Chapter 155 My Angel | 048
AZREN
I'm not here for the lecture. The professor's voice is background noise, some droning explanation of supply chain logistics that I could recite in my sleep. My eyes haven't left Cooper since the second he walked in. He's sitting two rows ahead now, angled just enough that I can see the side of his face. I notice the way his shoulders tense every time Noelle silently laughs at something Blue says.
He's watching my wife.
And I'm watching him watch her. I've already run through the scenarios in my head.
Option one: drag him into an empty classroom, pin him to the wall by his throat, and ask very politely why his scent was all over her yesterday.
Option two: wait until the end of class, follow him to whatever sad little dorm or apartment he crawls back to, and have a longer, more... persuasive conversation.
Option three: skip the conversation entirely and just rip his fucking head off.
Cam's voice echoes in my memory from earlier this morning, annoyingly reasonable.
"If he's marked by magic, he might not even know. He could be a pawn. Kill him now and you lose the thread. Let him lead you to whoever's pulling the strings."
Zeta logic. Always thinking three moves ahead.
So here I sit. In a bubblegum-pink sweater because my wife thought it would make me look ugly. The joke's on her. Apparently, I look good in anything.
The professor dismisses the class, and students start filing out. I really can't believe I sat through two lectures without losing my shit. Worse, my head is still hammering. I can barely see through my left eye. I don't tell Noelle that, though.
Cooper doesn't move right away. When he rises to his feet, he slings his backpack over one shoulder and walks straight towards us with the kind of confidence that makes me want to break his teeth. Blair trails behind him, her cheeks flushed. Don't ask how I know her name. I know the name of every single person who happens to interact with my angel.
Cooper stops in front of Noelle's desk, smiles that easy, boy-next-door smile, and nods towards me.
"Hey," he says casually, like we're all old friends. "Who's this?"
Noelle's cheeks turn a bright pink. She opens her mouth, fumbling for a response. She's the absolute cutest.
To save her the stress, I lean forward, rest my elbow on the desk, and extend my hand.
"Azren," I say. "Noelle's future baby daddy."
Blue chokes on air, and Blair's jaw actually drops.
Cooper blinks, surprised. Then slowly, he takes my hand. His grip is firm. And yes, he presses hard, trying to... intimidate me? Funny.
I squeeze back just enough to make the bones in his hand grind together before letting go.
Cooper flexes his fingers, pain flashing across his eyes. Yet, his smile doesn't falter. Atta boy.
"Nice to meet you, Azren."
His eyes dart to Noelle, hopeful, then back to me. That's when I catch a whiff of Haden's scent. Something that reeks of dark magic and old blood.
Interesting.
Blue's voice slips into my head again.
'Alpha. Three hunters are confirmed to be armed. They are moving quietly through the east wing.'
I tilt my head towards her, our eyes meeting.
'Tell security to handle them quietly. They can't cause a scene,' I reply through the mind link.
'Copy that.'
Cooper is still talking, something about a study group, coffee and a club, "maybe you and your... friend can join?"
Noelle is stammering again, her cheeks flaming.
I lean back in my chair, drape my arm casually over the back of hers, my fingers brushing her shoulder.
"Sounds fun," I say mildly. "But Noelle's busy tonight. We can hang out tomorrow. And the day after."
Cooper's smile tightens, his gaze locking with mine.
"That's wild because Noelle could have answered for herself," he says.
Brave little fucker. He's one misstep from stepping on a landmine.
Noelle looks up at me, confused.
I lean down and press a soft kiss to her temple.
"Time for our date, Angel."
She blinks. "But—"
I take her hand and lace our fingers together.
"Your next class is in four hours," I tell her, and her jaw drops, her beautiful eyes wide with total disbelief.
"How do you even know that?" she whispers.
"I have my ways. Now, up you go, Angel."
....
The noise of campus surrounds us. Normal college things. Things I haven't experienced in... ever, really. During my college days, I was too afraid, too isolated and too depressed. But today? Today I want every single cliché.
"Where are we going?" Noelle asks, swinging our joined hands.
"Wherever our feet take us," I reply honestly, and she grins.
Our first stop is the ancient photo booth tucked between the student union and the library. It's one of those old-school ones with the ratty red curtain and the flickering neon sign that says "4 PICTURES – $3."
Except, I don't carry cash or small change.
I fish out my black Amex instead and tap it against the side of the machine. Nothing happens.
Noelle bites her lip, clearly trying not to laugh. "I think it only takes coins."
I glare at the machine. My head hurts even more.
My wife leans out of the booth and waves at two security officers sitting across the quad pretending to read newspapers. They're my men.
She doesn't know that.
I sigh. "Hold on."
I step out and walk towards them. Both men stand instantly.
"Alpha."
"Coins," I say.
They blink.
"...Coins?"
"For the photo booth."
The one on the left reaches into his pocket immediately and produces several quarters.
"Thank you," I say.
They both stare at me like I just broke their brains. Without another word, I return to the booth.
Noelle is biting her lip trying not to laugh.
I press them into the slot without breaking eye contact.
The machine whirs to life.
Noelle is already giggling behind her hand.
She's still giggling when I pull her onto the tiny bench. Her skirt rides up just enough that I have to swallow hard.
The screen flashes: GET READY!
I slide my arm around her waist, holding her close.
The first shot happens when I turn her face and give her the kind of kiss that says 'mine' in every language. Her hands fist in my sweater. The flash goes off, and pain spears behind my eyes.
By the second shot, she's breathless, her cheeks flushed, so I tip her head back and drag my mouth down the column of her throat. She whimpers.
By the third, she melts against me, her fingers tugging my hair.
The fourth captures a softer kiss, our foreheads touching.
The strip slides out, and we stare at it. Four perfect moments of us devouring each other. Noelle traces the edge of the photos with her fingertip. "We look..."
"Obsessed?" I supply.
"Happy," she corrects softly.
I tuck the strip into my pocket. "Keep that. It's evidence."
"Evidence of what?" She beams.
"That I'm completely ruined for anyone else."
Her breath hitches.
Next we wander towards the coffee cart near the fountain. I don't ask what she wants. I already know. I've stalked her long enough to know her preferences.
An iced caramel macchiato with creamy milk and buttery caramel drizzle.
Then I order a vanilla latte with cream for myself.
I hand her the cup, then I pull her to the low stone wall by the fountain. We sit, our thighs touching. I drape my arm around her, and she leans into me.
A girl nearby is blowing bubbles with one of those cheap plastic wands. She seems like a fresher. All bright and bubbly.
Noelle's eyes light up.
Before I can stop myself, I'm already walking over.
"Three bucks for the bottle," I tell the girl.
She gapes. "It's... it's just bubbles, dude."
"Five."
She hands it over instantly.
I return to Noelle, pop the cap, and hand her the wand.
She blows a stream of iridescent spheres into the air. They float between us, catching the afternoon sun.
A bubble drifts right past my face. I lean forward and kiss her. She laughs against my mouth.
We take turns blowing bubbles until the bottle's empty. Every few seconds I steal more kisses.
A while later, her lips are pink and glossy from kissing, and I'm half-hard and completely unbothered about it.
"Hungry, Angel?"
She nods, her eyes bright.
We end up at the old diner two blocks off campus. We slide into the corner booth. I pull her in close so her thigh is pressed to mine under the table.
She orders pancakes with extra whipped cream.
I order a burger and fries, mostly so I have something to do with my hands besides touching her constantly.
When the food arrives, she dips a fry in whipped cream and holds it to my lips.
I raise a brow.
"Try it," she whispers, her eyes literally dancing.
I lean in, accepting her offering. She watches me the entire time with gooey eyes.
We feed each other stupid things until the waitress is openly grinning at us like we're her favourite soap opera.
Under the table my hand finds her knee, slides slowly up her thigh, and stops just shy of dangerous territory.
Noelle's breathing changes.
I lean in, my lips at her ear. "You want to get out of here, Angel?"
She nods.
I pay and pull her out into the open. Her hand stays wrapped in mine.
"Best date ever," she whispers, and I grin, satisfied.
The smell of burning paper reaches my nose, and I frown, my eyes watering.
"Az?" Noelle whispers, worried.
The smell worsens until I'm actively tearing up. It's mingled with the scent of a strong incense now.
And that can only mean one thing.
The New Order.