Yvonne’s POV- New students

“Hey, Yvonne, where were you?” Lora asked, grabbing my hand as I approached.

“I got your text. Why were you looking for me? I don’t recall stealing your boyfriend,” I teased, making faces at them as I settled between my friends.

They laughed, playfully pushing me. “You’re crazy,” Lora exclaimed.

I chuckled, enjoying their company.

Grace pulled me closer. “Great! I knew they wanted to gossip,” I thought to myself, remaining silent.

“Father Bosco was here. They caught a new girl, and she’s a witch,” Grace informed us, her hands trembling.

“Oh, that’s unfortunate. Did the witch girl try to harm anyone?” I feigned ignorance, watching their reactions carefully.

They gasped, staring at me in disbelief.

“We can’t wait around until they start hunting us down, Yvonne. I’m relieved Father Bosco is targeting the witches. I can’t stand the thought of being bewitched,” Grace confessed.

Suppressing the urge to laugh, I maintained my composure. What did she know about witches and being bewitched?

“Are you finding this amusing?” Grace asked, taken aback by my reaction.

“No, not at all,” I replied, hiding a smirk.

Lora sighed. “This isn’t a laughing matter. You know how dangerous witches can be. Listen, if you’re not scared, Yvonne, I am.”

I nodded solemnly. “Yes, you should be cautious. But you should also learn to mind your own business. Otherwise, your loose lips might get you into trouble. Anyone around us could be a witch, and if they overhear you, they’ll make sure to silence you for good,” I warned, sitting upright and scanning the room discreetly.

Grace swallowed nervously, glancing at Lora, who looked around the noisy classroom with apprehension.

Arms folded, I observed them. There were no witches nearby, so they were safe for now. Even if there were witches among us, how would my friends ever know? They were only human.

They were the greatest of friends, a source of comfort amid the turmoil of my dual existence as both human and wolf. With them, I could momentarily forget the burdens and trials that came with my lupine nature.

Lora cleared her throat, breaking the momentary silence. “I almost forgot to tell you, Yvonne. Three other students registered today—a pair of handsome guys and a stunning girl,” she announced, a smile gracing her lips.

Grace nudged me playfully. “You never know, Yvonne. Perhaps the girl could become our friend in the future.”

I scoffed inwardly at the notion. Allowing people into my inner circle wasn’t something I excelled at; I was highly selective in all aspects of my life. Many times, Grace and Lora had attempted to expand our group, but I had a knack for deflecting their efforts. I saw no need for a large circle of friends—an ethos instilled in me by my mother.

“You need to see those guys, Yvonne! They’re absolutely dreamy, even prettier than some girls,” Lora gushed, her voice laced with excitement.

I stretched my arms on my desk, closing my eyes momentarily. Lora’s infatuation with the boys was palpable, but it was inconsequential compared to the pressing matter at hand—I needed the witches to agree to my terms.

Gripping their hands firmly, I pulled them closer to me. “Listen, girls, you need to tread carefully and steer clear of any witch or newcomer gossip,” I cautioned, my tone serious.

They had no inkling of the dangers posed by witches, nor did they comprehend the significance of my negotiations with them. And I intended to keep it that way.

Grace chuckled, brushing off my warning. “Well, it’s Lora who’s afraid of them, not me. I fear no one.”

“Brave as ever, Grace,” I chuckled, masking my inner turmoil with amusement.

Grace raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing me. “Oh, come on, Yvonne. I know your façade. Don’t tell me you’re afraid of them,” she teased, nudging me lightly.

“Yvonne can be quite the enigma at times,” Lora chimed in, giggling as she opened her book.

“Very well, then…” I declared, rising to my feet and folding my arms.

The class buzzed with chatter, the noise swirling around us like a whirlwind. Yet, amidst the cacophony, a sudden hush fell upon the room, so profound that it caught even my distracted attention. Sensing the change, I glanced at my friends, whose stunned expressions mirrored my own.

Turning around, I gasped in awe. Standing before us were the most striking men I had ever seen. Their luscious brown locks cascaded effortlessly, framing their chiseled features. Piercing blue eyes met mine, each gaze sending a jolt of electricity through me. They bore a resemblance that hinted at brotherhood, yet subtle differences set them apart, adding to their allure.

My cheeks flushed as I found myself drawn to one of them, a magnetic pull I couldn’t quite explain. Shaking my head to dispel the strange sensation, I made my way back to my seat, trying to regain my composure. The entire class seemed to be under their spell, their presence commanding attention as they confidently took their seats behind me, unaffected by the stares directed their way.

Glancing back at the one who had captivated me, I couldn’t help but wonder what it was about him. “Who wouldn’t be attracted to a guy like that?” I reasoned silently, propping my chin up with my hand.

Grace nudged me, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “What?” I feigned innocence.

“You like him, don’t you?” she teased, her smile widening.

I scoffed, feeling a twinge of embarrassment at being caught. “No, I don’t…”

“Yes, you do. Look at your eyes,” she pointed out, her laughter infectious as Lora joined in.

Realizing that they had noticed my lingering gaze, I fell silent, contemplating Grace’s words. Could I really be interested in a human boy? The idea seemed absurd, yet there was an undeniable pull.

A few minutes later, a girl entered the classroom, her long brown hair cascading like a waterfall against her snow-white attire. I nodded in acknowledgment to Grace’s whisper, recognizing her as the new student.

“She’s pretty, isn’t she?” Grace commented softly.

I nodded in agreement. “Yeah, she’s quite elegant.”

While I admired her beauty, I couldn’t envision forging a friendship with her. She simply didn’t fit into my world.

Observing the new boys exchange pleasantries with her, I realized they had arrived at the same time, likely forging an instant connection.

As the school day came to a close, I contemplated approaching Alexander, only to be taken aback as I saw him engaged in conversation with the new girl. “Really?” I murmured in surprise.

“Hello! I’m Drake, and that’s my elder brother, Alexander,” a voice interrupted my thoughts.

Turning around, I faced Alexander’s brother, his finger gesturing toward his sibling.

I chuckled softly. “Hello… I’m Yvonne Brooks,” I replied, maintaining a cool demeanor. Introducing myself with my full name was a habit I couldn’t seem to shake.

He nodded in acknowledgment, his smile unwavering.

Glancing back at Alexander, our eyes met once more. He held my gaze for a moment before turning away, his attention now focused on the new girl in front of him, a smile playing on his lips.

Fuming with frustration, I stormed out of the classroom, leaving Drake behind with his smug expression. His pride only fueled my irritation further. Outside, I found my friends waiting for me, concern etched on their faces.

“Did you get to talk to him?” Grace inquired, her hand resting reassuringly on my shoulder as we walked.

I shook my head, a sour taste lingering in my mouth. “I didn’t. He was too busy chatting up the new girl,” I grumbled, my disappointment evident.

Lora attempted to lift my spirits. “Don’t worry, tomorrow is another day,” she offered optimistically.

I nodded, trying to push aside my frustration. “Besides, who does he think he is, stealing my thunder?” I thought to myself, determined to shake off the encounter as we headed outside.

A smile crept onto my face at the sight of my red Benz CLA, standing out among the sea of cars. It was a symbol of my status and wealth, setting me apart from my peers.