Chapter 8

Ashley had just about prepared to glance at her phone when a sudden commotion erupted in the cafeteria. It was as if a pack of wild wolves had just discovered their long-lost mates.

“There she is!” one of the girls cried out, pointing towards the table where Ashley and Emily were peacefully enjoying their lunch.

Panic washed over Ashley as she leaned in to whisper to Emily, "What’s going on?" Emily's shudder in response indicated that she was just as clueless.

The group of girls encircled Ashley's table, their predatory gazes locked firmly onto her. In the tense atmosphere that followed, Ashley and Emily exchanged anxious glances. The cafeteria's other wolf students began murmuring to each other, sensing trouble.

“Sarah, what’s happening?” Emily whispered to their friend, Sarah, who stood beside her.

"Apparently, they heard about Ashley transferring to Elite…" Sarah began to explain before she was abruptly silenced.

“Silence!” a girl from the group shouted, splitting the pack into two sides, creating a path for their leader to walk down.

The room's tension was palpable, an eerie atmosphere descended upon them, but Ashley refused to be intimidated. She continued eating her food, trying to ignore the unsettling stares.

Suddenly, the girl in front of Ashley faked a cough, drawing her attention. "What do you want, Claudia?" Ashley asked with a raised eyebrow, recalling their previous clashes when Claudia had interrupted her meals with her minions.

"As you can see, I’m having lunch, and I don’t like to be disturbed when eating, especially by you," Ashley remarked, challenging Claudia's audacity.

“I’m not here to pick a fight,” Claudia finally spoke.

"Good, because it wouldn't end well for you," Ashley retorted, causing Claudia to clench her fists in a futile attempt to control her rising anger.

"I heard you were being transferred to Elite High School," Claudia suddenly blurted out.

"So?" Ashley muttered, not even bothering to look at her.

"I'm just here to confirm if it’s a joke, even though I know it is,” Claudia sneered.

“It’s not,” Emily interjected, prompting Claudia to turn her threatening gaze towards her, her eyes now a vivid yellow.

“Who asked you to speak?” Claudia glared at Emily, trying to assert dominance.

"I'm sorry," Emily apologized, lowering her head in fear.

“What are you sorry for?” Ashley scoffed, annoyed that Emily felt compelled to apologize.

“I shouldn’t have interrupted you guys,” Emily mumbled, still frightened by Claudia and her followers.

“What do you mean? She's the one who should be sorry for interrupting us,” Ashley declared, brushing off Claudia’s presence as she stood there silently, eavesdropping on their conversation.

“I don’t have time for you guys, and I don't want to talk or waste my time with you guys, but…” Claudia began, only to be interrupted by Ashley.

“But what,” Ashley stood up from her chair, pushing it backwards. Every eye in the cafeteria was now on them, for Claudia and Ashley were well-known rivals who clashed regularly.

Claudia, despite being an omega, had beta minions who followed her around, making life miserable for other wolves in the school. Emily had been one of their targets until Ashley arrived and put a stop to their bullying. This led to a major fight between Ashley and Claudia.

“What do you want, Claudia? I thought we agreed not to cross paths in this school,” Ashley scoffed, reminding Claudia of their pact to coexist peacefully.

“Like I said, I’m not here for a fight,” Claudia stated.

"Then what are you here for?" Ashley interrupted Claudia.

“Don’t interrupt me!” Claudia growled, revealing her sharp claws. She was about to pounce on Ashley when someone intervened.

“Don’t,” a cold voice from behind commanded.

“Who dares to hold my hand!” Claudia growled, spinning around to see a guy with messy hair and dorky glasses.

“Let go of my hand, you dork,” Claudia yanked her hand away from him before grabbing him by the collar.

“How dare you hold my hand with your filthy hands,” Claudia seethed through gritted teeth before sending him flying across the room. The boy's back slammed hard against the wall before he crashed onto the ground, coughing uncontrollably. If he were a regular human, the impact from Claudia's throw might have been lethal, given her enhanced wolf strength.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Claudia? Are you trying to kill him?” Ashley scolded Claudia, her attention now on the injured boy. She rushed over to help him.

“Oh, relax. He won’t die; he's one of us, probably a beta,” Claudia said mockingly, inciting laughter from the onlookers in the room. Only Emily and Ashley, along with the injured boy, remained concerned about the situation.

“By the way, this isn’t the reason I’m here,” Claudia said casually, grabbing a piece of meat from Ashley’s plate and tossing it into her mouth.

“A little birdie told me that you're being transferred to Elite High School. I want to know if it's true,” Claudia inquired, raising her eyebrows inquisitively.

“And what if it is?” Ashley's response left everyone in the room gasping. Claudia was momentarily stunned before her expression turned into a stern, mean glare.

“No way a lowlife, wolfless girl like you will get to attend the most prestigious high school ever,” Claudia remarked, sparking laughter throughout the room.

“Are you okay?” Ashley asked the boy on the ground, disregarding Claudia's insults as she helped him to his feet.

“Thank you for helping me,” he mumbled, adjusting his glasses, a gesture that Ashley found endearing.

“I should be the one thanking you for saving me from Claudia’s claws,” Ashley admitted, her laughter breaking the tension slightly.

“I will always save you and never let anyone hurt you,” the boy's words sent a chill down Ashley's spine.

“Oh, okay,” Ashley replied with a slightly awkward smile.

“Are you guys done flirting with each other?” Claudia mocked from behind.

Ashley turned to face Claudia, who wore a self-satisfied smirk. Ashley surveyed the room and realized that everyone, including Emily, had their attention fixed on her.

“Yes, I’m going to Elite High School,” Ashley declared, leading to gasps and murmurs from the gathered crowd.

“No way!” Claudia shouted. Suddenly, the principal's voice echoed in the school, announcing Ashley's transfer to Elite High School.

“Miss Ashley Young will be transferred to Elite High School and will start attending from tomorrow,” the principal's announcement sent everyone rushing towards Ashley.

“Oh my goodness, I’m so happy for you!” “Ashley, can we be friends?” “Ashley, take me along with you!” “Ashley!”

The students bombarded Ashley with questions, making Claudia even angrier.

“Guys, calm down,” Ashley chuckled, attempting to pacify the crowd.

“How did you do it? Are you one of the high-ranked wolves?” a girl asked.

“Well, yes,” Ashley answered, relishing the attention she was receiving.

“Whoa, that’s so cool!” Some wolves howled in unison.

“Ashley!” “Ashley!” “Ashley!” “Ashley!”

The students began chanting Ashley’s name, making her feel special and proud. She basked in the unexpected limelight, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions that had engulfed her. The sudden turn of events left her both exhilarated and bewildered.

“I have to go now, guys. I just came to collect my things,” Ashley finally announced, her voice barely audible above the enthusiastic crowd. With the students still clamoring for her attention, she began making her way towards the exit.

“Ashley!” Emily called out desperately, but her voice was drowned out by the cacophonous howls of the excited wolves.

Ashley managed to leave the school building, a swarm of students trailing behind her. As she stepped outside, a sleek car pulled up right in front of her, causing her to break into a sly smirk.

“Guys, I have to go now. My ride is here,” Ashley informed her admirers, who responded by chanting her name once more.

“Bye, everyone!” she called out, waving farewell to her newfound fans as she opened the car door and slid into the front seat. She glanced back at the students one last time through the car's tinted windows before instructing the driver, “Take me home.”

However, her triumphant mood took an unexpected turn when she found herself face to face with the bewildered young man who had just spoken.

“I’m sorry, but who are you?” Ashley's eyes widened as she turned to see this guy who seemed to have materialized out of thin air, wearing an expression of complete confusion.