CHAPTER 25

I didn't speak. I simply stared at him, admiring his beautiful face. His midnight hair, His thick, dark brows, the high bridge of his nose, his naturally red lips, and the lovely color of his eyes.

​Who wouldn't be captivated by an Alpha like Alec? Yet... why, to this day, has no Luna ever captured his heart?
​I lowered my head and shook it. My mind was wandering again.

​"Why were you looking for me?"

​"Huh? Of course, I was worried. You just got back from..." He stopped for a moment, then scratched the back of his neck. "What are you doing here anyway? Are you with someone?" he changed the subject.

​I showed him the book in my hands, and he nodded. "And I'm with a family from here. They're your people, Alec. They look so happy," I said with a smile on my lips.

​I was just looking at him when he came over and sat down beside me. As he leaned back and looked up at the dark sky, I heard him let out a deep sigh.
​"Ah... this is the first time I've truly appreciated how beautiful the night sky is," he whispered, so I looked up to see it too.
​And it was true... the sky really was beautiful.

​"What do you mean? Is this the first time you've seen the night sky?"

​"Sort of. I haven't had time to look at the sky or other simple things since I became the Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack. It feels like if I did that—if I gave myself that time—I wouldn't be fulfilling my responsibilities to my people."

​I remained silent, listening to Alec. I knew how heavy his responsibilities were. Perhaps this was the reason no woman had ever captured his heart—the woman who would one day be his Luna.

​I felt a pang of pain as I realized this. But I shook my head and looked once more at the glittering stars.
"But even so... you should still find time to look at the sky sometimes." I turned to him and saw that he was already staring at me.
​A sudden nervousness filled me from the way Alec was looking at me. I looked away, my grip on the book tightening. It felt as if butterflies were fluttering in my stomach.

​I cleared my throat and continued, "When you're tired... or deep in thought. Just look at the sky; you'll immediately feel your mind calm down, and some of your fatigue will disappear."
​"Is that what you always do?" he asked.

​I nodded. "You're right. I always look at the sky whenever I'm tired or thinking, and when I see how calm it is up there, I feel like whatever's bothering me calms down, too."
​"Hmm... okay. Tomorrow, I'll try to look at the sky when I'm deep in thought," he said, which made me laugh.

​Our laughter filled the small moment we shared, under the stars, with the sparkle in his eyes.

​We stayed there for a few more minutes, enjoying the quiet surroundings, the sound of crickets, and the cool breeze.
​I am enjoying this life. I am enjoying this life... with Alec.

​We decided to head back to the pack house, walking side by side, talking until I finally asked him what had been bothering me earlier.
​"Alec, can I ask you something?"

​"Of course, what is it?"

​My heart suddenly filled with a familiar nervousness. I was overcome with fear that he might get angry at my question. I hesitated to ask because... I had no right to pry into Alec's private life.

​I was just an Omega he had helped, nothing more.

​"Ken?"

​I blinked and turned to him. "Y-yes, Alec?"

​We stopped walking, and we just looked at each other.

​"I also wanted to ask you something," he said. I was curious about what he wanted to ask, and I saw him suddenly look away from me.
​What was happening with him? Was there something on my face?

​"You... you go first and ask your question, and after I answer, it'll be my turn to ask you."
​Because of his suggestion, I agreed. Despite the nervousness and a bit of fear, I gathered the courage to ask him what was on my mind.
​"Why... why have you never had a girlfriend?" I asked softly, closing my eyes.
​I was laughing at myself. I didn't even know why I was afraid to see his reaction.

​"I did have a girlfriend." He said, which made me open my eyes.

​He had a girlfriend? Was it Allison?

​"And they're already my ex-girlfriends. So technically speaking... I don't have a girlfriend."

​"Why?"

​Wait, why did I ask a follow-up question?!

​"What do you mean 'why'?" I saw a playful smirk on his lips.

​I pouted. "I'm just asking,"

​"I know. It's just that... are you curious about my relationship history?"

​My eyes widened at his question! "No! I'm not! I'm just asking, Alec! Since the family I was with earlier was asking when you'd introduce your Luna to them!"
​And with what I'd just blurted out, my mouth hung open. I'd said what I'd wanted to say all along.

​I knew he'd think I was an untrustworthy member of his territory.

He held his chin as if he was thinking deeply. I was nervous about what he would say next... would he kick me out of his territory?

Would I go back to my old life? Would he return me to my old family?

The thought brought back memories of what I experienced with the one remaining family member I had... even though we weren't related by blood.
We are not related to each other.

That man... my hatred for him is too much and I don't want to go back to the life I forgot about when I set foot in Vinizia City.

I don't want to go back.

I don't want to go back to that hell again.

Tears welled up in my eyes because of the memories. I would never, ever want to go back to that hellhole.

Upon seeing me, a look of sudden fear and concern washed over Alec's face when he saw my expression.
"Oh! Shit! I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to make you cry, Ken! I'm sorry! Please forgive me!" he said in a panic, not knowing what to do.

Meanwhile, I wiped the tears from my eyes. A small smile appeared on my lips, and I looked at Alec, chuckling.

"It's fine, Alpha. It's not your fault... I just remembered something," I said, trying to remove the memories that only pained my heart.

"What... did you remember? Is it okay if you tell me? I was so worried when I saw your face and eyes..."

"It's okay, Alpha. I remembered the life I had before. I thought... you were going to send me away from your territory because I was intruding on your private life..." I whispered softly, my head bowed and feeling nervous.

I didn't hear his response, but when I looked up and saw his face, I saw a small smile on his lips.

He touched my hair and ruffled it. "I won't send you away because of that and this is your new home, Ken. You don't have to be afraid anymore. You don't have to go back to a life you don't want. You are part of the Dark Moon Pack. You have me, Shiena, Felix, and David. And the people of the Dark Moon Pack. We will build happy memories together." When Alec mentioned all of that, I couldn't help but feel emotional.

Tears of joy and hope welled up in my eyes, and I couldn't stop myself from hugging Alec.

My eyes almost widened because of what I did. Shit! I quickly moved away from him, and I felt so ashamed when I saw Alec's wide eyes staring at me.

He didn't even... blink or move, which made my cheeks suddenly flush because of what I'd done.

I fucking hugged him. Oh shit! What have I done?!