The Stranger

"A book is like a doorway to another world, right?" Alessia said with a friendly smile, her brown eyes sparkling at the woman who had finally finished reading Wuthering Heights. Alessia was genuinely happy that there were still people interested in classic novels.

The woman, wearing a fancy black coat, stood up and walked closer to Alessia. "So, do you think Heathcliff's obsession with Catherine was love or something dangerous?" she asked, her voice strong and confident.

Alessia wasn't expecting the woman's question, but she thought for a moment before answering. "I think it was because of his past and how he grew up. He was a victim of his situation, and his love for Catherine was real, but very intense."

The woman looked surprised and angry. "Real? You call stalking and hurting someone you love 'real'? That's not love, that's control!" She slammed the book down on the counter, making Alessia jump.

Alessia was no stranger to angry readers, having been the owner of the bookstore and Library for a while. However, she had never seen someone react with such hatred after finishing a book. She had initially thought this specific woman was very interested, especially since she had been coming to the bookstore and Library consistently for a week.

"I understand what you're saying," Alessia replied calmly, "but we need to consider the time period and what the author meant—"

The woman interrupted, her voice rising. "Meant? Emily Brontë was a product of her time, but that doesn't excuse making abuse seem romantic! Heathcliff is a bully, and Catherine is a victim of his cruelty!" She shook her head, her long black hair swaying. "You're supporting harmful ideas by defending this book! People like you encourage young women to be in abusive relationships. I wonder when all this will stop."

Alessia stood firm, her voice steady. "I'm not defending abuse, but the value of the novel. It's a classic for a reason—"

The woman snorted, her eyes flashing. "Classic? That's just it – it's a classic example of men being cruel and blaming women! I won't support this trash!" She turned to leave, but before she did, she told Alessia, "I pray you never end up in that kind of relationship so you can tell the difference between an abusive one and a real relationship," and stormed out of the store, leaving Alessia shocked and unpaid. The book lay open on the counter, its pages fluttering like a spell book.

Alessia, being introverted, had no idea what to do when the woman left without paying. In fact, she felt really embarrassed as other customers looked at her with concern etched on their faces.

As Alessia picked up the book, a chill ran down her spine. She had always admired Heathcliff's passion and intensity, but the woman's words had planted a seed of doubt in her mind. Could it be possible that she had been romanticizing a toxic relationship all this time?

Alessia walked to the bookshelf and returned to the classic romance section to put the book back.

Taking a deep breath after she had replaced the book, she replied to the woman, who was long gone, with seriousness in her tone, "If I ended up in a relationship like Heathcliff and Catherine, I would ensure I never got away."

However, Alessia could only hope, as she had never been in a relationship, perhaps the woman had been in one and understood how it worked better than she did.

Putting that out of her mind, Alessia decided to continue with her day-to-day activities. However, it still burdened her for no reason. Nevertheless, Alessia would rather choose to be with a man who loves her greatly and would do anything for her which was a great example of Heathcliff than a man who cheats. In fact, men who are cheaters are increasingly prevalent, and that alone is more abusive than anything.

The evening was fast approaching, and it had been an extremely busy day for Alessia. It was already 7 pm, and she needed to get to the bar where she worked as a bartender every night. Alessia also worked as a librarian somewhere else during the weekends, adding up to three part-time jobs at once.

Since Alessia's father died a few years ago, she was left with her younger brother Finn, who was a young teenager, and her mother, who was battling cancer.

She had been trying her best to gather money for her mother's bills and at the same time pay her brother's school fees. No matter what, Alessia refused to let her brother end up like her. Alessia was a 20-year-old college dropout, which made it hard to find a good-paying job. She had to strive by all means.

Opening the door to their small apartment above the bookstore, Alessia was greeted by the tantalizing smell of dinner cooking on the stove. Finn was at the kitchen table, engrossed in his homework, while their mother sat nearby, reading a book. Despite her illness, she always made an effort to maintain a sense of warmth for Finn and Alessia.

"Hey, how was your day?" Alessia asked as she joined them at the table.

Finn looked up, a smile lighting up his face. "It was good. I finished my project for school."

Their mother looked up from her book, her expression softening as she looked at Alessia. "How about you, dear? How was work?"

Alessia shrugged, trying to brush off the earlier incident at the bookstore. "It was fine. Just the usual."

Her mother studied her for a moment before speaking. "You know, Alessia, it's okay to talk about your feelings. We're here for you, no matter what."

Alessia smiled gratefully, feeling the weight of the day lifting off her shoulders. She was grateful for her family's unending support even in tough times.

Later that evening, Alessia tucked her brother into bed and then kissed her mother, who was fast asleep. Despite the late hour, Alessia found it essential to take care of her family before leaving for her night job.

Alessia had never told her mother that she worked at a bar because she knew her mother would be upset and blame herself. It wasn't that being a bartender was bad, but Alessia's mother had been a victim of sexual assault in her teenage years as a result of working in the bar and Alessia knew her mother would hate the idea for herself.

Switching off the light, Alessia walked downstairs. She had forgotten to bring a book she had promised her coworker Agnes.

Agnes was a fan of lycanthropy, but Alessia had no interest in it, despite it being a topic in one of her bookstores, knowing that many young people, especially girls, found it fascinating.

As Alessia reached the bottom of the stairs, she walked over to the counter where she had left the book, only to be surprised to find an old book placed beside it.

She wondered who had left it there, as she had never seen a book like this in her store.

Intrigued, Alessia's fingers traced the spine of the old book, its leather cover creaking as she opened it.

The musty scent of aged paper filled the air, and she breathed it in, feeling a thrill of excitement for no reason.

Maybe someone dropped it here after it fell off one of the bookshelves. Perhaps, she might have not taken in the appearance of this book and thought it was like other books until she got a closer look.

However, Alessia was shocked when she opened the first few pages and discovered it was written in strange languages that she had never seen before. As quick as it was, the store's bell above the door jingled, signaling a customer's arrival.

Alessia's gaze lifted, meeting the piercing eyes of a stranger. He was imposing, exuding an air of confidence that made her uneasy. There was something about him that didn't quite add up, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She replied, not caring to let the person in. "We are closed for the day, come back—"

However, before Alessia could finish her words, the door opened, and her eyes widened, wondering if she had previously left the door unlocked.

As the imposing man took a step closer to her, Alessia walked backward, unlocking her phone to call the emergency number in case anything happened.

But as she was about to dial, she felt the man's proximity and how he suddenly threw away her phone. He replied, "You humans don't care about radiation at all?"

"Who... who are you? And why are you here?"

"Alpha Kael," he numbly answered as though it was the most boring question but he still had to answer her. He then added, "I have been on a hunt for two hours, looking for you, and now that you are here... I can't be more relieved."

Alessia was scared that something bad might happen to her, but she was more engrossed by the man's beauty.

Tall.

Dark hair.

Piercing yellow eyes.

Chiseled features.

Never had she seen someone like this...even in movies.

He looked more like one of the male leads she envisioned in her leisure time.

But wait... Alpha?

Who bears alpha as his first name? Or was it second name or just a nickname like the 'alpha male'?

When Alessia didn't say anything, Kael leaned towards her and then sniffed her, bewildering Alessia. She pushed him away, countering, "What the hell are you doing, psycho? Get off me!"

However, further stunning Alessia, Kael smirked before saying, "I wanted to know if no bastards have ever laid a hand on you, because you are mine to begin with."