Chapter 1

Ugh, where is it?

I breeze through the bookshelves as my eyes hurtfully speeds through the titles of the books under the history department in the library. My fingers start to hurt, until I chant a yes under my breath when I find it. I have a limit of three books to borrow from the modern library.

My phone buzzes and I fish it out to take the call in a haste while holding my three books under my armpit. "Hey, mom, how is dad doing?" I ask breathlessly from all the running I did around the library for the books.

"Oh, honey, he's doing good," she responds gleefully, I hear a clatter and the beeps of our microwave going crazy, "I just can't start the microwave, I pressed all the buttons!" I laugh at my mom's antics, she isn't great with technology.

"Do you see the start button at the top right of the corner?" I ask slowly, there's another ding sound that comes when it starts.

"I'm so glad I gave birth to a nerd, you're smarter than your age," she calls out in relief as she heats up her evening bagel. Like she always does ever since she works in a food store down the block.

"Thanks, mom, you're the best." I say sarcastically as she laughs and hangs up all of a sudden. Probably because she doesn't know how to use the phone as well. My mom's old lifestyle consists letters-in-a-bottle type of communication.

She did me a favor because the library is closing up and I have to check out for the books.

"Really? werewolves?" the bored assistant retorts, "why don't you check out our teen fictions instead?" she always questions me about my preference with her borderline cake face full of sparkles and bright red lipstick. I forget her name often since I'm used to Alara Jamison, but this is the evening shift and I have seen her twice.

Both encounters are a hassle because she talks too much.

"I want to borrow these, please." I answer in a clipped tone. She takes a hint, finally, and does as she's told. I breathe calmly when I get my books and she eyes me before I storm off to my ride.

The chilly wind cleanses my soul from the earlier negativity, the fresh air swirls around me as I close my eyes and meditate, but a honk sound almost makes my heart drop as my eyes instantly open at the parking lot.

"Asp, come on, my butt is freezing," my brother hollers from the open window of the passenger seat that belongs to his sleek, black jeep. "You can summon your werewolves back in your room," my brother, Holland, likes to tease me a lot. I remember when he used to bring a blaring howl alarm to wake me up for school.

I groan internally as I plot down on the leather seat with the aroma of coffee and smoke, I zip open my blue bag to push in the books I get, he peeps my three books that have large wolves as the covers with an amused smirk.

"Just drive already," I mutter through my teeth.

His striking amber eyes gazes at me and I squirm under his teasing look when he starts his car to drive me back home, mostly excited for his wild raves. "Are you seriously going to read about werewolves on the start of the weekend?"

This is it. His jab for the day.

I expect this, as everyone seems on my case lately. First Daniel, then the assistant, and now my lovely brother. I don't know why people can't stick their own noses into their business rather than mine.

"I do whatever I want," I shoot back, my eyes averting to the radio playlist that consists of punk rock music, my head starts to ache as if it doesn't want me to turn on the music.

"Oh really?" he drawls, his eyes on the road with his headlights on, he controls the wheel with one hand as the other remains on the gear.

"Yes, really, why don't you go back to Darla or what was her name this time? Madison?" I mockingly rub my chin with my hand as Holland's dimmed honey eyes narrows at me.

"Her name is London," he defends, and I roll my eyes.

"Wow, I didn't know you were that into The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, for you to choose a London Tipton," I provoke him, as he gives me a temporary glare before his shitty banter takes off.

"At least I have a girl, and you can't get a wolf to like you," he banters once he rounds the corner, our cozy humble house shows, and my crave to read intensifies to the point where I don't let my brother's words get to me.

Because I have a wolf who likes me enough to defend me. My conscience reminds me of the past reoccurring events, and my determination rises to know about him.

"Take care of yourself, Hols." I say as I bid him goodbye, my shoulder hunches slightly at the extremely overpacked bag.

"See ya later, Asp." He repeats, before he speeds off to god knows where.

I let out an exasperated sigh, mainly because mom brings me over to the kitchen to bake a cake, since the neighbors are coming over. I don't know why I involve myself in things that aren't my problems.

However, she's my mother and to prove to her how much of a good daughter I proudly am, I get the lemon cake out of the oven with my purple mittens on, my victory is cut short when it splatters on the silver tray.

"What have you done?" mom's frantic voice goes all over the place as she sets the plates on the tray and I flush at the chaotic mess, so I opt out for cutting the slump into small pieces to show mom my artistic craft.

"I did this on purpose, look how cute they are," I praise at the five plates, though I confuse the cake with sandwiches, as I hit the center with umbrella sticks – that mom brings over– inside the pieces like island treats.

Mom falls the bait, and gives me a kiss on the cheek after an hour full of hard work.

The doorbell rings and it's my cue to leave for my babies upstairs — but my mom's shrill voice stops me again as the women arrive, this time, with an unexpected visitor.

Daniel Jackson. My worst bully. He sends me a conniving smirk with his black hoodie on, and I want to bury myself six feet under.

"Look what Maria came with, a possibility of a friend," mom just has to embarrass me in front of the giggling women, I shyly greet them one by one, stopping in front of Daniel.

"What? no handshake for me?" his smirk widens as he holds out his hand, and the women whisper to each other. I blush under their scrutiny and shake his hand before pulling it to my side.

This is going to be a long night.