RACHEL“That's our ride,” Brooke panted, pointing to the car, and we walked towards it, slipping in.Brooke and the driver, who was a boy I had seen in class several times, discussed while I stayed silent throughout the ride. She made no introduction, perhaps assuming I already knew him, and I didn’t care to ask about him. Eventually, we arrived at the Den. Brooke left me to myself.It was my first time here. It was packed, and from the outside, it looked tiny, as if it wouldn't be able to fit about ten people, but then the people inside should be about ten times that amount. It gave off a cozy feel. The smell of cigarettes wafted through the air, accompanied by the strong scent of booze. Also, the distinct smell of coffee. I learned that this was the best place to get coffee in the whole academy.I grimaced, shivering as cold air drifted inside. Goosebumps erupted on my skin, and the back of my neck prickled. I was being watched. I knew that. I swirled, looking around to see if I'd c
RACHEL“Oh my god, Ivy is so lucky. She just got a shirt from the hottest boy in school!” Three girls who were nearest to us squealed.“I didn't–” I began to say, but Elijah had already turned away from us and began to walk back to the pitch. While Clara gripped my hand, pulling me away with Ruby.“What do I do with this?” I asked, staring at the shirt in a state of annoyance. I didn't ask for it. Yet, I couldn't return it to him.Clara snorted, rolling her eyes. “What do you do with it? Elijah gave you a shirt you've been wanting. You should be grateful. At least, he didn't act like you didn't exist.”I heard the anger in Clara's voice and a slight hint of envy, but I could be wrong. Also, she was staring at the shirt with a longing in her eyes as if she'd kill to have it for herself right now. I guessed the look on her face answered the question of what to do with it.I extended it to her, “Take it.”I wouldn't be wearing it because I never wanted it. So, it would be a waste to keep
RACHEL“You're glowing and smiling weirdly,” Clara observed as soon as I sat down. The match was still going on. I assumed it would have been done before I returned, unfortunately, it wasn't. Although I had no intention of seeing it, even though I was here, I couldn't return to the dorm either. It would be rude, considering I had arrived here with my friends.“Glowing?” Ruby murmured with a mouth filled with popcorn. She peeled her eyes away from the pitch reluctantly to stare at me.“She looks normal to me,” she said. Her voice was still muffled as she kept stuffing it with more popcorn rather than finishing first.“Does she?” Clara's lips pursed as she continued to study me.My cheeks burned under her scrutiny, and I felt she might know what had happened if she kept staring intensely at me in that manner, but eventually she gave up.“Maybe she is,” Clara said.I heaved out a breath, relaxing into the chair. My palm closed around what Noah gave to me, and a smile formed on my face as
JAXONUntil then? My head reeled as several questions wandered about. All I could think of was her coming to invade my personal space and staying forever.I wouldn't say I'd have a commitment issue, but Grace certainly wasn't a woman I'd want to stay with forever. Yet, I had announced a marriage. A marriage was fucking forever. I had fucking shot myself in the foot over again.Yes, she was right about staying with me. In the academy, it was a rule that bonded mates stayed together. That was to strengthen the bond, and not just that alone, to make everyone know each of them wasn't available to be mated to anyone. So, no one would try to seek them out or unknowingly imprint. It wasn't common to imprint on someone who was bonded, but it wasn't impossible either.“Are you not happy? You're quiet,” she pouted, looking up at me.“Was I?” I tried to muster a smile but failed miserably as it turned into a grimace instead. But Grace didn't seem to notice.She clutched my hand and began to drag
JAXONI watched as Ivy left. As soon as she was out of sight, I walked to the nearest tree and slammed my fist into it as hard as I could. I grimaced, hearing the bones in my knuckles shift, but that was barely compared to the pain in my heart right now. Maybe I shouldn't feel this. It was my fault after all.I had discarded her as soon as I found out she was bonded to me. I should be blamed for what I was going through, and not her. She looked calm and happy, even though she hadn't been physically smiling, but I could feel it within me—the peace she had within herself.While I was here, wallowing in self-pity. I stared at my hand on the tree trunk, my fingers trembling and looking crooked. I made a mental note to visit the hospital or ask Grace for help, but I knew she'd likely burden me with questions.“Sir,”I hid my hand behind me as Kevin came towards me, my head whipped back to stare at him.“We lost his scent.” He said, with a frown.“It's fine, you can head back,” I said to hi
RACHELNoah had kissed me. Shit. He had kissed me, and I had allowed it.I wasn't a dreamer. After all the things I had passed through. I couldn't continue dreaming of the same thing daily. Although I believed I would escape the orphanage's harsh system one day, to live a better life outside, no matter how hard it was to achieve.But finding the right man and falling in love was never one of those. I never even thought about my first kiss. I had always wondered what the big deal was when I overheard Lucy speaking to her friends one day during one of their usual sleepovers. She had been so happy and was literally squealing in excitement. I swear, I sensed our parents had heard her, but they never said anything because she was their favorite daughter.Now I understand Lucy's squeals better. The kiss was brief and swift before I could even realize what was happening, but the feelings remained intact. I had felt it from deep inside me as soon as our lips connected, and I wished he had st