Chapter 4

The chime rang above my head. The scent of old paper and ink wrapped around me instantly, usually a comfort but today, it did little to calm the tight knot in my chest. I adjusted the strap of my worn bag on my shoulder and took a steady breath. 

I hadn't even made it halfway to the counter before my boss's shap voice cut through the quiet of the shop.

“Amaris. My office. Now.”

Several heads turned towards me. Heat rushed to my face as I nodded and followed him, my steps slower than they used to be. The small office smelled faintly of coffee and dust, stacks of invoices and papers piled everywhere. He didn’t ask me to sit.

“You’ve missed work three times this month,” he said, arms crossed, “Do you know how that looks to me?”

“I know,” I replied softly. “I’m sorry. I—”

“I run a business, not a charity,” he snapped. His eyes flicked to my stomach, lingering there just a second too long. “And I can’t afford employees who aren’t reliable. Especially now.”

My heart dropped. I knew what was coming even before he said it.

“I think it’s best if we let you go.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. I felt my throat tighten, panic clawing up my chest. Losing this job meant losing everything, my rent, my food, my chance to stay independent. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze.

“Please,” I said, my voice trembling despite my effort to steady it. “I know I’ve missed days, but I’ve never slacked when I’m here. I work just as hard as everyone else. Harder, if I have to.”

He scoffed. “You’re pregnant, Amaris. That’s not exactly an advantage.”

My hands curled into fists at my sides. “I didn’t choose to be unreliable,” I said quietly. “I chose to survive. And I can still do my job. I need this work. I won’t ask for special treatment. I won’t take breaks unless absolutely necessary. I’ll stay late, come in early…whatever you need.”

Silence stretched between us. My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin, sensing my fear. 

“I just want to earn my pay,” I continued, my eyes burning. “The same way everyone else does.”

For a long moment, my boss studied me, his expression unreadable. Finally, he exhaled sharply.

“This is your last chance,” he said. “One more absence, and that’s it. No excuses.”

Relief flooded me so fast my knees nearly gave out.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “I won’t disappoint you.”

He waved a dismissive hand. “Get to work.”

I stepped out of the office, my heartbeat slowly returning to normal. The shelves, the register, the quiet hum of the store—all of it felt suddenly precious. I tied on my apron, squared my shoulders, and went straight to work, 

The bell above the door chimed again sometime later. I was crouched near the lower shelves, carefully sliding books back into place, when a familiar voice reached my ears.

“Amaris.”

I looked up and froze.

Federic stood just inside the bookstore, dressed far too neatly for the dust and narrow aisles. His coat was pressed, his boots clean, his dark hair combed back as if he’d stepped out of another world entirely. 

He didn’t belong here. Not among the worn paperbacks and creaking floors.

“Federic,” I said, rising slowly, 

“I heard you were working again,” he said. “Lila asked me to come check on you.”

I cursed quietly. I thought I had warned Lila, I didn't want anything to do with him and yet, she still set me up with him. I faked a smile, looking at him

“I’m fine,” I replied quickly. “I don’t need—”

“You shouldn’t be here,” he interrupted gently, glancing around the store before looking back at me. “Not like this. Not working yourself into the ground.”

Federic stepped closer, his tone softening, he pushed a strand of my hair behind my ear “You don’t have to live like this.”

My shoulders stiffened. “This is my life.”

“For now,” he corrected. “But it doesn’t have to be forever.” 

His gaze dropped briefly to my stomach, not with judgment, but with something almost reverent. “I can give you safety. Protection. A home. You wouldn’t need to work until your feet ache or beg men like him to keep your job.”

My chest tightened.

“You make it sound easy,” I said quietly.

“It is easy,” he replied. “If you let me take care of you.”

My wolf bristled, hackles rising beneath my skin.

“And what would that make me?” I asked. “Yours?”

Federic didn’t deny it. “It would make you safe.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want to be kept. I want to stand on my own.”

His brow furrowed. “Why? You’re carrying a child. You shouldn’t have to struggle like this.”

“I’m a wolf,” I said, my voice low but steady. “Not fragile. Not helpless. And certainly not something a human can shelter without cost.”

Federic reached out as if to touch my arm but stopped himself. “I don’t care that you’re a wolf.”

“But the world does,” I replied. “And one day, you will too.”

Silence stretched between us. The quiet hum of the store felt suddenly loud.

“You wouldn’t need to work this hard,” he said again, softer now. “Not if you were with me.”

I met his gaze, my eyes unwavering. “I don’t belong to anyone.”

Something unreadable flickered across his face, maybe, disappointment, perhaps, or wounded pride.

“I’m not offering ownership,” he said. “I’m offering a future.”

“And I’m refusing it,” I answered. “Because it isn’t my future.”

I stepped back, creating distance between us. My hands trembled slightly, but my voice didn’t.

“I appreciate your concern,” I continued, “but I won’t trade my independence for comfort. Not now. Not ever.”

Federic studied me for a long moment, then nodded slowly.

“You’re stronger than you realize,” he said. “And more stubborn.”

A faint, sad smile tugged at his lips. “If you ever change your mind… you know where to find me.”