#Chapter 28 Dinner and a Talk

Olivia’s POV The musty scent of old tomes swirled around me as I settled into my favorite spot in the library's far corner. I spread my notes across the worn oak table, determined to lose myself in the investigation and escape the whirlwind of emotions Elroy had stirred up. It was the way Elroy defended me, voice firm, with a fire in his eyes. The way he turned to me afterwords with a genuine, almost childlike joy, like a little boy on Christmas morning. His smile had all but split his face in half. I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. "Why does he have to be so...infuriating?" she whispered to my wolf. One moment he was cold and distant, the next a staunch ally. I craved clarity, and space to sort through this tangle of feelings. I wasn’t going to get either one, but at least I could throw myself into my work. I needed the distraction almost as much as I needed to prove myself to the council. Some hours later, the soft padding of footsteps made me look up. Jordan