Chapter 28: Safe, For Now (Remi’s POV)
816 Words
Watching Alice explore the library was like watching winter melt into spring.
She touched the books like they were made of glass, eyes wide, mouth parted slightly in wonder.
I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, letting her have the moment.
After everything she’d been through, she deserved this.
Deserved a million little moments like this.
Moments where the world didn’t hurt.
Moments where she could just... breathe.
I saw her brush a tear off her cheek and pretend she hadn’t.
I looked away, giving her privacy.
"Take your time," I said quietly. "We don’t have anywhere else to be."
Her head tilted slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Thank you," she whispered, voice thick.
Gods.
If I ever met the people who hurt her, I’d rip their throats out.
Slowly.
Painfully.
I clenched my fists to keep from letting the anger show.
Alice didn’t need anger right now.
She needed peace.
"You find anything you like?" I asked after a few minutes.
She turned, holding a thick, battered fantasy novel to her chest like it was a treasure.
"This one," she said shyly. "It looks... magical."
I smiled.
"It’s a good one," I said. "One of my favorites growing up."
Her eyes lit up.
"You like reading too?" she asked.
I nodded.
"Books were my escape too," I admitted.
Her smile widened, real and soft.
For a second, we just looked at each other.
No words.
Just understanding.
"I’ll check it out for you," I said, pushing off the wall. "Come on."
We brought the book to the front desk, and Mrs. Henley, the librarian, gave Alice a warm smile.
"No need for a library card yet," Mrs. Henley said kindly. "Just bring it back whenever you’re done, sweet girl."
Alice hugged the book tighter.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Mrs. Henley winked at me behind Alice’s back.
She approved.
Everyone here would, once they got to know Alice.
If they gave her a chance.
If she gave herself a chance.
---
**Later**
After the library, we walked back toward the main house.
The sun was higher now, sparkling off the snow, making everything look sharp and clean.
Alice clutched the book to her chest like a shield.
She stayed close to me but didn’t cling.
Good.
She was already stronger than she thought.
I was about to suggest lunch when I caught a familiar scent on the wind.
I stiffened.
"Alice," I said, voice low, "stay behind me."
Her eyes widened, but she obeyed instantly.
Smart girl.
I turned, scanning the trees.
Another wolf stepped out of the shadows — tall, lean, blond.
Theo.
One of my patrol leaders.
He held his hands up in a peace gesture.
"Easy, Remi," he said. "Just checking in."
I relaxed slightly.
Theo wasn’t a threat.
Not to Alice.
Still, I didn’t move away from her.
"What’s up?" I asked.
Theo’s eyes flicked to Alice, then back to me.
"Alpha Malcolm wants a word," he said. "About the rogue."
I felt Alice tense behind me.
I cursed silently.
Of course.
Silvermoon had reported her missing by now.
They’d painted her as a criminal, no doubt.
"We’re handling it," I said tightly.
Theo nodded.
"Just passing the message," he said, glancing at Alice again, his expression softening.
He hesitated, then added, "You know I’m on your side, Remi."
I held his gaze for a long moment, then nodded.
"Thanks."
Theo gave a two-fingered salute and disappeared back into the trees.
I turned to Alice.
She looked small and scared again, the book trembling in her hands.
"Are they going to send me back?" she asked, voice barely a whisper.
"No," I said firmly. "Not ever."
Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away.
"You promise?"
"I swear it," I said, pressing a hand over my heart.
"And Black swears it too."
I felt Black stir inside me, solid and fierce.
He didn’t like seeing Alice scared either.
She stared at me for a long moment, searching my face.
Whatever she saw must have convinced her, because she nodded slowly.
"Okay," she whispered.
I let out a slow breath.
One hurdle at a time.
First, protect Alice from her old pack.
Then, help her heal.
Then... maybe help her find out who she really was.
Because I had a feeling Alice was more powerful than any of us realized.
---
**That Night**
I slept on the armchair again.
Alice insisted she didn’t need me to, but I saw the relief in her eyes when I agreed.
She needed someone there.
Someone solid.
Someone safe.
As I drifted off, I thought about the bond I felt forming between us.
It wasn’t a mate bond.
Not yet.
Maybe not ever.
But it was strong.
Stronger than anything I’d felt before.
And I would protect it — protect *her* — with everything I had.
Even if it killed me.
---
- Writer
