A Rejected Wolf and a Court of Ash (Eden and Azriel) novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Eden

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I’m an anxious mess of a werewolf the next day. I barely dare to set my feet inside the classroom, afraid Paris is going to announce herself as Unwantedfridge99 and share the secrets I wrote to her yesterday. Luckily it turns out she has a time at the dentist. I relax and take a seat while my eyes search the room for Azriel. He isn’t here either. Double relief,

“You look tired,” Elvira whispers when she takes the seat next to mine. “I tried calling you after you disappeared yesterday, Where did you go?”

Do I tell her? I should…right?

“Paris and her minions dumped slime on me in the bathroom.”

Elvira’s eyes widen. “What? Why didn’t you find me?”

“I was embarrassed, and… Azriel drove me home.”

Elvira’s jaw drops. “Azriel? As in the gorgeous, mysterious Azriel? How did that happen?”

I shrug in a stupid attempt to act nonchalant. “He saw me in the hallway and offered me a ride. No big deal.”

Elvira raises an eyebrow. “No big deal?” It looks like my friend is close to passing out. She even shakes her head before continuing, “Eden, Azriel is the hottest thing that has hit Howlicafors. Everyone is talking about him and wishing he was their future husband. And he gave you a ride home? Dude, do you even realize how lucky you are???”

I’m blushing madly now. She is making it sound as if we were on a date. We were not. “It wasn’t all romantic or anything. He actually made-”

A prickling sensation steals over my skin and I turn my head, spotting Azriel stepping inside the classroom. Everything inside me perks up. Heart. Brain. Even my nipples are hard. I don’t understand it. How did my senses know he was near before I saw him?

The only reason I’m not embarrassed is that he’s looking at me too. Maybe before I did because my eyes meet his and there’s instant lightning. Shivers. Prickles. Heart beating fast. We stare at each other until I peel my eyes off of him with flushed cheeks and a pout.

He doesn’t deserve my attention after yesterday.

His gaze lingers before he finally takes his seat. I can feel his eyes still on me, but I refuse to look up from my notebook.

Douchebag isn’t worth it.

Mrs. Thompson bustles in, and the class starts. I whisper–chat with Elvira, take notes, and then head to my next class, all happy–go–lucky until lunchtime. It’s then worse weather comes because I can hear Paris’s laughter coming from one of the only popular people‘ tables even before I’ve filled my tray with food in the cafeteria.

“And then the slime rained down all over her clothes!” Paris exclaims, making her entire table laugh.

She’s loud enough that nearby tables join in, whispering and casting glances my way. I feel my face heat up, and I know my acne won’t be the only red thing on my skin now.

“Just ignore them,” Elvira murmurs. “They’re not worth your time.”

She is right. I shouldn’t let Paris get to me, but it’s easier said than done. I’m a person with a heart, and it isn’t easy to tune

out bullies. Especially not when Paris and her friends leer at me the entire way to the table in the corner where I always sit with Elvira. It becomes even more nerve–wracking when Paris stands up with Hilda.

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Chapter 7

“Shit,” Elvira whispers. “Are they coming here?”

It looks like it. Both of the popular girls are grinning, probably already plotting to make my life more of a hell. I cast my eyes down, knowing I won’t be so lucky, but then… Logan takes a seat by our table. What. The. Actual. Hell.

His presence alone is enough to silence the entire cafeteria. Paris and Hilda pause mid–step, their grins faltering. Logan’s eyes meet mine briefly before he turns his gaze to Paris, his expression cold.

“Something funny, Paris?” he asks.

I don’t know who is more shocked. Me for having my Alpha–who usually treats me like shit–defend me, or Paris for having her future husband challenge her so openly.

Paris’s smile fades, and she exchanges a nervous glance with Hilda. The other girl shrugs as if to tell her she is on her own, and I must have stepped into an alternative universe because this is the first time I’ve seen Paris look embarrassed.

“Uh, no, nothing funny,” she stammers. “We were just, um, remembering something from class.”

Logan’s attention turns to his food. He forks a meatball while speaking. “Good. Because I heard laughing, and I thought maybe you were being a shitty human being.”

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Paris’s face pales, and she scurries back to her table, Hilda trailing behind her. The cafeteria remains silent for a moment before low murmurs replace the previous laughter. I stare at Logan, astonished. He continues to eat, not acknowledging me, but his presence is enough to keep Paris and her minions at bay.

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