"Did we see it right? Zion…is actually holding someone?"
Hearing those whispers from the crowd, Earl couldn't help but be a bit startled. Why were they gawking at them as if it were a sight they'd never witnessed before?
But more than that, Zion's absurd question had left him baffled.
All human bodies are supposed to be warm…so why was he asking such a stupid question in the first place?
However, the sensation of someone's warmth held an unfamiliar meaning to Zion.
Throughout his whole life, he was accustomed to living without knowing what it ever means to touch or feel someone!
Born with a chronic condition since birth, physical contact never meant anything to him.
It was often labeled as a condition no healer could explain, or a curse no one could fix, despite awakening the strongest wolf of the Clawrenge Pack.
However, when the Claudius Asteroid hit them a week ago, wiping off 60% population, following the apocalyptic premonition written in our sacred divine memoir…all of their wolves fell into a deep slumber.
And they weren't supposed to be awakened until the approaching Red Blood Moon night.
So at this point, everyone had given up their hopes on Zion's recovery, including himself.
But fate was a mystery to him until the end!
The moment his strong arms caught Earl, something awakened inside him… Not his wolf, but he could sense the power of his Supreme wolf Rhevan surging inside him, as for the very first time in his life, he felt a touch!
The warmth of his soft body nestled in his arms, the sound of his heartbeat pounding deep, and a soft, faint trace of scent emitting from Earl that he could sense instantly!
It wasn't like the other strong scents emitted by the greedy omegas who never missed a chance to climb up an Alpha's bed chamber to rise high in social status.
But this scent was too faint to be identified clearly, though he felt a little familiar with it despite it being the very first time in his life he had ever met Earl.
Everything was peculiar, yet still, Zion was elated inside like a little kid, having his prolonged curse cured like a miracle!
"Seriously." Earl squirmed, "Let go!"
Despite his struggle to break free from his grip, for some reason...Zion didn't want this feeling to disappear. His hold kept getting tighter around his waist, as if he would rather choose to confine him in his grip forever.
"Alpha Zion…" When someone from the crowd called nervously, it snapped him back to reality.
Reluctantly, he let go of Earl, and after gaining his awaited freedom, he seemed to run towards the building.
However, a crippling sensation surged through his veins the moment Zion realized he was aiming to run away from him.
And without realizing himself, Zion grabbed him by his wrist and started walking fast, leaving everyone startled, watching them from behind.
"HEY!" Earl nearly screamed this time, almost getting dragged off his feet.
"Where are you taking me!?"
"..."
"Are you kidnapping me? This is a crime!"
Still, there was no answer.
"What kind of psychopath kidnaps people in broad daylight!?" Despite Earl anxiously raising his tone, nobody dared interfere.
Especially not when Zion had a blank expression on his face, making him look scarier than ever.
But before Earl knew it, he was pulled behind one of the massive stone pillars lining the academy entrance.
The spot was hidden from the front yard of the building, and it was a blind spot for all the people gawking at them curiously.
But the moment they stopped, Earl yanked his arm back.
"Have you completely lost your damn mind—"
Before his words could finish, all of a sudden, Zion wrapped both his arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace.
Way tighter than before!
And it made Earl's mind go blank as he couldn't apprehend why he was pulled in his embrace…again?
"..."
"..."
"Hey...What's wrong with you?!" After a brief suffocating silence, Earl almost forced himself to speak.
But without any response, that lunatic clung onto him tighter.
"ARE YOU A FUCKIN' KOALA? Get away from me, ugh!" Earl raised his fist, almost ready to punch to knock some sense into this weirdo.
But that strong essence of sandalwood and jasmine tensed his body when he realized Zion was intentionally letting out more pheromones now that they were alone.
But strangely enough, his chest hurt. Not physically, but a complete unfamiliar numbness rose inside him.
A knot formed in his throat, making his eyes sting unexpectedly.
Before he could realize what was happening, he continued pondering, 'It seemed like a lost feeling I had felt after spending years missing someone I couldn't even remember. But how could that be possible?'
When the confusion weighed heavily inside his chest, he raised his fist slowly, and Zion didn't fail to notice that.
His amber red eyes darkened when, almost hesitantly, he touched Earl's shoulder.
Then his arm, his back. And it felt as if by touching, he was confirming if this feeling was real! And every time his fingers brushed against Earl's body, sparks raced beneath his skin.
Neither of them understood what was happening, but somehow it turned a bit worse when Zion's palm settled over Earl's chest, directly above his heart.
And then a deep whisper echoed into Earl.
"Now…you're cold."
"What?" Earl froze, unexpectedly hearing his murmur that sent shivers down his spine.
"I mean…your body feels cold now." Those dark eyes lifted to meet his as Zion continued, "But your heart... is beating very fast. Hearing the sound of your heartbeat feels nice."
Once again, the world felt silent between them.
Neither of them could look away as their faces unknowingly moved close.
Earl could feel Zion's breath falling over him. The charm of his dazzling face, along with every silver strand falling across his forehead, made Earl unable to look away, as if he were momentarily hypnotized.
Why was this happening? It felt wrong...but irresistible.
Just with that thought, the distance between them suddenly disappeared.
Just half an inch was remaining from Zion's lips, placed on him.
A hot breath flushed on his face, and at that moment, reality slapped Earl across the face.
"WHAT THE HECK!" Earl forcibly shoved Zion with all his strength, making him stumble backward
Both of them stared at each other with equal confusion and shock, while Earl pointed out accusingly, "What were you doing!? What was all that touching? If I hadn't stopped you then…wait…don't tell me, are you actually a pervert!?"