Page 42 of The Alpha’s Heir

“I was just leaving.” I held the new stack of books against my chest, but my feet didn’t move me toward the direction of the door.

Exit is that way.

“Did you need anything else?” Katrina asked.

The alpha-wolf in me didn’t want to admit how lonely I truly was, but I’d grown up with sisters, and a niggling voice in the back of my head said that I’d want them to ask for help if they needed it.

Then again, I wasn’t them.

“Here, let me help with your cleaning.” I set down the books on the end table and reached for the duster.

The color drained from Katrina’s face. “No, miss. That’s not necessary. I can handle it myself.”

“Please?” I smiled, feeling pathetic for begging to do chores in someone else’s house. “I’m going crazy with nothing to do.”

Katrina glanced over her shoulder, but she must’ve taken pity on me, because she closed the door, putting us alone in the library. “If you want to climb the ladder and dust the top shelf, I’d appreciate it.”

“No problem.” I climbed fast and got straight to work as Katrina wiped the lower surfaces. “Is this the only house you clean? Or do you have others?”

Katrina shook her head. “I work full-time for the councilwoman. Cleaning is only part of the duties here.”

“I see.” I made quick work of the shelf I could reach and then pushed the ladder over, riding along with it. “What’s it like working for Helen?”

Silence followed my question, and I stopped dusting to peer down at Katrina.

The look in her eyes as she glanced up told me everything she couldn’t say.

“I figured.” I smirked. “Are all the council as ungrateful as she is?”

A laugh burst from her, quickly smothered with a cough.

“That’s most of the upper levels,” she said quietly. “But we shouldn’t talk of such things.”

“Why not?” I finished the final section of the shelf and tossed the duster back onto the cart.

Katrina looked at the closed door. “It isn’t proper. Thank you for helping. I’ve got it from here.”

I strained my ears, catching the faint sound of someone walking around downstairs, and my wolf let out a whine.

“Is everything okay?” I climbed down the ladder. “You can tell me if you need help or if someone is forcing you to be here. I’m not afraid of the humans.” I flexed my arm for emphasis. “Perks of being an alpha wolf. I can take them down for you.”

Katrina’s smile was strained. “I’m perfectly all right, Miss Meg.”

I stood in front of the housemaid, studying her to see if she was lying to me.

There it was again. The faint scent hidden behind the chemicals that clung to her apron.

A hint of magic.

My curiosity flared to life, but an insistent tug in my chest pulled me away.

He’s here!

“Okay.” I gathered up the books. “But promise you’ll let me know if you need anything.”

Katrina gave a slight nod and returned to her work, stopping me right before I ran from the library.

“Wait, miss.” She pulled another book from the shelf, motioning to the top of my stack. “The cliffhanger hurts on that one. Don’t leave without the sequel in hand.”