A Rejected Wolf and a Court of Ash (Eden and Azriel) novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Eden

I’m finally beginning to realize that the demon Azriel just murdered, my pack members who don’t like me, and the rogues aren’t the scariest of monsters

The scariest ones are the ones hiding in plain sight, and Azriel’s breathing and avoidance of my eyes is a wake–up call. He must be fighting the urge to dig into my flesh, to eat me like that monster wanted to. Suddenly, it makes sense why he was hesitating before kissing me. Why his gaze kept traveling to my pulse points.

“You want to eat me,” I say, voice trembling. “Right now.”

His violet eyes snap back to mine, hungry and conflicted. “A part

of me

does, yes.”

I scoot back until my spine presses against the wall. This information is unsettling, and I’m glad when I hear the sound of wolves. Somehow, I just know it’s Logan and the twins. They also seem to have brought pack elder Yang since I hear her voice coming from downstairs.

“This house smells like death? But who is strong enough to kill a

mon on their own? Surely not the omega…”

Azriel’s head whips toward Yang’s voice, and for a moment, I think he might vanish. But instead, he stays where he is, his gaze returning to mine.

“They can’t protect you from what’s coming,” he says quietly. “I know you don’t trust me right now, but you’re going to need me.”

When he moves, I press myself further into the wall. “Don’t come any closer!” I warn, though I know it’s pointless. If he wanted to eat me, what could! possibly do to stop him?

Azriel’s lips curl into a smile. “I’m not going to hurt you. I have to stand if I’m going to leave…” He stands up, eyes kept on me the entire time. “Think about what I said, Eden.”

My eyes narrow from the floor where I’m sitting. “Wh–what do you mean by saying I need you when you’re the one who is going to bring me to your

sister?”

His eyes soften slightly, though that hunger still lingers in their violet depths. “Because there are worse things in my world than me and my sister, Eden. That Hollow was just the beginning.”

I’m not given a chance to ask him anything else. Logan and the others come up the stairs, and after blinking, Azriel is gone.

“Eden!”

Logan bursts into the room, freezing while taking in the scene of me covered in black blood and the dissolving remains of the demonic creature. A hollow, I remind myself. That’s what Azriel had called it.

“What the fuck happened?” I hear Axel exclaim.

His much calmer twin, Joakim, turns his attention to me, narrowing his eyes. “How the hell did you, an omega, manage to kill the monster?!”

I open my mouth to respond, but I’m cut off by Logan growling and grabbing Joakim’s shoulder. “Don’t you dare use that tone with her!”

Shock flashes over Joakim’s face. “Since when do y you care about the omega…?”

A nerve tickles against Logan’s jaw. He looks angry, which just makes Joakim stare at him harder, squinting as if he can’t figure out what his Alpha wants. The starting contest continues until pack elder Yang pushes past the two gigantic males.

“Isn’t it obvious what happened here?” she asks. “The fairy prince has been here. His scent lingers in the room, and this–” she kneels by the dead monster, not even giving me a side glance, “isn’t the work of a werewolf, but of some other creature with more magic in their veins.”

Logan’s head snaps up, his nostrils flaring “Azriel was here?” His voice drops dangerously low as his eyes scan the room, eventually landing back on me. “Did he hurt you?”

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Chapter 21

“N–no,” I staminer, still processing everything. “He saved me from that… thing.”

Yang rises to her feet, dusting off her hands on her expensive pants. “It makes sense for the fairy prince to keep the sacrifice safe. Letting another monster eat her flesh would be a huge waste,” she finally looks at me. “Alpha, perhaps we should move the sacrifice to a safer facility.

“Agreed,” Logan’s voice is deep, pissed off even though he is remaining calm. “Eden should come and live with me at the Alpha mansion.

“What?” I exclaim in a whisper. “But I live with Elvira and…” My eyes widen. “Did you see Elvira outside? She was with me but jumped out of the window

“She is safe.” Elvira’s voice interrupts.

I turn my head, relieved to see her in one piece. She’s standing in the doorway, face streaked with tears and snow.

“I went for help. I thought…” Her voice catches. “I thought you were dead.”

I try to stand so I can go to her, only to realize my legs are shaking too badly to support me. Logan is at my side in an instant, his strong hands steadying

1. me.

“Easy,” he murmurs, his touch warm against my ice–cold skin.

Yang sighs, her eyes back on the monster as thought fascinated by it. “Regardless of how the omega survived, she clearly needs protection. The Alpha mansion has the strongest wards in the territory.”

“I agree,” Axel says. “If these… Monsters can track omegas. Elvira should come too.”

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