Chained By The Alpha Jessica Hall

Book 2 Chapter 21

I climb into my car, tossing the documents on the passenger seat

"Just drop them at the library downtown," Greyson finally answers. "T'll pick them up later tonight. Got a meeting there on my way back into the city."

My eyebrows raise, surprised by the unexpected solution. The library? It's an odd choice, but then again, Greyson has always been one for the unconventional. When I remember he owns the public library in the city, it's by the college

"Sure thing, Alpha," I respond, already mentally mapping the route. "I'll head there now."

The drive into the city mercifully quick, the morning traffic surprisingly light. As I pull into the parking lot, the library looms before me, its reflective surface throwing back distorted images of the trees and sky. Grabbing the documents I lock my car and climb the steps heading inside

Inside, the air is cool and still, the silence broken only by the soft shuffling of feet and the occasional whisper. I approach the front desk, documents in my hand, my footsteps echoing on the polished floor

"I have some papers to drop off for Alpha Greyson," I murmur to the librarian, a petite woman with sharp eyes, and glasses perched on the end of her nose

She nods, gesturing to a metal box on the counter. "You can leave them here. He'll collect

them when he arrives."

"Thanks," I tell her, dropping them into the box; she nods, looking down at her laptop

As I turn to leave, a flicker of movement catches my eye. A woman pushing a cart loaded with cleaning supplies weaves through the aisles with surprising speed, her movements quick and purposeful. Something about her seems... offThis belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

My wolf stirs, suddenly alert

I pause, pretending to browse a nearby shelf while keeping her in my peripheral vision. She navigates the library with practiced ease, but there's a nervous energy to her actions, a slight tremor in her hands as she wipes down shelves

"Can I help you find something?" The librarian's voice startles me

I turn, realizing I've been staring. "No, I just..." My voice trails off as I glance back at the cleaner

The librarian follows my gaze and smiles. "Oh, she's just the cleaner, don't mind her," she says in a low voice. "That's Maya."

Maya. The name hits me like a physical blow. It can't be... can it?

"Maya," I repeat, my voice barely above a whisper. "Does she work here often?"

The librarian shrugs. "Most mornings, though she was late this morning, she is usually gone by now. Is there a problem?"

I force a smile, shaking my head. "No, no problem. She just... reminded me of someone."

As I walk towards the exit, my mind races. I pause at the door, torn between leaving and seeing if it is the same Maya, it was hard to tell when she kept her head down and covered by the cap she was wearing

With a frustrated growl, I push through the doors, the cool breeze outside doing little to calm my racing thoughts. As I walk out, my mind is a whirlwind of questions. Why is Maya working here and the club? How many jobs does this girl have?

I slide into my car, gripping the steering wheel tight. The documents are delivered, and my official task 1s complete. But as I start the engine, I know I can't just drive away. Not now

Not when I've seen firsthand the double life Maya's leading

"Dammit," I mutter, resting my forehead against

the wheel. I need to know more. Need to understand why she's here, why she's working at that club. And most of all, I need to know why I can't seem to let this go

Yet as I wait in the parking lot for over an hour, I give up and head back into the library. I search the entire floor looking for her when the librarian tells me she already left, though I never saw her car in the parking lot, maybe it wasn't her. Sighing, I leave the library behind, my thoughts tangled as I return to my car