Chapter Eighteen
They were on the road again, Byron sitting in the backseat next to Jay and wondering what the Omega thought of all that had happened. Were they chasing ghosts following the clues left behind by an eight-year-old Jay? Or were they getting close to discovering the truth about his past?
Jay seemed ill at ease as they drove, shifting in his seat, tugging at the seatbelt Byron insisted he wear. Every few minutes something would catch his attention, the moon appearing from between the clouds. The lights of houses they passed. It was uncomfortable to watch him so unsettled and after an hour of it, Byron had had enough. He slipped off both their seatbelts before pulling Jay into his arms, holding him tightly.
“You need to get some rest. We’ll be driving most of the night.”
Jay tried to shrug out of his arms but Byron just took a firmer grip. “Rest your head against my chest. That’s it. Do you hear my heartbeat?” Jay nodded against him.
“Good. Focus on that and the sound of my voice. Close your eyes and know that you’re safe.”
In a matter of minutes, Jay was asleep against him. He met Odin’s eyes in the rearview mirror, sharing a look of relief. Jay was tough to deal with when agitated. Add in exhausted and it was like they were back to day one again, dealing with a frightened, wary, half-feral wolf who knew nothing but mistreatment.
In his time with Byron, Jay had learned a lot. Not least, what it meant to be loved. Soon, as soon as Jay was ready, Byron would show him what it meant to be mated, to form a bond. He knew Jay had grown impatient these past few months at Byron’s insistence they wait for his heat. But he also knew it was the only way to be certain Jay was ready. It was more than just sex, it was a lifelong connection, the forming of a family. Something Byron both longed for and regarded with apprehension. Since his brother’s execution and his father’s death, he had felt very alone. He wasn’t sure Jay would ever be ready to take on the burden of sharing all Byron’s worries. But neither was he prepared to treat his mate like a child. Jay had shown himself to be more than that. He was Byron’s protector as much as Byron was his.
As if sensing his thoughts, Jay woke, his eyes scanning the surroundings for threats before he settled against Byron again. His hand snaked up along Byron’s chest to his chin, stroking idly.
“You need sleep too, Byron. Don’t worry. Odin will keep us safe.”
“No truer words were spoken,” Odin said softly. “Get some rest. I’ll wake you when we get there.”
The library was a nondescript redbrick building with a small sign out front announcing its presence.
“Does it look familiar?” he asked Jay. The Omega was distracted watching Odin drive away. Byron followed his gaze. “He won’t be long. He’s just going to find a place for us to stay. There was a sign for holiday cottages a little way back.”
“Not camping?” Jay asked.
“Not around here. Too many people. Too many chances of meeting wolves from another Pack.”
He turned his attention back to the library. “How about we go inside?”
He had Jay’s book tucked under his arm. Jay stood by his side, so close they were almost touching. Byron didn’t move away but conscious that there were human eyes on them, neither did he reach out to touch Jay.
“Maybe I could stay out here?” Jay asked him, eyeing the building as he rocked back and forth on his feet, one hand twisting the hem of his shirt.
“No, if we go in, we go together,” Byron said. “It’ll probably be very quiet inside. It won’t take long. We’ll just go in, ask about the book, and have a quick look around to see if anything jogs your memory. Remember to whisper. There’s no loud talking in the library.”
“Why?” Jay asked, turning his head to the side as he regarded the building.
“People are trying to read. Talking tends to distract them.”
They stepped through the doorway. It was quiet and cooler than outside, where the sun was quickly building up the day’s heat. Byron spied a desk through the shelves and made his way towards it, Jay on his heels. He stopped before they got close, turning to Jay.
“Let me do the talking, okay?” he whispered. “Stay close, stay quiet, and whatever happens, don’t growl, Jay. These people are humans, they’ll get scared or angry or both.” He waited until Jay nodded before continuing.
The woman at the desk saw them coming, her head bobbing from Byron to Jay and her eyes widening. Clearly, they weren’t her usual customers.
Byron gave her his friendliest smile and kept his voice lowered.
“Good morning. We’re sorry to bother you. My cousin and I were just passing through the area and we were hoping you might be able to help us.”
He leaned on the desk as he spoke, watching the woman’s eyes light up at his words as she leaned towards him.
“Of course. What can I help you with? Do you need some directions?”
“Not exactly. My cousin Jay lived in the area when he was little. In a foster home. He can’t remember the name of the family and they won’t release the records. He has such fond memories of Mongrave that we were hoping to pay a visit to the family. But all we have to go on is this book.”
He held out the library book, sat in on the counter, and slid it towards her.
“I don’t suppose there’s any way you’d be able to use the book to help us find his foster family.”
She frowned, and Byron thought for sure she was about to put them out on their ear.
“I’ve only been working here a year or two. How long ago would this have been?”
“Jay was seven or eight, so more than ten years.”
She flipped open the book to the front page, where the library’s name stood prominently.
“Hold on, I’ll go check with Nancy. She’s been working here longer than I have.”
She disappeared through a door into an office and the soft sound of voices followed. Only a minute passed before she returned, shaking her head as she set the book back down.
“I’m sorry. We were still using paper records them and they got rid of all that after we switched to computers. If you had the family name, we might be able to look them up, but the book isn’t going to help us.”
Byron turned back to Jay who merely shrugged a shoulder.
“There were other kids in the family. A boy and a girl, Kyle and Jenny. The family were quiet, from what Jay here says, kept to themselves. Home schooled.”
The woman bit her lip as she considered Byron’s words. “No one comes to mind but then like I said I’ve only been here two years. Nancy wouldn’t be much better, she’s only been here four years.”
“Okay. Well, thanks anyway. We appreciate your help. Have a good day.”
Byron picked up the book, putting his other hand on Jay’s shoulder and turning to leave.
“Wait.”
He turned back, hoping she wasn’t going to ask for the book back. He had hoped to read it to Jay, to see if it helped jog his memory further.
“There’s people living a few miles north east of here. Folks say they’re some strange religion or other. Keep to themselves, their kids don’t go to the school nearby. But some of them come to the library for books now and then.”
“North east?” Byron said.
“Follow the signs for Brerton and take the second left past the church.”
“Thank you for all your help,” Byron said.
“Thanks,” Jay added, giving the woman a small smile.
“I hope you find what you’re looking for,” she called softly after them.
Byron hoped they did too.