[EDITING] ALPHA UNIVERSE #5: DESIROUS

CHAPTER 14

The sound of their footsteps echoed ominously through the hallways, each step resonating with an unspoken tension. It felt as though the weight of the world pressed down with every footfall, like an unrelenting boulder rolling over the earth or the faint tremors of an impending quake. The bustling crowd on the third floor only added to the chaos—students flitting between classes and lingering outside the dance studio doors, their chatter a constant backdrop.

Harin adjusted the strap of her bag, exhaustion evident in her movements. She had taken two days off for sick leave, and in her absence, at least four classes had been rescheduled, leaving her with back-to-back three-hour sessions today and tomorrow. She had just wrapped up the first one, the morning having been a blur of music, movement, and corrections. Now, it was nearly noon, and her growling stomach reminded her it was time for lunch.

As she made her way down the hallway, her eyes caught sight of someone familiar.

Lee Jeno.

The sight of him hit her like a jolt of electricity, emotions surging through her veins and tightening her chest. She clenched her hands into fists, her knuckles whitening before she forced herself to relax.

Nothing happened. It's over, she told herself, repeating the mantra like a prayer.

During those two days of absence, Harin had tried to convince herself that everything was fine. The invisible strings tying her to him had been severed, or so she claimed. She had barricaded herself in her apartment, riding out her tumultuous thoughts and her cycle in isolation. And yet, no matter how much she denied it, the thought of the pureblood lingered like an intoxicating whisper in her mind.

She wanted more of him.

His touch. His teasing remarks. The quiet dominance he exuded so effortlessly.

No, she scolded herself. It's done. I'm not going back. Harin would rather face her end than admit defeat.

But the universe had other plans.

"I know you," a young male voice broke the tension. One of the students—an omega—had approached Jeno.

"I've seen you somewhere before," the omega said, his head tilting curiously as he studied Jeno with wide, searching eyes.

Jeno barely spared him a glance, his expression unreadable. The omega tilted his head further, a thoughtful hum escaping him as he pieced together the image in his mind.

"You're... BJ Cris, aren't you?"

Jeno's eyes widened momentarily before he let out a quiet scoff, the faintest hint of amusement curling his lips.

Are omegas always this bold?

The young omega grinned, oblivious to the tension, and continued, "Yeah! You totally look like him. Same build, same vibe. I'm sure of it now."

Harin watched the scene unfold from a short distance, her lips quirking into a faint, teasing grin. Jeno's gaze darted to her for a fraction of a second, a flicker of annoyance flashing in his eyes.