If for some \( \alpha, \beta : \alpha \le \beta \), \( \alpha + \beta = 8 \) and \( \sec^{2}\!\left(\tan^{-1}\! \alpha \right) + cosec^{2}\!\left(\cot^{-1}\! \beta \right) = 36 \), then \( \alpha^{2} + \beta \) is ______.