The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 26

Library-2

“With or without it,” she whispered to Avalon, her voice quiet but unbreakable now, “we are leaving.”

Avalon’s answer was firm, resolute.

“Yes. And when we do… we will never look back.”

Iva lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, heart still racing, fear still alive-but beneath it, something new had taken root.

Determination.

They had already decided her fate.

But they had underestimated one thing.

She was no longer waiting to be saved or wanted to be accepted.

The last day of school arrived too fast and too slow at the same time.

Iva felt it in every step she took down the corridor, in the way her heart beat too loudly in her chest, in the way her palms were damp no matter how many times she wiped them against her jeans. This was it. The final hours. The final chance.

Her gaze darted toward the library doors as she clutched two old textbooks to her chest, rehearsing the excuse in her head for the hundredth time.

Returning books. Just returning books. Nothing strange about that.

Even though she knew it was strange.

Who went to the library on the very last day of school, when lockers were being emptied, friendships sealed with tears and laughter, and everyone’s mind was already somewhere else? Still, she forced herself to walk calmly, to keep her head down, to look like she belonged.

Her heart thundered as she slipped inside.

The familiar smell of paper and dust wrapped around her like a thin shield, and for a brief moment, relief washed through her. The library was quiet. Too quiet. No students in sight. No teachers hovering.

Moon Goddess, please, she whispered silently as she moved between the tall shelves, weaving through the narrow aisles until the row of computers came into view.

Just a few more steps.

Her pulse raced harder now, anticipation tightening her chest painfully. Acceptance or rejection-either way, this would give her clarity. Either way, she would know.

Then-

A sound.

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Seft. Muffled. A breathy, broken noise that did not belong in a library.

tva slowed.

Her wolf senses flared before her mind could fully process what she was hearing. The air shifted. Her nose caught it next-sharp, unmistakable.

Arousal.

“Oh no, damn it!” she whispered, eyes widening “No, no, no, not now.”

Her stomach dropped.

This was the last thing she needed. She had hoped-prayed-that she would be alone. She took a careful step back, scanning the aisles, trying to figure out how to retreat unnoticed.

Then she heard a voice.

A familiar voice.

Her blood turned cold.

She took two hesitant steps forward before her body and curious mind betrayed her and froze completely.

Ella.

Ella was sprawled across one of the library desks, skirt hiked up, her head thrown back in pleasure. And standing between her legs-

Mark.

Nick’s future Beta.

His hands were gripping her thighs, his mouth between her legs.

For a second, Iva couldn’t breathe.

The scene slammed into her like a physical blow, shock rooting her to the floor as her mind screamed at her to move, to run, to get out.

And then Ella’s eyes snapped open.

They locked onto Iva.

Everything shattered.

“FUCK! There!” Ella screeched, her face twisting with rage. “She saw us! Catch her!”

Iva turned on instinct, panic flooding her veins, and ran.

She didn’t get far.

Rough fingers fisted into her hair, yanking her back with brutal force. Pain exploded across her scalp as she cried out, her books falling uselessly to the floor. She was thrown down hard, her knees slamming against the tiles, the air knocked from her lungs.

Library 2

Mark loomed over her, eyes dark, breathing heavy.

Ella jumped off the desk, straightening her clothes with shaking hands, fury blazing in her eyes.

“You disgusting little rat,” Ella-hissed, stalking toward her. “You think you can spy on us now?”

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“I-I wasn’t-” Iva gasped, her palms scraping against the floor as she tried to push herself up, but Ella’s palm collided with her face.

Something in her snapped.

Her heart was pounding, fear and anger colliding violently inside her chest, and before she could stop herself, the words spilled out.

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