ALPHA UNIVERSE #6: CRAVING YOU

CHAPTER 30

Mark being extra protective was something Danielle had expected. But no one had warned her that he would also be extra clingy.

Their relationship was no secret—at least, not to their families.

With Mark's rut finally ending, Danielle's side of the family had been informed on the same day. Mark had personally driven her home, ensuring her safety even though she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself.

Irene had, of course, expected this outcome. The moment her daughter had come to her, declaring her intention to help Mark through his cycle, Irene had suspected they would end up mating. It was almost inevitable.

Not that it was an issue.

In all honesty, both families were completely fine with Mark and Danielle being together. Neither of them had bad reputations, both had promising academic records, and they were well-liked by their peers. Their families had welcomed their newfound bond wholeheartedly, their warm support strengthening the pair in ways neither had anticipated.

Still, despite how serious things had become, Mark and Danielle decided to have a little fun with their situation.

They chose not to tell their friends about their mating.

Well, Giselle was an exception—being Mark's sister, she had already figured it out and had a private talk with him about it.

But the game applied to everyone else, including their friends and the entire student body.

The catch? Their relationship wasn't exactly a secret. They just wouldn't announce it. Instead, they'd let people guess—let them piece it together on their own and ask the right question.

And if someone did ask? Well, then, they'd answer honestly.

That game started now, during the last two days of their exams.

"You're both so clingy," Chenle remarked, squinting suspiciously at them.

"Is that a bad thing?" Danielle asked casually, munching on a handful of Mark's chips without a care in the world.

Chenle huffed. "Well, okay, I get it—Mark's courting you."

Mark and Danielle exchanged a knowing look. There was no attempt to deny or confirm anything. Mark's admiration for her was evident in the way he gazed at his omega, his attention solely on her as she shamelessly stole the bag of chips he had bought for himself.

Not that he minded. In fact, he was just happy to see her eating well.

"I should really review," Renjun groaned, already overwhelmed, as he gathered his things. "I'm going nuts."

"Where?" Haechan looked up. "Let's study together."

"Me too. Come on, Jaem," Jeno said, standing up as well.

Jaemin, however, remained seated, continuing to munch on his food. "Why? I'm fine. I'll just have a staring contest with the test paper and—ah!" His protest was cut short as Jeno forcefully yanked him up, grabbing his bag in the process. Jaemin cursed under his breath, having no choice but to follow as the four of them headed to the library.

The others, however, decided to stay on the benches outside and study there.