Chapter Twenty Three Elara's POV- I was so angry that I found it difficult to think straight . The sight of Damien standing in his office like he had any right to judge Julian , and to caution me on who I should and should not trust Him , of all people ! The man who'd broken my heart in my previous life , the man who had swallowed up Sabrina's lies and never questioned his judgment . A man whose hands are stained with betrayal . How dare he call someone else a bad person ? I left his office that day , my chest heaving , head full of messy anger and confusion . Sadness even An ache that wouldn't go away , The following day , I didn't attend his class . I couldn't stand the idea of sitting there , feeling his gaze on me , listening to his voice go on about pack dynamics as though he wasn't the one who had shattered my world . Instead , I remained in my dorm and paced the floor , replaying our fight . His words rang in my head , " He's not a good person " and I felt like screaming . Who was he to talk to Me ? But as I thought more and more about it , I understood how much my reaction had given me away . I'd been too quick to reply , too defensive , too hurt . And that scared me . Because that meant a part of me still cared A part of me still felt a pull toward him , though , I couldn't let that happen I had to kill those feelings , to bury them deep , where they wouldn't be able to hurt me again . Damien was a part of my former life a mistake I wasn't planning to make anymore . I had struggled too much to change my destiny , to shield my parents , to build a life far away from him I was not going to let him pull me back into that pain I stayed at home for two days , skipping classes , and ignoring seeing him . But by the third day , I knew hiding wasn't a long term option for me . Missing lectures wouldn't change what had happened , and I wasn't about to let Damien think he'd pushed me away . And so I picked myself up , put on my clothes , slung my bag over my shoulder and walked toward campus , my resolve growing with each step I had to face him . I had to show him that he no longer mattered I first saw Julian before anyone else when I arrived at the lecture halh He was propped against a tree by the entrance , his dark hair caught in the morning light , his easy smile stretching when he caught Before I could wave , he walked up to me . " Elaral Where've you been ? Are you okay ? " He reached over , his fingers grazing my forehead " You weren't feeling sick , were you ? " His hand was warm , his voice gentle , and for half a second , I felt a flicker of comfort . But then I noticed him . Damien strode by , his gray eyes focused on us , narrowed a bit as they landed on Julian's hand on my forehead . My stomach lurched and , without thinking . I stepped back , letting Julian's hand drop . The move felt instinctive and startled me , and I cursed myself for it Why did I give a shit what Damien thought ? Why did I still get butterflies looking at him ? I shook my head to clear the fog of guilt gr whatever else it was that had settled on me . Damien meant nothing . Less than nothing If I wanted to talk to Julian , hold his hand , go out with him or anyone else , that was none of Damien's business Fd wasted too much time allowing him to determine my feelings and my decisions Not anymore was determined to prove it to myself , to Damien , to the world. And I did just that , I turned , and reached out , grabbing Julian's +25 BONUS hand , my fingers interlocking with his . His skin was warm , his grip firm and I smiled as I faced him again . " Sorry , I'm fine , " I said , surprised at how much steadier I sounded than I felt " Just needed a few days to clear my head " Julian frowned but didn't jerk away . " Clear your head ? Everything okay ?" He squeezed my hand softly , his thumb skimming across my knuckles , and I clung to that . To him instead of the heaviness of Damien's gaze that I could still feel from across " Yeah , it's nothing . " I said , looking down at our linked hands . I could do this . I could then move on , and leave Damien behind " Just school stuff . " He agreed , but his eyes searched mine as i as if he wasn't buying it . We walked to the lecture hall with our hands still clasped , and I forced myself to lift my chin and walk confidently . Let Damien see . Let him see that it wasn't his responsibility to worry about me . We paused just outside the building , Julian facing me , his expression softening . " Hey , Elara , " he said , voice lowering to a whisper . "I want to ask you something " He paused , and I felt the twirl in my stomach , knowing where this was headed When do you think you will be ready to you know , date ? " I froze , my breath catching . I looked down , wrinkling my lip . A relationship ? With Julian ? It wasn't an original idea he had flirted with me for weeks , working his charm that was winning me slowly , but hearing him speak about it made it real . Too real . My mind started to race , dividing between the part of me that wanted to move on and the part of me that still flinched at the idea of opening my heart again . Julian didn't give time for a reply . He took a step closer , gripping my hand tighter . " I mean , you still haven't found your mate , right ? " he said , his voice quiet , almost enticing . " So you're free to be with someone if you want to be . No rules against it . " He smiled . " So what do you think about- He didn't get to finish . A loud and sharp voice , one unmistakable . " What are you doing over there ?! It's time for class Damien's voice reverberated , and I snapped up my head to see him walking toward us , his jaw set tight , his eyes blazing . " Anyway , as a teacher you know not to delay students , Mr. ? "