CHAPTER 5:A BUDDING HATRED

Chapter 5

Alethea's POV

My voice was barely above a whisper as I continued. “I'm the girl you almost ran over the other day.”

Axel's gaze slowly narrowed, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. “What do you want?” he asked, his tone angry and rude.

“I-I just wanted to say that I'm grateful for your help and I'm sorry about the way I ran off. I was in a pretty bad shape.” I tried to explain but he gave me a disinterested look.

“OK.” He said, turning to stare far into the night, his eyes stern.

“What do I say now?” I asked my wolf, not knowing what to say to get him interested.

“You can just tell him that you like him you know,” Astrid suggested, already pushing into my thoughts, different ideas of s*x.

“I thought we were doing this to get Kaiden?” I questioned, surprised by her sudden change.

“Anything else I can help you with?” Axel voice suddenly came through the ideas Astrid was forcing into my head, making me met.

“Ah… I… I was thinking I'd be your escort for tonight?” The wrong words finally slipping out of my lips.

Oh goddess.

“Is that all you want?” Axel suddenly asked, his hand suddenly grabbing my waist making me fall into his arms.

His scent hit me deeper, I could also smell my arousal making me groan as I nuzzled my head on his chest. I nodded in response to his question but he pulled my head away from his chest.

“Use your words.”

“Yes… No…” I answered, not able to think straight.

Suddenly he pushed me off, breaking the trance of being so ridden by his scent, “I know your type, you're just trying to get closer to me for my money, right?” His tone was bitter, his words cutting into me.

“I’m not…” I started to explain, but he didn't let me finish before he held up his hands shunning me.

“Save it. I'm not interested.” With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me feeling stunned and rejected.

I felt like I'd been given a tight slap. The rejection stung, and I couldn't bear to stay at the party any longer. I texted Elaine that I was leaving, and made my way out of the building, getting into a cab to head home.

The next day as I dressed up for classes, I made up my mind to put the embarrassing encounter behind me. I wouldn't go after him again, I told myself despite Astrid disagreement. But fate had other plans.

As I walked into the lecture hall at school, I saw him standing on stage, lecturing to a packed audience. Axel Steele, the billionaire, was guest lecturing at my school. I couldn't believe my eyes.

I tried to focus on the lecture, but my eyes kept drifting his detailed features, almost dreamily. I wasn't alone as many other girls were doing just the same. He was even more captivating in the daylight.

When the lecture ended, I had decided to muster up the courage to approach him. “Hi,” I said, trying to sound casual. “I wanted to congratulate you on a great lecture.”

But he ignored me, walking away without even acknowledging my presence. I felt my face flush with embarrassment, my eyes stinging with tears. Twice in a row, I had been rejected by this man. It was clear he wasn't interested in me. I needed to move on.

I was done. I had my pride, and I decided that I wouldn't beg for his attention again but the heavens must hate me so much as I met him for the fourth time.

As one of the student reps, I had gone to the VC office to drop some files when I saw him packing up his things from her table. Greeting him robotically, I focused on the woman, delivering my message as she waved me to put the files on her table.

“Please take his books and escort him to his car,” Mrs Jones said firmly, leaving no room for argument. When he tried to decline, she insisted and I had to carry it. As soon as we got to his car, no one having said a word, I decided to make the first move.

“Your lecture was great, I learnt a lot.” I said, as I handed over his books, standing upright while I adjusted my outfit.

Barely sparing me more than just a bored glance, he muttered, “Thanks.”

“That's it?” I asked, feeling a bit disappointed and having just enough of his attitude. “You're not going to acknowledge me at all?”

“Acknowledge you?” He raised an eyebrow, pausing in his actions. “What do you want me to say? You made it clear you're only interested in me for my money and status.”

“That's not true!” I protested, feeling my face heat up. “I made it clear I wasn't settling with just s*x, how does that even translate to being interested in your money?”

He looked to be in thought for a few seconds before he decided to be a complete asshole as he snorted. “Save it. I'm not buying it.”

With that, he turned and got into his car, leaving me feeling frustrated and embarrassed once again.

Elaine came to pick me later but I was still moody after the embarrassment I faced. I found myself replaying in my head, everything he said to me, my anger building up as I clenched my fists.

“Seems like you had a bad day, it's a good thing I insisted on driving,” Elaine said, probably trying to lighten things up with her snarky comment which I didn't appreciate at that point so I kept mute.

After a while, she cleared her throat but I still ignored her.

“Are you still angry about Axel?” she asked, making me pause because I was sure I hadn't said anything to her.

“Don't give me that look,” she said, directing her gaze to look at the very familiar scenery while I waited for her to explain herself. “Someone posted a video of Axel's teaching, I saw it and I put two and two together when I saw you fuming and I realized, he probably said something hurtful to you.”

“Why does he always have to be rude?” I asked, for the first time venting my frustration but Elaine didn't say a word and let me go on.

Thirty minutes later, Elaine pulled over at a coffee shop a little far away from the main city. I paused to take a look around before giving Elaine a questioning look.

She ignored me and got down from the car, leaving me no other option but to do the same. Before I could put in a word, she pulled me along and we went in.

The scent of coffee really did calm my nerves, there were only a few people there. I sat down with Elaine at an empty table close to the window and soon a waiter approached our table to take our orders.

“I’ll have coffee with just a small amount of sugar,” Elaine said. “And a slice of chocolate cake,” she added, scrolling through her phone.

“I’ll have a cappuccino and a croissant,” I said, looking out the window at the landscape.

The waiter nodded and left to place our orders and in a few minutes, our order was served. We sat in comfortable silence, sipping our drinks and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

“Huh, I'll be back in a while. I need to use the ladies,” Elaine said, excusing herself to use the restroom, leaving me to continue sipping my cappuccino absentmindedly.

Just as I was starting to relax, my nose stuck in my cup which I held with both hands against my lips as I sipped slowly, I heard a foot scrape and a cup of coffee was accidentally spilled on my back.

The heat seeped into my skin, making me jump in pain. “Ah!” I cried out, turning to face the culprit angrily and in pain.

But my words died on my lips as I came face to face with a poorly disguised Axel and just then the scent hit me.

His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, we just stared at each other.

The scent of coffee and chocolate filled the air, mixed with his familiar scent.

“I'm so sorry, it wasn't intentional. Let me help you,” Axel said, his voice low and husky, careful not to attract attention but I'll be damned if I gave a hoot about not attracting attention.

I was angry and I didn't hesitate to show it.

“No, I don't need your help,” I snapped, pushing his hands off. “I'm sure you just want to rub it in my face more, show me how rich and powerful you are but I'm fine, the pain subsided.”

His eyes narrowed, but he didn't let me be, “That's not true, I just want to help. The coffee was hot, it might scald your skin if not properly attended to immediately,” he said and he was right.

But that was applicable to just humans, not werewolves like me.

“Since you said, you're sorry. I'm fine with that. I'll check on a doctor on my own time, now please get out of my space. You're too close.” I said, trying to dismiss him but he wouldn't budge.

By now, everyone was watching us intently much to his chagrin.

Axel's eyes flashed with frustration, his jaw clenched in annoyance. “Please, don't be stubborn," he muttered, his voice low and even, his eyes locked onto mine.

But I continued shooing him away, my hands waving dismissively. "Just leave me alone, Axel."

But he didn't budge. I huffed and turned to walk away, but he was too quick. He grabbed

my fingers, pulling me back towards him. I yelped in surprise, my hands circling his neck on default for fear of falling.