CHAPTER FIFTY SIX - VANESSA'S SCHEMES

In the days that followed, Anna found herself seeking refuge in the mansion's vast library. It was a sanctuary of sorts, filled with the comforting smell of old books and the peaceful quiet she craved after the drama of the dining room incident. She was curled up in a plush armchair, engrossed in a tome about werewolf history, when a voice startled her from her reading. "Enjoying your studies?" Anna looked up to see Erik leaning against a nearby bookshelf, a small smile playing on his lips. She felt her cheeks warm at his intense gaze. "I am, actually," she replied, marking her place in the book. "There's so much to learn. I had no idea werewolf culture was so complex." Erik's smile widened as he moved to sit in the chair opposite her. "Most humans don't. They see us as simple beasts, driven by instinct and bloodlust. But we have a rich history, traditions that go back centuries." Anna leaned forward, eager to learn more. "Will you tell me about it? Your pack's history, I mean."