A Rejected Wolf and a Court of Ash (Eden and Azriel) novel Chapter 114

Chapter 114

Chapter 114

Elvira

The mist is in my mouth again.

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It’s not real. I know it’s not. But my lungs are burning and I can’t scream, and there’s something crawling up my spine like vines made of ash. I’m running, I think. Or maybe falling. My body doesn’t listen.

Then a voice-

Not à monster. Not a god.

Just Axel.

“Elvira.”

My eyes snap open.

There’s fabric under my fingers, and this scent I can’t recognize.

I freeze.

Something smells like flowers. Expensive ones. I move my hand and…linen. A blanket I don’t recognize. I can’t see. Of course, I can’t with my eyes and all. But this isn’t the cave. This isn’t the dirt. This isn’t anywhere I remember.

My chest tightens.

Where the fuck am I?

I sit up too fast. The world sways. My stomach flips. My mouth goes dry.

Then it hits me that I’m in the Dream Court. Axel and I’came here yesterday. I met Eden. There was drama, and I…passed

out after hearing bells.

Now I’m in this room where everything feels too polished, too curated. Like the world around me is dipped in illusion.

Not the place for a wolf to be in. I don’t belong here and**.

**

“Come back here…”

Arms wrap around me, and then I’m pulled into… Axel.

My head falls to his chest before I even realize what I’m doing. I feel the rise and fall of his breath, the heat of his skin. Bare chest. Warm sheets. One of his hands lifts and runs through my hair like it’s a reflex.

“You’re awake,” he murmurs.

I nod, but my throat is tight.

I want to cry. Not from pain. From relief. From the way he sounds like he didn’t breathe while I was unconscious.

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Chapter 114

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“I didn’t like it when you passed out,” Axel mutters. “Scared me.”

My chest tightens. I’m not used to someone caring about me and being soft like this, especially not a male.

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” I whisper.

“But you did.”

I snort. “Not like I planned on collapsing.”

He sighs into me. “Apology accepted.”

I snort again, but say nothing when he tightens his hug.

“When you collapsed, I panicked. Didn’t know what I was going to do. Kept on thinking the worst, you know…”

“I’m sorry.”

“Actually thought I had lost you.”

“I’m sorry.”

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He exhales through his nose, and I swear it’s a laugh. “If you apologize one more time, I’m going to kiss you for real.”

That stuns me. I try to pull back, but he is faster and presses his lips to my forehead.

“Don’t panic,” he says gently. “I just… needed to.”

My heart soars from the affection, but I stay quiet. I don’t want to ruin this. Instead I just let my fingers ghost over the curve of his ribs.

He is gorgeous, especially his skin.

Flawless and soft and warm. I’m also a big fan of his muscles. Axel is solid. Muscles taut. Every breath is a reminder he is alive, and so close I could lose myself in him.

I hesitate to REALLY touch him. My palm rests flat against his abdomen, and I feel his large muscles. Ones that I don’t dare to touch fully since I still can’t believe that he is mine. I want to. I really do. I want to press my nose to his chest and breathe him in, dare to believe he is mine, but I don’t deserve him as my mate.

Axel is too nice for a traitor like me.

I want to withdraw my hand, but Axel places his larger hand over mine. “Don’t stop touching me,” he murmurs. “It makes me feel like I’m yours.”

My heart stutters in my chest.

He wants this?

I find myself whispering, “Why are you being so nice to me?”

He shifts just slightly, just enough for his voice to vibrate through my body. “Because you’re mine. Whether you believe it

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Chapter 114

or not.”

“I’m a mess.”

“Then I’m a mess too. That’s how it works.”

My throat closes. I don’t know what to do with that. So I stay where I am, curled into him like a prayer I’m too afraid to say out loud.

Then the bed shifts. He moves.

“Where are you going?”

“Shower. I smell like dirt and fear.”

My hand moves on its own. I reach blindly, and my fingers catch his wrist.

He stills.

Then he leans down and kisses my palm.

“I will be back before you miss me.”

I don’t answer. I let him go. But my hands don’t unclench for a long time.

The bed is colder when he’s gone.

I lie there, listening. Breathing.

Then the bad thoughts come back.

I don’t belong here.

My heart grows cold and my eyes turn distant until my mind catches up the second I smell Eden.

“Elvira?”

My fingers grip the blanket.

The friend I betrayed is outside the door.

“Don’t worry. I’m not here to fight,” she says, voice gentle. “I just wanted to see how you’re doing.”

“I’m fine,” I lie.

Silence.

Then, “You scared him,” she says. “Axel hasn’t sat down since you passed out.”

I cringe. The idea of Axel worrying about me hurts.

“I’m okay now.”

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Chapter 114

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“I’m glad. The bells are powerful and designed to keep intruders from entering the Dream Court. Azriel is going to give you his blessing later. It will protect you from his magic. You will be able to walk through this court without interference.”

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