Claire didn’t expect to see him again so soon.
But two days later, there he was—leaning casually against the wall outside her lecture hall, like he had all the time in the world. Like he knew she would walk out that exact door.
She slowed down when she noticed him. Her first instinct was to turn away, to avoid the attention. That’s what she always did.
But she didn’t.
“Claire,” Justin said, straightening slightly as she approached.
“You’re waiting for me?” she asked, unable to hide the surprise in her voice.
“Yeah,” he said simply. “Is that a problem?”
She hesitated for a second. It should have been. An Alpha waiting like that—so direct, so intentional—usually meant pressure.
But again… she didn’t feel it.
“No,” she said quietly. “It’s just unexpected.”
A faint smile touched his lips. “Good. Then come with me.”
It wasn’t a command. But it also wasn’t a question.
Claire felt that same strange warmth return, stronger this time. Instead of resisting, she nodded and followed him.
They didn’t go to a crowded place. Instead, Justin led her to a quieter part of campus, where the noise faded into the background. A small path, lined with trees, almost empty at this hour.
It felt… private.
“So,” Claire said, trying to sound casual. “You just decided to find me again?”
Justin glanced at her. “I told you. You’re interesting.”
She looked away, slightly uncomfortable—but not in a bad way. More like she didn’t know what to do with that kind of attention.
“I’m not that interesting,” she said.
“You are,” he replied calmly. “You just don’t act like it.”
The words stayed with her longer than they should have.
They walked side by side, slower now.
Claire noticed something she hadn’t realized before—Justin never rushed. Not his steps, not his words, not even the way he looked at her. Everything about him felt controlled, deliberate.
And strangely… safe.
That realization caught her off guard.
“You’re different today,” he said suddenly.
Claire blinked. “What do you mean?”
“You’re not shrinking,” he said. “Last time, you were holding yourself back. Now… not as much.”
She frowned slightly. “I don’t do that.”
Justin stopped walking again.
Claire turned to face him.
“You do,” he said, not unkindly. “You make yourself smaller around people. Especially Alphas.”
There was no accusation in his voice. Just observation.
Claire crossed her arms lightly. “Maybe that’s just how it’s supposed to be.”
“According to who?”
She didn’t answer.
Because she didn’t actually know.
The silence between them wasn’t awkward. It was heavy, but in a way that pulled her in instead of pushing her away.
Justin stepped a little closer. Not enough to invade her space—but enough that she could feel the shift.
Claire’s breath slowed.
“You feel it, don’t you?” he said quietly.
Her eyes lifted to his.
“Feel what?” she asked, though she already knew.
“That you’re not what you think you are.”
Her heart started beating faster again.
This time, it wasn’t nerves.
It was something sharper.
More alive.
“I’m an Omega,” she said, but her voice didn’t sound as certain as before.
Justin studied her for a moment, then shook his head slightly.
“No,” he said. “You just learned to behave like one.”
The words hit deeper than anything else he had said.
Claire felt it—something inside her reacting, pushing back, waking up. A quiet resistance she had never allowed herself to feel before.
For a second, she wanted to argue.
To prove him wrong.
But instead… she stepped closer.
Just a little.
The distance between them almost disappeared.
Justin didn’t move.
He just watched her.
And that made it worse.
“Why are you doing this?” she asked softly.
“Doing what?”
“Looking at me like that.”
His expression didn’t change, but his voice dropped slightly.
“Because you’re starting to look back.”
Claire froze.
And realized—
he was right.
The air between them felt heavier now. Charged.
She could feel his presence more clearly than before. Not overwhelming… but undeniable.
Instead of shrinking away, her body leaned into it. Subtly. Instinctively.
That scared her.
And excited her at the same time.
Justin stepped back first.
“Good,” he said quietly.
Claire blinked. “Good… what?”
“You didn’t step away.”
Her pulse jumped again.
He turned slightly, starting to walk again. “That’s enough for today.”
Claire stood there for a second, confused.
“That’s it?” she asked.
Justin glanced back at her.
“For now.”
She watched him walk away, calm as always, like nothing had happened.
But something had.
Claire could feel it. That warmth inside her wasn’t soft anymore. It was growing.