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chapter twenty two

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Embry had stayed true to his word—the ones Juliet had spoken to him months ago. Maya's bold claim on Juliet's first day of school had proven prophetic. The entire student body seemed to orbit around the duo, their every interaction a point of intrigue and fascination. Embry and Juliet had unwittingly become the school's most talked-about pair.

Every time Embry approached Juliet, there was a shift in the air, as if the entire hallway held its breath. His trademark smirk—a playful expression dubbed the "Juliet Exclusive" by their peers—was enough to set off murmurs and stares. Students seemed to catalogue every word exchanged between them, every shared laugh, and even their quiet moments together. It wasn't just observation; it was a kind of silent cheerleading, with some secretly rooting for them to become something more.

However, not all the attention was positive. For every pair of eyes sparkling with approval, there were just as many glaring with jealousy. The girls who had harboured crushes on Embry didn't hide their disdain for Juliet. Their sharp whispers and sneers followed her through the halls like an unwelcome shadow, but Juliet handled it all with grace, refusing to let their negativity affect her.

For Embry, the gossip and judgment meant nothing. No amount of sneers or harsh words could change how he felt about Juliet. She was his everything, the one he cared about most. Even though they weren't officially in a relationship, Embry already knew deep down that she was the person he wanted to spend his life with. It wasn't the imprinting that told him this—it was his heart. Before Juliet, he hadn't even known feelings like this were possible.

Love was a foreign concept to him for most of his life. His mother had always spoken about love as something fleeting and cruel, a sentiment born from her own heartbreak. She had loved someone deeply, but fate had led him to someone else. After that, she had given up on love entirely, and her disillusionment had seeped into Embry's understanding of relationships. He grew up believing love wasn't worth the pain.

But everything changed when Juliet entered his life. Embry began to feel emotions he couldn't ignore—warmth, joy, and a deep, unshakable connection. His world expanded in ways he hadn't expected. While questions about his father, one of the mysterious elders, still lingered in the back of his mind, they felt less pressing now. He had his pack, his brothers, and now he had Juliet, and that was more than enough.

"Juliet!" Embry's voice carried over the hum of chatter in the crowded school corridors as he weaved through the sea of students to find her. She turned at the sound of his voice, her face lighting up as he approached.

"Embry," she teased, her tone playful. "Fancy seeing you again."

He grinned, slightly sheepish as he scratched the back of his neck. "I told you, stubborn," he said, pointing to himself. His nerves bubbled beneath the surface, even though he'd approached her countless times before. Somehow, Juliet always managed to make him feel both exhilarated and unsteady.

"So," she said, breaking the brief silence, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Did you want to ask me something?"

Her calm demeanour only amplified his nerves, but he pushed through. "Um," he began, trying to sound casual, "I was wondering if you're free tomorrow night?"

Juliet tilted her head, intrigued by his sudden invitation. Normally, their conversations revolved around class or lighthearted banter. This felt different—like he was working up to something important.

"Yeah, I am, actually," she replied, watching him closely.

Embry's voice dropped, low enough for only her to hear. "Would you like to come with me? The elders are having their monthly storytelling about the Legends tomorrow night, and I'd like you to experience it firsthand."

Her face lit up, her excitement evident. "I would love to join you, Embry."

His grin widened. "Awesome! I'll pick you up at six."

As he turned to leave, Juliet reached out, her fingers brushing against his wrist. "Why don't you walk with me? We've got the next class together, anyway," she suggested with an easy smile.

Embry didn't hesitate, falling into step beside her. They walked together, side by side, their smiles contagious. From behind them, Jacob's amused voice rang out, "Look at them, smiling like idiots."

Embry caught Jacob's comment instantly, the words cutting through the buzz of the crowded hallway like a knife. His head turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as he locked onto his friend, who was leaning casually against a locker, smirking as if he hadn't just made himself a target. Without hesitation, Embry shot him a glare that spoke volumes—a silent but clear warning that payback was inevitable. Jacob met the glare with an exaggerated shrug, his grin widening, clearly unfazed and thoroughly enjoying himself.

Despite the momentary interruption, Embry shifted his focus back to Juliet. The teasing might have been a mild annoyance, but it didn't matter. Not when Juliet was looking at him with that warm, easy smile that seemed to melt away any frustration. The grin tugging at his own lips was unstoppable, a reflex he couldn't control whenever she was around.

Her laughter, soft but genuine, drew him further into the moment, grounding him in the present. The hallway chatter, the judgmental stares, even Jacob's relentless jabs—all of it faded into the background. Juliet had this uncanny ability to make the rest of the world feel insignificant. It was as if, when he was with her, the only thing that mattered was the two of them walking side by side.

Embry chuckled under his breath as they continued down the hall. Sure, Jacob would get what was coming to him eventually, but for now, all that mattered was Juliet. Because no amount of teasing—or anything else, for that matter—could ever dim the light she brought into his life.