CHAPTER 26

KEN’S POV
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I stopped and stared at Alec after I hugged him. I couldn't help it! I was just so happy that he fully accepted me as an Omega and as a member of his pack!

Isn't that something to be happy about? It felt like I had finally fulfilled a promise I made to my mother and to myself.

Suddenly, I felt embarrassed by what I had done. I lowered my head, squeezed my eyes shut, and gripped the sleeves of my shirt tightly.

But I knew Alec wouldn't misunderstand my sudden embrace—it was just a result of the joy I was feeling, right?

I opened my eyes and slowly looked at him. He still hadn't said anything. The happiness I felt earlier was quickly replaced by worry as I saw his face turning red.

Immediately, I grabbed one of his hands and shook his shoulder.

"Alec? Are you okay?" I asked with concern, our eyes locked on each other.

Fear started to consume me. I quickly glanced around for help, but my anxiety only worsened when I realized that Alec and I were the only ones left in the park. All the other families I had seen earlier were gone.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding, and looked at Alec again. His eyes were now closed, and his grip on my hand was tight.

I wanted to call for Shiena, to ask for help, because I was starting to get scared by whatever was happening to Alec.

Before I could call for Shiena, I felt a sudden weight on my left shoulder.

My eyes widened when I saw that Alec was leaning on me, his forehead resting on my shoulder. As he moved closer, I caught a whiff of his pleasant, clean scent.

My heart suddenly raced, and I felt frozen in place by my own thoughts.

This isn't right, Ken! What are you even thinking?

"Ken," he whispered, and I stopped arguing with myself.

I turned my head slightly, even though I couldn't see his face.

"Sorry for doing this... it's just that... my heart is beating so fast, and I feel like it's going to burst out of my chest at any moment."

I blinked several times as I listened to him. If only Alec knew what was happening to me right now...

"I'm afraid it might suddenly stop beating... I don't want that... I don't want to leave yet... I don't want to leave you yet..."

I couldn't hear his last words because he mumbled them. I was about to ask what he said when I felt his hands on both of my shoulders.

He slowly pulled away from me, and the moment our eyes met, I felt an unusual flutter in my heart.

The joy I felt while looking at Alec was different.

I felt like my own heart was going to burst out of my chest from how hard it was pounding.

"Can I... hug you again?" he asked in a soft voice.

I heard him. I heard him perfectly. I gave him a small nod, and he gently pulled me closer.
In his arms, our bodies met again.

The warmth I had felt earlier became even more intense this second time around.
He hugged me. I hugged him back. More tightly this time.

I felt safe. I felt comfortable.

I felt so content.

It was as if I was floating among the clouds, hugging Alec under the dark sky while the stars twinkled above.

I closed my eyes. I didn't want this day to end. This was the first time I had ever felt this wonderful. I just wanted to stay like this forever.

It felt so warm.

"This feels nice... I'm happy..." Alec whispered as he held me.

His hug tightened, as if he never wanted me to leave his side.

Because of that, I automatically looked up at the dark sky and suddenly felt warmth pooling beneath my eyes.

Tears threatened to fall.

I don't know who you are, Moon Goddess, but thank you for bringing me here.

Thank you for bringing me to Alec.

Before we went back to the packhouse, we were both surprised to find that we were crying.

We laughed after crying in front of each other, teasing one another like children for making the other cry. We were still laughing as we decided to head back.

Alec and I stopped dead in our tracks when we saw Shiena and the woman with her, Allison.

They were both standing right in front of the door; one was scowling and the other was looking away, almost as if she didn't want to see or acknowledge us at all.

“And where have you two been? We’ve been waiting for ages!” Shiena demanded with a clear hint of annoyance, which made me nervously scratch the back of my neck.

I timidly glanced over at Alec, but he just gave me a warm smile. To my complete surprise, he suddenly took hold of my arm and pulled me close against his side.

My eyes went wide, and I froze where I stood. What was Alec doing?

"We just went to the park for some fresh air and a chat, right, Ken?" Alec answered smoothly, and I could only nod in agreement with what he said.

Well... it was true that we had just been out for fresh air and talked. Nothing unusual had happened, except for him fully accepting me and the hug I gave him.

I felt happy, though, because it felt like Alec and I had done something secret even though we hadn't. It felt like we shared a secret that only the two of us knew.

"Oh, please! Don't try that on me, Alec! If I find out you've upset Ken, you won't like what I do to you!" Shiena threatened, wagging a finger at Alec.

The man beside me just roared with laughter at Shiena’s warning. Then, Shiena grabbed my arm and practically dragged me inside the pack house.

Before Shiena and I fully stepped inside, I looked back at Allison and Alec. I didn't know how to feel when I saw them staring intently into each other's eyes.

“Shiena,” I whispered, saying her name quietly.
We paused, stopping our walk.

I wasn’t sure if it was the right time to ask her this, knowing she would definitely be puzzled by my question… but what if not asking was what made me keep overthinking everything?

What if...

"Ken? Are you okay?" she asked, her voice pulling me back to the present.

I took a deep breath and looked directly into Shiena’s eyes, needing to see her honest reaction.

“What is the real relationship between Alec and Allison?”