Chapter 3 Elite Order Academy

• ARDEN
• I let out a deep breath as I gazed at the tall gate in front of me. It was impeccably maintained, glinting as if forged from real gold. Given the sky-high tuition at Elite and the prestigious sponsors backing it, the theory didn’t seem too far-fetched.
• “I’m really here.”
• I clutched the single duffel bag slung over my shoulder. It was what I managed to pack before my mom shoved me out of the door. She had confiscated my phone, claiming I hadn’t paid for it. Thankfully, I had set aside some money for tuition, and despite the hundred-mile journey, I had decided to travel with my wolf to reach this place.
• Just as I was about to step forward, I felt something hard slam into my back, sending me sprawling onto the ground. Fortunately, my bag cushioned my fall. I was ready to glare at the culprit when I caught sight of a tall, imposing man radiating an indescribable aura.
• My mouth fell open in shock, and I struggled to find the right words.
• Beside him were two women clinging to his shoulders like leeches. They didn’t bother to apologize and continued walking. Frowning, I called after them.
• “Excuse me?”
• They halted, giving me a once-over before scoffing. The man didn’t even turn around. I clicked my tongue, feeling irritated. They were clearly in the wrong!
• “Aren’t you going to apologize?”
• “How dare you?” one of the girls exclaimed.
• “You were standing there like an idiot,” the other chimed in, her tone scathing.
• I bit my lip, frustration bubbling up within me. Just then, the man finally turned around, and my breath caught in my throat. Now that I was standing, I could see his features more clearly.
• Blonde hair. Blue eyes. A strong jaw. It was a dangerously attractive combination, but my annoyance at him overshadowed my appreciation for his looks.
• “You… want me to apologize?” he asked slowly, striding closer.
• I pursed my lips and took a step back as he approached.
• “You bumped into me,” I muttered, my confidence wavering slightly under his intense gaze.
• A small smirk danced on his lips. “What’s your name?” he asked, brushing aside my statement.
• “I don’t think that’s relevant to this situation.”
• His eyebrows arched in surprise. “Interesting,” he replied and then offered his hand.
• “The name’s Rowan.”
• “And you still need to apologize,” I said, crossing my arms defiantly.
• He laughed—a loud, rumbling sound that echoed around us. The girls beside him shot me daggers with their glares. I frowned, unsure of what I had done to provoke such a reaction.
• “Really interesting,” he murmured, then turned to leave. “Well, see you around,” he added with a wink, backing away while his hands found their way to the waists of the two women. Glancing over his shoulder, he planted a kiss on one of them, his tongue making its way into her mouth.
• Disgusted, I turned my gaze away.
• “Did they really allow such odd people on this campus?” I muttered, shaking my head. Let’s just hope I never run into that guy again.
• Once they were out of sight, I approached the guard.
• “Name?” he asked, not bothering to look my way.
• “Arden Stone,” I replied.
• “Look into the sensor,” he instructed, pointing to an iris scanner. I complied, holding my breath as the scanner processed my identity. After a few tense moments, it turned green. I sighed in relief—there was no mistake. I was really admitted.
• “Go in,” he said, finally meeting my gaze.
• I smiled and stepped inside, the air feeling different compared to the outside. I inhaled deeply, taking in my dream school. The campus was so vast that it would require a car just to navigate. On the far right were the Elite Mansions, reserved for the crème de la crème—those who could afford the outrageous fees. When I found out how much a single room cost, I nearly fainted. It was even pricier than the tuition.
• I had heard that’s where Alphas, Betas, and the offspring of wealthy tycoons stayed.
• And that’s where my brother was residing. I shook my head, feeling the familiar pain of unfairness. My parents claimed we couldn’t afford it when they easily paid for his accommodation.
• With determination, I turned my focus to a large map a few steps away. I needed to locate the Hades Dorms—the cheapest option, though it had received mixed reviews.
• “Where is it?” I muttered, scanning the enormous map. “A-ha!”
• A frown creased my forehead as I realized its distance. “It’s at the farthest part,” I mumbled, estimating it must be around twenty kilometers away.
• “It’s a whole marathon,” I chuckled to myself. It was the only housing I could afford, so I had no right to complain. Besides, I was already here!
• With renewed resolve, I embarked on my journey to my new home for the next two years. Unfortunately, in my distraction, I bumped into yet another person.
• This person was solid, and I found myself losing my balance, but a pair of strong arms quickly wrapped around my waist, steadying me. A shiver ran down my spine, making me bite my lip.
• “I’m sorry,” I began, realizing I was at fault this time. “I was just in a hurry—”
• My words caught in my throat when I looked up into the eyes of the person next to me.
• “Pretty,” I murmured before I could stop myself.
• His eyes, the shade of stormy skies—gray, neither too dark nor too light—held a depth that seemed to shimmer despite their dullness. His dark hair added to his striking appearance, and for a moment, the world around us faded away.
• “I’m sorry again—”
• Before I could even finish my sentence, however, he had stepped back, not acknowledging my statement. Then, he walked toward the Elite Mansions, leaving me as a silent mess.
• I had barely stepped foot into the campus, but there was already a question that lingered in my mind.
• Did this school only accept attractive people?