I Am not His to Claim

Chapter Eight

I glanced up from the school board signs, my gaze settling on the bold letters that spelled out "Eldoriana High School."

Changing schools wasn't an ideal situation, but staying at Eldoria Academy meant risking my fate. Those students, with their blazing eyes, could melt you with just a glance. And what about meeting a blazing fist simply because you dared to stand up for yourself? No, changing schools was the safest option for me.

"Hi... I'm here to transfer schools," I stated to the woman behind the admin desk, my heart still cold as my mind waged a battle over whether this decision was the right one. "Good day to you. Please fill out this form before we proceed to the next step," she replied, handing me a two-page paper to complete. Normally, it would only require basic information like my name, address, previous grades, and the school I was transferring from. After a minute of filling it out, I handed it back to her. But as she began to process my paperwork, she abruptly stopped and looked at me.

Correction, she didn't just look—she stared.

"Is there a problem?" I inquired, meeting her gaze and sensing a hint of fear in her eyes. But why?

"We're sorry, Ms. Denvers, but we don't recommend students transferring from Eldoria Academy to Eldoriana High School. It means we cannot process your transfer. I deeply apologize," she explained, leaving me puzzled. "But why? I never even wanted to go to that school. Mrs. Venice declined my enrollment here and placed me in that academy," I protested, referring to Mrs. Josefina Venice, the principal and owner of Eldoriana High School. "If Mrs. Venice transferred you to that academy, it means you should be studying there. We cannot alter Mrs. Venice's decision. If you have any issues, you can speak with her in person," she suggested. "I'd love to talk to her," I responded hastily, eager for answers. However, my hopes were dashed when I learned it was Saturday, and Mrs. Venice wouldn't be back until Monday at 10 a.m. "I can rearrange a temporary meeting with her, but I can't guarantee she'll accept your request immediately," she added.

I quickly agreed, feeling a knot form in my throat as I left the school premises. As I pondered my situation, I was approached by someone—someone I remembered as the one who had transformed from a wolf into a human, the same one Mason had saved me from.

Now I remember… Is werewolf real?

Because if not… There is no other way I can explain his transformation.

"Elena Denvers," he spoke my name, catching me off guard. "You are?"

"Tristan Trinidad. I'm not sure if you remember me—"

"I remember you. You're the one I saw transform from a wolf."

He quickly covered my mouth and pulled me out of the school premises. I pushed him away, but he held firm. After locking eyes, he released me and began to apologize.

"I thought you had forgotten about it," he whispered.

"How could I forget? It's been confusing my mind ever since," I replied, frustrated by the lack of answers.

"It's because of Mason..." He stopped himself, realizing he was about to say something he shouldn't.

"Mason what?" I pressed, but he hesitated.

He cleared his throat, scrutinizing me from head to toe before finally speaking again. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm planning to transfer, but they won't allow it because I came from Eldoria Academy," I explained, watching as surprise flashed across his face.

"You're from Eldoria Academy?" he repeated, clearly taken aback.

Minutes passed before he spoke again, as if digesting the information he had just received.

"Anyways... Have you had lunch yet?" he asked.

"No, I haven't," I replied.

"Why don't we have lunch together?"

His invitation caught me off guard. Did I want to have lunch with this stranger?

"I don't know you," I stated hesitantly.

"So if you knew me, would you agree to have lunch with me?"

It took me a moment to respond, but eventually, I nodded.

"Well, let's have lunch first, and then you'll know."