to do a background check on her as well?

“Esma.” But he’s quiet now. “Why? Is something wrong?”

“No. But thank you for telling me.” There is another moment of silence before he adds. “Why did you tell me though?”

“Huh? I just thought it best. I mean, you did ask me before, but then I couldn’t be of much help. And maybe this will help you stop being so suspicious of me. And who knows, maybe you’ll be able to help me get back.” I try to say that last part with a smile, but it was barely one.

“Are you that eager to leave?” He sounds serious, and looks even more so.

“I don’t really belong here.” I look down.

“But what if you do?” He says too quickly, which has me looking up at him.

“What do you mean?”

“Well,……..you are a lone wolf. And we are a pack. What if you winding up here wasn’t exactly an accident? You didn’t know you were a wolf before, and here we can teach you how to be one.”

Wait. Is he trying to get me to join his pack?

“What’s with the sudden change of perception of me? Weren’t you the one that said I was nothing but a curse on your pack?”

He looks down and sighs. But I talk before he tries to ’justify’ his words.

“Besides, it’s like I said, I don’t belong here. And the people here don’t want me here either. I don’t think I would like my stay here even if I wanted to. So it’s best I also try to get myself out of this.”

The foster homes made sure I would hear such things almost on a daily, - of how I’m not wanted and just a nuisance to the people around me. Just like here. They don’t want me here; I’m not even supposed to be here. Whatever treatment they are giving me is because they were told to do so.

“Mira.” This is getting a little too deep for my taste. I stand up with the book.

“Well, I think I should start cleaning this mess up.” I start picking up the books trying to ignore whatever attention he has on me right now.

He sighs as he gets up and makes his way straight to the door.

Liam’s POV

I walk out of the library and catch Noah standing there in the hallway. Was he eaves dropping?

“What are you doing here?” we walk further down the hallway.

“So you’re asking her to join the pack now?”

I knew it.

“It’s not like that.”

“Then what is it like?”

I don’t know how to answer him.

“You’re doubting it too aren’t you?”

I look at him not sure I’m following what he’s trying to say. “What do you mean?”

“I see the effect she has on you. How you sneak looks at her. How you always end up looking for her whenever you’re angry or frustrated.”

Ggrh. “If anything, that doesn’t exactly prove her to be innocent. What if it’s Dahlia's doing?”

“But that’s just it. She hasn’t exactly done anything to make us believe that. She’s not here running around to distract you or even kill you, as you would have us picture Dahlia. In fact, she’s actually helped us a lot around here. If you ask me, she does have Luna qualities.” I look up at him questioningly and a tiny knot is building in my stomach at the thought of his words. He sighs. “What if she isn’t guilty. What if she’s innocent? What if she could really be your second chance mate?”

I stop in my tracks at this. “Noah, please.”

“Hear me out Liam. I know you don’t want to think about it. I know, I know that you’re afraid to even consider it. But even if there is just a one percent chance that it is true, that she is right there in front of you, wouldn’t you want to take the chance to reach out and hold on to her?”

“But I would never be able to rest easily, knowing that she isn’t safe, not if Dahlia is still out there.” I shake my head. “It’s better if I keep her at arm’s length. It’s the only way to keep her safe.”

“You do realize that everything we’re doing is making her want to get away from this place, from you?”

“So, since when did you start believing in her? Weren’t you the one that thought she’s just trying to seduce us all?” I give him a side glance.

“Yeah, yeah. I know. But she has a way with people, and a few actually seem a bit captivated by her. So I don’t think you need to be too worried about her. I’m sure there are others here who wouldn’t mind claiming her.”

He snickers saying this, but I grab him at the collar of his shirt annoyed at his remark.

Gggrrrhhh!!!!! “What do you mean?” I push him against the wall behind him.

He raises his hands in mock surrender still chuckling. “All I’m saying is that it doesn’t seem like you’re the only one protecting her here.”

He pulls my hand off him. "You know, you might have a say on others around here, but what are you going to do if she chooses someone? You can't just keep her locked up here forever. Will you be fine with her choosing someone, someone other than you?"

Grh! "I don't know. I don't know what to think. My wolf gets angry at just the thought. And all she seems to want is to leave." I pinch the bridge of my nose feeling a headache coming along with all these annoying thoughts.

"But Liam. You're keeping her at your side while we're arranging an engagement for you." He walks closer and rests his hand on my shoulder. "You need to figure out what it is you want. You know I will always have your back."