Eleanor
What the hell was his problem?
Alpha Ezra was had and would always be a pain in the ass.
Only one person on earth, called me Beetle.
And it was the man who had stormed out of the library, clearly enraged because his uncle had asked him to look after me in a school he clearly did not want me in.
I refused to allow my thoughts to wander to how good he looked, and how piercing his eyes were.
Gosh, the last time I had seen him, we had had a fight because I had insisted on going to a pack party for young adults.
And then Ezra had gotten into a fight with a young wolf who had pulled me against him while we were dancing.
I had never been so embarrassed like I had that day. Especially when I had been about to handle it on my own.
Now he was against me going to the academy.
Why did he always feel like he had a say in my business?
I pushed Ezra out of my mind and picked up my pen and notepad, taking note of the things I needed.
I had exactly one week before the academy resumed, and that was a really short time to prepare.
I still couldn’t believe Carden had agreed to let me go, despite Liv disapproving. After trying to get her to accept and she remained adamant, he had sent me to my room and picked her bridal style to their bedroom.
Yes. Liv and Carden were a thing.
They were not fated mates, but they did love each other.
I climbed onto my bed and got to work.
~
The sound of the window shifting had me sitting up, and my wolf alert. I was almost out of the bed to attack whoever or whatever it was, when I smelled him.
“What are you doing in my room?” I hissed, aware of how intoxicatingly good he smelled.
There was a hint of alcohol though, and something...metallic_ “Oh my goodness, are you injured?” I switched on the bedside lamp but Ezra scoffed.
“Calm down, Beetle. It’s not mine.” he said casually, his tall frame occupying so much space in the room, that it made my room look too small, and warm.
Had he really gotten into a fight on his first night back into the pack?
It was not rare, and at a point, I had learned to mind my business.
I sat back in my bed, watching him with narrowed eyes. “What are you doing in my room?” I asked again, peeping at the bedside clock to see I had slept till it was almost time for dinner.
“It’s my house.” he shrugged and moved to my reading table, picking up a book. “I can be wherever I want.”
The thick hair on his head fell forward, in a way that made my hand itch to touch it.
Jeez, Eleanor! Cut it out! I scolded myself.
I searched for a retort, but came out empty. So I kept quiet instead, watching him.
“You can’t go to the academy, Beetle. It doesn’t suit you.” Ezra said after a moment, placing my book back on the table.
My ears rang at his words.
He turned so his eyes were now on me, and I was suddenly aware of them.
“Why?” I asked, swallowing my annoyance. I was on the brink of losing it, though.
“Because I said so.”
My mouth gaped open. “You don’t get to decide that!” I snapped, getting off the bed. "It is my decision to make!"
Ezra growled, moving with the speed of light until he was inches away from me.
His icy blue eyes flashed and pierced into mine. “Well I am telling you the truth, Beetle. Why not go to the other schools? There are a few out there that would be suitable for you. Why do you have to come to the one I am in?” He sounded pissed.
But his words hit me. And I actually felt a sliver of hurt slide up my spine.
We had never gotten along.
For the years since I got into Nairethorne, Ezra had mostly avoided me. And in the times where we couldn’t avoid each other, it had been a tug of war.
I blinked, his scent hitting me as I inhaled sharply. “Do you really hate me that much, that you can’t stand to be in the same school as me?” A hard lump formed in my throat.
My voice was way too small and shaky for my liking.
I saw his blazing eyes dim slightly at my words, before he broke our gaze, slipping his fingers through his thick hair. “Eleanor, I don_It’s not like that_I just..” he sighed. “I just_f**k!”
I was right.
He didn’t want me with him.
I took a step back, and Ezra flashed me a look. “I have made my decision. And Carden has accepted. So whether you refuse or not, it’s none of my business.”
He looked at me for the longest time, his eyes hardening.
Had he been expecting me to say I wouldn't go again because he didn't want me there?
“Fine. But once we cross those gates, you stay the f**k away from me.” he advanced towards me, and instinctively, I took a step back. “I don’t want you in my space, Beetle. And I mean it.” my back hit the wall, and Ezra stalked nearer, placing a hand on the wall over my shoulder. “You want to be at Moonlight? Fine. But know that you are on your own.”
There were very few times I had been up close with Ezra. But not like this.
This was too much.
This was sending a huge swarm of butterflies fluttering low in my belly.
His face was barely two inches away from mine, and I could feel his breath on my lips. His lower chest grazed the tips of my breasts, and I fought a gasp as my n*****s instantly hardened.
Oh dear. What was happening to me?
I blinked rapidly, forcing myself to think.
“Ezra Nairethorne, Even if I am paid ten million dollars, I wouldn’t still want to be in your space. I have no business with you, so quit being a cry baby and man up to the fact that I was able to get into the best academy for our kind.” I heard myself say, still painfully aware of him.
His eyes fell to my lips, and flashed red, then back to their original color. A smirk formed on his lips, and he raised his gaze back to mine. “Okay then. Goodluck at the academy.”
And then he was gone, taking his warmth with him and sliding back out of the window from where he had entered.
A heavy gasp left my lips, and my heartbeat accelerated, making me slide down the wall until I was sitting on the floor.
What the hell!
Since when did I care about Ezra Nairethorne’s hair, eyes or lips?!
And since when did he have any kind of effect on my body?!
And why was that so hot?!!!