Within (Walk Through Shadows Book One)

Chapter Twenty

Two days after her return to the human realm Isabelle saw the baby for the first time. Bernie exclaimed over the picture she'd brought into the store, assuring her that even though it was difficult to see, the baby was a perfect little blob. Isabelle laughingly agreed that there wasn't much to see yet. She was just happy that the doctor had pronounced her healthy.

A week later she learned that werewolves didn't just exist in books and movies. Not only were they real but she had known one for well over a year.

She had arrived at the book store just after noon, gone to the back office to drop off the sandwich and tea she'd picked up for Bernie on her way in, and found him in a discussion with Bryant Blackwell.

Bryant had been an infrequent visitor to the store in the previous year. Isabelle had only spoken with him a few times. She'd always found something about him to be intimidating. Try as she might she hadn't been able to figure out the cause of her feeling. He'd always been polite, but there was an air about him that just commanded attention, and she found it unsettling. After the third time they'd met she decided it had to do with his looks. He was undeniably handsome with broad shoulders and a quick smile that seemed to lure women to him.

As she approached the office she could hear the strain in Bryant's voice. She stopped next to the doorway, carefully staying out of sight while she listened.

"You expect us to just accept that a faerie who go toe to toe with a Guardian is going to live here without protest?" Bryant asked.

"I realize that it may seem—"Bernie started.

"From what I've heard he could take on a Guardian Alpha."

"Speaking of which, how is your brother?"

Isabelle stifled a giggle. Bernie had skills in turning a conversation when needed.

"The same. Morose, difficult," Bryant answered, "basically a guardian sized pain in my ass."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Bernie's chair scraped the floor as he stood up. "They say time heals but I suppose how much depends on the person."

"It's been almost two years," Bryant murmured. Isabelle stepped back quickly as Bernie's head appeared through the doorway in front of her.

"I thought I heard the bell," he said with a smile. "Hello dear."

"I was just going to drop this off and go back out front." She held up the to go cup and paper bag containing the sandwich.

"Thank you." He took them from her and then nodded towards the office. "Why don't you come in for a moment?" She frowned when he disappeared but followed after a second. "You remember Bryant Blackwell?" He asked as he moved around the desk to set his lunch down. Bryant stood up from the chair in front of Bernie's desk. Isabelle smiled at him and held out her hand.

"Of course," she said.

"It's good to see you," Bryant said as he took her hand in his. She tried to pull her hand back after a moment but he continued to hold it while studying her face. "You didn't mention this development," he said to Bernie.

"I told you, he just wants to be with his family," Bernie said with a little smile.

"Are we talking about Alasdair?" Isabelle asked softly. Her gaze swept from Bernie to Bryant. The younger man's free hand cupped the outside of the hand he still held and he smiled. Isabelle felt her cheeks go hot as he stared at her.

"We were yes," Bryant answered.

"Are you—" She nodded toward Bernie. "One of them?" Bryant shook his head slightly. "Why would you have a problem with Alasdair living here?"