ALPHA UNIVERSE #6: CRAVING YOU

CHAPTER 43

The long-awaited moment had arrived.

Finals were officially over.

Students, especially the seniors, could finally breathe again. No more stress-induced all-nighters. No more waking up with anxiety gnawing at their stomachs.

The campus was buzzing with relief, the air filled with the sound of laughter, excited chatter, and the occasional sigh of exhaustion.

Finally—easily the most overused word ever since the dean announced the end of the exams.

"Hey!"

Mark barely had time to react before an excited omega launched herself at him, arms wrapping around his waist. He let out a soft chuckle, steadying her.

"Oh god," Danielle groaned dramatically, burying her face in his chest. "I can sleep now! No more cramming, no more stress—just sleep."

Mark smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I'm proud of you, baby. So much."

Danielle pulled back, eyes sparkling with excitement as she beamed up at him. "Me too! I'm proud of you. Should we celebrate with a date?"

Before Mark could answer, a familiar voice chimed in from behind them.

"Nope. This is scheduled to be a squad hangout," Renjun reminded, his voice carrying a teasing edge.

Danielle spun around with a dramatic pout, but Mark, ever the comforting alpha, simply kissed her temple.

"It's okay, love. We can have our date after."

Renjun scoffed, crossing his arms. "Look at you. You planned this hangout yourself, and now you're trying to back out?"

"I'm not backing out," Danielle defended, but her lips were pressed into a small frown.

Renjun smirked. "And yet you're sulking like a puffer fish."

Mark chuckled, tightening his grip around Danielle's waist. "She's fine. Just a little on her mood swings."

Danielle shot him a glare before swatting his hand away. "Mark—!"

"Alright, alright," he laughed, but Danielle was already clinging to Renjun, dragging him toward their group.

Renjun turned back to Mark, sticking his tongue out like a child. The alpha let out a long-suffering sigh and followed close behind.

Mark eyed Danielle from across the table as she placed a slice of pizza onto his plate.

"Are you mad at me?" he asked cautiously.

Danielle hummed, taking a bite of her own slice. "Hmm? No."

Mark narrowed his eyes. "Really? Then what was that with Renjun?"

"I'm just playing with you," she said, not even sparing him a glance.

Mark let out a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Good god, love. Do you know how much anxiety you give me when you pull stunts like that? You walk away suddenly, and I start panicking, thinking I did something wrong."