A wave of muddy water drenched him completely. His obviously expensive shirt was instantly ruined.

"Sorry, mate! Didn't see you there!" I roared with laughter, speeding away. I watched in the mirror as he stopped, dripping and in a sorry plight, shaking an angry fist at my taillights. **Serves you right.**

**(Elliot's Perspective)**

Muddy water dripped from my hair. Kayden Black, you childish bastard!

But worse than the mess was the panic gripping my heart. I saw Leah get into his car. Did that mean she was okay with this? Were they… back on? The uncertainty gnawed at me like a venomous snake.

**(Leah's Perspective)**

On the third day, I walked to school clutching my lunch box like it was my final meal. A bright yellow Chevrolet Camaro—reminiscent of Bumblebee from *Transformers*—pulled up silently beside me.

The window rolled down, revealing Elliot. He was dressed in a new, more American-style outfit, different from his usual look. His expression was calm, as if yesterday never happened.

"Good morning, Leah. Need a ride?" he asked, smiling with easy naturalness.

I breathed a sigh of relief and mustered a smile in return. "Sure. Thanks."

We tacitly agreed not to mention yesterday's awkwardness, or that idiot Kayden. Soft classical music filled the car as we chatted about the upcoming chemistry test. A fragile peace had been restored.

That peace shattered completely in chemistry class.

The teacher assigned groups of three. I quickly teamed up with a girl named Susie and Elliot. Just then, Kayden strode over and directly addressed Susie. "This group's full. Find another one."

Susie, taking in the bizarre Triangular posture before her, wisely gathered her books and fled.

**Oh, great.** I wanted the floor to swallow me whole.

The entire lab session was a disaster. Whatever I did, both of them would simultaneously reach out to "help."

"Leah, that's not how you hold a pipette. Let me show you," Elliot said, his hand covering mine.

"Back off, Windsor! She's doing fine!" Kayden snatched the instrument away. "Let me help you, Leah."

They were like two bulldogs fighting over a bone, glaring at each other from opposite sides of the lab bench, invisible sparks flying in the air. I kept my head down, just wanting to finish the lab and escape, all while enduring the hate-filled glares from Samantha's direction. **I don't get it. Why is she still coming after me? What does Kayden breaking up with her have to do with me?**

At lunchtime, the inevitable confrontation arrived. Samantha intercepted me in the middle of the cafeteria. She didn't lay a hand on me this time, but the malice in her eyes was undiminished.

"I warned you to stay away from Kayden, you freak."

I stood frozen, the stares from everyone around me feeling like needles. The familiar helplessness washed over me.

"Got a problem, Samantha?" a familiar voice cut in. It was my brother, Tyler, passing by with some of his football friends. He frowned, stepping between me and Samantha.

Samantha's aggressive posture wilted slightly.

At that moment, Kayden charged over like a whirlwind. He completely ignored Samantha, staring directly at my brother, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Tyler, don't worry about it. Leah's with me. She's my soulmate."

**What?!**

Samantha let out a piercing shriek. "Impossible! Kayden Black! You're a future Alpha! How can your soulmate be a… a human girl?!"

Her words exploded like thunder in the noisy cafeteria. The immediate area fell noticeably quieter.

My brother was stunned. He looked at me, then at Kayden, his face a clear picture of "what the actual fuck." Finally, he just shrugged and said to me, "You be careful," before leaving with his friends. As usual, showing little extra concern for his stepsister.

And I was left completely and utterly dumbfounded.

Soulmate? Alpha?

The words Kayden had just spoken, and Samantha's scream, swirled madly in my head like a curse. I numbly walked to a corner table, sat down, and mechanically opened my lunch box, completely forgetting what I was supposed to eat.

**Soulmate? Me? And Kayden Black? What on earth is going on?!**