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CHAPTER THREE

RIVER

S chool has been in session for a week, and I’m not any closer to figuring out what makes this pink-haired beta tick. Brooks is pissed Camden seems to be the teacher’s pet in the economics class they’re in together, but only because Mr. Kennedy wouldn’t let Brooks fuck with him.

My lips twitch as I walk through campus to meet up with Lee, to see what he’s managed to dig up. Lee is compulsive, obsessive, and paranoid, but he always has a reason for it. If he says there’s something fucked up about Camden, then I believe him.

I’ve also never met anyone as anxious and twitchy as this little beta. There’s secrets swirling in his gorgeous cornflower blue eyes, and I want to know what they are. Then I want to punish him for them.

Fisting my right hand, I blow out a breath slowly, pulling back my anger at the unknown. My pack runs this campus, which means we make it our business to know everything that happens within it. The little beta reminds me of a scared rabbit, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than a good hunt.

“I know that look in your eyes. You’re thinking about chasing someone, aren’t you?” Lee asks, stepping out of the shade provided by a tree. The shadows are so dense in the late afternoon, it appears as if he walked out of thin air.

Lee definitely enjoys his theatrics. It doesn’t help that he can walk almost silently.

“You need a bell,” I growl, watching him smirk as he falls into step with me. “You’re also not wrong. A certain beta’s mouth is on my mind.”

His pouty lips are making me crazy, especially since he’s always worrying at his bottom lip with his teeth.

“I’ve been watching him, and doing some more digging,” Lee drawls as we walk together. This is a debriefing of sorts before I go to my next class. The beginning of school is always very busy. We’re working stalking into our schedules.

“And?” I asked, my eyes rolling over to gaze at him. “Lee, you’re straining my patience.”

“What patience?” the cheeky bastard asks with a dark smirk. “He hasn’t been doing much of anything, River. Camden goes to classes, has a caffeine addiction that may explain the twitchiness, and occasionally hangs out with Jamie.”

“Maybe we need to pull him out of his bubble,” I murmur, already imagining all kinds of depraved and wicked things.

“Don’t scare off the rabbit,” Lee cautions. “Brooks said he ran out of his class, and all I can imagine is that the hounds of hell were following him.”

“You have your poetic moments, but the little beta should know that if he runs from me, I’ll be more than willing to chase him,” I murmur. “Keep digging. Find out what his cash flow situation is like. There are plenty of students looking for work right now.”

“Speaking of that, I’m working an angle. I haven’t had a lot of time yet to put it into action, but I overheard him muttering to himself when he walked past the job board in the Student Union,” Lee says. “Camden tends to talk to himself when he’s thinking really hard about something.”

The little beta is adorable, and while that would endear him to anyone else, it just makes me wonder if he’d cry for me while gagging on my cock.

“Are you thinking about jobs he can do that we can control?” I ask as my building comes up in front of me.

“You know it,” Lee grunts. “He’s in that building too for his second to last class today. You need to work off some of that dark energy or you’re going to make someone piss their pants.”

Grinning, I nod as I part ways with Lee. He’s right, I want to hunt, fuck, and destroy. Brooks has football and hides his own chaotic darkness by leaving it out on the field. However, I have to take it out on the weights in the gym, or by terrorizing the freshmen who make the mistake of pissing me off in some way or another..

It’s a rough job, but it’s working for me. Doesn’t hurt that it helps keep the school in check and people in their place.

Stalking through the door of the History building, I snarl at a guy to move out of the way. His strangled yelp makes my lips curl into a smirk as I take the stairs two at a time. I’ve memorized Camden’s schedule, but prefer to watch him from the shadows. I make sure he sees me occasionally to watch him jump.

People without secrets shouldn’t be that damn twitchy, regardless of the amount of caffeine he ingests. Frowning, I move down the hallway of the second floor, leaning against the wall as I watch the door, four doors away from me, open. It’s the perfect place to watch students empty out of the classroom. Settling in with my tattooed arms crossed over my chest, I wait for Camden to appear, glaring at anyone who isn’t him.

The little beta is taking forever, my mood getting darker as I wait. I am not patient, though it’ll be much sweeter when I unleash my version of hell on him.

Fuck, there he is. His pink hair pops out from behind the door, and I realize he was waiting for the classroom to empty before leaving. This isn’t going to save him, especially since he’s going to make me late to my next class.

Camden walks quickly into the hallway, his hand swiping through his hair nervously as his eyes bounce over people. My lips widen into an evil smile when he comes close and sees me, his gasp making my cock hard. Lunging forward, I uncross my arms to grab his shirt and propel him closer to me. There’s a janitor's closet that I purposely stood near for this purpose, opening the door and dragging him in.

I spare a moment to glance over my shoulder to see if anyone is going to give me shit for having a private moment with the beta, nodding when I see everyone paying attention to their own business. Slamming the door behind me, I let the darkness work in my favor as I slam Camden against the wall.

“What…what do you want?” he asks, gasping.

“It’s more about what you’re doing,” I purr, enjoying the way he shivers against me.

Wrapping my hand around his throat, I groan as I feel the beat of his pulse wildly against it.

“You’ve been so quiet, little one,” I murmur, burying my nose into his neck. He gasps as my hand squeezes possessively around the column of his throat. “Do you not appreciate campus life outside of partying?”

“I just want to go to classes and do my work,” he rasps. “I’m no one, River.”

“Fuck, but you are!” I growl, a low deep rumbling in my chest. Part in anger of this little beta who thinks he can lie to my face and part arousal at the fear in his eyes. “I just don’t know why you’re affecting me. Have you noticed that you have shadows now?”

Leaning back, I watch the terrified emotions crawl over his features as he trembles in my grasp. There’s just enough ambient light to enjoy it all. His chest is heaving, pupils enlarged. Fuck, yeah that’s a pretty sight.

I know he can hear me, and I definitely know I’m not squeezing enough for him not to be able to speak. My thumb taps along his skin, waiting for his words.

“Yes,” he rasps, shuddering. “Why is that? You’re in my classes, and I see you everywhere. You’re just wasting your time for nothing. I literally just go to school and my dorm. Nothing worth all the effort you're putting in. For no reason might I add. I’ve done nothing to warrant whatever has gotten you to choose me as a target. I’ve done nothing to you.”

“How we choose to spend our time is our business,” I say mildly. “If you don’t have anything to hide, then why should it matter?”

“You’re all really fucking scary,” Camden says. “I just want to go to school, that’s it. Leave me alone.”

It’s cute that he thinks he has any sway over what we do.

Leaning in until my lips brush against his, I smirk as my knee brushes against his erection. The little rabbit is aroused. Maybe he’ll be perfect for our fucked up games.

“You want us to leave you be? Then prove we have nothing to worry about,” I growl. “You come and go when we tell you to, and you’re going to stop hiding. Is that understood, have I made myself clear?”

Stepping away, I let go of him, enjoying the way he collapses onto his ass, looking up at me with fear laced eyes making my cock twitch against my jeans.

“Camden?” I say as I slowly back away, opening the door. When I know his wild and scared eyes are fully on mine, I nod, a grin curling on my lip. “Good boy. Keep your eyes on me.” I chuckle. “Stay with me, little rabbit. If you run, I’ll chase you. Is that understood?”

I wait, watching him struggle, different conflicting emotions passing over his features as he realizes that I’m deadly serious. He’s having trouble breathing, panicking before my eyes.

“I don’t understand. Why me? Why are you so dead set on me?” he cries out in frustration and embarrassment.

“Because you made yourself interesting,” I say, cocking my head to the side. “And I sure do love a good mystery.” My lips form a cruel smile before walking out and leaving him shaking in the closet.

Yeah, this year is going to be absolutely fantastic.

HENLEY

I’m currently home, creating a flyer for the club my pack and I own. Our dads know we want to be independent, and that it doesn’t affect our loyalty to the crew. Cash flow means being able to do whatever is necessary without having to ask for permission, or needing to wait for the funds.

Waiting could cause potential issues with keeping both my pack and crew safe, and that’s simply unacceptable.

Twisting my lips in criticism, I gaze down at the flyer. It states that there are openings at our club for bartenders, bouncers, and more. It’s true, we’ve been meaning to expand our personnel as the club has been getting busier, and this is a good reason to do it.

The idea of having the little beta under our thumbs is attractive, and I have few morals when it comes to securing a liability. I want him to be afraid of us, jump at the shadows, while also being completely in debt to my pack. The twisted web will curl around Camden tighter and tighter in such a way that he doesn’t realize it until it’s too late. From cradling to strangulation in the blink of an eye.

Right now, he thinks staying on the outskirts is safe. Time to smoke him out where we can watch his every move. I’m unhappy with how little I still know about him.

Shoving away from the desk in my control room, I pick up the flyer and stand to leave. His newly printed photo is up on my wall again, and I lean over it to admire the perfectly formed edges. I need order in my life, and Camden Parker is a very disorderly distraction.

That’s truly where my obsession is gaining fuel from now. Nothing about him makes sense. His record and history is too clean, no one is that above board. Everyone gets into trouble at some point, but instead, Camden is too perfect for how nervous he is whenever he sees us.

There’s suspicion that swims in his gaze whenever he sees me, whether it’s in the library or the Student Union. I make sure he doesn’t catch too many glimpses of me, because I don’t want him to know how often I find myself watching him. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite things to do.

I’m very good at sitting back in the shadows, working on a project, looking as if I should be there. Or, I’ll simply watch him where I know he can’t see me. Either way, I love the way my heart pounds in excitement as I pick up his little habits.

Like the way Camden plays with his hair when he’s worried or anxious. He also tends to mutter to himself when he’s thinking too loudly, and he dislikes large crowds. A part of me wonders if that’s why he hasn’t been to any more parties. Maybe the party at our house was a one off. Did Jamie drag him to it, is that why he went?

This is the only time I’d even think to thank that miserable man. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have this delicious new toy to play with.

If I didn’t hate the fucker, I’d send him a thank you card or a gift basket.

Smirking, I tap on the photo pinned perfectly to my board, turning away to head out. I have my laptop bag to work on things, because I’m definitely going to want to watch him take the bait. Camden walks past the Student Union after dinner on the way back to his dorm, so if I leave now I’ll be able to find an alcove to work from. Stalking requires multitasking when you’re as busy as I am.

Pushing open the hidden door, I walk boldly out, knowing no one is home right now. We only open our home to select people, and only when we’re all aware of it. Typically, the football team will come over after a big game to celebrate. While Brooks enjoys messing with the freshman on the team, he occasionally enjoys the camaraderie of the only people who understand what it’s like to live on the adrenaline of a high stakes game.

To stay at the top, he has to play the social aspect of that as well.

I understand it, though. It’s why I’m in so many student clubs. The gossip lays thick here, if I’m honest. Knowing who is doing what allows me to know who is a danger or a threat. I never want to be caught in a web I haven’t created. I’ve scrubbed people off the board for less than not being able to figure out what makes them tick.

I want to possess and control Camden now, which changes my own rules. Patience is going to help me find my answers, but even that only goes so far. Therefore, tonight is about helping things along.

The sun has set by the time I start walking across campus. I live just far enough to have some peace, but not far enough that I can’t get where I need to by foot. Parking on campus sucks, and I don’t have time to deal with people who can’t drive. It’s safer for this town if I walk to campus and the surrounding areas.

Brooks is usually the one who drives when it’s necessary. He has this innate ability to get people to move out of his way when he’s driving. We tease him about it often, but it’s a useful skill when in a car with people who hate people.

I’m sure my father appreciates the lower body count because of it.

The Student Union looms in the shadows cast by its bright lights, a beacon in a sea of night. Taking the steps two at a time, my head moves on a swivel as I make sure I’ve beaten Camden here. Without a tracker, there are a lot of variables that could have happened.

He could have gotten out of his last class early or decided to skip dinner, something that I’ve seen him choose to do. Forcing air into my lungs, I remind myself that just because he may not see it tonight, doesn’t mean he won’t eventually. All I can do is set the bait and wait.

The reminder has me setting my shoulders back and nodding to the student who opens the door for me. She gazes up in awe and fear, and I soften my features to smile at her. I’m capable of giving and taking away my favor, and this girl hasn’t done anything to piss me off. I think she’s actually a sophomore getting a psychology degree. I only know that because her brother once bumped into me in a hallway and didn’t apologize.

So I took immense pleasure in screwing with his grades.

It doesn’t take much to piss me off, it just depends on how I’m feeling that particular day. I was in a decent mood the night Camden and Jamie made me feel less than worthy, which means I’m going to enjoy striking the match to destroy the little beta.

My lists begin in my head as I walk across the Student Union. These lists help me keep track of everything, hold me accountable, and maintain order. They also help me keep the rage building inside of me at bay. I don’t lose control, I can’t.

The student job board is littered with flyers, and I watch people tear off numbers or take photos. Picking off flyers that offend me because they’re in the way, I allow them to fall to the ground before I clear enough space for mine.

“Hey! You can’t do that,” a student complains behind me as I pull out a pin and perfectly push it into my flyer. It took me a half hour to get it perfectly set. It should be in a good place to be seen.

Turning my head, I raise my brow at him. “What exactly can’t I do?” I ask, memorizing his face.

A girl rushes over to him, panic written all over her face as she grabs his arm.

“I’m so sorry, Henley,” she gasps. “He’s new this year. I’ll explain things to him.”

Pursing my lips, I turn away from the board, shoving my hands in my pockets. Even my appearance is tidy, my dark blue pants fitting with my cream sweater. The sleeves are shoved up to my elbows, but they’re both perfectly even, and my shiny black shoes are clean enough to be licked.

Hmm that’s an idea.

“I’ll forgive this if he drops to his knees and licks my shoe,” I murmur, dead serious as I cock a waiting brow.

The guy looks as if he’s about to piss himself now that he can see my face. Ah, I guess he does know who I am, he merely didn’t recognize me. There’s no excuse, and I gaze pointedly at him then to my shoe.

“This offer does expire, boy,” I growl.

Stammering in confusion, he seems to understand I’m not joking, dropping to his knees as his friend whispers, “Do it, Trace. Please.”

She knows well enough that I’ll fuck up her little life too, as soon as I have the time to and if I have enough motivation.

No one understands why I do what I do, take things as far as I tend to. I don't even truly know why. I just enjoy watching people bend to my will and the high of power I get is a nice rush to my cock. I don’t have any control over my life and what my father wants for me, but this helps.

I get to take back what I don’t have at home with a demanding father and a mother who couldn’t care less about me, as long as she has the latest fashions. My father wanted an alpha for a son, and unfortunately got me instead. I balance out my pack, even with how intense I am. I protect them.

Trace bows lower and lower, and I sigh in impatience. Why is everything such a production? As it is, I’m going to have to sanitize and clean my shoes after this.

“I’m waiting,” I drawl, and his friend shoves his head against my shoe, making me chuckle under my breath.

Trace makes certain I can see him lick my shoe, and my stomach turns. Saliva from peasants is simply disgusting. This was a necessary evil, though.

“A bit of friendly advice, Trace,” I hiss, leaning over to lift and toss him away from me. I’m every bit as strong as my pack, I simply don’t flaunt it the way they do. “Keep your nose clean, make certain you know the ramifications of your words before you speak.”

“I will. I… I’m sorry,” Trace stutters before clambering to his feet to leave with the girl.

Hmmm, not even a thank you. I’ll remember that.

Everyone else looks away as I stroll across the bottom floor, looking for a place to set up. It’s busy as people are settling into their study habits, and frankly, too damn loud for me. Moving to the stairs, I climb them to the second level, where I’ll have a good view of the entire first floor. If I can find a good table, he’ll never know I’m here when he goes by the job board.

Walking toward an occupied table that I’ve decided I need, I smile viciously as the group sees me and begins to pack up quickly.

“We’re just leaving,” one of the girls says quickly.

“Yes, it’s too busy in here, let’s go back to the dorm,” another girl suggests as they hurry past me.

“Appreciate it,” I purr, pulling out a wet wipe to clean off the table.

I already have saliva on my shoe, I’m at my limit for disgusting fluids. Throwing out the used wipe, I pull out my laptop and gaze down at the first floor from my new throne. No pink-haired beta.

As I begin working on an upcoming project due in the next couple of weeks, I periodically do a sweep around the bottom floor. It makes it more difficult to concentrate, but splitting my focus is something I excel at. I’m half way through the assignment by the time Camden comes in an hour later, meaning it’s time well spent.

I’m going to need to look closer at what he’s been doing in that last hour, because I despise not being able to account for his time. He belongs to me until I say otherwise.

Adjusting my glasses, I lean forward as I watch him approach the job board. He’s twisting his fingers together in anxiety, and I huff in amusement. River texted the group chat about how hard Camden was earlier when he was shoved into the janitor’s closet. There are many layers to this little beta, and I want to pull them all apart.

Camden ignores the job offers that I threw on the ground, and gazes at the board, his eyes looking for new opportunities. His fingers reach out to touch the bright red flyer I put up, as if he’s being drawn to it, making me grin.

Come on, take it. Do it.

My breaths come out in puffs of excitement as I watch him pull the flyer off the pin, making me wince as it rips a little at the top. Ugh, it was so perfect, but it’s serving its purpose. Camden turns quickly, glancing around the room, and I pull back into the shadows beyond the half wall of the top floor. I don’t want him to see me, and it’s clear he feels eyes on him. Next, he forces a breath in and out as he gazes up before shaking his head in annoyance.

Paranoia without a clear reason must be very frustrating. I can’t give him even an ounce of sympathy, though. Camden deserves everything coming for him, and he’s taking the bait hook, line, and sinker as he hurries out of the building with the flyer clutched in his hand.

Grinning in triumph, I pull my phone out to text my pack group chat.

Me:

The little beta took the flyer. The number on it goes to our hiring manager, who knows to keep an eye out for his name. Jason has no idea why he’s important. But he’ll make sure he gets a job at the club.

River:

Game. Set. Match. Good job. Are you coming home soon? My cock is still hard from the little cock tease earlier.

My lips twitch at his words. I really thought he’d have taken care of it, but Brooks may be at football practice. Well… don’t mind if I do.

Closing my laptop, I text him back.

Me:

A juicy cock all for me? Don’t mind if I do. I’m on my way.