Chapter 134: Predator's Game

Amelia's POV

I arrived at the university library fifteen minutes early, hoping to get settled before our study group began. The campus was quieter than usual, with most students already gone for the weekend. As I approached the grand stone steps, a sleek black sports car caught my eye—parked illegally in the faculty zone, of course.

My stomach tightened. I'd recognize that ostentatious display of wealth anywhere.

Daniel emerged from the driver's side, looking every bit the privileged Alpha in designer clothes. He spotted me immediately, his face brightening with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Amelia! You made it." He raised his hand in greeting, his posture relaxed and confident as he leaned against his car.

I clutched my backpack strap tighter. "I said I would."

He approached with that predatory grace I'd come to recognize, reaching for my hand. I instinctively stepped back, creating distance between us. His fingers closed on empty air.

"Still skittish around me, I see." Daniel's smile faltered for just a second before returning, slightly strained. "I was just being polite."

"Let's just focus on the project," I said, scanning the area. "Where's Jason? I thought our group was three people."

Daniel's expression shifted subtly. "Don't you remember? We agreed this morning after class that Jason would start the preliminary research and we handle the theoretical framework separately."

"And when exactly was I consulted about this arrangement?" I crossed my arms, feeling my wolf bristle beneath my skin. "Jason is part of our group. We should all be working together."

"I didn't think it would be a big deal." Daniel shrugged, but I caught the momentary tightening of his jaw. His fingers twitched at his sides, the only visible sign of his frustration. "It's more efficient this way."

"Call him," I said firmly. "Tell him to come join us."

Daniel stared at me for a long moment, clearly annoyed that his plan for alone time was being thwarted. A muscle worked in his cheek as he clenched his teeth. Finally, he sighed dramatically and pulled out his phone.

"Fine. If it makes you happy."

I watched as he dialed, noticing how his fingers pressed the screen harder than necessary. The call connected almost immediately.

"Hey, man," Jason's voice came through, loud enough for me to hear. "I've already done my research. We agreed I didn't need to—"

"Change of plans," Daniel cut him off, his voice suddenly dropping an octave lower. "Come to the library. Now. I'm not asking twice."

I flinched at the command in his tone—the unmistakable Alpha compulsion that hung in the air like electricity. For a split second, I saw Daniel's eyes flash gold, revealing what lurked beneath his human facade.

"I'll... I'll be there in ten minutes," Jason stammered before Daniel ended the call.

"Happy now?" Daniel asked, his charming smile sliding back into place as if nothing had happened. But beneath that smile, I could see the tightness around his eyes, the rigid set of his shoulders.

"Ecstatic," I replied dryly, heading up the library steps without waiting for him.

Jason arrived in seven minutes, not ten, looking slightly out of breath and more than a little nervous. His eyes darted between Daniel and me as he approached our table near the back of the library.

"Hey," he mumbled, sliding into the chair across from us. "Sorry I'm late."

Daniel had strategically positioned himself next to me, our chairs close enough that I could smell his expensive cologne. I subtly shifted away, creating space between us. His nostrils flared slightly at my movement, a flash of irritation crossing his features before he masked it with indifference.

"Let's get started," I said, opening my laptop. "Professor Montgomery expects detailed market analysis for this business proposal."

For the next thirty minutes, we worked through our research materials. I kept my focus on the screen, hyperaware of Daniel's proximity. Every few minutes, he'd find an excuse to lean closer—to point at something on my screen, to reach for a pen, to whisper a comment that didn't need to be whispered.

I was in the middle of explaining my section when I noticed Daniel's hand disappear beneath the table. His eyes flickered toward Jason with calculated casualness. Seconds later, Jason's phone vibrated. He glanced down, his expression morphing from concentration to confusion.

"I need to check some resources," I announced suddenly, standing up. "Jason, can I borrow your phone? Mine's almost dead, and I need to look up a reference."

Before either could object, I'd rounded the table and plucked Jason's phone from beside his notebook. The screen was still lit with Daniel's message: Find an excuse to leave for 20 minutes.

When I looked up, Daniel was watching me intently, his confident expression faltering as realization dawned in his eyes. His fingers drummed nervously against the table, and he swallowed hard, Adam's apple bobbing visibly. For a moment, he looked genuinely caught off guard—a rare sight.

I handed the phone back to Jason, making sure he saw that I'd read the message. His ears turned red, but to his credit, he met my eyes with something like apologetic solidarity.

Daniel cleared his throat, quickly recovering his composure. "Jason, would you mind grabbing those market analysis reports from the business section? We need comparison data." His voice was steady, but his right leg bounced rhythmically under the table—another tell.

Jason hesitated, looking between us. "Actually, I already downloaded those reports to my tablet. They're right here." He tapped his screen, turning it toward us.

The tension at our table thickened. Daniel's smile remained fixed, but I could see the slight twitch at the corner of his eye. His knuckles whitened as he gripped his pen too tightly. I placed my hand on Jason's tablet, offering him silent support.

"Then perhaps you could get us some coffee?" Daniel tried again, his voice deceptively light, though there was an edge to it now. He leaned forward, elbows on the table, his entire body radiating controlled tension. "The study session might run long."

"The café closed at five," Jason replied, his voice quieter but steady. "And the nearest coffee shop is fifteen minutes away."

I watched as something inside Daniel snapped. His facade of charm crumbled piece by piece—first his smile, then the relaxed posture, until all that remained was raw fury. His eyes darkened, pupils dilating as his wolf pushed close to the surface. The pen in his hand cracked under pressure.

"For fuck's sake, Jason!" he growled, loud enough that heads turned throughout the quiet library. "When I tell you to do something, you fucking do it!"

The Alpha command in his voice was unmistakable, causing Jason to physically flinch. Several students nearby stopped what they were doing, staring at our table in shocked silence.

"That's enough," I said, slamming my laptop closed. "We're done for today."

I shoved my belongings into my backpack, then turned to Jason. "I'm sorry about this. We'll continue another time." I gave him a meaningful look, and he nodded in understanding.

Grabbing Daniel's arm, I practically dragged him toward the exit, feeling the stares of every student in the library burning into our backs.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I hissed once we were outside. "You can't just command Jason like that in public, he's not your slave!"

Daniel jerked his arm free, running a hand through his hair. His breathing was heavy, chest rising and falling rapidly. "I didn't mean to—he was just being so difficult!" Frustration etched deep lines around his mouth as he struggled to regain control.

"He was doing his part of the project!" I fired back. "You were the one trying to manipulate the situation."

The evening air felt cool against my flushed skin as I stepped away from him. "I'm leaving. Next time, control your Alpha impulses or find yourself another group."

I turned to go, already fishing my bus pass from my pocket, when strong arms suddenly encircled my waist from behind. Daniel's chest pressed against my back, his scent enveloping me as he held me in place. I could feel his heart pounding against my spine, his breath warm against my neck.

My entire body went rigid. "Let. Go. Of. Me." Each word dropped like ice between us.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, my muscles tensing as I prepared to break free.

His grip loosened slightly, but he didn't release me. "Just a friendly hug," he said, his voice suddenly soft, almost pleading. "That's all. Nothing more. I promise."