The Rejected Alpha's Counselor

Chapter 10 A Century-like Fall

Nick’s POV

“Oh you haven’t heard of personality type?This is something relating to human psychology. I am not sure if it can apply to werewolves, too. But this theory does provide a novel perspective for us to investigate ourselves.”Ara gives Nick a brief introduction, “Letter I represents Introverted; Letter N refers to instinct. T means logic and plan, while the letter J refers to independence.”

“Your explanation makes me even more confused.”Nick mutters, “I want to know more.”

“If you’re interested in this field, I can recommend some psychological books to you. You may read them yourself because I am not a professional psychologist. I will feel guilty if I mislead you.”Ara shakes her head.

“I have a critical mind. Don’t you worry I would be misled.”Nick insists, “Tell me more, please.”

“Alright.”Ara can’t help but smile, “It is said that most INTJ types long for knowledge, and you just prove that point.”

Nick snorts and rolls his eyes, “Could be a coincidence.”

“You’re right. It will be wrong to categorize people by 16 letters. It underestimates the variety of human species.”Ara nods in agreement. She hesitates for a while and adds, “But I still think you’re a typical INTJ.”

“Why?”Nick raises his eyebrow.

“From my observation, you’re an introverted person. There are two ways for people to address their loneliness. One is to find a group of friends and hang out. They look for energy from the outside world to fill the emptiness in their mind. As for introverted person, they love to stay alone, for being with a group of people will not reduce but increase their loneliness. That’s why introverted people tend to alienate themselves from the public. It is not that they hate to join their friends or colleagues. It is just……”Ara pauses and sighs, “It’s just how their brain guides them to do. To save energy. For most of them, being with people is equivalent to an accumulation of stress and tiresome.”

Nick’s expression changes. He gazes at Ara’s face in disbelief. His heart thumps in his chest crazily. If feels like he is naked in front of her and she has seen through his soul.

How could this be possible? Is this woman a witch or something? She barely knows him, yet her evaluation is flawless. A part of Nick wants to accuse Ara of exposing his secret, but meanwhile, he cannot deny that his heart is filled with frantic joy.

His mind is understood.

His behavior is defended.

His true-self is acknowledged.

Nick tries hard to conceal his emotions like always, to stay cool or to criticize her analysis. But this time he fails. He suddenly loses the ability to speak, and the only thing he can do is remain silent and stares at her.

“Ah, it seems I am right about one thing. You’re indeed an introverted person.”Ara grins with a sense of pride.

“Is this witchcraft?”Nick murmurs, “You are reading my mind.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”Ara laughs, “But you know I am a werewolf. Otherwise, I can’t work here. All positions in the Moonlight company are exclusive to werewolves only. ”

What Ara states is unarguable truth, so Nick points out another possibility, “Or you just sneaked into the block I live in and installed the cameras in my yard. Perhaps you have been observing me day and night without my knowing.”

“That’s creepy. I have some kinky interests but I assure you that spying on people is not one of them. ”Ara laughs, “Besides, I didn’t know you until the lottery day. Your doubt is groundless. Your imagination is impressive, though.”

“Then how do you know? Tell me.”Nick asks eagerly. He hesitates for a while and adds, “Please.”

His humble attitude satisfies Ara’s ego tremendously. She beams at him and answers softly,“Because I had been through the same thing. I am introverted, too.”

“That’s all?”Nick is surprised again. He had thought she would offer him a complex explanation about how she analyzed him so profoundly. He never expects the answer is so simple.

“Yeah.”Ara senses the disappointment in Nick’s tone. She smiles, “You look like a kid who just knows the trick of a magician. I shouldn’t have told you the truth. Sometimes our happiness will be gone when the puzzle is solved. Have you heard of a motto? The less you know, the happier you will be.”

“I didn’t regret knowing the answer.”Nick shakes his head, “Thank you for telling me, or I may keep thinking about this question and cannot sleep well tonight.”

“Or it is just because you drink too much Americano. A coffee a day keeps sleeping away.”

“Maybe.”Nick can’t help but smile. The beast in his mind stirs again when Ara mentions his favorite.

He appreciates her sharp observation so much that it messes up his mind. Nick has always hated to be the focus of attention. When he was ten, he even used his birthday wish to pray, hoping someday in the future a giant wall could fall from the sky and be gifted to him. He would use it as a shield to shun his peers outside, especially those who disdain his trophy cup.

The wall didn’t appear, that’s for sure, or it would be a supernatural thing. And Nick has to rely on himself instead of waiting to be saved by the mighty force. So he builds up the wall on his own—an invisible wall erecting on his mind, which blocks uninvited guests outside. Anyone who attempts to get closer to the wall will be considered attackers. To secure the cozy zone behind the wall, Nick has to fight against them like a warrior. He would put on a mask, use either coldness or apathy to prove he is a heartless and terrifying figure. The trick is efficient and beneficial. Nick practised it again and again, and it works well every time until Ara’s arrival changes the whole situation.

Ara ignores his warning and doesn’t show any fear towards the thorns on the wall. Within two day she reaches the edge of the wall and lights a fire, burning all the thorns to ashes.

Nick can foresee what is going to happen next. Since all the barriers are cleared, as long as Ara takes another step forward and gives the wall a slight push, there will be a catastrophic downfall.

His mask together with his shield will be shattered into pieces and Ara will be the first visitor to his heart. Shame to admit, but at the bottom of his heart, Nick is longing for this moment and he will gladly show her around, letting her know who he truly is.

Unfortunately, it is impossible for Ara to know what Nick is thinking. She has no idea that Nick is ready to offer her the key to his heart. The stretching silence in the elevator makes her uneasy so she tries to say something.

“I informed the Moon that you like Americano, based on which it find you the first target.”

“Pardon?”

“Your first target.”Ara repeats once more, “The moon has found one for you. Her name is Mary, a waitress working in a cafe nearby. She is a nice person, sweet and has great communication skills. Most importantly, she is really good at making coffee, especially Americano.”

The smile on Nick’s face is frozen. He lowers his gaze and mutters, “You observed what I drink to collect information.“

“Sorry if this makes you feel uncomfortable.”Ara gives him an embarrassing smile, “You’ve told me you’re a private person, but I need to know something about you to help you find a perfect match. You are my client and this is what a counselor ought to do.”

Upon hearing this, Nick feels a piercing pain coming from nowhere. It is like an invisible dagger stabbing into his heart and making him bleed. He is confused about why he feels like this. Before he can understand what happens to him, the barrier in his mind rises. Hundreds and thousands of vines with thorns spiral upward, covering the whole wall in a blink of an eye.

That’s the moment when Nick’s rationale takes back control. How stupid he is to believe he can meet a soul who is curious and brave enough to explore his inner world.

Indeed, Ara is curious and brave, yet the only reason for her to get closer to him is due to the red-ball mission she intends to finish. She shows concern for him, not because she is interested in him but because this is her job. Once the mission is accomplished, the connection between them will be broken and Nick hates that idea. He wants to cherish the link between them even though he doesn’t know why he wants to maintain it.

It just feels right to let the bond continue.

It is at that moment Nick comes up with a plan, a plan too selfish to be known by anyone else.

He is determined to displease all the matches the Moon find for him, so that Ara will remain to be his counselor and stay by his side.

The strategy he intends to play is definitely indecent, but he is going to use it anyway.

He has been credited as the mastermind and he should live up to this title.

Having made up his mind, Nick replies with a smile, “No worries. Your observation doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, you can see me as a fort and explore me however you want.”

“That’s a generous offer, but it doesn’t sound like an ordinary invitation. Guess you’re not an ordinary person…”Ara muses and furrows her brows, “Anyway, what can I find in the fort? Bomb? Treasure chest? Or will I be shot to death by some poisoned arrows before I break the barrier?”

“Give it a try and you shall see.”Nick smirks and places his left hand on his chest,” I dare you to explore here.”

Ara is provoked. She narrows her eyes and accepts the challenge, “You have no idea. I will not only conduct a study on it but write a paper about it.”

Nick is about to say something when the descending elevator car comes to an abrupt halt and the door squeaks and opens. Ara walks outside and leads the way. She sets off at a quick trot to the lunch counter and greets the vendor with a bright smile. Nick watches her from behind and lets out a silent sigh.

He has a bad feeling that his fall for her just begins.

To make it worse, this is different from taking the elevator, as he can’t find a button to stop the falling.