They walked a few doors down and entered a giant hall. She gaped. Three stories of bookcases. On the arched ceiling was a mural depicting what looked like their entire history. Stallo, the Wolf Wizard, in his alchemical lab, the transformation of the five. It would take hours to study all the details. “Wow!”
“Most of the collection was brought from England during the Victorian era, but we’re amassing more books each year.”
“I didn’t know werewolves were such big readers.”
“They are. The more they know, the more they can pass on to their offspring.”
“You believe in inheritance of acquired traits hypothesis, disproved long ago?”
“Not genetics. Magic. Like your ability to charm animals.”
Well, duh. “After all that’s happened, trust me, I’m a believer.”
“Come. Let me show you a relevant part of the mural.”
Gaby followed James, distracted by the row upon rows of books. How had they amassed such a collection and how had they started the library?
James stopped and pointed to what looked like a scene of men and women burning at the stake. “Many were lone wolves, but there were cases of entire packs wiped out. Even a few innocent men, hermits living in the woods. People demanded all werewolves hunted, even when most had moved to safer territories.”
She stared. One scene depicted the title Edict of Segner. Underneath, wolves devoured people who must have been the wolf charmers. Many had their entrails dragged out. Others beheaded. “I’m surprised wolf-segens chose revenge after being thrown out of the packs. They must have known the werewolves would retaliate against them.”
“I’m going to dig into their lost history. I suspect a wolf-segen leader instigated others to out the werewolves for political gain or to rid the world of the lycan kind.”
“At least they missed killing my line.”
“According to our records, the last wolf-segen was killed in the year 1767. At least, so they believed. Maybe, one of your ancestors made it to America, not knowing they carried the trait.”
“I am definitely going to have the lab analyze my DNA.”
“If you don’t mind, I would love to see your results.”
“No problem.” She liked James. Friendly and the go-to-man on how to marry, or at least, have a relationship with a werewolf.
“I heard you paint wildlife.”
“It’s my passion.”
“I bet there’s some wall here or elsewhere that could use a mural or canvas.”
“I would love that.” She followed him down the hall.
“There’s a room with coffee and other refreshments.” He opened the door to what looked like a help yourself café. The tables had outlets for computers. No one occupied the space so they’d have privacy to enjoy a cup and answer her hundreds of questions.
“Coffee or tea?”
“Coffee.”
“I could have guessed. I seem to be the only fan of tea around here.”
They sat and Gaby added sugar and cream to her coffee. “The pack seems cool about our marriage.”
James tilted his chin down and frowned. “At least you got to experience the soul mate bond.”
Gaby gave him a quizzical look. “Yet, you love Chandra enough to stay?” She wanted to add and allow her to bear the pups of another male. Awkward.
“Chandra is brilliant.” He smiled as if she’d just walked in. “She is stunningly beautiful, smart and witty. I love everything about her.”
“Even in wolf form.”