ALPHA UNIVERSE #6: CRAVING YOU

CHAPTER 35

The sky stretched wide and blue as the young mates stepped out of their residential building, the crisp morning air wrapping around them like a familiar embrace. Their laughter mingled with the distant hum of the city, a soft symphony of contentment as they made their way to the car. The ride to school was filled with lighthearted conversation, punctuated by occasional bursts of laughter. Along the way, they stopped to grab takeout for breakfast, the aroma of warm food filling the car as they continued their easy chatter.

The contract for one of the available unit spaces in Lee's residential building had been surprisingly easy to secure—too easy, if you asked Mark. The young alpha had expected more resistance, but everything had fallen into place without much effort.

Even when their families had insisted on gifting them the unit, Mark had refused. He wanted to provide for Danielle, to prove that he could give her a home of their own. It became a point of pride for him, and he had fought—albeit competitively—to ensure they paid for it themselves. In the end, he had won the argument, and the satisfaction of doing so still lingered.

Their home was spacious and meticulously kept. Both Mark and Danielle had an almost obsessive tendency toward cleanliness, making tidiness effortless. Nothing was ever out of place, and their shared sense of order made their living space feel like a well-orchestrated sanctuary.

They had celebrated their fourth day of moving in with a small housewarming bash, inviting family and friends. The gathering had been warm and filled with laughter, their loved ones gifting them an abundance of household items—so much so that they never had to buy anything themselves.

Living together gave them a unique sense of freedom, a space of their own where they could just exist, just be. It was exhilarating—like claiming a territory that belonged solely to them.

By now, the fact that Mark and Danielle were mates was common knowledge. Finally, no one dared to make a move on either of them. Their bond was evident, unshakable, and those who once entertained the idea of pursuing them could only regret not considering their chances sooner.

The holiday season had passed, and now they found themselves in the thick of the most pressing semester yet. Final exams loomed over them, a weight that made each day feel heavier than the last. The tension was unavoidable, and for the first time, Mark and Danielle began to feel something unsettling between them—a disconnect they couldn't quite name.

"I'm home," Mark announced, his voice tired as he stepped inside. He slid his bag off his shoulders, gripping the straps loosely before placing it down.

"Elle?" he called, peering into the kitchen. Silence greeted him.

Following his instincts, he made his way to their bedroom, immediately sensing the familiar presence of his omega. He was about to call her again when his gaze landed on her.

Danielle was asleep at her study desk, her head resting against the open pages of her notebook. Pens were scattered around her, and her laptop screen still played a muted YouTube lecture. The faint glow from the screen illuminated her face, highlighting the exhaustion etched into her features.

Mark sighed softly and placed his bag on his own desk before walking over. Carefully, he removed the earbuds from her ears, pausing the video before rounding to the other side where he could get a better look at her. A small chuckle escaped him.

"I told you to rest between reviews."