Trapped In A Novel As The Breeding Mate For Four Powerful Alphas

The building was finally quiet and completely empty, if you rule out the cleaners that had begun to do their duties. I slipped into the stairwell, deciding to take the long way down instead of the elevator.

Yup, my school had an elevator. Where do you think the donations went, huh?

I didn't come across anyone and I was relieved. My plan has worked. Well, to some extent. I just didn't expect him to be there.

Ki-hoon.

He was sitting on the top step like he'd been waiting hours for someone. His backpack, the same one I had seen in the library, was resting beside his leg.

He had his phone in his hand but the screen was off. I could see that from where I stood. And that scene... Honestly, it was a pretty scene, but I couldn't afford to admire it and planned to escape the way I came.

But I was too late.

His eyes lifted the second he heard my foot retreating silently up the stairs and he said,

"You shouldn't sneak up like that." He raised his gaze and met my eyes. "You'll make others misunderstand that you were doing something bad."

I was sure I was silent so how did he know? Wait, how did he even know the footsteps belonged to me?

He didn't move and didn't say anything more, just watching me and I pursed my lips.

"How...?" No, such a dumb question. "…You're waiting for someone?" I asked quietly, already preparing to turn and take the elevator instead.

"You," he suddenly said, and my stomach dropped.

He stood up slowly, brushing nonexistent dust from his sleeves without a smile or hint of malice on his face. Just the kind of calm that made it impossible to guess his mood or the kind of things that were going through his mind.

"I thought we weren't speaking," I muttered, too tired to pretend I wasn't annoyed by his sudden appearance and the change of my plans.

"We weren't," he replied. "But now we are."

I still didn't move and watched him.

"Why?" I asked. "What changed your mind?"

"You stood up."

I blinked in confusion.

"What?"

"In the cafeteria. You stood up." He stepped closer, up one stair. "You weren't supposed to stand up. Everyone expected you to stay down, at least. Crawl, and maybe beg."

Excuse me? Was I supposed to act like a dog just because they expected me to?

And why was he so hung up on this?

He took another step up and before I knew it, he was right in front of me, hovering over me with his insane height despite not standing on equal footing and me.

"You stood up, picked up your tray, and started over." He looked at me like I was something he needed to see properly. "And that's not the kind of thing you just… ignore."

"Well, I didn't do it to be brave," I muttered. "They were just so annoying, paying attention to me when I didn't want it so I just wanted to get out of there."

"I know," he said, and I scoffed within. You don't know jack, oh, powerful Mister Alpha.

"Then why are you here?" I asked, my forehead creasing, not like he could see it.

Ki-hoon tilted his head slightly. "Because for some reason, after last night at the library, I came to the conclusion that you're lying to yourself."

I blinked once again, confused.

"Excuse me?"

"You walk like you want to disappear, but your eyes are too aware. You act like you don't care, but you calculate everything. You keep your hair in your face, but your sight and hearing are very sharp. You stood up, even when you knew it would only make everything worse," he explained, and I bit my lip.

It was as if he was reading right through me.

I didn't know what to say. So I didn't say anything at all.

Ki-hoon's eyes lingered on me a second longer before he turned toward the stairs.

"Don't mistake quiet for weak, Jo-Pil."

I froze at the sound of my name.

He didn't wait for me to respond and started heading down the stairs, his long legs striding slowly. But just before he reached the foot of the stairs, he stopped.

"If you're going to run… do it properly. Because we're watching now."

It looked like he was giving me a friendly warning but... I didn't like this.

So, without thinking, I blurted out,

"I never mistook silence for weakness," I said and he paused.

Oh shit. What am I doing?

"I'm definitely not weak, and it's because I know that I can afford to be silent. So, you... Don't assume silence for weakness, cause I believe you're the one who has that mentality. I..." I clenched my fist. "I'm stronger than you think."

Okay, now I've done it.

I went ahead and spurted all that. He wouldn't think I was being arrogant, would he?

But strangely, a smile curled up his lip and he said,

"If so, then that's a relief." He said and glanced over his shoulder. "That way, I won't worry about the others breaking you so easily, Jo-Pil the strong."

With that, he left.

And as soon as he was gone, I grabbed my hair and screamed internally.

Just why did I have to blurt out all of that?

I just made things worse, dammit.

I feel that with Ki-hoon paying attention to me wasn't entirely a good thing and not entirely a bad thing either.

He just watches, he doesn't flirt and doesn't try to make a move on me either, ahem, let's cancel our kiss since it was under certain circumstances.

But my point is... He felt so warm, so caring, and so nonchalant compared to the rest, and it would do me good to get close to someone like that, rather than the rest, but... Ki-hoon was very unpredictable.

And because of this, he was the most dangerous and one I had to be the most wary of.

After I got back to my room, I dumped my exhausted body on the bed, kicking my shoes off and burying my face in my pillow.

I screamed for what seemed like a few minutes till I had calmed down and then I turned around, staring at the ceiling.

Just why did things have to deteriorate to this point? I mean, I was careful. Very careful.

But it hasn't even been three days, and I'm already eating at the Alpha's table? Like... What does this even mean?

My life is a mess. Has always been and will always be.

I sighed, exasperated, and then my phone beeped.

I hadn't given anyone my number so who was it?

I wondered if it was a text from my Dad but as soon as I saw the message sent by an unknown number, my eyebrows furrowed as I frowned.

"That little... Why did he have to make things much worse?"

At least, give me some time to breathe.

When I got the message, I considered ignoring it.

"4th Floor Study Lounge. 4:30. French Tutoring. Don't be late" And he sent a little pink heart along with it.

How tyrannical.