Love behind covers

Chapter 9: curiosity

James woke up with a pounding headache and a swirl of confusion in his mind. Last night was a blur—that strangers intense presence, the pull he felt, and that strange… connection. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed inside him.

Sitting on the edge of his bed at the hotel , he ran a hand through his hair. What just happened? he wondered, his mind replaying every detail with both disbelief and curiosity. There was a part of him that was restless, almost alive in a way he hadn’t felt before.

Determined to get answers, James decided to go to Carlton Pharmaceutical, the family company, for a routine check-up. He needed confirmation—something scientific—to explain what he had experienced. The moment he stepped into the lab, the familiar sterile smell brought back memories of his childhood, of days spent tagging along with Terra and their parents.

Dr. Vichai greeted him with a warm smile.

“James, it’s been a while. What brings you here today?”

James hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I… I need a test. Something specific. I think something changed in me recently.”

The lab assistant guided him to a private room, explaining that the test would detect any physiological markers that could explain his unusual state. Blood was drawn, scanned, and analyzed. James paced back and forth, the weight of anticipation heavy on his shoulders.

Finally, the results were ready. Dr. Vichai handed him a sealed folder. His hands trembled slightly as he opened it.

Alpha, but his special ability he needed to discover himself.

James stared at the word, reading and rereading the medical explanation. His body had entered a “rot period,” a physiological awakening triggered by a strong bond with a mate. Every detail in the report matched his experience with that stranger. The realization hit him like a wave: what he had dismissed as a fleeting moment of attraction was something innate, something primal.

He couldn’t contain his thoughts. He immediately called Terra, needing her guidance, needing her wisdom.

“Terra, I need to talk to you,” James said the moment she picked up.

“Of course, little brother. Meet me at the Carlton residence. I think it’s time we discussed this properly,” she replied.

When he arrived, Terra’s expression softened as she saw the turmoil in his eyes. She took his hands in hers, just like she used to when they were kids.

“James… I think I know exactly what’s going on,” she said gently. “Your encounter with a breed wasn’t just chance. It triggered something in you—your alpha nature awakened. That pull you felt, that confusion—it’s all part of it.”

James blinked, trying to process. “So… I’m… an alpha?”

“Yes,” Terra confirmed. “And you’ve just entered your rot period. It’s natural, it’s intense, and yes—it was caused by your mate. You’re learning more about yourself now than you ever did before. This is just the beginning, James.”

James took a deep breath, feeling the weight of reality sink in. His life had changed overnight, not by choice, but by connection. And yet… for the first time in a long while, he felt a strange sense of clarity and purpose.

“Curiosity brought me here,” he whispered, “and now… I need to understand everything.”

Terra smiled knowingly. “Then let’s start with the basics. You’ll need guidance—both from your family and… from the person who triggered this. And James… be prepared. This journey is going to be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.”

As they sat together, James felt the warmth of family and the first spark of acceptance. The world around him had shifted, and with it, the certainty that his life—and his heart—would never be the same.

Next day of school

I can’t even concentrate during classes,who was the guy from last night his presence felt to familiar to be random did I really kid a stranger because his my mate.

After classes, Camilla, Aston and James left for the cafeteria where he met Max leaning on the wall like he knew they were coming.

“Hey” James said

“His talking to max first !!”camilla and aston exclaimed

“Hi” max greeted back

“I need to ask you something” James said before dragging Max out of the cafeteria.

Leaving everyone present there stoned.

“You were the mask man from the ball right”James asked.

Max could tell James wanted him to be the guy from last night so he didn’t deny. “Yes it was are you hear to take responsibility, you kissed me and almost took advantage of me”

“You have no shame” James said out blushing

“But am glad it’s you” he whispered

“There’s something I have to ask you” we both aren’t human, are we ?

“Yes we aren’t”max said “Am an enigma” he added.