The library at night was a different world.
Silent. Breathing. Watching.
Severus moved like a shadow between shelves, heart thudding as he clutched a scroll of parchment in his fist. Detention for "inappropriate sarcasm during practicals." He wondered if Slughorn knew exactly what was building between him and Malfoy—if he'd done this on purpose.
He wasn't alone.
Lucius was already there. Leaning against the table like a sin waiting to be written. Sleeves rolled up. Tie undone. One hand idly flipping through a banned alchemical text on scent-suppression potions.
And of course, that smirk.
"Five minutes late, Severus. Tsk tsk."
"I was hoping you'd have left."
Lucius didn't move. "I told Slughorn I'd keep an eye on you."
Severus froze. "You what?"
Lucius took a step closer. "You've been experimenting with scent manipulation. That's… unusual. Especially for a Beta. Are you trying to change something?"
Snape didn't answer.
Lucius took another step. Now they were only inches apart.
"You're hiding it well," he said, voice a purr. "But something's shifting. You used to smell like books and ashes. Now… there's something sharper. Like ozone before lightning."
"Stop," Snape said quietly.
Lucius didn't. He reached up, touched the edge of Severus's collar, thumb brushing bare skin. "Is that why you've been so jumpy around me? You're afraid I'll figure out your secret?"
"You don't know anything," Severus snapped.
Lucius leaned in, so close their noses brushed.
"I know you're suppressing something," he whispered. "And I know you like the way I make you lose control."
Snape's breath caught. His pulse thundered.
Then—
BANG.
Lucius had slammed a book shut.
"I could kiss you right now," Lucius said, cold and calm, "and you wouldn't stop me."
Snape's fingers twitched toward his wand. "Try."
Lucius just smirked. "That's the thing, Severus. I want you to try to stop me. That's what makes it fun."
And then he walked away—leaving behind only the thick, charged scent of Alpha confidence and a Beta shaking with fury.
And maybe something else.
Something like want.