NOVEL NEXT Chapter 70: Chapter 68 : Destined Fates
As Alex closed the door behind him, he leaned against the wall, letting out a deep, uneven breath. His hand instinctively moved to his chest, pressing against his heart, which was pounding like a war drum. The sensation was almost unnerving, the kind of thrill he hadn't allowed himself to feel in years.
"What are you doing to me, Luna?" he murmured, a small, incredulous smile tugging at his lips. The warmth spreading through him was undeniable, a fire ignited by her presence and her touch. He let his head fall back against the wall, eyes closed as a quiet realization settled over him.
"I guess falling for you is the easiest thing I've ever done in my life," he said softly to himself. The words were barely a whisper, but they carried the weight of his truth.
For a moment, he allowed himself to savor it—the thought of her, the way she looked at him, the way her hands trembled slightly against his skin but never pulled away. But then, just as quickly, he shook his head, pushing himself off the wall and scolding himself under his breath.
"Get a grip, Alex," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "You can't afford distractions right now."
Composing himself, he straightened his shoulders and made his way downstairs. The sound of voices carried faintly from the main hall, and as he descended the staircase, his sharp gaze locked onto Charlie, who stood speaking with another guard. The two seemed deep in discussion, their postures tense.
Alex cleared his throat loudly, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Given how many times you knocked on my door, this must be important."
Charlie's head snapped up, his expression briefly sheepish before he straightened. "Alpha," he said, inclining his head respectfully. "It's not urgent. Just... pack matters."
Alex raised an eyebrow, descending the last few steps. "Pack matters that couldn't wait until evening meeting ?"
Charlie hesitated, exchanging a glance with the guard beside him before continuing. "One of the neighboring packs reported two missing children. They reached out to see if we had any information, but I told them we didn't. Still, I thought you'd want to be informed."
Alex's expression darkened slightly at the mention of missing children. "Rogues?" he asked, his tone clipped.
"Possibly," Charlie replied. "Or maybe the kids ran away. They didn't share much detail, just wanted to know if there was any sign of unusual activity near our borders."
Alex nodded thoughtfully, his mind already shifting into Alpha mode. "Send word to their Alpha that we'll keep an eye out. Meanwhile, I want patrols increased along the boundary. Make sure our guards are alert to any rogue activity or signs of movement near the pack lands."
Alex's gaze sharpened as he looked back at Charlie. "Anything else?"
"There's been some tension between two smaller packs over disputed hunting grounds," Charlie added. "Nothing major yet, but it could escalate if left unchecked. I've already sent someone to mediate, but I thought you should know."
Alex sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose briefly before nodding. "Good. Keep me updated on how that plays out. If the mediation fails, I'll step in personally."
"Understood," Charlie replied, his tone steady.
Alex's thoughts lingered briefly on the missing children, a nagging unease settling in his chest. Whether it was rogues or something else, the idea of young lives in danger left a bitter taste in his mouth. He turned back toward the staircase but paused, glancing over his shoulder.
"Make sure we're prepared for anything," he said, his voice firm. "I don't want any surprises."
Charlie nodded once more, his expression serious. "We'll handle it, Alpha."
Satisfied, Alex ascended the staircase, his mind already turning to the challenges ahead. But as he reached the top, he couldn't help the small smile that crept back onto his face as the memory of Luna flashed through his mind. She was a distraction, yes, but perhaps one he was willing to make room for.
Meanwhile, Luna lay motionless on the bed for a long moment, her silver hair cascading over the pillows, her eyes unfocused. Though her body remained still, her mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts she couldn't push aside. Something gnawed at her—a truth she didn't want to confront.
A single tear escaped from the corner of her eye, but she wiped it away quickly, her expression hardening. Masking whatever weighed on her heart, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up, heading to the bathroom.
The warm water cascaded over her skin, soothing yet not enough to quiet the storm within her. Luna closed her eyes, letting the water trace paths along her back as she tried to compose herself. Minutes later, she stepped out, wrapping herself in a thick bathrobe, her silver hair still dripping.
Barefoot, she padded across the room, her gaze landing on a hoodie and shorts tossed over a nearby chair—Alex's. The fabric looked impossibly large, and when she slipped into it, the sleeves extended well past her hands. The shorts barely stayed up, tied haphazardly at the waist. She caught sight of herself in the mirror and couldn't help but smile faintly. She looked absurd, drowning in his clothes, but there was something comforting about it.
Deciding she couldn't stay cooped up any longer, Luna made her way out of the bedroom, her steps light and soundless on the polished floors. She moved through the palace with purpose, already familiar with its layout after days of exploring.
But Alex was nowhere to be found.
She checked the kitchens, the dining hall, and even the outdoor terrace. When she finally ran into one of the butler and a female cook, they were deep in conversation near the staircase.
"Alex?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
"Alpha king's not here," The lady replied , warmly. "He left for upstairs a while ago. If he's not in the room, he's probably in his workroom. Or... well, who knows with him?"
The old butler added, "We usually aren't much aware of his activities miss, unless he asks us."
Luna sighed, her curiosity piqued but unfulfilled. She spent the next half hour wandering through the palace, checking various rooms and halls. Finally, as she climbed the stairs to the third floor, she noticed a faint glow spilling from an open doorway.
The library.
Her bare feet moved soundlessly across the marble as she approached. The door was ajar, and the sight inside made her pause.
The library was enormous, a sprawling space with towering bookshelves that seemed to stretch endlessly upward. Every available surface was lined with texts—ancient scrolls, leather-bound tomes, and sleek modern volumes. Luna's gaze swept across the space, noting the wealth of knowledge contained within. Many of the books held truths and myths of the supernatural world, secrets long thought lost to time.
Though she had lived centuries and knew much of what was written here, even Luna felt a sense of awe. There was always more to learn, even for someone like her.
That's when she saw him.
Alex stood near a large desk, surrounded by open books. He moved between them with an intensity that made her pause, flipping through pages with a focus that bordered on obsession. He seemed to be searching for something specific, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Luna's eyes narrowed as she noticed one of the books—a thick volume bound in dark leather, titled The Anthology of Divine Lineage. It was a comprehensive text on gods and their roles across supernatural factions. Another book caught her attention—a fragile, ancient tome with blue and yellow carvings on its cover. It looked so old that the slightest mishandling might reduce it to dust.
She smiled faintly, realizing he was researching her. But why? Didn't he already know who she was, what she was? And if he had questions, why not ask her directly?
Her smile faded as curiosity shifted to something deeper. She decided not to interrupt, her instincts telling her to let him be. Turning on her heel, she began to retreat quietly, not wanting to disturb his thoughts.
But before she could take another step, a hand grabbed her arm, firm but gentle.
Luna gasped softly as she was pulled into the shadows of a nearby corner. She looked up, her heart racing, only to find herself face-to-face with a pair of familiar grey eyes.