Chapter 4

Stella's POV

After returning from the equipment room, I went to the library to pretend to study. Jax's cologne still lingered on my clothes, that woody scent reminding me of his weight pressing down on me earlier.

Damn it, just thinking about it is making me wet again...

Alexander pushed through the door, walking straight to my table. His nose twitched slightly, like a bloodhound picking up a scent.

"That's an interesting fragrance," he sat across from me. "New perfume?"

My heart started racing. Shit, is Jax's scent that obvious?

"What fragrance?" I tried to stay calm.

"The smell on you," Alexander leaned closer, eyes narrowing. "Smells like men's cologne... very familiar."

I'm screwed. What if he recognizes it?

"Probably just passed by some guy in the library," I casually flipped a page. "It's crowded in here."

Alexander suddenly grabbed my wrist, gripping hard enough to hurt. "Stella, you've changed a lot lately. Cold, secretive, and these strange scents. What are you hiding?"

"I'm not hiding anything!" I yanked my hand free. "YOU'RE the one who's changed, Alexander. You're monitoring me like some kind of psycho."

His eyes flashed with angry flames. "If you're not doing anything wrong, why are you so nervous?"

Just then, Alexander's phone rang.

"Mom?" He answered, voice instantly becoming gentle. "What? Now? Okay, I understand."

After hanging up, he looked at me. "My parents want to video chat, they want to see you. You need to come back to the dorm with me."

Damn it.

"I have class..."

"Cancel it." Alexander's tone was ice cold. "This is important."

---

Alexander gripped my wrist tightly, practically dragging me into the dorm building. I could feel the sweat and angry trembling in his palm.

When did this asshole become so controlling?

In the elevator, Alexander said nothing, but I could feel him suppressing something.

When the elevator doors opened, we walked toward their suite. Just as Alexander pulled out his keys, we could hear the TV from inside.

The door opened and we walked in to see Jax sitting on the couch playing video games. Seeing us enter together, his expression instantly stiffened.

"Hey," Jax forced a smile. "You guys came back together?"

"Yeah," Alexander casually put his arm around my shoulder. "My parents want to video chat with Stella."

I could hear Jax's fists clenching. He tried to maintain surface calm, but his eyes cut through me like knives.

Sorry, Jax, I don't want this either...

Alexander's Room

I was forced to sit beside Alexander, facing his laptop screen showing the kind faces of the Thompson couple.

"Stella, sweetheart!" Mrs. Thompson waved enthusiastically. "We missed you! Alex said you haven't been feeling well lately?"

"I'm fine, Mrs. Thompson," I forced a smile while cursing internally. "Don't worry about me."

"That's good," Mr. Thompson smiled. "Alex, you need to take good care of Stella."

"I will, Dad," Alexander held my shoulder, playing the perfect boyfriend in front of his parents.

Hypocritical bastard.

The video chat lasted twenty minutes, with Alexander constantly holding me, his hands occasionally roaming my body, showing extreme possessiveness.

The moment he hung up, his expression immediately darkened.

"Now no one's interrupting us," Alexander's hands became rough. "Stella, it's been so long since we..."

"Let go of me." I said coldly.

"Why?" His hand slid toward my thigh, eyes becoming dangerous. "You're my Omega, this is normal."

"I said LET GO!"

"You think you can avoid this?" Alexander suddenly exploded, violently pinning me to the bed. "You smell like another wolf, you think I can't tell? You unfaithful BITCH!"

Rage surged through me. I pushed him off with all my strength and slapped him hard.

SMACK!

The sharp sound echoed through the room, Alexander's face instantly swelling red.

"You DARE hit me?" He held his face, incredulous.

"You tried to force me!" I scrambled off the bed. "You deserved it!"

"Force you? I'm your ALPHA!"

Alexander tried to lunge at me again, but suddenly there was knocking at the door.

"Alex?" Jax's voice came from outside. "Coach just called, there's an emergency meeting, you need to go right now."

"What meeting? I'm not on the football team." Alexander frowned.

"It's a joint project meeting between the business school and athletics department," Jax's voice sounded urgent. "Coach says you signed up?"

Alexander looked at his phone puzzled - there was indeed an unread email.

"Shit, I forgot about this," he hurriedly grabbed his jacket, then turned to me menacingly. "Stay here. We're not finished."

After the door slammed shut, I collapsed on the bed, shaking all over.

A few minutes later, the door quietly opened and Jax walked in.

"Are you okay?" He quickly came to my side, gently touching my swollen cheek. "I heard sounds..."

"If you hadn't showed up..." Tears began falling. "He almost..."

"I won't let anyone hurt you." Jax pulled me into his arms, voice filled with suppressed anger. "Including him."

I felt the warmth of his embrace, a sense of safety washing over me. "Jax, that meeting... is it real?"

"Of course it's real," Jax gently stroked my hair. "There really is a joint project between business and athletics. I reminded the coach to add Alexander to the list. He'll be busy for at least two hours."

I sighed with relief. "You planned this?"

"From the moment I saw him drag you back here," Jax's eyes became tender. "I couldn't just watch him hurt you."

I looked up into his gray eyes, overwhelmed with emotion. He always appeared when I needed him most.

"Come on," Jax stood up. "Let's go to my room, it's safer there."

Once in his room, Jax gently embraced me.

"Are you sure you're okay?" His hands softly rubbed my back. "If he actually hurt you..."

"I'm fine," I leaned against his chest, feeling his heartbeat. "As long as you're here, I'm fine."

"Stella," Jax pulled back slightly, gazing into my eyes. "Seeing you come back with him, I was insanely jealous."

"I didn't want to..."

"I know you have your reasons," he gently kissed my forehead. "But someday, I want the whole world to know you're my Omega."

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his lips. This kiss was light and tender, without the previous desperate desire, just pure emotion.

"I love you," I whispered against his lips. "Jax, I really love you."

His eyes instantly became intense, but instead of rushing into passion, he held me even more tenderly.

"I love you too, from the moment I first saw you."