Chapter 12

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Chapter Twelve

Lunch came too quickly, and with it, the unbearable noise of the cafeteria. I lingered by the doorway for a moment, clutching my tray and surveying the sea of faces. They weren't staring at me yet, but I could feel it coming. The moment I walked in, the whispers would start again.

Nope. Not happening.

I turned on my heel and headed in the opposite direction, ditching the cafeteria entirely. My stomach growled in protest, but I ignored it. I'd lost my appetite anyway. My plan was to find somewhere quiet, somewhere they wouldn't think to look for me.

The benches by the sports field had been my sanctuary last week, but I knew better now. They'd found me there before, and they'd find me there again. This time, I needed a spot they'd never think to check.

The library.

The library was mostly empty, save for a few students scattered at tables with their noses buried in books. It was quiet, and peaceful -a stark contrast to the chaos outside.

I walked quickly, slipping past rows of bookshelves until I reached the far wing of the library. This section was older and less frequented. The shelves here were lined with dusty tomes and records of pack history, their spines faded with age.

Perfect.

I glanced around to make sure no one was following me before ducking into a secluded corner. The sunlight streamed through a nearby window, casting a warm glow on the table where I liked to sit. The spot had always been my favorite, hidden and quiet, a place where I could think without interruption.

But as I turned the corner, my breath caught in my throat.

Elijah was there, sitting at my table.

He looked almost serene, his head bent over a book as the sunlight bathed him in

a golden glow. For a moment, I just stared, frozen in place. He didn't belong here,

in this quiet sanctuary. Yet somehow he fit perfectly, like he'd always been meant to sit there.

I took a step back, hoping to retreat before he noticed me, but I bumped into something solid.

No, not something-someone.

"Going somewhere, little mate?”

teasing, his breath warm against my ear as his

he was too strong. Before I could

I yelled, my voice echoing through

his golden eyes locking onto

as he turned to carry me toward the

shouted, my voice

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Chapter Twelve

but if was Elijah

"No, you're not."

voice was quiet but firm, the words carrying a weight

"Mate?" I spat, twisting in Isaiah's grip. "You've got to be kidding me. Let me go!" Isaiah sighed but finally set me down, though he kept a firm hold on my wrist. "Why do you always run from us?" he asked, his tone softer now, almost pleading. "Because I don't want anything to do with you!" I snapped, yanking my arm free. "You bullied me

stepped closer, his eyes never

Stormi," he said, his voice steady. "I'm not going to make excuses for what we did. But this isn't just about

you are to me is a reminder of every miserable day I spent being humiliated," I

said, moving to stand beside Elijah. "It changes

my chest heaving as I tried to keep my composure.

was

from me," I

can't," Elijah said

at him, my fists clenching at my sides. "Then I'll make

his head,

you," I said, my voice firm despite the chaos swirling inside me. "All

been saying that for a week now, but you haven't done it." "Because you won't

now, then," Elijah

taken

said, his golden eyes piercing mine. "If you really

opened, but no words came out. I'd been so sure of what wanted, so certain that rejecting them was the only way to regain control of my life. But now, with them standing so close, their presence overwhelming,

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