Flash Fic Friday

**Episode 3! I know it’s a little late today, but I was making some bread. Anyway, let’s check in with Devin, the Carver pack, and finally start moving the romance side of things along. Enjoy!**

Duncan was waiting for me in the alpha’s kitchen, and the warm smile that made his eyes crinkle had me smiling back. Neither the Alpha or Alpha mate were around, but Duncan seemed perfectly at home, as if it were his own. I knew he didn’t live here, because he’d left last night, but it made sense that as pack beta, he’d be comfortable.

“Coffee? There’s creamer in the fridge. If you prefer, there’s orange juice. Or have both.”

“Coffee’s perfect.” I moved toward the pot, but Duncan motioned for me to sit at the table. One of the chairs had the ingrained scent of bear, so I chose another one, feeling weird about sitting in what was clearly Asher’s spot.

Duncan appeared a moment later with a mug of steaming coffee and, even though I hadn’t asked, a little tray with different kinds of sweetener. A few seconds after that, the half and half materialized as well. I smiled my thanks, reaching for it, and Duncan winked.

“Pancakes?”

I straightened up, clearing my throat. “Please don’t go to any trouble for me.”

“It’s not. Trouble that is.” Duncan patted my shoulder and turned back to the stove. “It’s already mixed up, and it’s using Asher’s sourdough discard. He’s been on a kick lately, and if doesn’t get used, then it’ll be wasted. Plus the results are delicious. Let me feed you.”

I nodded then, not wanting his effort and generosity to go to waste. “Thank you.”

With the beta occupied, I let my mind wander. I had always felt cared for in my pack, even if sometimes it was begrudgingly, but I’d been on Carver Pack lands for all of fifteen hours and just the three people I met were warm and welcoming. It was nice, and I hoped it lasted. It could be that they were just being kind because I was new. But I had a feeling that they were always like this. And that, at least, would make my year here comfortable if nothing else.

I was still upset at having had to leave my own, my safety, and venture out. I hoped that once I was able to set up my workspace and fall back into that, I’d feel more settled. It was only a year, which was a drop in the bucket of time, and as long as I had my work to keep me occupied, then I could endure it.

I was surprised when Duncan joined me at the table, two heaping plates of pancakes in hand. He pushed the syrup toward me, and I used it quickly, not at all okay with the beta not going first, but not willing to insult him by questioning his word.

“Eat up,” he said, gesturing with his fork. “When we’re done, I’ll take you over to the Book Cellar and introduce you to Ellis. If you want to get set up today, we can make that happen.”

I wasn’t sure what the correct response was, if I was supposed to insist on it or demure. So I simply said, “Thank you.”

Duncan nodded. “The pack meeting is this Friday, so you’ll have a few days to really settle in. Trey wants you there. The pack as a whole know you’re here, so don’t be surprised if everyone knows who you are. But he wants to do formal introductions. Then we’ll run.”

That sounded terrible. Having to be on display in front of all those strangers? Running with wolves, and probably a bear, that I didn’t know. I tried not to let it show on my face, but I knew there was nothing I could do about my scent. I just hoped it didn’t convey the true nature of my feelings.

“Devin.” Duncan’s voice held a hint of command.

Dammit. It hadn’t worked. I set down my fork and gave the beta my full attention.

His eyes softened. “I promise, everyone here is good people. You’ll be welcome and cared for for as long as you’re with us.”

“Yes, sir.”

He chuckled. “Again, you don’t have to use ‘sir’. We don’t stand on formalities around here. Even Trey would prefer you use his name instead of his title.”

“Okay.”

Duncan sighed, but it sounded more like he was giving in than that he was frustrated with me, so I took it as a win. We ate the rest of the meal in silence. Duncan probably realized I wasn’t big on idyl chitchat. I just wasn’t good at it and it made me uncomfortable.

It didn’t take long for us to finish, and when I passed on seconds, the beta picked up my plate before I could protest. I offered to do the dishes, but he ignored me completely. I could tell by the little smirk he was doing it on purpose, so I sat quietly until he was done. Drying his hands, he turned to me.

“Ready to go? It’s only like a ten-minute walk.”

I stood immediately and waiting for him to walk out of the kitchen before following him to the front hall. I slipped on my shoes and took my light jacket when he handed it to me. It was still cold enough that even wolves could feel it, and since we were staying in our human skins, I would need the protection.

The scenery was pretty at least. With the trees trying to start budding and the grass just coming up, I could definitely see spring in the air. It wasn’t hard to picture just how breathtaking it would be once everything was green again. As we walked, Duncan pointed out the Mercantile, which was a general store that catered to all pack needs, and the restaurant that Trey apparently owned. The beta kept up a constant stream of conversation, talking about Trey’s other location in the nearby town and how the clinic was state of the art, no matter its small size. He talked about the playground we passed, and how Trey was looking into building a school, now that the pack had enough children to support it. I listened with half an ear, trying to absorb information I would need for the next year, but not too worried about the long term.

The Book Cellar was a brick storefront with a large bay window that made it easy to see inside. Instantly, my shoulders relaxed. Books were my happy place, always had been, and just seeing so many brought me comfort. Duncan held the door open for me, and I didn’t even think about the breach in protocol by proceeding him in, too entranced by the sights and smells.

“Ellis!” Duncan’s shout startled me but I quickly tried to school my reaction. Duncan gave me an apologetic smile.

A moment later, a man emerged from the back. He was tall and lanky, with round glasses and light brown hair that kicked out at his temples. For just a second, I was absolutely starstruck. He was just so dang pretty and it took me a moment to realize he wasn’t a wolf. It was a scent I’d never encountered before, but as Duncan and I drew closer to the counter, I started to put some pieces together. Bird? Maybe. Definitely a predator, and he had the distinct scent of feathers and forest I associated with wild birds.

“There’s no need to yell.” Ellis’s voice was soft and smooth, and it slid down my spine in a delicious way. Huh. That was an interesting reaction. But not one to entertain, so I shoved it away.

Duncan laughed. “We were standing here for five whole minutes, and you didn’t come out. Even though you knew we’d be heading over. I figured you were thoroughly involved with whatever you were doing.”

Ellis blinked in a decidedly owlish way. That was it! Owl. That’s what I was scenting. I wondered what kind, but then realized not only did it not matter but it wasn’t any of my business. He was staring right back at me, though, his amber eyes intense, as if he didn’t know what to make of me either.

“This is Devin, who’s visiting here with us for the next year. Devin, Ellis our favorite proprietor of books.”

“Your only, you mean.” Though the words were grumbled, the quirk of Ellis’s lips gave away his true emotion.

“That too,” Duncan agreed with a laugh. “I’ll leave Devin here in your capable hands. Show him around, and when he’s ready to move his things in, just give Asher a call. He’s organized a whole crew.”

I turned wide eyes on Duncan, surprised by that, but he didn’t seem to realize that was anything out of the ordinary. Instead he squeezed my shoulder and looked me in the eye. “That okay with you?”

I was shocked to be asked. “Yes, si—uh, yes. Thank you.”

“Good man,” Duncan praised, and I got the feeling it was more that just about my acquiescence. He gave a quick swipe of his wrist against my throat, then waved to Ellis and headed out. I watched him go for a moment, then turned back to Ellis, who was staring at me with an implacable gaze.

“This way.” Ellis motioned for me to follow, and I did quickly, not wanting him to think I wasn’t appreciative.  

He led me through the back room which was clearly half storage and half his office, if the cluttered desk was anything to go by. The door at the back creaked when he opened it, but he didn’t hesitate to go up the stairs. I was just as quick to follow him, though I made a point of watching my feet on the treads instead of staring at his ass. It was a good one, and if I wasn’t careful, I’d get distracted.

The upstairs space was clearly more storage, but it had all been shoved to one side of the room. When Ellis flicked on the light, I could see a large work table to the left with plenty of free space around it. An old and slightly battered sofa was pushed up against the front windows. The right half of the room boasted some more shelves and many, many boxes.

“Does this suit?”

It took my brain a second to function, impressed with not only the space but the natural light. Back home, my workspace was most of my cramped cottage. I had at least as much, if not more, space here.

“Yes, it’s lovely.”

Ellis cocked his head, studying me, and I was once against struck by how bird-like he was. I swallowed hard, unsure of what to say, not wanting to say something wrong. Ellis took that worry away when he asked, “Trey said you’re a book binder?”

Oh that was a safe topic. “Yes. Repairs, as well. Most of my clients are online, and they ship their books to me, I fix them, and send them back. But sometimes I just find things to repair. People also ship me all sort of books they want rebound and I do custom work as well.”

“That’s excellent.” Ellis offered me a smile for the first time, and I was struck by how that twist of his lips made my stomach lurch. “If you have time for more clients, I have plenty of volumes that need restoration.”

I cleared my throat but I couldn’t contain my eagerness. “Absolutely.”

“Excellent.” Ellis repeated. He fished his phone out of the pocket of his jeans. “Shall I call Asher, then?”

I was nodding before I even registered the response. “Yes, please.”

“Then I will. Welcome to the pack, Devin. I, for one, am very pleased you’re here.”

I flushed, not sure why that was embarrassing, but I managed a smile. With a space like this, and plenty of work to keep me busy, I was pleased as well.