**(Leah's Perspective)**

That literature class was a live grenade, blasting me, the "invisible girl," straight into the epicenter of the school gossip mill. By the final bell, the rumor had morphed into: "Nerd Leah is a secret player, two-timing Windsor and Black, making them duel over her in class."

**Seriously?** Don't these people have anything better to do?

But deep down, a tiny voice whispered: Being Elliot Windsor's girlfriend… didn't sound… bad. He was smart, funny, and we could actually talk. Compared to my previous, distant, purely-looks-based crush on Kayden, being with Elliot felt more real, more solid.

**But… what if it's just pity? What if I say something and he rejects me, ruining the easy friendship we have now?**

I spent the entire afternoon locked in this frantic mental tug-of-war. I didn't hear a single word the teachers said. When the dismissal bell rang, I practically fled, shoving books into my backpack.

"Leah," Elliot's voice came from behind me, as gentle as ever. "Walk together? I can give you a ride."

My heart leaped into my throat. I refused almost reflexively. "No! I mean… that's okay, thanks. I… I feel like walking today."

A clear flicker of surprise crossed his face, and the light in his deep eyes dimmed slightly. "Oh. Alright. Well… see you tomorrow?"

"See you tomorrow." I practically ran away, not daring to meet his gaze. **God, I'm such a mess.**

**(Elliot's Perspective)**

She rejected me.

I had it all planned out. I was going to find the right moment on the ride to her house, to tell her how I felt. All of it, ruined. Why? Was the morning's gossip putting pressure on her? Or… does she still have feelings for that muscle-bound, simple-minded Black?

I watched her retreating back, a wave of frustration washing over me. This feeling of losing control was terrible.

**(Kayden's Perspective)**

Yes! She's alone! That Windsor guy isn't with her!

Spotting Leah walking home by herself, like a lost little rabbit, sent a surge of pure triumph through me. I cranked the steering wheel, and my tall Jeep screeched to a halt right beside her.

"Ah—!" she screamed, dropping her bag onto the sidewalk and staring at me in sheer terror.

"Hey, relax, it's just me." I leaned out the window, trying to make my smile look less threatening. "Need a ride?"

When she realized it was me, the terror on her face shifted into panicked fluster. Her eyes darted away as if I were some man-eating monster. "No! I'm fine! Thank you!"

**Damn it.** Why was my charm completely useless on her? "Listen," I lowered my voice, adopting a serious tone. "Samantha and her crew are waiting for you just around the next corner. You sure you want to walk right into that? The outcome… I wouldn't bet on it."

She froze, her face instantly turning pale. After a few seconds of hesitation, she finally yanked the passenger door open and climbed in.

**Score!** I was elated. But the victory lap only lasted for two blocks.

"You lied to me," she said suddenly, her voice cold. "Samantha isn't up ahead, is she? We're almost at my house."

**Busted.** Instinctively, I reached out and grabbed her arm to explain. "Leah, wait…"

**BZZZT—**

That familiar, intense current surged through me again, clearer and more undeniable than before. My wolf spirit roared in recognition: **It's her! It is her!**

She wrenched her arm away as if burned. She just frowned slightly, seeming merely uncomfortable.

"Elliot Windsor," I stared at her, asking the question that had been eating at me all day. "Is he your boyfriend?"

She shoved the door open, jumped out, and glared back at me. "None of your business."

Then she ran off without a backward glance.

**None of my business? Hell no!** That answer was perfect! It meant they weren't together! I slapped the steering wheel in excitement. Just then, I spotted that damn figure in my rearview mirror—Elliot Windsor, pedaling his bike furiously up the road, his face a mask of anxiety.

A mischievous idea popped into my head. I hid the Jeep in a side alley, waited until he was huffing and puffing past, then slammed the accelerator and shot out, perfectly timing it to plow through a small roadside puddle.

**SPLASH—!**