Chapter 9 The smell of old books and varnished wood hits me as soon as we step inside the library , and for a moment , I almost forget the tall , brooding man child trailing behind me . Almost Enoch sticks out like a sore thumb in this space , his massive frame blocking out the light filtering through the high windows His green eyes scan the shelves , lingering on the spines as if theyre relics of some forgotten world . This , I announce , spinning around dramatically , is my sanctuary . The only place where no one bothers me . I gesture at the books though Ive just revealed the Holy Grail . Enoch doesnt say anything he rarely does but his gaze shifts to me , soft and curious . He tilts his head , and its the kind of gesture that makes him look more of a clueless puppy than a man who just ripped the throat out of a rogue . Come on , Ill give you the grand tour . His footsteps are almost silent despite his size , which is honestly unsettling . For someone who looks like he could tear down walls with his bare hands , he moves like a ghost . I glance back to make sure hes still there , and hes watching me with this intense , unreadable look that sends a shiver down my spine . Stop doing that , I mutter . What ? His voice is low , raspy . He hasnt used it much . Staring like youre trying to decide if Im prey or just really annoying , I snap , pushing a book back into its place a little harder than necessary . Enoch doesnt reply , but the corners of his mouth twitch , and for a second , I think he might actually smile . See , this is where I spend hours pretending to do something productive while actually just snooping into centuries old gossip . I smirk , trying to lighten the mood . Enoch pauses abruptly , his eyes locked on a particular book . Its leather cover is cracked , the gold title faded but still legible : The Royal Hierarchy of the Werewolf Kingdom . Figures youd go straight for that , I mutter , stepping closer to him . You always have to pick the most ominous thing in the room , dont you ? He tilts his head , his fingers grazing the spine of the book . I take it down for him , flipping it open to a chapter I know too well . Okay , heres the gist , I say , pointing at a page with a symbol of the Alpha Kings crest . The Alpha King is the ruler of everything . The top dog . The big bad wolf . No one knows his name , no ones seen his face- except for his court . They say hes ruthless . He expanded the kingdom , annihilated rogues , and basically crushed anyone who dared to defy him . I flip the page , the image of the Alpha Kings symbol staring back at me . My throat tightens just looking at it . Taryn scared ? 1/5 11:40 SAL , 15 Mar A I glance at him started His eyes are on me , not the bok I swallow fondo acaud , Taay pickly , even to my pulse doing its best impressive of a drum solo Im angry . Hes rauch je jammable for parents death Istoge myself , shaking my head ever mind , 1 por I need to meet him Fooch ribs las head again , like hes processing my words You meet him Thats the plan I mutter , closing the book with a sharp snap . If Lever get the chance , love him a piece of my mind And maybe get revenge for what me and my other had to go through when the park was attacked Why ? His brows former , and he looks genuinely puzzled , like the idea of me wanting to meet a man 1 clearly despice dont compete Its personal , I say shortly , shoving the book back on the shelf . My fingers tremble , and I hate that he notices Me I blink at him What ? Enochs chest puffs out , and he taps his own chest with a finger . Defeat Alpha King I burst out laughing before I can stop myself . His serious expression doesnt budge , which only makes it funnier Oli , sure , I say , wiping at my eyes . Youre going to waltz into the Imperial Palace and challenge the most powerful man in the kingdom . Thatll go over great . Will , he insists , his tone unwavering . I wipe a tear from my eye , still laughing . I sigh , patting his head like hes an overconfident toddler . Alright , tough guy . Lets work on you not scaring Omegas into fainting before you take on the kingdom . As if on cue , an Omega pokes her head into the aisle , impatiently glancing at me Taryn , the headmaid is asking for you . Of course she is . 1 turn to Enoch , whos now staring at the Omega like shes the most confusing thing hes ever seen . I sure hope hes not thinking of killing her just because Ive been taken away again . For fucks sake TLOW . ke this guy has given me traumas n Stay here . Dont touch anything , dont scare anyone , and for the love of all that is holy , dont rip anyones throat out . I glance at Enoch . Stay here . Dont touch anything that looks important . He nods , but his puppy dog eyes follow me all the way to the door , making me feel like I just left a golden retriever behind in a thunderstorm . Goddess , I sure hop hes going to be okay . The meeting quarters are already buzzing when I walk in . 2/5 Chapter !! Omegas dan around , holding talu i swatches and flower arrangements . The air is thick with the scent of fresh parchment and nervous energy For years , this has been my dentiain . The Mating Hall is my thing the one time I get to call the shots , even if its just about decorations and seating charts , So , when I see someone sitting in my chair at the head of the table , my steps falter . The chair swivels , and there she is Seraphina , in all her smug , perfectly manicured glory . The chair swivels slowly , and there she is . Seraphina , Her perfect red lips curl into a smile thats more predatory than friendly . Taryn , she purrs , her voice dripping with faux sweetness . The headmaid clears her throat , completely oblivious to the tension thick enough to cut with a knife . Seraphina will be joining the planning team this year . Wonderful , I say through gritted teeth . Im sure her … insight will be invaluable Seraphina leans forward , her red lips curling into a predatory simile . Ive always thought the Mating Ball could use a touch of elegance . Dont you agree , Taryn ? I bite back the urge to tell her where she can shove her elegance . Instead , I nod , my nails digging into the parchment in my hands . This is going to be a nightmare . I sigh , pinching the bridge of my nose . Before I can say yes , no , or tell her to shove her faux elegance where the moon doesnt shine , the door flies open . Taryn ! An Omega practically tumbles inside , eyes wide with panic . Your boyfriends causing another commotion ! Boyfriend . Its been , what , two hours since I dumped Enoch in the library ? I dont even have time to correct her terminology before Seraphina smirks . Looks like youre busy , she purrs . Well take that as a decision to create our own plans . I clench my teeth so hard Im surprised they dont shatter . Without a word , I storm out , the sound of her satisfied hum echoing in my ears . Fuck her . The library is a battlefield . Blood stains the floor like some macabre warning sign , and a man is curled up near the shelves , clutching his face , which is leaking red all over his shirt . Another one is slumped in the corner , looking like hes seen a ghost or maybe Death itself . And then theres Enoch . Hes on his knees in the center of it all , towering even while crouched . His chest rises and falls with unbothered calm , but theres this … aura around him . A pulsing , suffocating energy that screams danger . Its not something you can see , but you feel it down in your bones . As though gravity just got ten times heavier , begging you to bow . 3/5 Chapter 9 Except these idiots arent bowing . Theyre punching . What the actual fuck ?! I yell through their lourd kicks No one stops . Fists keep flying , and Enoch just takes it , his head snapping to the side with every blow , as if hes testing how much damage he can absorb before he breaks , Spoiler alert : its a lot . Hes your freak of a boyfriend ! one guy snarls , throwing another punch that lands with a sickening crack against Enochs jaw . -Stop it ! I scream , rushing forward , but another voice cuts through before I can reach him . Its not loud , but it doesnt need to be . Kallias strides into the room like the self important asshole he is , and for once , Im grateful for his god complex . The air shifts again , lighter now but no less tense . The group freezes , their fists mid air , and Kalliass eyes sweep over the scene as though inspecting his property for damage . Get out , he orders , sharp enough to gut . They dont even hesitate this time . One by one , they slink away , their gazes flicking between Kallias and Enoch like theyre deciding which one is scarier Id bet if Enoch is . Even when hes the one out here on battered on the floor . As soon as the last one bolts , Kallias turns and strolls to a nearby table , casually flipping open a book . Seriously ? I snap , glaring at him . Youre just reading now ? He doesnt even look up . Typical I let out a frustrated huff and kneel beside Enoch , whos sitting in the middle of the chaos like a bloodied statue . Are you okay ? I ask , cupping his face . His skin is warm under my palms , and my fingers come away slick with blood . Enoch blinks at me , then points to the kid in the corner the one who looks like hes two seconds away from passing out . Juice , he says simply . My brain short circuits . What ? Spilled juice , he clarifies , his voice calm . Too calm . On new shirt Taryn gave . I pull back , staring at him with wide eyes . You beat the shit out of him … over juice ? Enoch nods . Oh my fucking- I cut myself off , dragging a hand down my face . You cant just Jesus , Enoch . You cant go feral over laundry ! People bleed when you do that ! He tilts his head like a confused puppy , then frowns . You said no kill . My stomach drops , What ? I whisper , barely audible . 4/5 Chapter 9 No kill , he repeats , pointing at the bloody mess of the man on the floor . Didnt kill like you said . Hes saying he didnt kill him so its okay ? Theres no remorse in his tone . No understanding of why this is so horrifying . He looks so … innocent , even now , He doesnt understand what hes done , only that hes followed some arbitrary rule I set for him . And the worst part ? He kinda did . I take a shaky breath and pull him to his feet , wincing when he winces . Lets … lets get you cleaned up before you traumatize anyone else . He doesnt argue , just follows me out of the library , his massive frame towering over mine . I can feel Kalliass eyes on us as we leave , but I dont turn around . I dont need to see his smug expression to know its there . Back in my room , I sit Enoch down on the floor , grab a wet cloth , and start wiping the blood off his face . Its quiet except for the sound of my own heartbeat thundering in my ears . You know you cant keep doing this , right ? I mumble , more to myself than him . Enoch just stares at me , unblinking Gamma Abel put his trust on me about you . That you won be causing any chaos . When I finally meet his gaze , he smiles . Not the warm , reassuring kind . No , this ones sharp and unsettling . Good ? he asks , leaning into my touch . And damn it , I almost laugh . Not good , I mutter , shaking my head . But well work on it . Because what else can I do when it was me who decided ot babysit an am Discover our latest featured short drama reel. 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