CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 27
Shiena stared at me because of my question. A sudden wave of embarrassment washed over me, making me wish I could just back away, run as far as possible, or hide away in my room.

But what could I do? I was already here. I had asked for it. The question that had been weighing on my mind was finally out in the open, and I had no choice but to face it.

“Why do you ask?” she inquired softly.

“A-ah… no reason, I just noticed they seemed close to each other…” I replied to Shiena, feeling thoroughly embarrassed.

She let out a heavy sigh, causing me to freeze. She glanced back toward Alec and Allison, especially since we hadn’t walked very far from them yet.

“No, actually they're not that close at all.” She crossed her arms and looked me straight in the eye. “That girl just harbors a deep grudge against Alec, which is why she’s taking her anger out on you, too. She’s so infuriating, isn’t she? Why does she have to drag an innocent person into her own problems?” she muttered, shaking her head.

My brow furrowed at her words. I could clearly sense her strong disapproval of Allison’s behavior. It was true, after all—it wasn't right to drag innocent people into a personal resentment that had nothing to do with them. But why was Allison doing that in the first place?

Why did Allison hold such a grudge against Alec?

“So, what is their relationship with each other?” I pressed, curiosity eating away at me.

Shiena stared at me. Her expression suddenly shifted, and she squeezed her eyes shut for a brief moment. “You know what? I really didn't want these answers to come from me. But… this is the only advice I can offer you, Ken.” She reached out and grabbed both of my arms. “If you want answers, ask him directly. Okay?”

“Why? Can’t I just find out from you?”

That was when she froze. Her gaze drifted back toward the two people talking some distance away from where we stood. I turned to look at them as well; they were just talking normally… yet there was something strange, heavy, and unsettling about the way they looked at each other.

There's something…

I swallowed hard and instinctively clutched my chest. Why do I feel hurt seeing them like that? Just talking or chatting…

“Ken? Are you okay?” she asked, her face instantly replacing annoyance with deep concern.

She reached out to touch me, but I pulled away. I don't want to feel this way. It felt as though… I was in actual pain.

Why am I hurting like this? Is it because of what I just saw?

“Ken? Where are you going?” Shiena called out, but I didn't look back or even slow down. I hurried up the stairs and straight into my room.

I ignored her repeated calls until I finally locked myself inside, collapsed onto my bed, and buried my face deep into a pillow.

I feel stupid.

Why do I have to feel this way when Alec and Allison are just talking?

Yet, I couldn't shake the what-ifs swirling in my mind.

Do the two of them have a relationship? Could they?

Is there a history between them that makes them so casual with each other? Why are they so close? Is this the answer Shiena couldn't bring herself to tell me?

Why am I thinking like this? Why do I sound so possessive, especially when there's nothing going on between Alec and me?

We're just… we're just friends and nothing more. Nothing else.

I'm just a friend to Alec. But I don't know why this feeling weighs so heavily on me. It feels like someone else is stealing his attention away from me.

No. This is not me. This is not us, Ken. You shouldn't be acting like this just because of that girl.

I just clutched my head, overwhelmed by the chaotic thoughts racing through my mind.

That couldn't possibly be true, right? I tried to convince myself. Besides, Alec and I are just friends. I shouldn't be feeling this way toward him.

I took a deep breath to calm myself and glanced down at my desk. Resting there was a book I hadn't finished reading yet. I picked it up and decided to step out of the room for some fresh air. I walked straight to the kitchen, where I found three she-wolves busy organizing supplies.

They glanced up at me and smiled warmly. I returned their smiles before continuing out toward the back exit of the kitchen. From the side of the doorway, I noticed a small table and a simple chair, tucked away as if made for anyone wanting a moment of solitude.

I sat down, soaking in the quiet surroundings, and opened the book to the next page. I was halfway through reading when I was suddenly startled by the door opening from the kitchen.

My eyes widened slightly as I recognized Alec stepping outside. His gaze swept around the area, looking as though he were searching for something important.

I watched his every movement until his eyes finally landed on my direction. Our eyes locked. In a split second, a familiar, strange current coursed through me from the sheer intensity of his gaze.

His expression softened the moment he saw me. He smiled and slowly walked over to my side.

“What are you reading?” he asked softly. He leaned in closer, pressing right beside me to peek at the page.

I froze in my seat. He was way too close. So close that his intoxicating scent instantly wrapped around me, making my cheeks burn with a sudden rush of heat.

“Hmm? Is this the book I gave you?” he continued, seemingly unaware of the effect his presence was having on me.

“A-ah… yes, it is,” I stammered, slowly pulling myself back just a bit. I couldn't handle the heavy pull of his familiar scent. If he stayed this close any longer, I might lose control and just hug him right then and there.

We already hugged earlier! It would be so embarrassing to hug him again! Right?! my mind shrieked as heat flared across my face.

He straightened up, though his attention remained entirely on me. “By the way, I looked for Shiena earlier to ask where you were. She said you were in your room and seemed a bit out of sorts, so I went straight there to check on you. But you weren't there,” he explained, concern clearly written across his voice. “That’s why I came down here to the kitchen. The she-wolves said you were out here. Are you okay? Is something bothering your mind?”

Is something bothering my mind? There is. You. You're the only one messing with my mind, Alec.

And besides, why were you looking for me like this? Were you more worried about me than Allison?

I swallowed hard, my chest suddenly tightening from Alec's heavy, overwhelming presence so close to mine. “N-Nothing's bothering my mind, Alec. I guess... I'm just tired.”

​“Tired?” he asked, his brow furrowing slightly. “From our long walk earlier?”

​No. From seeing you talking with Allison. I quickly shook my head to banish the thought.

​“Y-Yeah. That must be it,” I answered softly, my voice trembling slightly.

​“Hmm. Is that so,” he replied with a slight nod. “You should be resting in your room so you can be more comfortable. It’s getting late.”

​I turned to look at him, and at that exact moment, his eyes locked onto mine. He gave me a faint, subtle smile—a smile that sent my heart racing all over again.