Chapter 1: Rose

“What’s up?” My best friend, Kimia Graycort, nudged my shoulder as she sat down next to me on the bus bench. Her long brown hair was pulled out of her face in a partial ponytail. She was wearing a pair of high waisted denim shorts with a baggy led zeplin t-shirt tied in a knot on the side. She crossed her long tan legs and looked over my shoulder at my phone.

“Nothing really,” I responded. “Just reading a web novel while waiting for the two of you.”

“Ugh. Not another werewolf drama.” Kimia’s twin brother, Kamran, moaned as he sat on my other side. He had the same brown hair as Kimia, but stylishly cut so it barely brushed his eyebrows. He had on a pair of black basketball shorts and a white t-shirt. 

“Hey! They’re not all werewolf dramas! Some of them are wealthy CEOs who impregnated or accidently married poor girls with beautiful spirits.”

“Maybe, but I’ve heard you tell Kimi enough werewolf stories to know what you usually read, Rose.”

I rolled my eyes at him and looked over to Kimia. She just shook her head smiling. “He’s not wrong, you know,” she said.

I sighed. “You’re both against me! You don’t even read them!”

“What’s there to read? ‘I locked eyes with him from across the room. The most magnificent man I have ever seen. His scent was so strong it made me drool. My wolf began jumping and calling him our mate.’ You have to admit, Rose, it’s a bit ridiculous.” Kamran put his arm around my slim shoulders and began playing with my black curls.

I snorted. “It’s romantic. Love at first sight, a supernatural bond that overcomes all obstacles. You are just a caveman, Kam.” 

“I’m just wondering why the hot guys are teenage alphas.” Kimi interjected. “Who the hell would trust a teenager to manage hundreds of more experienced people? And the lack of higher education makes me question how they got their wealth.”

“Kimi! It isn’t a true fantasy unless the lovesick girl becomes a leader of a nation or whatever, and she can’t very well fall for an old man.” Kamron informed his sister with a sly smile.

“Fine! I get it! You hate my reading material.” I stood up noticing our bus coming up to us. 

The Graycorts have lived next door to my family for ages, so we took the same bus home from school. They have five kids total. Rayan is the eldest at 20 followed by Sarina who just turned 18. The twins are 16, and Mina is 12. 

My family is a bit smaller. I’m in the middle of two sisters. My older sister is 19 and has been attending college out of state, and my younger sister is 12. She’s best friends with Mina. Our families have been close friends since my parents moved into our house. We’ve had a ton of sleepovers at each other's houses. My sisters and I stay with the Graycorts when my parents go out of town or need a break from us, and they stay with us when their parents go out of town or need a break.

“Oh! I almost forgot!” Kimia said as we boarded the bus home. “Mom and Dad are taking Sarina to tour Rayan’s university this weekend. You know what that means, right?”

“Pizza and movies all weekend at my place? Do you think Mallory knows?” I said, excited.

“I’m sure Mina has told her by now.” Kamron replied. “I am not looking forward to another weekend dealing with the M&Ms.” He visibly shuddered.

I laughed at Kamron’s nickname for our sisters. One M was Mina and the other was my sister, Mallory. “They aren’t as bad as they used to be.” 

“Last month they tied me down and forced me to wear makeup.”

“And you never looked better, Kam.” Kimia stifled a laugh.

“I’m down for pizza and movies, as long as it doesn’t involve a m**i, pedi, facial, styling, or cucumbers!” By the time Kamron was done ranting, Kimia and I were holding our stomachs with laughter.

We finally made it to our stop and exited the bus. I waved them goodbye when we got to my house and they continued on to theirs. I knew I’d be seeing one or both again in a few minutes after they had checked in with their mom, and stashed their backpacks in their rooms.