Chapter 138: Teasing and Secrets

"Elle! You scared me." Starlight placed a hand over her chest, glaring at her friend.

Elle raised an eyebrow, looking far too amused by her reaction. "Really? I wonder why. Perhaps you were too busy exchanging phone numbers with a certain handsome prince to remember that I existed."

Starlight rolled her eyes. "Don’t start."

"Oh, I’m not starting anything." Elle held up her hands innocently, although the grin on her face suggested otherwise. "I’m just making an observation. First, you lean against him in front of the entire Elite Circle, then you exchange phone numbers, and now he’s opening car doors for you and calling you his Star Queen. Honestly, Starlight, I think he’s already halfway in love with you."

"Please, Elle. Seriously, don’t."

"Don’t what?" Elle tilted her head. "Don’t point out the obvious? Because from where I was standing, I’m pretty sure I just watched a man practically melt because you gave him a little attention. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he offered to carry you around in his arms if you asked him to."

Starlight let out a disbelieving laugh before turning her attention back to the road, where Okami’s car was already moving farther away.

"He’s just being nice," she said. "He helped me tonight, and I appreciate it. That’s all. Besides, you’re the one who told me to stop being a jerk to werewolves and start giving them a chance."

"Of course I did, although I’m sure I didn’t put it quite that way." Elle nodded solemnly, making absolutely no effort to hide her amusement. "I’m just happy to see you getting along with someone, and that someone has finally managed to get your attention. I was beginning to think you had sworn off romance entirely."

Starlight slowly turned her head toward her. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing bad." Elle shrugged. "I’m just saying that it’s nice to see you getting along with someone like that. Although, if I’m being honest, I would have preferred it if you had caught the attention of one of the Imperial Princes instead."

Starlight’s expression immediately changed.

"One of the Imperial Twins?" she repeated, looking at Elle as though she had just suggested something outrageous. "Are you serious?"

Elle burst out laughing at her reaction.

"What’s wrong with that? They’re handsome, powerful, and practically every girl in the academy would love to have one of them pay her special attention. I’m sure you can understand why I’d find the idea appealing."

"I can understand why other girls might find it appealing. That doesn’t mean I have to agree with them." Starlight shook her head. "Besides, have you forgotten what those two have been putting me through? Why on earth would I want either of them paying me more attention than they already do?"

"All right, all right." Elle laughed again. "I know they’ve been terrible to you. I’m not saying you should fall in love with them or anything. I just think it would be interesting if one of the most sought-after princes in the empire became interested in you."

"Well, you can find someone else to entertain that fantasy because it certainly won’t be me."

Elle sighed dramatically. "Such a shame. But I suppose Prince Okami isn’t a bad alternative. He’s handsome, he’s protective, and he seems genuinely interested in you. There’s nothing wrong with him, after all."

Starlight stared at her for a moment before looking away again. "You’re making it sound as though I’m choosing someone to marry."

"Not yet," Elle replied cheerfully. "But you never know what might happen."

"Nothing is going to happen. Let’s just head inside."

"That’s what you say now."

Starlight shook her head, deciding that arguing with Elle was pointless. Her friend could take the smallest interaction and turn it into an entire romance if given the opportunity. Besides, she had more important things to think about than Okami’s feelings or Elle’s amusing assumptions. Right now, she simply wanted to head inside and put the exhausting evening behind her.

They had barely taken a few steps when movement caught Starlight’s attention.

Someone was emerging from a dimly lit corner beside the building, moving with the cautious manner of someone who hadn’t expected to be noticed. Starlight slowed.

Elle seemed to notice the movement too.

She narrowed her eyes at the figure before recognition dawned on her face.

"Wait a minute. Isn’t that Chloe?"

At the sound of her name, the figure flinched.

Chloe turned sharply toward them, momentarily frozen in the shadows before stepping into the light. Her expression changed the instant she realized she had been spotted. She looked startled, almost guilty, before quickly composing herself. "Starlight. Elle." She forced a small smile. "You’re back."

Starlight stared at her, then glanced toward the dark corner from which Chloe had emerged.

"What are you doing out here at this time of night?" she asked. "Were you waiting for someone? Who were you talking to?"

"Nobody," Chloe answered a little too quickly. "I was just coming back inside. I stepped out for some fresh air, and I didn’t realize how late it had gotten."

Elle raised an eyebrow.

"Fresh air? In that dark corner?"

Chloe’s smile faltered briefly.

"Well, I was just standing there for a while. It’s quieter outside, and I wanted to clear my head before going back in."

Starlight continued watching her. Chloe didn’t look particularly guilty, but something about the way she had emerged from the shadows made Starlight suspect that she hadn’t been alone. She had the distinct impression that Chloe had been talking to someone before they arrived.

However, Chloe didn’t seem inclined to offer any further explanation.

Instead, she quickly changed the subject.

"So, how was the gathering?" she asked, looking between them. "Did you have a good time?"

Starlight exchanged a brief glance with Elle before turning back to Chloe.

"It was certainly memorable," Elle replied before Starlight could. "Although, it didn’t go exactly as I expected. There was a bit of a misunderstanding, and things got rather heated toward the end."

She shrugged lightly.

"But everything worked out well enough. Starlight managed to deal with the problem she went there to address, so I can’t really complain."

Chloe’s expression brightened.

"I’m glad to hear that. At least the evening wasn’t a complete waste of time for the both of you." She glanced toward the entrance before looking back at the two girls.

"Since you’re both back now, why don’t we head upstairs together? It’s getting late, and I’d rather not stand out here all night."

Starlight nodded, although her attention briefly drifted back to the shadowy corner. She was almost certain Chloe had been standing there with someone. Perhaps Elle had been right earlier when she suggested that Chloe might have a boyfriend she was keeping secret.

It would explain why she had looked so startled when they appeared, although Starlight couldn’t be sure. Whatever the truth was, Chloe clearly wasn’t ready to talk about it.

"All right," Starlight said at last. "Let’s go inside."

She and Elle headed toward the entrance, with Chloe following a step behind them. Before entering the building, Chloe glanced back toward the dark corner one last time. Her expression shifted for a brief moment before she quickly turned away and followed the others inside.