Rejected Once, Claimed Twice

4 years back ….

Aira’s POV

“Yo, dames and duds! Mom finally said yes—we’re heading to the Dark Moon Pack’s uni!” Ryder whooped, grinning like a lunatic as he raised his arms, revealing crates of party drinks that were definitely on the ‘No-No’ list. “Let’s get this party started!”

Cue mayhem.

All the boys in the room erupted in wild cheers.

“Woooo! Let’s hit it!!”

“Whoa! Sensitive ears here!” I hollered, flinching at the volume. “Chillax, guys,” I added with a dramatic eye roll as I dropped onto the couch beside one of my sextuplet brothers—the infamous, over-the-top, obnoxiously proud Ryder Stone.

Drumrolls, please.

“Shut up, sissy,” Ryder said fondly, slinging his arm around my neck and tugging me close. “I know you’re gonna miss your awesome brother—but hey, it’s not like you’re staying behind either.”

And he was right.

I was leaving too—off to the Dark Arts Academy.

My goal? To become Grand Master of the Dark Arts, a title so rare that even among supernaturals, it was legendary.

“Awesome, my ass,” I muttered, snatching the drink from Ryder’s hand and downing it in one go. “Still don’t know why Mom and Dad decided to fish you out of a trash can.”

“Hey! That was mine!” he yelped.

“And don’t go projecting your sob story on me,” he fired back. “Everyone knows you’re the adopted one.” He smirked.

“Yeah, you and your stinky butt,” I retorted, sticking my tongue out.

Ryder responded with a middle finger—right in my face.

So naturally, I bit it.

“What the flying fudge?!” he yelped, clutching his finger. But before he could retaliate, I squealed and dashed across the room.

Unfortunately—or maybe not—I crashed straight into the arms of my forever crush.

Chester Kain.

Ryder’s Beta. His best friend. My hopeless obsession.

“Don’t let that willy snake go, Chester!” Ryder shouted, teleporting across the room like the devil he is.

But I was faster. Before he could grab me, I shifted—right into a sleek little snake—and slithered out of my crush’s arms.

Still… his arms were warm. So warm. So safe.

Sigh.

Confused? Yeah, I figured.

Let me break it down for you.

I’m Aira Stone—one of the six Alpha-born Stone siblings. My brothers: Ryder, Kai, and Jax. My sisters: Samantha and Joy. We’re all Were-Vampire hybrids. Supernatural, overpowered, and constantly chaotic.

Now, Ryder’s vampire ability is teleportation. Mine? Shape-shifting. I can take on the form of anything or anyone.

And Chester? Oh yeah—he’s one of us. A Were-Vamp too. His vampire gift is Truth Induction. Mom—Alpha Zoe Stone of the Diamond Heart Pack—uses him during rogue interrogations. Guy’s practically a living lie detector.

“Aaaand I got the snake, ladies and gentlemen!” Ryder declared, trapping my snake form in the most humiliating prison ever—a jute basket.

Seriously?

“Let me out, you sick bastard!” I growled through the mindlink.

“Not happening, dear sister,” he taunted. “Beg me nicely, and I might reconsider.”

Beg? Oh, I’ll show him how to beg.

“If you don’t let me out, I’ll sting your precious weiner in your sleep,” I threatened. “And don’t test me, Ryder. I’ll turn into a rat and chew my way out of this basket.”

“Still not letting you go, sweetheart,” he teased in that infuriating baby voice. “Also, you’re in a metal crate now.”

Wait. What?!

He didn’t.

He did.

“Ryder, I swear you’ll regret this!” I shouted through the mindlink.

“Too late!” Ryder sang. “Oh, hey buddy! Hold this female Godzilla for me, will you? And don’t let her escape—or I’ll have your head instead.”

Wait—who was he talking to?

“Um... okay?” came the hesitant response. I knew that voice.

No. No, no, no...

CHES-TER!

I am being held. In a basket. By my crush.

Someone please shoot me.

“Ryder gave it to me,” Chester chuckled, awkward but charming as always. “Didn’t want to lose my head.”

Swoon.

Why is he so... perfect?

“NOW WHY IS EVERYONE SOBER?!” That voice—definitely Jax.

Great. The wild hog is here too.

“Is that Aira in there, Beta Kain?” Jax asked.

“Yeah,” Chester replied sheepishly.

“Oh, fantastic! Let’s see if snakes can get drunk!” Jax exclaimed with unholy glee.

“JAX!!! I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU POUR A SINGLE DROP ON ME—” I screamed through the mindlink.

“She’s totally up for it!” Jax laughed.

“No I’m not!!”

“Alphabetical order, guys! Let’s try all the drinks A to Z!” Ryder added cheerfully.

Demons. I’m surrounded by demons.

“Guys, c’mon,” Chester said, trying to defend me. “Let her enjoy our last night together.”

Awww.

See what I mean?

How can I not have a massive, soul-consuming crush on this boy?

“Since the noble Beta feels so bad for the wretched soul inside,” Ryder announced dramatically, “Let’s see who gets drunk first—Aira or Chester!”

“No way! Not happening,” Chester rebelled, but against my siblings’ chaos?

He didn’t stand a chance.

And so began the most ridiculous, embarrassing, wonderful farewell party ever.

The night the chaos began.