“Hey, Yvonne, where were you?” Lora asked, grabbing my hand as I approached.
“I got your text. Why were you looking for me? I don’t recall stealing your boyfriend,” I teased, making faces at them as I settled between my friends.They laughed, playfully pushing me. “You’re crazy,” Lora exclaimed.I chuckled, enjoying their company.Grace pulled me closer. “Great! I knew they wanted to gossip,” I thought to myself, remaining silent.“Father Bosco was here. They caught a new girl, and she’s a witch,” Grace informed us, her hands trembling.“Oh, that’s unfortunate. Did the witch girl try to harm anyone?” I feigned ignorance, watching their reactions carefully.They gasped, staring at me in disbelief.“We can’t wait around until they start hunting us down, Yvonne. I’m relieved Father Bosco is targeting the witches. I can’t stand the thought of being bewitched,” Grace confessed.Suppressing the urge to laugh, I maintained my composure. What did she know about witches and being bewitched?“Are you finding this amusing?” Grace asked, taken aback by my reaction.“No, not at all,” I replied, hiding a smirk.Lora sighed. “This isn’t a laughing matter. You know how dangerous witches can be. Listen, if you’re not scared, Yvonne, I am.”I nodded solemnly. “Yes, you should be cautious. But you should also learn to mind your own business. Otherwise, your loose lips might get you into trouble. Anyone around us could be a witch, and if they overhear you, they’ll make sure to silence you for good,” I warned, sitting upright and scanning the room discreetly.Grace swallowed nervously, glancing at Lora, who looked around the noisy classroom with apprehension.Arms folded, I observed them. There were no witches nearby, so they were safe for now. Even if there were witches among us, how would my friends ever know? They were only human.They were the greatest of friends, a source of comfort amid the turmoil of my dual existence as both human and wolf. With them, I could momentarily forget the burdens and trials that came with my lupine nature.Lora cleared her throat, breaking the momentary silence. “I almost forgot to tell you, Yvonne. Three other students registered today—a pair of handsome guys and a stunning girl,” she announced, a smile gracing her lips.Grace nudged me playfully. “You never know, Yvonne. Perhaps the girl could become our friend in the future.”I scoffed inwardly at the notion. Allowing people into my inner circle wasn’t something I excelled at; I was highly selective in all aspects of my life. Many times, Grace and Lora had attempted to expand our group, but I had a knack for deflecting their efforts. I saw no need for a large circle of friends—an ethos instilled in me by my mother.“You need to see those guys, Yvonne! They’re absolutely dreamy, even prettier than some girls,” Lora gushed, her voice laced with excitement.I stretched my arms on my desk, closing my eyes momentarily. Lora’s infatuation with the boys was palpable, but it was inconsequential compared to the pressing matter at hand—I needed the witches to agree to my terms.Gripping their hands firmly, I pulled them closer to me. “Listen, girls, you need to tread carefully and steer clear of any witch or newcomer gossip,” I cautioned, my tone serious.They had no inkling of the dangers posed by witches, nor did they comprehend the significance of my negotiations with them. And I intended to keep it that way.Grace chuckled, brushing off my warning. “Well, it’s Lora who’s afraid of them, not me. I fear no one.”“Brave as ever, Grace,” I chuckled, masking my inner turmoil with amusement.Grace raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing me. “Oh, come on, Yvonne. I know your façade. Don’t tell me you’re afraid of them,” she teased, nudging me lightly.“Yvonne can be quite the enigma at times,” Lora chimed in, giggling as she opened her book.“Very well, then…” I declared, rising to my feet and folding my arms.The class buzzed with chatter, the noise swirling around us like a whirlwind. Yet, amidst the cacophony, a sudden hush fell upon the room, so profound that it caught even my distracted attention. Sensing the change, I glanced at my friends, whose stunned expressions mirrored my own.Turning around, I gasped in awe. Standing before us were the most striking men I had ever seen. Their luscious brown locks cascaded effortlessly, framing their chiseled features. Piercing blue eyes met mine, each gaze sending a jolt of electricity through me. They bore a resemblance that hinted at brotherhood, yet subtle differences set them apart, adding to their allure.My cheeks flushed as I found myself drawn to one of them, a magnetic pull I couldn’t quite explain. Shaking my head to dispel the strange sensation, I made my way back to my seat, trying to regain my composure. The entire class seemed to be under their spell, their presence commanding attention as they confidently took their seats behind me, unaffected by the stares directed their way.Glancing back at the one who had captivated me, I couldn’t help but wonder what it was about him. “Who wouldn’t be attracted to a guy like that?” I reasoned silently, propping my chin up with my hand.Grace nudged me, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “What?” I feigned innocence.“You like him, don’t you?” she teased, her smile widening.I scoffed, feeling a twinge of embarrassment at being caught. “No, I don’t…”“Yes, you do. Look at your eyes,” she pointed out, her laughter infectious as Lora joined in.Realizing that they had noticed my lingering gaze, I fell silent, contemplating Grace’s words. Could I really be interested in a human boy? The idea seemed absurd, yet there was an undeniable pull.A few minutes later, a girl entered the classroom, her long brown hair cascading like a waterfall against her snow-white attire. I nodded in acknowledgment to Grace’s whisper, recognizing her as the new student.“She’s pretty, isn’t she?” Grace commented softly.I nodded in agreement. “Yeah, she’s quite elegant.”While I admired her beauty, I couldn’t envision forging a friendship with her. She simply didn’t fit into my world.Observing the new boys exchange pleasantries with her, I realized they had arrived at the same time, likely forging an instant connection.As the school day came to a close, I contemplated approaching Alexander, only to be taken aback as I saw him engaged in conversation with the new girl. “Really?” I murmured in surprise.“Hello! I’m Drake, and that’s my elder brother, Alexander,” a voice interrupted my thoughts.Turning around, I faced Alexander’s brother, his finger gesturing toward his sibling.I chuckled softly. “Hello… I’m Yvonne Brooks,” I replied, maintaining a cool demeanor. Introducing myself with my full name was a habit I couldn’t seem to shake.He nodded in acknowledgment, his smile unwavering.Glancing back at Alexander, our eyes met once more. He held my gaze for a moment before turning away, his attention now focused on the new girl in front of him, a smile playing on his lips.Fuming with frustration, I stormed out of the classroom, leaving Drake behind with his smug expression. His pride only fueled my irritation further. Outside, I found my friends waiting for me, concern etched on their faces.“Did you get to talk to him?” Grace inquired, her hand resting reassuringly on my shoulder as we walked.I shook my head, a sour taste lingering in my mouth. “I didn’t. He was too busy chatting up the new girl,” I grumbled, my disappointment evident.Lora attempted to lift my spirits. “Don’t worry, tomorrow is another day,” she offered optimistically.I nodded, trying to push aside my frustration. “Besides, who does he think he is, stealing my thunder?” I thought to myself, determined to shake off the encounter as we headed outside.A smile crept onto my face at the sight of my red Benz CLA, standing out among the sea of cars. It was a symbol of my status and wealth, setting me apart from my peers.That day, I arrived at school in high spirits, having celebrated my birthday the previous evening with a lavish party my friends couldn’t attend. While I didn’t reveal the true reason for their absence, I made it up to them the following day, treating them to a joyous celebration of my new ride. Here at school, my affluent background and regal demeanor drew attention and admiration from my peers. Despite the allure I held for many, my betrothal to Kayne served as a barrier to romantic pursuits. While I rebuffed advances from admirers, some speculated about my sexuality. Yet, here I was, contemplating approaching a boy the next day. Life’s ironies never failed to amuse me. After dropping off my friends, I found myself lost in thought, the loud beats of hip hop music failing to drown out thoughts of Alexander. Despite my efforts to push him from my mind, his captivating presence lingered, igniting a newfound attraction within me. Glancing into my side mirror, I noticed a sleek black L
A few hours later, Susan stormed into the science laboratory, accompanied by Helen, both looking visibly frustrated. Lucy, Martha, and Geraldine sat at a round table, their expressions stern. “You’re late,” Lucy reprimanded sharply, her fiery eyes flashing with irritation. As both a teacher and a witch, her authority was undeniable, and her anger was palpable. She was the most powerful among them, having lived for centuries, her blonde hair cascading behind her ears as she glared at Susan and Helen. “We apologize, Lucy,” Susan murmured, bowing her head in deference. “You better be,” Lucy snapped, her gaze unwavering as she stared them down. Susan wasted no time in addressing the pressing issue. “This isn’t working at all, Lucy, Geraldine. You’re the remaining elders of the black witches, the oldest among us. How many more must Father Bosco kill before we take action?” Martha, with her dark skin and striking white eyes, chimed in sadly. “I’ve been wondering the same thing. He manag
Alexander and Drake arrived back at their luxurious apartment after a long day at school, their fatigue overshadowed by their cheerful demeanor. They parked their expensive ride in the garage and ascended to their apartment using the elevator.“The city has changed so much, don’t you think, brother?” Alexander remarked, loosening the buttons on his shirt.“More beautiful women, I must say,” Drake replied, sinking into the couch.Alexander raised an eyebrow. “If you’re referring to that silver-haired girl you were talking to earlier, I suggest you look elsewhere.”Drake chuckled. “Why? Is she out of my league?”“Don’t be oblivious to the way she looked at me,” Alexander retorted, pouring himself a drink. “She wouldn’t spare you a glance if she knew who I was. I doubt you stand a chance with her.”Drake sighed. “We’re in the twenty-first century now, Alexander. She’s innocent.”“Nobody is innocent, brother, not even her parents,” Alexander countered, a wry smile playing on his lips. “And
Grace looked visibly irritated, her arms raised in frustration, while Lora mirrored her discontent as they waited outside the club for me. “She’s always making excuses,” Grace vented, her voice tinged with anger. “Come on, Grace, she promised she’d come tonight. Let’s give her the benefit of the doubt,” Lora urged, attempting to diffuse the tension. “Like this is the first time she’s stood us up?” Grace retorted, her tone sharp. “She’ll be here tonight, Grace. She gave us her word,” Lora insisted, her voice steady despite the brewing frustration. They had been waiting for me for hours, a scenario not uncommon given my father’s strict rules. They feared I might bail on them once again. “And here she comes,” Lora exclaimed excitedly as she spotted me driving in. Grace’s grin was infectious. “Wow! She actually showed up. Tonight is going to be a blast.” Excitedly, they rushed to my car as I stepped out, clad in a pair of hot shorts, a stylish jacket, and heels, while my friends da
I chuckled, feeling reassured by the support of my friends as they waved at Alexander. Alexander followed my gaze and acknowledged them with a nod. “You do have pretty friends,” he remarked. “And the best of them too,” I added proudly. He laughed. “That’s cool, isn’t it?” “Sure.…” I replied, nodding, though inwardly I was feeling quite nervous. “So, where did you come from?” I asked, eager to learn more about the guy I was crushing on. He shrugged nonchalantly. “Just moved into town. My family lives in the States, and we decided to study here.” “Really? And they let you?” I exclaimed, my eyes widening in surprise. “Of course they did,” he replied, rising to his feet and retrieving two drinks from a passing waitress’s tray. “Bills are on me,” he muttered as he handed me a glass of wine. “Thank you,” I murmured, taking the glass and sipping tentatively. “My parents would never allow me to leave town, let alone study in another state,” I remarked with a laugh, marveling at his f
I drove in silence, foregoing my usual habit of playing music, lost in my thoughts. The image of Alexander dancing with Helen lingered in my mind, fueling a newfound determination. “I think I’m ready to play this game,” I mumbled to myself, increasing my speed. Suddenly, a loud impact rocked my car from above, startling me. I yelled in panic, struggling to maintain control of the wheel, but managed to steady myself. With trembling hands, I glanced in the rearview mirror, trying to comprehend what had just happened. “What was that?” I muttered, heart pounding in my chest. Turning around, I was horrified to see a figure standing in the middle of the road. I screamed, slamming on the brakes as my car screeched to a halt before the mysterious figure. “Oh my God!” I exclaimed, adrenaline coursing through my veins. As I stepped out of the car, my shock turned to disbelief when I realized it was Susan standing before me. “What the hell is wrong with you? Do you want to get yourself killed?
It was early in the morning when Drake entered the apartment, finding the living room cloaked in darkness. “At least he isn’t downstairs to lecture me about my movements,” Drake mused, adjusting his collar. As he approached a door leading to the corridor, the lights suddenly illuminated, causing him to gasp and pivot around. “I’m glad I know my brother so well,” Alexander remarked from his perch on an armchair, holding a glass cup filled with blood. It had always been his preferred method of feeding, deeming it distasteful to sink his fangs into people’s bodies. Drake scoffed as he neared. “You were here all along waiting for me? I’m impressed.” “Where were you all night, Drake?” Alexander inquired, his curiosity piqued. Drake shrugged. “Have you forgotten? I came to Latan to have fun, not to sip blood from a glass cup.” Alexander chortled. “I’m decent enough not to act like an animal, Drake.” Drake laughed, taking a seat opposite him. “Call it whatever you choose, Alex, but wearin
Grace inquired, “What did you say to them?” “Nothing harmful,” I answered, smiling confidently. Lora was taken aback when she saw Alexander and Anne heading to our table. “Please, sit here,” I offered, motioning for Alexander to sit beside me while I positioned myself between them. “Oh my God! She’s so mean,” Grace muttered under her breath. “Enjoy your lunch, Anne,” I said, nudging her playfully. It was evident that Anne was pretty upset, but I didn’t care. What did she expect? That I would allow her to continue her antics with Alexander at my table? No way! “Hello, ladies and gent,” Drake greeted as he arrived at our table with his lunch. “Can I join you?” “Sure, you can, Drake,” I replied, stealing a glance at Alexander, who had buried his head in his food. Drake sat down, muttering to himself, “This is going to be fun.” We ate in silence, staring at each other, while other students couldn’t help but steal glances at us. Drake cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “So,