Eyes still closed.
Legs trembling.
Then he just took one book from the shelves.
"Here," he said, stretching his arm out. "Take a look at this book."
I quickly snapped out of the moment.
It was as if I had just woken up from a very interesting dream. He looked at me with a tiny, knowing smile—one that almost mocked me.
It was the first time he had smiled genuinely at me.
"This book—Lost in the Ruins of His Heart—it's a really deep love story," he said with a tone that carried a strange joy. "It follows the journey of a girl searching for her identity."
I picked up the book, staring at the cover.
"It looks nice… but I don't think I'll like it."
"Well," he said, returning Remnants of Alpha's Blood back onto the shelf, brushing the spine gently with his fingers before sliding it in. Then he pulled out another book and handed it to me.
"Try this."
"It looks good," I replied, squinting at the cover. "But why can't I read the other one?"
"It's a bit too boring and sophisticated for you," he said casually, pulling on his jacket.
"Have fun," he added, turning and walking away.
Wow. That was the longest conversation we had ever had. Yet, I couldn't stop wondering about the book he didn't want me to read. There was something in his eyes when he put it back—something almost fearful.
As soon as he disappeared, I turned back to the shelf, my fingers aching with curiosity. But before I could even reach for it—
"Ma'am, it's dinner time," Clora called gently from behind me.
I froze.
I left the library that day without even reading the first page of the book.
But I promised myself I would return tomorrow.
— — —
I sat on the bed, lost in thought.
Of the moment when Levi held my hair. Honestly, I missed it.
I began to miss him.
A man who was a complete mystery to me… yet made me feel everything.
I tried to push the thought aside, but I couldn't. He had cut deep into my emotions, carved a place into me. And now, I wanted more than just the silence, more than just his presence.
I remembered what Clora once whispered to me:
> "No one has ever gotten close to Levi. The fact that he even looks at you—that's something."
That stuck with me more than I cared to admit.
The night passed quickly. Luthor didn't return to the room. He'd been out all night.
Our marriage ceremony had taken place barely a week ago, yet in those few short days, we had shared a room—even if in total silence.
Still, I could feel his presence beside me, quiet but powerful.
— — —
After breakfast, I rushed to the library.
Eager.
Curious.
Burning to know what was inside that book.
I moved as fast—and as silently—as I could. My hands shook as I reached the shelf where I last saw it.
But…
It was gone.
I searched twice. Three times.
It was really gone.
Someone had removed it. But who?
Could it be Luthor?
Or someone else entirely?
Suddenly, I was certain—someone in this mansion was hiding something from me.
Something I wasn't meant to see.
And that made me want to know even more.
My hands flew across the shelves. I began scattering books and boxes from their places, heart racing, eyes scanning every title, every corner.
I didn't find the book.
But I found something else.
I pulled one book from the shelf, and to my shock, it triggered a small click.
Then silence.
Then movement.
A soft creak.
Part of the bookshelf slowly opened, revealing a narrow, shadowed entryway—hidden within the wall.
A secret room.
I froze.
My heartbeat thundered in my ears. Fear tightened around me like a second skin, whispering don't go in.
But curiosity screamed louder.
With trembling steps, I moved forward.
The air was thick—dusty, cold, and still. The room smelled of paper, aged wood, and something metallic. Faint light filtered in through a vent above, casting slanted shadows on the walls. The door shut quietly behind me, as if swallowing me into its secrets.
Then I saw it.
A large corkboard on the far wall—covered in photos.
Dozens. Maybe hundreds.
They were connected by red strings, crisscrossing like a web.
Wolves.
Humans.
Wolves soaked in blood. Some dead. Some mangled. Faces I couldn't recognize—except one.
Mine.
Right at the center.
A photo of me—when I was a baby.
And all the red strings…
Every single one of them connected to me.
My breath caught. I couldn't move. I couldn't think.
I stepped forward, shaking, and my knee knocked into a table.
A dusty map slid off onto the floor.
I turned—and there it was.
A hand-drawn map. A detailed landscape labeled Setvastl.
Setvastl…?
No. That couldn't be.
A place that no official map in the world ever mentioned.
A hidden nation.
What was it doing here?
Why did Luthor have this?
And those wolves…
Were they connected to Setvastl's destruction?
Was he connected?
What did this all mean?
I staggered backward, my legs threatening to collapse beneath me.
Fear clawed at my chest. My skin prickled.
I couldn't breathe.
I stumbled out of the secret room, my hands grasping at the walls, gasping for air.
Air.
I needed air.
I gasped and gasped, cold sweat coating my back, heart thudding like war drums.
Then—
Blank.