A Rejected Wolf and a Court of Ash (Eden and Azriel) novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Eden

I sit on the porch. There’s a cup of lukewarm tea in my hands and…the world isn’t that bad. The wind outside is cold, but the mug keeps my fingers warm. I’m also smiling even though my body is sore from training with Axel and some other young werewolves. They all called me Alpha, which I like.

It’s what is making me smile, but then I think of the high–fae living under the same roof, and it fades.

Cedar is hiding something. That much is obvious. And Elvira… she’s been quiet all morning. She hasn’t spoken to me since I came home, which is honestly more terrifying than her usual nonstop commentary.

When she finally walks out and sits beside me, I almost don’t recognize her. Her eyes are heavy with something that looks like shame. Her shoulders are tense. And she isn’t wearing a trace of her usual smirk.

“Elvira,” I say, cautiously.

She doesn’t look at me. “I need to tell you something.”

I brace myself.

“It’s about Cedar,” she says.

“Go on.”

“I went through his room.”

My eyes narrow. “Why?”

“Because something felt off,” she says quickly. “I didn’t trust him even if he is my fated mate. Still don’t. And I was right. There’s this orb. A magical one. It shows things. Like… visions or memories or something. Maybe another universe?”

I blink. “You looked into it?”

“Yes, and I saw…things.”

I don’t like this. “What kind of things?”

She swallows. “Azriel. He’s alive, but he’s suffering. And Mara…she’s with him. Torturing him.”

My chest tightens. “You saw Azriel?”

She nods.

“And you didn’t tell me sooner?”

“I was going to. I just didn’t know how. Cedar caught me.”

I go still. “He what?”

“I hid under his bed. He dragged me out. We argued. And… I kissed him.”

That part knocks me off balance. “You what?”

“It was a panic kiss!” she yells. “I was going to get yelled at! I had to distract him by kissing him. I thought it would make him stop being mad at me!”

I stare at her. This is… a lot.

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Chapter 78

Elvira covers her face. “Look, I didn’t come out here to talk about my awkward kiss with my mate who freaking hates me. I came to apologize..

I lower my tea. “Apologize for what?”

“For everything. For how I treated you. For talking shit about you to Paris and Hilda. For having been a bitch. For turning my back on you when you needed me the most. I was jealous, and stupid, and scared. And yes! I know that the past can’t be changed. But I want to fix things! Will you let me?”

The wind blows between us.

“Why now?” I ask quietly.

“Because after sitting in the pack dungeons and thinking about everything, I realize what I did was wrong. I know that I’m an asshole. But…but I don’t want to be one. I want to be your friend and now that we’re talking to each other I don’t want to lose you again. You also deserve someone in your corner who isn’t afraid of your mind–control powers.”

“Axel isn’t afraid.”

“I know. He is perfect, but you can have two friends, right?”

When I say nothing, she continues. “You’re my best friend, Eden. Or you were. And I miss you. Even if you hate me, I miss you.”

even andur

I miss her too. Gods, I do, but she wasn’t there for me when I was in the pack dungeon! She didn’t stand up for me like Axet did. She…she wanted to be popular rather than be there for her best friend!

“I don’t hate you,” I whisper, fighting tears. “But I don’t trust you yet.”

“I know.”

Her eyes are shining with tears, and her lip wobbles. I can see it all–how hard it was for her to say that, to lower her pride and come to me like this. Watching her makes me remember the girl who used to braid my hair and steal cookies with me after school. The girl who once dared to punch a boy who made me cry.

But can we really go back to that?

“I miss you too,” I whisper.

Silence falls, but none of us moves. It might be for the better that we aren’t having any awkward hugs. I’m not ready to forgive her just yet. This is a great start, though. Progress.

Eventually, I clear my throat. “Now I need to talk to Cedar.”

“Right!”

The basement is cold. Shadows cling to the walls. Water drips.

Cedar doesn’t flinch when I enter. He’s sitting on the edge of the bed, bare–chested as usual, tattoos glowing faintly in the light.

“You didn’t come here because Azriel told you to,” I say.

He doesn’t deny it.

“You have other reasons for being here.”

His eyes meet mine. “Does it matter?”

“Of course it does!”

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He stands. “Why?”

I take a step closer. “Why? Because you’re a traitor, Cedar! I thought you were on our side!”

lam!”

“Then why are you keeping secrets?!”

“Because Mara wants you. And because I haven’t thought of a plan on how to save Azriel yet! That’s why I have chosen not to speak my mind!”

“Really?”

“Yes, I’m just trying to keep you alive!”

“Is that true? Or are you just trying to make me stronger for Mara to eat?”

His expression doesn’t change.

I glare at him. “You’re working with her.”

“I was,” he says. “Now… I don’t know.”

“Why?”

He hesitates. “Because of you. Because I think you could prove to be strong enough to fight her.”

I laugh bitterly. “And so if I weren’t, you would choose her side instead?”

“I’m not your enemy, Eden. I just don’t want my people to suffer. I have to be strategic.”

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