Chapter 7 - Expectations

Had I ever seen such a breathtakingly beautiful and elegant being before?

It was as if I were getting a taste of God’s existence for the first time. Just then, Keith’s expression changed subtly. Everyone, including me, could see a gradual smile taking over his expressionless face. However, that smile was for one person and one person only.

“Grayson.”

Keith brushed by, calling out someone’s name. Riding on the giant horse, Keith was somewhere much higher than that. I couldn’t even look up at him because of the rays of sun that showered from above his head. The only part of him that was allowed for me was his sweet scent—Keith’s pheromones that were shared equally with everyone in that space, not just me.

Just as I reached that thought, I felt unreasonably jealous. There was nothing between me and him, after all.

As if to prove this, Keith nonchalantly passed me and trotted toward another man. The man, also wearing his polo gear and sitting on top of a horse, was Keith’s kind. Anyone who saw his face would know that, thanks to his purple eyes.

He was the other one of the two Extreme Alphas in the school.

I fixed my gaze onto the man with the sweet honey-blond hair and amethyst eyes, which were the symbol of Extreme Alphas. His hair contrasted Keith Knight Pittman’s dark locks, and he was a stunner with a dazzling smile. Two men with outstanding looks, gathered in one place at that. Nobody would have expected something like this. Moreover, they were both Extreme Alphas.

“Holy damn, I’m gonna die.” Someone murmured, huffing like their breathing would fail them any second. 

Everyone on this field was probably thinking the same.

I heard frantic camera noises from beside me. Being able to capture not one but two Extreme Alphas in one shot was an opportunity given by God.

Even though I knew that, I hesitated. It felt somewhat embarrassing to just pull out my phone like everyone else and take pictures. Instead of taking out my phone, I continued to stare at him. I stared at Keith like I was trying to contain him within my eyes for eternity.

After talking for a while, they lightly high-fived each other and separated. People watched longingly as they moved to their respective positions, away from each other. Even then, the camera shutters continued to click.

Prrr, prrr. Keith’s horse blew raspberries in the air. The meaningless clopping of its hooves against the ground sounded particularly loud in my ears.

To be honest, I couldn’t hear anything other than sounds that related back to Keith. I stared at him blankly, practically licking him up with my gaze. When the game began and men on horses galloped across the field holding their mallets high up in the air, Keith was the only one I could see. It was as if he and I were the only ones that existed in this world.

Him, skillfully pulling on the reins. Him, swinging his mallet against the ball. Him, threatening his opponent as he sprinted with his horse.

I could even clearly see the droplets of sweat that were dripping from his forehead. My heart was beating so hard, it hurt. I subconsciously pressed my hand onto my chest. Somebody whispered from far away—whispered to me what this feeling was. That was when I realized. The fact that Keith was a boy, the fact that he was an Extreme Alpha, the fact that I was just a normal beta… None of that mattered to me in that moment. My heart thrashed about for Keith and Keith alone, and it was shouting obnoxiously.

‘Ah, I’m in love with that man.’

Just as the realization sparked inside my head, I suddenly noticed him galloping toward me. Keith was coming toward me, slowly, as if the scene was replaying in super slow motion. I blankly stared at this unbelievable reality. I didn’t hear people around me screech, and I didn’t hear what he was yelling out. All I could do was stare at Keith as he came closer at a pace that was much too slow.

Clank!

The sharp noise snapped me back to reality. Once again, however, my reaction was a few seconds too late. I heard people scream. When the momentary gap ended, my brain replayed the scene before my eyes like it was flipping through a film roll.

Crash! With a loud noise, Keith fell off the horse right in front of me. Screams burst out at this unbelievable sight. Staff members rushed in from all directions. The game was stopped. I watched as Keith sat up, wobbling side to side. All I did was watch.

Belatedly, I realized that the ball had flown to my face, that Keith had blocked it with his mallet, and that he had lost his balance and fallen off the horse because of this.