chapter 8- Meeting Tristan
1297 Words
“You!” Chris pointed at Alex as he rose, holding his back.
“I'll make sure you pay for this. You three will hear from Alpha Lucian.” He growled and left, limping as he held his back, which I presumed was broken.
“What just happened?” I whispered to Roy.
He walked up to me with a smile. “Alex is the best in combat in the whole school. No one can stand a chance against him.”
My gaze shifted to Alex, who was returning to his bed.
“I’ll be right back. Let me quickly get a bandage to patch this up.”
“Your hand,” I exclaimed.
He hid it behind him. “It’s nothing, just a bruise. My healing ability is really fast.” He smiled. “How about you, Alex?” He turned to him. “Need something?”
Alex didn’t respond. Roy shook his head. “He can be boring sometimes… and then just confusing.” He smacked his lips. “I’ll be right back.” Then he left.
I turned to Alex, lowered my gaze, and walked up to him.
“Thank you for earlier.”
“I didn’t save you,” he muttered, eyes closed, his head rested on his hand as he lay flat on the bed.
Then he opened his eyes slowly, meeting mine. I quickly turned away and adjusted my glasses.
He doesn’t recognize me, right? I muttered inwardly.
His gaze lingered on my face for a while before he finally spoke. “I helped you because I thought you looked familiar.”
My heartbeat thudded. Oh no.
“I guess I was mistaken. There’s no way.” He turned his head and closed his eyes again.
I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.
After the incident, I didn’t hear from Lucian or Chris, but I was certain it wasn’t over. The day went by quickly— we had a short lesson on etiquette.
And soon, nighttime arrived. Throughout the class, I didn’t see even a glimpse of Elder Gideon.
Nighttime came— perfect.
I made sure Roy and Alex were fully asleep, then stepped out carefully. Afterwards, I sneaked to the student-only wing where the archives were kept.
My search would begin there. I might find something useful.
The hall was restricted to students at night, but this was my best chance to sneak in and get what I needed.
I moved past the guards easily, hiding in the shadows. My small size made it easier. The moment the guards turned away, I slipped past them. For some, I made low tapping noises to draw their attention elsewhere.
When I reached the library, I quickly opened the door— and suddenly jumped.
Anxiety swallowed me, beads of sweat forming on my forehead.
What would anyone be doing in the library so late at night?
I fixed my glasses and stood straight.
The person approached with a lamp in hand. I considered leaving before he got close, but as I opened the door, a guard was walking toward the library.
My heartbeat increased. The person with the lamp came closer and shone it on my face.
I turned sideways, covering half my face.
“Are you a student?” A soft masculine voice asked.
I nodded.
“Are you also here to read?” he asked.
I lowered my hand slowly and looked at him.
“It’s fine. I also sneak in here to read sometimes. You’re ranked 5.” He pointed to my collar.
I forced a tight, convincing smile.
He urged me inside and guided me through the shelves.
“Rank 5 students go through a lot in this school. It’s hard to become the best, no matter how hard you try.” He smiled. He looked almost my height, maybe a little shorter.
“Why do you still read then?” I asked.
“You accept defeat only when you stop trying.” His reply made me pause. He was right. I couldn’t give up— not now. Even if I had to ignore Chris and Lucian, I needed results.
“What kind of books are you looking for?” he asked.
“Anything that can get me in trouble?” I chuckled, and he laughed.
“Same here. My name is Tristan.”
“Elliot,” I replied.
“The library is huge. We can’t possibly go through all its mysteries.” He stopped at the end of the shelves, preparing to turn into the next row.
My eyes caught sight of a shelf against the far wall. My instincts nudged me toward it.
“I think I’ll start from there. You can go ahead with what you were doing,” I said politely, walking toward it.
A sound behind me made me stop and turn instantly. My torchlight landed on his face, and he fell on his butt.
“Tristan,” I called, helping him up.
He laughed sheepishly, wiping his trousers. He gave me a look— a look that said he wanted to tag along— and blinked like a cute puppy.
Oh Moon Goddess, I cursed under my breath.
Perhaps I should take him along, I thought.
“This is a secret. No one must find out,” I whispered. He nodded and followed behind.
We reached the last shelf. I shone my torch across the books.
Something felt off. I checked behind the shelf but found nothing.
Tristan walked up, gently pulling out a small book wedged between two large ones. I never would have noticed it.
The shelf creaked and opened to the side.
“How did you know that was what I was searching for?” I asked, curious.
“The books on this shelf — they all talk onn hierarchy and how the strong should rule. You didn’t seem like someone interested in that.” He smiled.
He appeared much smarter than he first seemed. I acknowledged.
We walked inside and the shelf slowly closed behind us. Tristan shivered as the door sealed.
The room was dark except for our torchlights. I looked around the walls, then turned immediately when I heard Tristan groan.
“Hey, are you alright?” I moved my torch toward him.
“I think I kicked something,” he muttered, clutching his toes.
In front of us was a cupboard— not particularly large. I helped Tristan up and handed him his torch back. I smiled widely when our hands brushed, and he looked stunned.
I quickly hid the smile, fixed my glasses, and turned to the cupboard.
“You—”
He started, then paused again. “Your hand… it’s so smooth,” he murmured.
“Stop babbling and come closer. Haven’t you seen a male hand that smooth?” I cleared my throat, deepening my voice.
“It’s just… as an omega, it’s rare to see one this flawless,” he replied.
I cleared my throat again. “I stayed with a distant relative who was a beta. I returned to my pack later and had to start school here.” Blowing my cover was bad—but being discovered would be deadly.
“Come over here and help me. I can’t find a way to open this.”
He grinned as he watched me struggle with the handle, trying to make it budge. I gave him a weird look.
“For a minute there, I thought you were a lady.”
My heart nearly stopped.
“But then again, that’s not possible. What lady would step into Moonlight High? Apart from it not being allowed, this place is a death trap.”
“Oh.” I forced a small laugh. I would have to be very careful from now on.
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