CHAPTER 43: THE DARK HORSE

Blackwood University buzzed with a fervor that outstripped last month’s scandal. The whispers weren’t of Alex Hale’s humiliation onboard... but of his impossible return.

In a single month, the scholarship kid had transformed into the campus’s dark horse.

His chiseled features and magnetic aura rivaling Hollywood heartthrobs.

Students clustered in the groups, their voices a mix of awe and skepticism.

At a shaded table near Blackwood Hall, a trio of sorority girls dissected the gossip.

"How does someone go from zero to that?" one marveled, flipping her hair. "Sophia must be kicking herself for dumping him."

Another scoffed, "Please, she’s a Blackwood. She can have any guy she wants. Regret? As if."

A third leaned in, smirking, "Still, Alex is hot now. I’d climb that in a heartbeat." Their laughter carried across the lawn, mingling with similar chatter... some siding with Sophia’s untouchable status, others marveling at Alex’s glow-up.

But not everyone was just talking. In a secluded bathroom off Club Row, Two students...a boy and a girl... locked in a private world, the air was thick with tension.

The girl knelt before the boy, her eyes wide with fascination as she gripped his rock-hard length.

Her fingers moved expertly, stroking with reverence, before she leaned in, taking him into her mouth like a prized lollipop.

She swirled her tongue, gazing up at him, her lips stretching to prove her devotion. A soft gag escaped as he hit the back of her throat, but she held firm, stars in her eyes.

"You’re a real slut," Alex said, voice low, pushing deeper until her eyes bulged. He pulled back, letting her gasp.

Coughing, Madison grinned, undeterred. "I am. I’ve seen dicks Alex...young, old, big, small...but this? It’s a fucking masterpiece. I pity Sophia for letting you go." She stroked him again, her touch worshipful.

"At that party, I panicked, blowing that old guy while wondering if it was really you. How’d you change so much in a month? But now..." Her gaze locked on his cock. "This is the real transformation nobody knows about."

She leaned in, sucking with fervor, her head bobbing, throat widening with each thrust. "If you don’t expose me, Alex, you can fuck me anytime, anywhere," she purred, rising slightly, her body swaying seductively, hips rolling as she pressed her breasts against him.

"I’ll keep my legs open for you always."

As Madison begged Alex not to expose her, his thoughts flickered with reluctant admiration. ’Goddamn, she’s good... convincing as hell, weaving her spell so tight anyone would believe her devotion’s real. That’s How’s she been fooling William this long? The girl’s got serious skills.’

Alex tilted her chin, his dark eyes gleaming. "Even if I told the world, you’d still beg for it."

She nodded, entranced. "But wouldn’t it be hotter if I stay with William and your cum dripping down my thighs?"

"You bitch! You got my attention," he laughed, amused by her audacity. "Follow my every command, and I’ll decide if you’re worth it."

"I’ll make every girl in class spread for you," she vowed, her voice sultry.

Alex chuckled. "Think I can’t do that myself? But I like your enthusiasm."

He thrust into her mouth again, her gags echoing as he filled her, her throat pulsing.

"Don’t swallow," he warned, pulling out. "Keep some in your mouth and kiss William like that, my slut. This is your test. "

Her lips curled into an evil smile as she adjusted her skirt and sauntered out, ready to play his game.

_______

Outside

Alex strode through Blackwood University’s Quad, the murmurs trailing him like a shadow.

Whispers of his transformation..."Is that really Alex Hale?" "How’s he hotter than a movie star?"...bounced off the ivy-covered walls of Blackwood Hall, the gossip a low hum beneath the autumn breeze.

Near a gnarled oak, a wiry junior named Theo leaned into his friends, voice low and conspiratorial. "You wanna know the real tea? I heard from my cousin at Kappa House... Alex didn’t just work out or whatever. He was spotted sneaking into the old chapel at midnight last month, chanting some creepy shit with candles and a weird symbol drawn in chalk. Black magic, I’m telling you. That’s how he went from nobody to this."

His friend, a skeptical girl with braids, snorted but glanced at Alex, unease flickering in her eyes. "That’s absurd, Theo. What, he sold his soul for abs and a jawline?"

Theo shrugged, smirking. "Explain the glow-up then. Dude’s practically cursed with charm now."

Alex overheard Theo’s black magic rumor, smirking at its uncanny absurdity. He adjusted his leather jacket, a far cry from the ill-fitting suit of last month’s gala, his stride confident despite the eyes tracking his every move.

The scholarship kid was gone, the dark horse had arrived.

He reached the Steele School of Business, its glass facade gleaming. Madison sauntered ahead, her hips swaying, throwing him a glance over her shoulder... a sultry signal, ’watch me.’

Alex’s lips twitched, amused by her boldness. He followed her into Classroom 204, the heavy door creaking as every head turned in unison, the room falling silent.

This was his new normal: every pairs of eyes, some curious, some envious, all hungry for drama.

Alex nodded to his friends... Sarah, Danny, and Mike... seated in the second row.

Alex slid into the seat beside Mike, his presence commanding despite the whispers reigniting behind him. "He’s back like nothing happened."

"Sophia’s probably fuming."

His eyes flicked to Madison, who leaned into William across the room, her lips brushing his in a deliberate kiss. William flinched, weirded out by the strange aftertaste.

"Eww, what’d you eat?" he muttered, wiping his mouth.

"Something delicious," Madison purred, her gaze locking onto Alex, her smirk wicked.

Alex returned it, a silent acknowledgment of their game.

’She’s playing her part perfectly,’ he thought, his focus shifting as Professor Vance entered, briefcase in hand, oblivious to the charged air.

As Vance droned about market dynamics, Alex leaned toward Mike, keeping his voice low. "You okay, man? You look like someone stole your lunch."

Mike sighed, slumping in his seat. "Danny’s all wrapped up with Sarah now," he muttered, glancing at the couple, who were whispering, hands brushing.

"You’re busy being... whatever this is." He gestured vaguely at Alex’s new aura. "I’m just the odd one out."

When he came today, the most shocking thing he’d learned was Danny and Sarah were dating now. Which was surprise considering their unmatched personalities.

Alex clapped his shoulder, his tone firm but warm. "I’m back, Mike. No more disappearing. You won’t be left out, I promise." Mike’s expression softened, a flicker of hope returning.

Danny caught Alex’s eye, his jaw tight. "You’re really sticking around this time?" he asked, voice edged with skepticism.

"Count on it," Alex said, his grin easy but calculated. He’d learned from his mistake... abandoning his friends for Sophia’s illusion.

Before they could press further, a voice cut through from the back... William, smirking. "Hey, Hale, still riding that Blackwood boost? Or did you find a new sugar mommy?" Alex’s gaze turned cold, silencing the room.

"Care to test me?" he said, voice low, lethal. "I don’t need anyone’s name to bury you in this class."

The tension snapped as Vance called for attention, but the challenge lingered in the air.

______

The late afternoon sun slanted through the blinds of Dr. Tisha Wells’ office, casting golden stripes across her polished desk. A neat stack of papers sat beside her laptop, a half-empty coffee mug hinting at her long hours.

She lounged in her chair, her sapphire blouse unbuttoned just enough to tease the bold allure beneath, her tailored slacks hugging her curves.

Her hazel eyes flicked up from her work as the door creaked open, locking onto Alex’s with a spark of recognition and a dangerous glint of anticipation.

"Well, well," Tisha said, her voice a smooth, teasing purr as she leaned forward, a playful smirk curving her lips. "Our dark horse finally remember his way back to my office. I was starting to think you’d been swept away by those starry-eyed undergrads, leaving me in the dust."

Alex’s lips twitched into a slow, predatory grin as he closed the door with a deliberate click, sealing them in a forbidden bubble. "Leave you, Dr. Wells? You’re the prize I can’t stop chasing." He stepped closer, his tailored jacket accentuating his broad shoulders, his eyes never breaking from hers.

"No undergrad could hold a candle to you."

She leaned back, crossing her arms, her gaze raking over him with that bold, appraising curiosity from the ballroom.

"Smooth talker," she said, her tone light but laced with challenge.

"But you’ll have to do better than flattery to keep my attention." She stood, stepping around the desk with deliberate grace, closing the distance until she was inches from him, her movements as confident as a predator meeting her match.

"So, what’s it going to be, Alex? You here to play student, or something else entirely?"