Chapter 8

I waited until the boy was long gone before I finally stood up.

So the next bet would be the library.

As usual, I lowered my head as I walked down the stairs, walking briskly to the building that housed the library.

I opened the door to the library, and as soon as I stepped in, the familiar scent of books, both old and new, hit my nose.

The library was quiet as usual, and rows of tall wooden shelves packed with books lined the left-hand side.

I nodded my greetings to the librarian before moving to the long rows of books, entering deeper into the section of ancient texts until the stench of dust and old books became stronger.

But I continued my search, my focus only on one thing. I had heard rumors that some of the ancient books held secrets, like spells for weight loss or even altering one’s appearance, and I was desperate enough to believe them.

I was still focused on my search when I got that tingle, and I whipped my head, not even shocked to discover Selim sitting in the library. But what was shocking was that he had his head buried in a book and was pouring into it.

I was taken aback, strangely captivated by the intense focus on his face. His jaw was set in a little frown, and I was blessed with the most stunning side profile. I couldn’t help but glance at him a few more times.

How can a boy be so handsome that even while reading, he manages to look like a Greek god?

However, a quick glance around the library told me that I wasn’t the only one that had come to that conclusion. I could easily count six other girls who had been captivated like me, and they were all secretly watching him. Sometimes they whispered into each other's ears and giggled.

My throat tightened as I watched them fawn over my mate. I should have been the one by his side, claiming him while he showed me off to the whole. But instead, I shrank deeper in my corner.

They were all beautiful, tall, and slim, and the more I looked, the more contrast I noticed.

It was painful, but I finally came to the realization that Selim was not someone I could fantasize about. He was way beyond my league, and

With that resolution, I stared at him for the last time before returning to my book when he suddenly looked up, his head swaying around as he scanned the area, and as if he had sensed my gaze, they landed on me.

My heart skipped a beat, panic rising fast, and I ducked down, trying to bury myself behind the shelves, wishing I could vanish entirely. In my bid to remain unseen, my hand knocked against a book, and I watched in slow motion as it tumbled from the shelf and crashed onto the floor with a deafening thud.

The loud crash echoed throughout the library, and I cringed, hating the eyes that had focused on me and the unnecessary attention—hatred—it had garnered.

“Is everything alright there?” The librarian asked in a kind voice, but it only drew more attention to me, and I wished the ground could swallow me.

I scrambled to my knees, retrieving the book, but I encountered a little difficulty as it was quite heavy. However, I managed the feat alone, and I placed it back in the bookshelf, my face burning in embarrassment.

I rushed to leave, unable to bear it anymore, but in my rush, I missed a step on the stair, and my foot slipped.

I couldn’t stop my momentum because the next thing was that I was tumbling down hard. My head hit every hard surface it could, and I could only shield myself in a ball as I continued the path until I landed on the bottom of the stairs.

“Owww.” I whined as I got down, clutching my arms. Pain blossomed at every part of my body, and the scent of copper hit my nose. I traced it to see that bruises had started forming on my elbow and knees.

I was an omega, and bruises came easily even from the littlest of things. Tears prickled in my eyes, my body trembling in pain that had hijacked me, but I forced myself to hold back the tears.

There was only one thing running through my mind—that Selim shouldn’t see me like this.

He shouldn’t see the disgrace that was his mate, else it would solidify his claim that he deserved better than me.

I was all too aware of how quiet the library had gotten, and my body tingled as all eyes were on me, disgust swirling in most of them and only pity in a few.

But I tried again, desperate to escape their glaring, when an outstretched hand appeared in front of me. I frowned, wondering who it was, and I raised my eyes to see my knight in shining armor.

But they landed on a familiar pair of honey-colored eyes—the same ones that had been haunting my thoughts—and a gasp escaped my lips.

“Selim.”

He saw me.

His golden eyes fixed on me like a predator watching a wounded deer.

Something stirred inside me.

Mine.

The word didn’t come from my thoughts. It came from deeper. From my bones.

No. No, no—this couldn’t be happening. Not now.

I tried to scramble away, but my body betrayed me. My knee gave out again, and I fell—this time against something solid and warm.

A hand caught my arm. Firm. Rough.

Alpha.

My breath hitched. His scent slammed into me like a storm—spice, pine, heat—and every nerve in my body lit up like I’d been set on fire.

Selim flinched like I’d burned him, but he didn’t let go.

“Are you Ok?” he asked, voice low, unreadable.

My mouth opened, but nothing came out.

His gaze dipped—not to my wound, but to my neck, where my pulse pounded like a war drum.

For a second—just a second—his pupils narrowed.

Then he let go, as if my skin had burned him.

I stumbled back, the heat of his hand still burning through my skin.

I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. I needed to get away—before I fell apart completely.

I turned, ready to run.

"Wait."

His voice stopped me like a leash snapping taut around my throat.

Low. Commanding. A thread of something I couldn’t name laced through it.

I froze, every instinct screaming to flee—but my feet wouldn’t move.