Chapter 3: Noticed.

Dead silence.

The entire auditorium went so quiet you could hear a pin drop. No cheers. No applause. Just hundreds of wolves craning their necks, looking around in utter confusion as they waited to see exactly who this “Jane Holloway” was who had just dethroned Jayden Blackwood.

I couldn’t move. I was practically glued to my seat, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. This was a mistake. It had to be a mistake.

Beside me, Drake nudged my shoulder. “Get up, genius,” he whispered, a huge, disbelieving grin on his face. “That’s your cue.”

My legs felt like jelly, but somehow, I managed to push myself up.

The moment I stood, the silence shifted into a low wave of murmurs. I could feel the weight of hundreds of eyes locked onto me as I stepped into the aisle.

Don’t trip, don’t throw up, just keep walking, I chanted in my head.

I looked toward the stage, desperate for a familiar face. Annie was standing there, practically vibrating with excitement, beaming at me with a smile so wide it could rival the sun. Just seeing her gave me a tiny boost of courage.

But then, my gaze drifted.

It accidentally collided with Jayden’s.

He wasn’t looking at the crowd, and he wasn’t looking at the principal. He was looking at me. For the first time in all the years we had gone to school together, Jayden Blackwood was staring at me. And it wasn’t that polite, passing glance he gave everyone else. It was intense. Searching. Like he was trying to figure out a puzzle he hadn’t known existed until this very second.

His striking blue eyes completely short-circuited my brain. I forgot how to walk. I forgot how to breathe. And, most importantly, I forgot about the three wooden steps leading up to the stage.

My toe caught hard on the edge of the first step.

I let out a very ungraceful squeak as the world tilted forward. My arms flailed wildly, bracing for the harsh impact of the wooden floor in front of the entire school.

But I never hit the ground.

Before I could even blink, a blur of motion appeared in front of me. Two strong, incredibly warm hands clamped firmly around my arms, catching me mid-air and pulling me upright with effortless werewolf grace.

The scent of pine and something distinctly crisp—like the air right before a thunderstorm—filled my senses.

“Whoa. I’ve got you,” a deep, smooth voice murmured.

I looked up, my nose inches from a solid chest, and my breath hitched.

It was Jayden.

He hadn’t just helped me up; he had practically saved me from dying of humiliation.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly, his brows furrowing in genuine concern. He didn’t let go of my arms right away, his thumbs resting warmly against my skin.

My face instantly flooded with heat. I was a burning, blushing mess.

“I—um. Yes. Uh. Thanks,” I stammered, my voice sounding completely strangled.

I couldn’t even form a coherent sentence.

Terrified I might actually spontaneously combust, I quickly scrambled backward, pulling out of his gentle grip. I practically bolted past him, leaving him standing there as I rushed to shake the principal’s hand.

The principal gave me a hearty congratulations, completely oblivious to my inner turmoil. The crowd finally began to clap, but it was polite and scattered, mostly overshadowed by the loud whispers echoing through the hall.

“Who is she?”

“Did you see her fall?”

“How did she beat Jayden?”

“Is she even in our grade?”

I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole. I stood next to Annie, keeping my eyes glued firmly to my shoes.

Once the murmurs died down, the principal tapped the microphone.

“I am incredibly proud of these ten brilliant students! And because this is such a monumental achievement for our pack, I am thrilled to announce that tonight, there will be a celebratory party held at the Alpha’s estate! Everyone is invited!”

The auditorium erupted into massive cheers. An Alpha’s party was the biggest social event of the year.

The moment we were dismissed, Annie linked her arm through mine and practically dragged me down the stage steps—making sure I didn’t trip this time.

“I knew it! I absolutely knew it!” Annie squealed, pulling me down the hallway as students poured out of the auditorium. “First place worldwide, Jane! You are a literal genius!”

“It doesn’t feel real,” I breathed, my head still spinning. “Annie, I made a fool of myself. I literally face-planted at his feet.”

“Oh, please, it was adorable—”

“Jane.”

The sound of my name made my entire body freeze.

That voice.

It was right behind us.

I stopped dead in my tracks. My heart leaped into my throat. Oh, goddess.

I gripped Annie’s arm like a lifeline, panicking.

“Annie, what do I do?” I whisper-yelled, my chest heaving as I hyperventilated. “He saw me almost fall. He’s going to mock me, or ask how I cheated, or—”

Annie rolled her eyes fondly.

“We both know Jayden is not like that.”

She didn’t give me a chance to reply as she physically turned me around by my shoulders.

Jayden was standing right there.

Up close, he was even more breathtaking. His golden hair was slightly tousled, and he had his hands shoved casually into his pockets.

“Hey, Jayden!” Annie chirped brightly. “Great job on the exam!”

He let out that breathtaking, polite smile of his.

“Thanks.”

Annie stared between us mischievously before clearing her throat and saying, “Listen, I need to go find Drake before he eats all the cafeteria donuts. See you!”

“Wait—Annie!” I hissed, but the traitor was already gone, disappearing into the sea of students.

I was left standing alone with Jayden Blackwood.

He offered me a warm, genuine smile that made my stomach do backflips.

“Congratulations, Jane,” he said.

I blinked, staring at him, stupefied.

“Y-you too. Second place is... it’s amazing.”

He chuckled lightly, shifting his weight.

“I have to admit,” he said, his blue eyes locking onto mine again, “I fully expected to be first. I didn’t see anyone passing me.”

He took a small step closer, his smile softening.

“But... this is a really nice surprise.”

My brain stopped working.

Nice surprise.

He thought I was a nice surprise.

Not a freak. Not a cheater.

A surprise.

“Are you going to the party tonight?” he asked, tilting his head slightly.

“Y-yes,” I stuttered out, praying I didn’t sound as breathless as I felt. “I’ll be there.”

His smile widened, reaching his eyes and making them sparkle.

“Good. I’ll see you there, Jane.”

With a final nod, he turned and walked away down the hall.

I stood there, frozen like a statue, clutching my books to my chest. The embarrassment from falling was completely gone, replaced by a bubbling, dizzying euphoria. My knees felt weak all over again, but this time, it had nothing to do with the stage.

For the first time in years, Jayden Blackwood had looked at me. He had said my name. He wanted to see me tonight.

And heaven help me, I was falling in love with him all over again.