CHAPTER 20

KEN'S POV
•••

“Why are we here?” I asked Shiena beside me.

After we ate, Shiena suddenly grab me to go somewhere. At first I don't where she was taking me but I trust this girl, I trust her instincts.

“We are in the most valuable thing in this territory. Alec's library!” She exclaimed while running through the old bookshelves.

Turning all the lamps that are placing on the every corner of this huge library, then my eyes widened on how huge this place. I don't know that they have many books that are hidden in this room. I think the room full of books that Alec bring me is his personal library.

"What do you think?" She asked while wiggling her eyebrows.

I smiled and nod at her. When I looked up the ceiling, I saw a painting... what is that?

"Oh? I forgot about that!” She pointed at the painting that I was looking. "There's a myth from our ancestors saying that If we started to see a new beginning or something new in our life, it means that the moon goddess are telling us there are something good is about to happen!”

Something good is about to happen?

"Like what?”

“Like...” I saw her thinking until she looked at me.

I was confused but still looking at the beautiful painting above us.

"You,"

"Huh? Me? What about me?"

"You... you are our new beggining."

All of a sudden, I felt strange because she was still looking at me. Why did she think that I am the new beginning she was talking about? I'm just new here, I don't think the reason why I'm here is about that.

"You're probably mistaken, Shiena."

“Do you think after Alec saw you outside of his territory, wasn't that a good reason for a new beginning or change? I doubt that,” she smiled after she said that.
I'm still confused. I know I have nothing to do with what she was saying.

She just laughed at me and go out for a second to get something we could eat. She also told me that I could take the books that I want to read. I just nodded at her, she left me wondering and confused by what she said to me earlier.

Anyway, I stared at the ceiling again. I watched the painting engraved above ... I tried to squint my eyes to see more of the painting, but I stopped because my neck if feeling numb.

I watched around, I saw three tables and four chairs in each corner of the library, and those old books that are sitting on the tables quietly. I decided to sit near the large window. When I settled and feel comfortable on my seat, I took a book on my side and started reading.

Immersed in my book, I'd lost all sense of how many pages I'd devoured when the library door creaked open. I fully anticipated seeing Sheina, so it was a complete surprise when Alec walked in instead.

We held each other's gaze for a lingering moment before a slow smile spread across his face. I found myself smiling shyly back, a sudden nervousness fluttering in my chest that I couldn't explain.

Awkwardness suddenly filled the air. I tried to talk to him casually, normally, but... I couldn't even utter a single word. What was happening to me?

“I thought Shiena was with you,” he suddenly said, making me jump slightly in my seat.

He walked closer but not too close; there was still space between us.

I swallowed hard. I didn't know why my throat had suddenly gone dry. I tried to look at him but... I couldn't even lift my head! I was so incredibly nervous.

“U-uh... she said earlier that she was going to get something to eat...” I answered in a quiet voice.

Wait? Did he even hear me? Why was I speaking so softly? How embarrassing!

“I see."

“I thought you were with the pack warriors and Felix?” I asked him, surprised that I didn't stutter even though my heart was pounding.

Alec was the one making me feel like this.

“We're done for the rounds,”

I looked up to see him, and that's when I finally noticed what he was wearing. He was wearing a black long-sleeve shirt and gray sweatpants.

Oh... Is this the first time I've seen him in these kinds of clothes? He's handsome.

Oh? Did I just say handsome?

I felt... my cheeks burning because of that thought. Argh! You are so naughty, Ken!

“Are you okay, Ken? Your face is turning red. Is there something wrong?” he suddenly asked, and my eyes widened.

He noticed?! How embarrassing!

I was startled when he suddenly sat down in the vacant chair near me, with a round table laden with books between us.

As soon as he sat, he looked at me, then suddenly chuckled softly as if something was funny. Was my face funny?

“I'm sorry, I didn't ask you first if I can sit beside you,” he said to me with a smile.

I don't know why I felt a tingling in my stomach whenever I saw him smiling and looking at me.

I felt like the world was about to end.

“Ken?” he called, which startled me.

Why was I staring blankly at his handsome face?!

I frantically opened a random page in the book I was holding, unsure of what I was feeling. Was I about to die with how fast my heart was beating?

I tried to calm down, taking a few deep breaths before I finally looked at him.

And I stopped when I saw a gentleness in his eyes.

“Are you okay?“

A long silence... and then, “Y-yes! I'm okay! And, uh... it's fine if you want to sit wherever you want, this is your library,” I answered shyly.

You're so embarrassing, Ken!

“Hmm... so what book are you reading?” he asked.

I suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't notice me staring at him earlier, or my blushing, and most importantly, it was a good thing he couldn't hear my loudly pounding heart.

He casually peeked at the book I was reading. Actually, I just picked it up from the table beside me. I didn't even know its title, but I was enjoying what was happening in the story. So maybe it was...

“Is that a romance book?”

“Uhh... I think? I just took it from here and read the contents while waiting for Sheina, but she still hasn't shown up...” I frowned because I only just realized how long Shiena was taking.

She's probably chatting with the three maids in the kitchen again. I just sighed and looked back at Alec. He tilted his head at me, as if asking me something without saying a word.

So cute...

“Uhm... do you like reading books?”

He nodded, "Yes. Actually, when I'm bored or done with my duties and I want to distract myself from this world... I just pick up a book from here and read it until I fall asleep."

My eyes widened at what he said, “So, you sleep here too?”

He chuckled, “Yes. This library is like my second bedroom.” He smiled after that. He leaned back in his chair, and after a few seconds, he looked at me.

“You, do you like reading books?”

I stared at him for a minute before smiling and holding the book close to me. "I do love reading books. Because every time I read the stories inside them, it's like I go to a different place, and I feel happy. I don't know why. Maybe it's because... that's one of my ways to forget the life I have..."

Forget the life he had?

Did he hate his life?

I was wondering... what kind of life that Alec want for himself? Is he... tired of being an Alpha or is there something else.