Chapter 11

The face behind the wheel belonged to none other than the enigmatic guy who had dropped me off the previous day. Surprise and disbelief washed over me as I gawked at him.

He flashed a mischievous grin, his lips curving in a way that sent a shiver down my spine. "Fancy meeting you here," he quipped, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made me uneasy.

I managed to collect my wits, though my heart still raced. "What are you doing here?" I demanded, my voice laced with a mix of irritation and curiosity.

He shrugged casually, as if this encounter was entirely ordinary. "Just thought I'd give you a lift to school," he replied, his tone nonchalant.

I crossed my arms, skeptical of his intentions. "Why would you do that? We barely know each other."

He leaned closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "Maybe I want to get to know you better," he suggested, his voice low and seductive.

My heart fluttered despite my reservations. This guy was undeniably attractive, and his sudden interest in me was both flattering and perplexing. I couldn't deny the pull of his enigmatic charm.

Before I could respond, a voice interrupted us. "Everything okay here, young lady?"

I turned to see a middle-aged woman, presumably a concerned passerby, looking at me with a hint of worry. I quickly composed myself, realizing that our interaction must have appeared quite unusual.

"Yes, everything's fine. Thank you," I assured her, offering a polite smile.

She nodded and continued on her way, leaving me alone with the enigmatic guy in the car.

He leaned even closer, his lips dangerously close to mine. "So, are you coming with me, or are you going to wait for the bus?"

I hesitated, torn between the allure of his offer and the caution that told me not to trust him so easily. "Why are you so interested in giving me a ride?" I questioned, searching his eyes for any hint of ulterior motives.

He chuckled, a low, melodious sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Let's just say I have my reasons," he replied cryptically.

I couldn't deny the intrigue he sparked within me, and curiosity got the better of my caution. With a resigned sigh, I opened the car door and climbed in. As I settled into the passenger seat, I couldn't help but wonder where this unexpected journey would lead me and how it would shape my first day at the famous Elite High School.

"Wow, you clean up nicely," he remarked with a hint of surprise in his voice, leaving me feeling somewhat puzzled.

"And that's a nice uniform," he added, his eyes now focused on my attire. I instinctively glanced down, my fingers brushing over the cloth badge that proudly displayed the words "Elite High School."

"Thanks," I replied with a hint of bashfulness, now acutely aware of the sharp contrast between my previous surroundings and the prestigious institution I was entering. "By the way, that's where I'm headed."

A brief silence followed, causing a growing sense of unease. Finally, he offered a concise, "Okay."

His lack of conversation and perpetually cold demeanor started to irritate me.

"So, do you know much about this place?" I inquired, my hope hanging in the balance, wishing for a more substantial response.

He initiated the car's engine and pulled away, his gaze fixed firmly on the road ahead.

"Who doesn't know about Elite?" he muttered, suddenly pressing harder on the accelerator.

"Well, I guess I'm the exception," I mumbled quietly, feeling like an outsider who had stumbled into a world of privilege.

"Perhaps that's a good thing," he remarked cryptically, never taking his eyes off the road.

His next words took me aback, "I just don't like being stared at." His growl caught me off guard, making me blink in surprise before averting my gaze.

"I wasn't staring," I hurriedly countered, my voice tinged with nervousness as I absentmindedly tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Sure," he replied in a low, skeptical tone before shifting gears and speeding up, leaving my curiosity unsatisfied.

I couldn't help but wonder about the meaning behind his comment that it was a good thing I didn't know much about Elite, but I decided to let it slide for the moment.

"What do you mean by..." I began, but he interrupted with an impatient groan.

"Enough with the questions," he snapped, his patience clearly wearing thin.

"Fine," I responded, folding my arms and resigning to the silence. I turned my attention to the window, observing the dense forest enveloping us. The absence of any sign of werewolf activity was both perplexing and disconcerting.

Although I was itching to inquire about our destination, I remained silent. We had ventured far from civilization, and I didn't want to risk angering him and being left stranded in this remote and desolate area.

After what felt like an eternity, we arrived at our destination—a grand, imposing building bearing the unmistakable insignia "Elite High School" prominently at the top.

My gaze wandered to the bustling crowd of students engaged in various activities. Laughter and conversation filled the air as some students conversed animatedly with their peers. However, what truly captured my attention was the parade of luxurious cars dropping off students. The sight sent shivers of apprehension down my spine, as it became increasingly evident that this was a place designed for the affluent. I couldn't help but wonder if I truly belonged here.

"Won't you get out?" the guy's voice broke through my reverie, snapping me back to the present.

"I don't know if I should," I admitted, my anxiety growing with each passing moment.

"What, are you scared?" he chuckled, though the reason behind his amusement remained a mystery, given the gravity of the situation I found myself in.

"I'm not scared, just nervous," I corrected, my voice quivering.

"Well, you will be soon," he replied coldly, his words sending a shiver down my spine.

I immediately turned to look at him, and he raised an eyebrow in response to my bewildered expression.

"Dude, you know you aren't helping at all," I scolded him, my frustration mounting.

"Hey, I brought you here; you should be thanking me," he retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Well, thank you," I replied sarcastically, unable to hide my irritation.

"You're welcome," he grinned before opening the car door and stepping out.

"I was being sarcastic," I yelled after him, but he had already slammed the door shut and walked back to my side, opening the car door for me.

"Get out," he instructed firmly, pulling me out of the car.

As I stepped onto the pavement, I couldn't help but notice that all eyes were on me, along with the guy standing beside me. He promptly left my side, reentered his car, and drove off toward the magnificent building, leaving me standing there, frozen and hesitant to move, as curious students cast strange glances in my direction.

"Come on, Ashley, you can do this. Don't forget who you are. There's no need to be nervous; you are just as good as anyone else here. Okay, it's time to muster your courage and make your way to that building," I silently motivated myself, stealing my resolve.

Just as I was about to take that first step, someone reached out and gently held my hand from behind.