Chapter 133: Uncertain Motives

Amelia's POV

I gripped my phone tighter, instantly regretting picking up. "Why?" I asked flatly.

"You forget that? We need to work on our project for Professor Montgomery's class," Daniel explained, his tone surprisingly professional. "I've gathered all the materials, but we need to review them together. Tonight would be ideal."

My immediate instinct was to refuse. "I can't. I'm working late." The lie slipped out automatically.

"The project deadline is next week," he pressed. "Look, I can pick you up from Westbrook—"

"No!" I nearly shouted, then lowered my voice, glancing nervously at Alexander's office door. "That's not necessary. Alexander would—"

"Misunderstand?" Daniel finished my sentence with a hint of mockery. "Come on, Amelia. This is strictly academic. Don't let your personal life interfere with your education."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache forming. "Fine. But I'll get there myself. We meet at the library, nowhere else."

"Perfect. Don't worry, I won't tell my brother about our little study date. This is just school stuff, nothing personal," he added with that infuriating smugness. "See you at school." The call ended before I could change my mind.

I stared at my phone, trying to make sense of Daniel's behavior. Just this morning, he'd approached me between classes with a completely different demeanor than I was used to. Gone was the predatory gleam in his eyes, replaced by what appeared to be genuine contrition.

"...I don't think friendship is in our future, Daniel," I'd replied cautiously.

"Then professional colleagues," he'd countered. "For the sake of our grades, if nothing else."

I'd reluctantly agreed, figuring this arrangement would keep him from harassing me further. And truthfully, I didn't need another enemy in my life.

Now, sitting at my desk at Westbrook Industries, I questioned his sudden change of heart. Daniel wasn't known for his altruism or personal growth. What game was he playing?

The Daniel I knew never did anything without an ulterior motive. Every smile, every gesture, every word was calculated for maximum advantage. I'd seen firsthand how he could switch from charming to cruel in an instant. This new, cooperative Daniel felt like the calm before a violent storm.

I tapped my pen against my desk, replaying our morning conversation. Had there been any tells—a smirk, a gleam in his eyes, anything to indicate his true intentions? Nothing obvious came to mind, which only made me more uneasy. Daniel was at his most dangerous when he seemed reasonable.

I remembered Ella's story—how her ex manipulated her emotions, built her trust, then shattered it completely. Was this the beginning of a similar scheme? The pattern was disturbingly familiar: isolate, befriend, betray.

Yet there was another complication: Daniel was Alexander's brother. Despite everything, they shared blood. If I maintained an openly hostile relationship with Daniel, it would eventually create tension between Alexander and me.

The thought of Alexander made my stomach knot with anxiety. We'd been navigating uncharted territory since that night at the bar—moments of tenderness interspersed with professional distance. I couldn't risk jeopardizing whatever was growing between us over Daniel. But lying to Alexander felt equally wrong, like a betrayal of the trust we'd been building brick by difficult brick.

His promise to keep Alexander in the dark only deepened my suspicion. If his intentions were truly innocent, why the secrecy?

I spent the rest of the afternoon distracted, unable to focus on my work. The memory of this morning's moment with Alexander—when I'd impulsively kissed his cheek before leaving his office—kept replaying in my mind. His expression had softened in a way that made my heart flutter. Now, every time I walked into his office to deliver reports, I avoided eye contact, afraid he might see the blush creeping up my neck.

As six o'clock approached, my anxiety peaked. I kept checking the time on my computer screen, calculating how long it would take to reach campus by bus.

"You seem to be monitoring the clock very intently."

I jumped at Alexander's voice. He stood in the doorway of his office, arms crossed, watching me with those penetrating blue eyes.

"I'm sorry," I stammered. "I didn't see you there."

"Clearly." His mouth curved slightly. "You appear to be counting down to something. Do you have plans waiting for you?"

I swallowed hard. This was the moment I'd been dreading. "Actually, yes. I need to get to campus for a study group. For a project that's due next week."

Alexander stepped closer, his eyes flickering with something I couldn't quite identify. "Study group? At this hour?"

"It was supposed to be in the afternoon, but I postponed it due to the job," I explained, the partial truth feeling just as bad as a lie, as I left out the most important detail: Daniel.

"Which class?" he asked, his casual tone belied by the intensity of his gaze.

"Modern Business Innovation with Professor Montgomery."

Alexander nodded slowly. "I could call Montgomery. Perhaps explain that your work here takes priority—"

"No!" The word burst out before I could stop it. The last thing I needed was Alexander interfering with my academics. "Please, I'd rather handle my school responsibilities myself. It's important I maintain some independence."

Something shifted in his expression—a flash of suspicion, quickly masked. He studied my face for a long, uncomfortable moment before finally nodding.

"Of course. You're free to go."

"Thank you." I grabbed my bag, relief washing over me. "I'll make up the time tomorrow, I promise."

"That won't be necessary," he said quietly. "Just be careful, Amelia."

The warning in his voice made me pause at the door. "I always am."

Outside, the evening air was crisp against my flushed skin. I hurried toward the bus stop, fighting the nagging feeling that I was making a mistake. Something about Daniel's sudden friendliness felt wrong, but I couldn't justify canceling—not when our grades depended on this project.

The city lights flickered on around me as dusk settled over the streets. The Westbrook Tower loomed behind me, its windows glowing like watchful eyes. I pulled my jacket tighter, suddenly feeling exposed and vulnerable. Every shadow seemed to hide potential threats, every passing car a possible follower.

My wolf stirred beneath my skin, sensing my unease. Danger, she whispered, though I couldn't tell if she meant Daniel or the lie I'd just told Alexander. Maybe both. My instincts had always been reliable, especially when it came to threats. But academic responsibilities couldn't be ignored either—I needed this degree, needed this normalcy, if I ever hoped to build a life beyond pack politics and wolf hierarchies.

As the bus approached, I cast one last glance at Westbrook Tower. For a moment, I thought I saw a figure in the top floor window—tall, imposing, unmistakable. Alexander. Was he watching me leave? The thought sent a shiver down my spine that wasn't entirely unpleasant.

What I didn't see was Alexander watching from the top floor window of Westbrook Tower, his tall silhouette outlined against the glass. I didn't hear his quiet command to the Shadow Guard waiting in the shadows.

"Follow her."