Reading stories
778 Words
*Lydia*
I sit in the library, mystified. The walls tower above me, reaching two stories high, with a landing halfway between the floor and ceiling. A spiral staircase leads to the landing, while a ladder with wheels grants access to the shelves near the top.
Books surround me, leather-bound and numerous. I recall the excitement I felt when my stepfather first shared his single book, Ivanhoe. Now, an incredible collection adorns these shelves.
An enormous desk dominates one end of the room, while a sitting area occupies the space in front of the grand fireplace. I imagine the residents of this manor, cozying up by the fire, choosing readings to their heart's content. Their abundance of good fortune overwhelms me.
Yet, despite the opulence that surrounds us, I have not witnessed even a hint of a smile from the Alpha. He sits across from me, while my parents share the sofa beside my chair. The Alpha appears dreadfully bored as my stepfather elaborates on his cattle venture.
I hear the door click open behind me but resist the urge to turn, not wanting to reveal my curiosity. A true well mannered She-wolf does not display vulgar curiosity.
The Alpha simply raises his hand, motioning for someone to enter, his gaze barely leaving my stepfather. He hasn't glanced at me since we entered the room. Feeling plain and uninteresting, I regret agreeing to spend the evening in his company.
I become aware of soft footsteps and hushed whispers. Glancing over my shoulder, I see several young servants surrounding my brother and sister. Surprised, I blurt out, "What are you doing here?"
"They said we were supposed to come," Zara replies, pointing towards the servants.
"I must apologize, Miss Moonshadow. When I asked if you would read, I failed to mention that my servants would be joining us," the Alpha says. "I hope you don't mind. The younger ones, especially, enjoy listening."
"No, of course not," I say, forcing a smile. I had hoped to impress him with my reading, but I hadn't anticipated such a large audience.
"Did you pass the test, Lyd?" Zara asks, skipping forward and squeezing herself between me and the side of the chair.
"What test?" my mother inquires.
Embarrassment floods my face, and I realize Grayson's attention is solely on me. At this moment, I wish it weren't. I shake my head. "It's nothing."
"Lyd was taking a test tonight," Zara announces.
I want to disappear from mortification as Grayson's gaze intensifies, as if trying to decipher this peculiar revelation.
"She was studying her books before dinner." My sister explains.
I interrupt Zara. "Speaking of books, I'm ready to start reading whenever you wish."
The Alpha grabs a book from the nearby table, stands up, crosses over, and hands it to me.
I glance at the book and then up at him. "Mark Twain. I would have thought you preferred British authors."
"I find his works revealing. If youwill excuse me, I would like to spend some time with my father now. I truly appreciate your willingness to read to my servants. A chapter or two will suffice for them tonight." He says softly.
Disappointment hits me as I realize I'm being dismissed. "I'm happy to oblige."
He steps back, and the servants quickly gather in front of me, sitting on the thick, luxurious carpet at my feet.
"I will join you if you don't mind," my stepfather says.
"Not at all," the Alpha murmurs. He bows slightly. "Ladies, it was my pleasure to dine with you this evening. Now, I bid you goodnight."
I watch him leave the room. My stepfather brushes a kiss across my mother's cheek before following his brother out.
"The Alpha reached chapter ten last night," a young man says, his voice tinged with impatience.
I glance down at him. He's probably only a year or two older than Colton, but his brown eyes seem much older. "The Alpha reads to you?"
"Every night," he replies. The other servants nod in agreement. A couple of the girls appear to be only a few years older than Zara.
"Eddie came and got us when it was time to come," Zara says, as if the boy sitting beside her, the one who spoke earlier, is the most marvelous being. "He told us about the readings."
"That I did," the boy says.
I smile softly at them. "Well, I will try to do as good a job as the Alpha."
I open the book to the page marked with a silk bookmark and wonder what kind of man can seem so distant and yet take the time to read to his servants?
- Writer
