Chapter 176 My Angel | 069
NOELLE
I wake up already annoyed. My insides are buzzing with the need to hurl something at the wall and scream all kinds of profanities because I clearly remember my dearest husband telling me we were going to head out together. I definitely didn't imagine it.
And then what did he do? Hypnotized me like I'm some fragile little doll... and went off to handle things alone.
My jaw tightens as I sit up in bed.
The sheets are still warm. The faint scent of him clings to everything. It should calm me. It doesn't. It only pisses me off further.
"...Idiot," I mutter under my breath.
By the time I'm dressed and ready for school, I've already decided something very important.
I'm mad.
I will act mad. And I will act it very well.
Azren is waiting by the door when I step out. I do wonder if he slept out here, crippled by guilt. Or if he crawled out of bed early and rushed out here to pretend. Knowing how he can't keep his hands off me, I'd say...the latter is more likely to be correct.
His blue eyes meet mine, soft with remorse and guilt. He's trying his best to seduce me with those eyes, and it's working. Damnit. But that doesn't mean I'm going to show it. He has to appease the goddess he has offended.
"Good morning, Angel."
I hum vaguely, adjusting my bag strap without looking directly at him. His brows knit slightly. Oh, I'm just getting started.
I walk past him, heading downstairs. I can feel him following me, cautiously.
"You should have breakfast before you leave," he tells me, and I say nothing.
He adjusts his pace with every change in mine, watching me closely like he's trying to figure out how deep the damage is.
I reach for the doorknob, and he stiffens.
"Are you still upset with me?" he asks in a low voice, and my movements nearly falter.
I'm painfully weak for him, it's unfair. But I have to make him know that I don't like being sidelined.
So, I stare straight ahead, opening the door. He exhales softly. My heart sinks. I can feel his exhaustion.
"...I'm sorry. I really meant well. I just—"
"I'm too mad right now to listen to whatever you have to say," I drone, even though I itch to turn and hug him hard.
I step out before I can change my mind, slamming the door shut. My throat feels tight. To be honest, I fully understand why he did what he did. It makes me mad how that action reminded me how powerless I am. It made me feel insignificant, even though he didn't mean it like that.
It's just my insecurity speaking, I know that. But right now, it's winning.
Behind me, I hear him sigh. And I swear—I swear—there's the faintest hint of a defeated chuckle in it.
Serves him right.
...
Along the hallway, Blue is waiting. The second she sees my face, her brows lift.
"Oh... someone is in trouble," she mutters.
I force out a smile. She reaches for my hand, holding on tight.
"What happened? Did you two fight?" She whispers and I sigh.
"It's more like... he pissed me off," I mumble.
"Oh..." Understanding dawns across her features.
"Are you okay?" She proceeds to ask, and I shrug.
"I'm just annoyed because I know I can't stay mad at him for long."
"Want to talk about it?" Blue asks as we step into the elevator.
I stare at the wall for a moment. Then I spill it. Minutes later, Blue smiles weakly at me.
"I would hate being deceived like that too. How long do you plan on giving him the silent treatment? I have ideas that will drive him crazy."
I perk up instantly. "Really?"
She nods. And I grin.
"Tell me."
The drive to campus is silent except for Blue's occasional humming. Darrell is behind the wheel again, calm as ever, occasionally glancing at his sister with that quiet, knowing look.
Blue keeps shooting him death glares but says nothing. I'm too busy plotting to care about their sibling drama.
Blue leans over once we're parked.
"Remember the plan," she whispers. "Make him burn. Tease him until he's crawling. But don't leave him hanging for too long or he might actually explode."
I nod, a wicked little smile tugging at my lips.
"Got it."
Once we get to our destination, I step out of the car, typing the first message while walking to class, my fingers flying with righteous fury.
ME: I'm still mad at you. You knocked me out and left me on the couch like I'm some breakable doll.
ME: We were supposed to do this together.
I hit send and shove the phone into my bag before I can overthink it.
Blue grins beside me. "Good. Keep it short and cutting. Make him feel it."
My phone vibrates almost immediately, and I take it out, biting my lower lip. My pulse races as I read the text. I can almost feel his anguish.
AZREN: Angel, I'm sorry. I was terrified of losing you. I couldn't risk anything happening to you. Please don’t give me the cold shoulder. I’m running on fumes over here.
I bite my lip, fighting the urge to soften. Instead, I type back coldly.
ME: You don't trust me to stand beside you. You treat me like I'm fragile. Like I can't handle anything. I'm not a child, Azren.
By the time I slide into my seat, my phone has buzzed three more times. I ignore it until the lecture starts, then I pull it out under the desk and read.
AZREN: I do trust you. More than anyone.
AZREN: I was wrong. I know that now.
AZREN: Let me make it up to you. Please.
I stare at the messages, my heart twisting. He sounds genuinely wrecked. But I'm still mad.
I type back slowly.
ME: You can't just apologize and expect everything to be fine. Actions matter more than words.
ME: And right now, your actions tell me I'm not your partner. I'm just someone you protect by locking away.
I hit send and turn my phone face down.
Blue leans over, whispering, "Now hit him with the killer."
I nod, already typing the next message.
ME: I won't be coming home right after class today.
ME: I'm going out with my friends. To the bar.
ME: Cooper will be there too.
I send it and immediately feel a twisted little spark of satisfaction. The reply comes faster than I expected.
AZREN: What?
AZREN: Noelle Amber Lakewood!
AZREN: TELL ME YOU’RE JOKING
I can practically hear the growl in those texts.
I type back, keeping my face perfectly neutral while my heart races.
ME: You went off alone last night. Now it's my turn. Don't wait up.
I turn the phone off completely and slide it into my bag.
Blue whistles low under her breath. "Damn, girl. That's cold. He's going to lose his mind."
I swallow hard, suddenly nervous.
"Good," I whisper. "Let him feel what it's like to be left behind."
But deep down, a small part of me already feels guilty.
Because I know exactly how Azren reacts when he thinks something or someone is trying to take me away from him.
And I just told him Cooper will be there. This might have been a terrible idea. But it's too late to take it back now.
A while later, I notice the hair on the back of my neck rising stiffly as though I’m being watched.
Slowly, I turn around, only to freeze. My heart drops straight into my stomach.
It’s Cooper.
He's right there. He’s slumped on the desk, barely holding himself up in his seat. His breathing is all wrong, like every inhale hurts.
When did he even get here?
My chest tightens painfully. I try to concentrate on the rest of the lecture, but I can feel his eyes on me, and it keeps me on edge, wondering why he had to drag himself to class in that state.
Right after class ends, he moves over to sit beside me, panting heavily.
"Cooper...?" I whisper.
He flashes me a weary smile, sweat clinging to his neck, his forehead and his hairline. He even looks worse than before. It makes me very uncomfortable to see him like this. If only I could help him in some way. Perhaps I'd stop feeling guilty then.
My hand hovers for a second before I gently touch his arm.
"Hey... are you—"
He moves faster than I can keep up, startling me.
His hand shoots out, wrapping around mine. His grip is too warm, probably from his fever.
He lifts his head a little and smiles.
"Miss me?" He asks weakly.
And suddenly in that moment, something zaps between us. A sharp, electric jolt shoots up my arm and slams into my chest.
My breath catches in my throat, my vision blurring for a moment. And a thunderous voice yells in my head.
"He's not our mate! He can’t touch us!”