Ch. 1

"Ember, are you sure about this?" Mom asked me for like the 100th time today.

"Yes. I'm certain." I sighed staring out at the new high school I'll be attending today.

"She's got me. Don't worry mom. I won't let anything happen to her." Ash spoke from the back seat, squeezing mom's shoulder. He always had a way of calming mom, where I just strung her up full of anxiety.

"Thank you, sweetheart." She doted. I know she says she has no favorites, but it sure seems like she does.

"Whatever." I sighed, making my way towards the school.

Ash got it all and I didn't get a thing. He has a wolf, a dragon, and the elf magic. Yet here I am pretty much a human with some heightened senses. If I had a wolf it should have appeared by now. Dad said I should have had my dragon from birth, but I've never heard or seen it if I do. On top of that when I touched the tree of life, my magic didn't awake like everyone else's.

Mom kept me in school with the elves in the kingdom anyway. She was hoping that maybe my magic would awaken if I learned more about it. Eventually, I got tired of failing at everything. The elves were snobby and rejected me quickly, always mocking me or making fun of me. Bunch of assholes.

Ash of course always defended me, and beat up anyone that bullied me. It was causing so much trouble at school though. After speaking with dad and Charles and Eryn, they decided it would be best if I went to the same human high school that Charles went to. It's close to the kingdom and Charles still has some ties there. Some of his pack members attend high school there.

Ash didn't like the idea of me going to a new school alone so he decided to come with me. He's so far ahead on his magic that mom didn't think it would be a problem for him. Ash is a great fighter, shifter, fire breather, magic bearer. He was great at everything he did, where I failed at almost everything. Talk about a complex issue.

I have heightened hearing, vision and strength, which is what makes mom hope that I have a wolf laying dormant in me. Her hope only crushes me more. I feel this pressure to be amazing, like my mother, like my father, like my brother. The only thing I'm good at is being extremely intelligent, fighting barehanded, and disappointing everyone around me.

"Ash, make sure to portal back right after school. You have training." Mom yelled after him. Her rose gold hair was thick and unruly right now. The pregnancy hormones were making it harder for her to tame her hair. She'll have Charles' son soon. They're naming him Charlie.

"Got it." He yelled back. "Ember, wait for me." He called after me.

As much as I wish I could hate Ash for having it all, I can't. He's an amazing brother. He's kind and caring, the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met. He is also very handsome and could have any girl he wanted, but he's holding out for his mate, chosen one, or destined one. He could end up like mom with multiple mates for all we know. He doesn't want that though, he wants just one person to devote himself to completely.

I'm not the only sibling that looks up to Ash or that Ash protects. Little Eric is always trailing behind Ash. Ash could have been the alpha of Charles' pack, but he chose to rule the kingdom instead in the future. Charlie will get the title when he comes of age. Eric is second in line to the throne. If Ash ever changes his mind Eric will rule the kingdom.

"Hurry up." I called back to him. His dark shaggy hair swayed in the wind as he ran toward me. He had that sweet smile of his, showing me his sparkly white teeth. His sky blue eyes are just like dads, penetrating and intense.

"What's the hurry?" He asked, now at my side, matching my pace.

"I don't want to be late on my first day. Charles said the teachers are kind of strict here." I don't like making bad first impressions.

"Oh please, you know we have plenty of time. You're just wanting to get away from Mom." He elbowed my side and I rolled my eyes.

"Don't roll those eyes at me. Makes me think of mom." He laughed.

"I can't help that I have her green eyes. Just like you can't help having dad's blue eyes." I deadpanned.

"Yeah, yeah. " He ran his hand over his hair, smoothing it down.

He had strong arms, hardly contained by his shirt. These girls are going to lose their minds. When they find out we are related they will try to be my friend to get to him. I always hated that. So many fake friends have come into my life that way. That's why I refuse to have any here. I refuse to be used by any humans or wolves here.

"Hold still, you have a little leaf in your hair." He pulled at one of my golden strands, picking the leaf out.

"Thanks." I smoothed my hair with my hands.

At least dad and mom gave me good looks. Although I could do without the freckles and blush…that I have to constantly fight off. Dad and mom trained us well so our emotions aren't as evident on our faces. I'm thankful for that. I never want to let others know when they've hurt me.

Ash pulled the door open for me and we made our way in. The scent was mingled, a mixture of humans, wolves, and books. The walls were painted a light gray with a royal blue. School colors I guess.

All eyes landed on Ash and I as we entered and the whispers immediately started. I didn't shrink though. I held my head up high.

"Who is that?" A prettier girl in the corner asked her group of friends. They all instantly turned to look at Ash and then I.

"Oh my gosh, I have no idea, but he's super hot."

They all giggled and I faked a gag at Ash. He laughed at me, probably making more girls swoon. The guys looked at him angrily, sizing up their new competition. Then their eyes landed on me, and I could feel them roaming down my body. I hate immature boys.

"Yo, check her out."

A guy in a letterman jacket bumped his buddy in the arm. The guy turned from his locker, his chocolate brown eyes meeting mine. I had to fight the blush, taking a deep breath. He was actually cute, and his eyes never ventured below my face.

"Must be new." Was all he said.

"Come on, bro. She's fucking hot. I'm going to tap that by the end of the week." He promised himself and I had to stifle my laughter. They don't need to know I can hear them.

"Quit it, Micheal." His friend scolded him.

Ash stiffened with anger beside me. I poked his side and shook my head at him, giving him a smile. He sighed, rolling his eyes and letting it go.

Neither Ash nor I shrunk under the gazes and whispers of all the students. We're used to being stared at everywhere we go. At least here no one will expect much of me.

We finally arrived at the office and collected our schedules. We had lunch and 8th period together, but that was it.

"I'll meet you outside the cafeteria for lunch." He told me as we looked at our schedules more.

"Wait here a moment and I'll have a couple kids come give you a tour of the school." The administrative assistant told us.

Ash's person came before mine. It was the boy who had been at his locker. He was a very handsome guy. He had dark black hair that hung in waves by his shoulders. It was parted down the middle and framed his face well. His chocolate eyes met mine again, catching me staring at him. I quickly looked away, fighting the blush away. I don't usually get so affected by someone's eyes.

"Ah Antonio." The assistant called his name. "Could you please show Ash, our new student, around the school?" She asked him.

"Of course Ms. Sims. And remember it's Toni." He reminded her of his nickname. She nodded her head at him.

I heard Ash and Toni making pleasantries as they left the office. My person showed up shortly after they left the room. She was a very short and extremely skinny girl. She had black glossy hair and tan skin. She had the nicest and most welcoming smile.

"Hello Rachel. This is Ember, she's new here. Could you please show her around the school?" She asked and Rachel nodded.

She seemed like my type of person. She had on a band T, dark jeans and bright red converse. Normally I'd be wearing a similar style, but Ash and I went neutral today. I wore a black shirt with white pants and black converse. Ash wore a white shirt with black jeans and white converse. We were the inverse of one another... like always.

"Yes ma'am." Rachel responded to Ms. Sims. I grabbed my things and Rachel took the schedule from my hands as we left the office. "Hey, we have 2nd, and 8th period together. Oh we also have lunch at the same time." She said excitedly.

"Oh cool." I wasn't sure what to say to that. She was a lot bubblier than I thought she would be.

Rachel led me around the school showing me my classes and explaining this high school's hierarchy.

"You should join my group for lunch. We sit outside by the fountains. They'll love you, I'm sure." She smiled at me.

"Um yeah, okay. Is it alright if my brother joins?" I asked her.

"Of course. I didn't know you had a brother."

"Twin actually. Although we don't look like it."

"That's so cool! I've always been jealous of the closeness twins have. I'm an only child." She explained. "Anyway, here's your first period. She'll excuse your tardy today but make sure to not be late, ever. She's super strict. I swear Mrs. Williams hates kids. I don't know why she chose to teach." Rachel joked as she waved goodbye. I waved back, feeling like I made the right choice coming here.