I knocked on the door and a student opened it.
"You must be my new student." An older lady with long faded blonde hair and glasses greeted me from the front of the room. I nodded my head at her. "Take a seat at one of the empty chairs." She instructed.Everyone kept their attention on me as I took a seat in the back row. Boys eyeing my body again and girls giving me curious or jealous glances. It's always the same no matter where you go I guess. At least here I won't be as much of a failure. I fit better with the humans than anywhere else.Mrs. Williams continued her trig lesson. The bell rang shortly after, and I collected my things.Next was P.E. with Rachel. I'm glad we have a couple classes together, it gives me a friendly face in the crowd. I walked down the hall Rachel showed me earlier."Ember!" Ash's voice called from behind me and I turned to find him with Toni still. His 6'2 self was easy to spot amongst the crowd. I waited for him to catch up."Hey, what's up?" I asked him."I have P.E. now too. We'll be in the gym at the same time. So it's kind of like we have 2nd period together after all." He smiled excitedly, he's just like a kid sometimes. I was unable to hold my smile back."That's great." I told him."Oh hey, this is Toni. He's invited us to sit with him at lunch." Ash introduced. "Toni, this is my twin, Ember.""Hey." Toni nodded at me. His eyes catching mine again. My heart fluttered for a moment... odd."Hey." I awkwardly nodded back. "Ash. I had someone invite me to sit with them at lunch as well." I told him pouting. "Her name is Rachel." I told him. "I'll introduce you in P.E. we have it together.""Oh." Ash sounded disappointed."We don't have to sit together, you know. If you want to sit with Toni." I don't want to keep him from making friends. He did switch schools for me already. He pouted thinking for a moment."If it's the same Rachel, I'm thinking about, she's my cousin. I sit near her, anyway. So it seems we all would have wound up at the same spot." Toni added and Ash lit up."Ha! How perfect." Ash was so easy to make happy. I smiled again, shaking my head at him. Silly brother. "I think we're doing really well for our first day." He whispered in my ear."Don't jinx it." I poked him in the side making him grimace.Toni laughed. I forgot he was there for a moment. I fought the blush from creeping on my cheeks again.We made it to the gym and I went to my spot, seeing Rachel in the distance. She waved at me and then at her cousin Toni, behind me. How coincidental.She led me down the stairs to a locker room marked girls. Inside were a group of girls changing in the open. I have never changed in front of anyone before. Rachel lent me some shorts that felt way too short and a shirt."Come on, let's go before we're bothered." She started to push me back out, but it was too late.A tall 5'9 girl stood before my 5'3 self. Her long blonde hair was tied back in a high ponytail. She was really pretty with dark blue eyes and sharp features."Hey, Rachel. Were you able to talk to Toni?" She asked her."I told you I wasn't going to get involved. Talk to him yourself." Rachel snapped.Tall blonde girl made a face. I can tell I'm not going to like this girl. She reached to grab Rachel, but I instinctively grabbed her wrist and pulled it down. She bent forward, following her wrist. She looked up at me pissed and confused. I let her wrist go pushing her back up. I didn't mean to do that. I sighed. Damnit."Leave her alone." Was all I said to her before grabbing Rachel and walking out. My heart was racing, knowing there would be backlash later for that. Rachel laughed beside me as we left the locker room."Oh girl. You didn't need to do that, but I really appreciate it." She told me. "That's Myra. Queen B of sorts. She and Toni were dating for a while before he broke up with her. He's not into mean girls and he didn't like the way Myra acted with others." She explained. "Myra thinks she can get me to change his mind." She rolled her eyes."I'm sorry. I know what that's like. To be the in-between of girls and a relative. It happens to me with my brother a lot." I explained."The twin that doesn't look like you?" She asked."Yeah. You'll meet him here in a minute. He has P.E. this period too.""Oh I'm very curious now." She wiggled her eyebrows and I smiled.We headed back up to the gym. All the boys' eyes landed on me from across the floor, as we walked to our spot. I heard some whistles, but I kept my head up. I refuse to blush or show any vulnerability."You got a boyfriend Ember?" Rachel asked."No, I do not." I told her. "Haven't met a boy that doesn't annoy me yet." I joked, but really I've had my heart broken too deeply to want to date anyone right now.I saw Ash from across the way. He must have borrowed some clothes too. He had a pair of navy blue gym shorts and a gray shirt on. He was tense, trying not to get onto all the boys for looking at me.'What are you wearing?' He mind linked.Ash and I could link one another since we were 5. It's the only person I can do it with.'Gym clothes, duh. I borrowed some from Rachel.''Those shorts are too short.' He scowled at me and I returned it.'Trust me, I know. I don't like it. I'll have my own clothes tomorrow.'A whistle sounded loudly, making my ears ring. I could tell who was a werewolf by the way they reacted to the whistle, and it seems Toni and Rachel are among them.Rachel seemed to notice my sensitivity to the whistle too and we shared a knowing look. Only she probably didn't really know about me."All right, girls today we play with the boys instead of against them. Get in groups of 4." She instructed, leaving to go talk to the boys coach who had just given the same instructions to the boys.Ash and I locked eyes and made a Beeline for one another. Rachel and Toni followed behind each of us."Well that was easy." Ash smiled as we all joined."Rachel, this is my brother, Ash." I introduced him to her."Hey" He gave her a small wave."Hey. You guys aren't normies are you?" She asked suddenly."Rachel!" Toni scolded her. His voice came off strong, sending butterflies fluttering around my stomach."What? You can totally smell it on him." She defended."Yeah, we're not human." Ash answered quickly."I thought you guys weren't. I wasn't sure though." Toni said smiling.I nodded my head. I'm not correcting him about me."We're more than that." Ash said, not looking away from Rachel. "Our Dad's a dragon and our mom is a werewolf and elf." Ash revealed.Toni whistled impressively."That's a really rare pairing. So wait, do you guys have both a dragon and a wolf?" He asked excitedly and Ash realized he messed up. He cleared his throat awkwardly."I have both." Ash said, looking at me. "But Ember..""I have none." I finished for him, crossing my arms and looking ahead at the wall.I could tell Toni was feeling sympathy for me, but I didn't want that."I'm sorry." Ash told me and I poked him in the side again. I didn't want him to be sad."Shut up. I'm fine." I rolled my eyes at him. "I'll still beat your ass at this game." I smiled at him.I was the better fighter between Ash and I, but he always overpowered me. I could beat him in sports though. We all played for a while until the coach blew her whistle and it was time to change. I beat Ash as often as I could. He was pouty when we seperated to go change."Who was that guy you guys were playing with today?" Myra asked us as we changed."What's it to you?" I snapped. I wasn't in the best mood."Curious minds want to know." She stated, slightly snarky."He's Ember's twin." Rachel answered, realizing they wouldn't leave till they had one.Suddenly Myra looked at me differently and I knew she planned on wheasiling her way into my life. She now needs me to get close to my brother."You should come sit with us at lunch. We would love to host the new students." She was suddenly so sweet."No thanks. I already have plans." I slammed Rachel's locker closed and grabbed her. I pulled her out of the locker room. "Sorry." I sighed letting go of her hand."Hey, I get it. I'll meet you outside at lunch, okay?" She smiled and waved goodbye"What do you have next period?" Ash came up behind me making me jump. I slapped his arm. "Stop that." I hate when he masks his presence to me. "I have science." I told him. "I have math on the other side of the building. Toni has science during this period though." He smiled. "Hey Toni!" He called him over. "Will you walk Ember to class for me? Please. I don't like the idea of her alone in these halls with all these assholes." He sounded like Dad for a moment. "Ash! You can't just ask someone you just met to walk me around school. Quit it!" I scolded him. "I don't mind." Toni smiled at me and my heart skipped for a moment. He has a really sweet smile like Rachel's. Only his smile does something different to me. I fought the crimson off my cheeks, as I blushed too quickly for me to stop it entirely. Ash noticed it and arched an eyebrow at me curiously. 'Shut up.' I linked him and he smiled. "Meet you at lunch." He yelled back, walking down the hall. He and Rachel were headed the
I woke up in the nurse's office. My head felt like it was splitting open. I had the worst migraine of my life. 'Dear Goddess. I thought I would never get to come out.' A voice in my head echoed. 'What the fuck?' Suddenly an image of a light gray wolf, with a large patch of white over it's right eye came to the front of my mind. The wolf had one blue eye and one gold. 'That's one way of greeting your wolf.' She laughed. 'It's been so hard not being able to talk to you. I've been with you all this time, Ember. I'm sorry I couldn't come out till you found our mate.' She explained. I couldn't believe my mind right now. Was this real? Had my wolf really been lying dormant all this time? I'm not just human? Tears started to pool in my eyes. I was so happy. "Ember are you okay?" Toni's voice brought me back to reality. I quickly wiped my tears away. I didn't want him to see that. "Yeah I'm fine. What happened?" I asked him. "Well Reep came forward and called you our mate and then you
We headed out of the nurse's office and toward the cafeteria. We grabbed some tray lunches, eyes still very much on us. We're still the talk of the school. We headed outside with our food where I spotted Toni sitting at a blue picnic table around a large fountain. He was smiling, and talking with some friends. A lot of them wore letterman jackets. Micheal was amongst the group, making me question Toni's judgment. Rachel was sitting at the fountain surrounded by her own friends, but still close to Toni's area. "I'll go sit with Rachel. You sit with Toni. We'll still be close, but actually sitting with the people we want." I told Ash. "You sure you don't want to sit by Toni?" He sang his name, teasing me. I poked his side hard. "Ouch, okay. Sorry." We went our separate ways to our group. "Ember!" Rachel called me over. I smiled at her, making my way toward her. "Everyone, this is Ember. That's her twin Ash." She pointed at Ash who was now sitting beside Toni being introduced like me
Lunch ended without a hitch and I had a free period after. I headed to the library, curious about the selection here. I walked through the aisle trying to find something of interest, but I didn't see anything. "I'm not sure you'll find anything here for you." His husky voice rang in my ear. "I guess you have a free period this hour too." I turned to find those sweet chocolate eyes staring at me. I took a step back, trying to keep my distance. Mate bond or not, I'm not gonna let it overcome me. I just met him today, even if every cell in my body is screaming I need him. "Well since you seem to think you know my style. What do you suggest?" I crossed my arms and arched my eyebrow at him. He just gave me this sexy crooked smile, his hands shoved deep in his pockets. "Follow me." He whispered and my curiosity peaked too much not to follow. He led me to the back of the library. A secluded spot from everyone else. Suddenly I questioned why I followed him. He walked to the corner and lo
The bell rang releasing us to our last period of the day. It's been a really long first day, so this class couldn't come sooner. Yet I also didn't want it to come at all, knowing Toni will be there. The teacher was waiting to greet us by the door. She was a younger teacher, probably mid 20s. She had long straight brown hair with naturally blonde streaks. She had a sweet smile and pretty dark brown eyes. "Hi there, are you my other new student?" She asked me. Her voice was sweet as honey. "Yes ma'am. Ember Viseron." I introduced myself. "So nice to meet you Ember. Welcome to the school. I hope it's been a good first day. My name is Mrs. Allen. Please come in and take a seat. There should be an empty chair at one other table. We sit in groups of 4 in my class." She explained and I nodded my head. I walked in and saw Ash sitting at a table with Rachel, Leti, and one other male student. I looked around for that one empty seat and of course it's in front of Toni and beside Josh, and l
"What was that?" Ash teased. "I shouldn't have let him." I was mostly telling myself that. "He's your mate, Ember. You know how that is. Just look at mom. She and dad can never keep their hands off one another." He added. "Yeah. She can't keep her hands off with Eryn or Charles either." I rolled my eyes. "Well yeah, but it's her and dad that are the most in love." Ash always likes to pretend that it is just Mom and Dad and that Eryn and Charles were nothing more than old friends to mom. It shatters his delusion of hopefully having one mate. "You're right Ash." I agreed, not wanting to argue right now. "Let's just get home. Will you open the portal please?" Ash placed his hand over a tree in the nearby woods and the scent that came out was 100 times worse than before. Now I understood why everyone else hated it so much. I had thought they were all being babies, but no I just wasn't smelling it as well as them. We came out of the tunnel in the kingdom. "We need to hurry and tell
I woke up in my own bed, although I could have sworn I fell asleep on Ash's bed. I dragged my feet as I brushed my hair and then braid it to the side. I decided to wear something more of my style today. I grabbed my red guns and roses shirt, with dark jeans and my red and white Ed hardies canvas shoes. Ash came into my room as soon as I slipped my shoes on. He had on a red hoodie with a large black heart. He paired it with black jeans and red and black Jordans. He had a good sense of style in my eyes. His hair was styled messy, but in a neat kind of way, if that makes any sense. "You ready?" He asked, his backpack slung behind one of his shoulders. "Did you pack gym clothes?" "Yes and yes." I grabbed my bag, gym clothes inside it, and slung it over my shoulder. We walked out of the palace towards the trees to leave. "Did you move me to my bed last night?" I asked Ash. "Yeah, you kept kicking me." He laughed. "Sorry." I blushed. "You've been blushing a lot more here lately. I t
"That's not good." Toni said from beside me. I wasn't sure when he got there, but he saw the same thing I did. Myra worming her way into Ash's life. I nodded my head in agreement. I really wish Ash would have said my name already. This is going to be awkward. "I'm sorry about this morning. I just figure I've done it to you so many times now that you could do it to me once." He didn't look at me as he spoke. He was embarrassed and it was really cute. I couldn't help the teasing smile on my face. "I figured it would help calm you down and it seems like it worked." He looked up at me then, waiting for me to respond. I just smiled and nodded. "Are you mad at me?" I took a second to think about it. I should be, but I'm not. What he did was kind of sweet. He was keeping me out of trouble and trying to soothe me. I shook my head at him, letting him know I wasn't mad. "Good." He smiled sweetly at me. My heart rate elevated with that smile. He was so handsome and sweet. His intoxicatin
"That's it, Ember. Just one more push!" The doctor called out to me. Dex held my right hand and my angel held my left. They both lifted me up more as I pushed with all the strength I had left in me. I heard cry as they suctioned the fluid free of her mouth. That sound is indescribable, tears welled in my eyes with the pure joy of having her here with us now. "You did great. Thank you for bringing our daughter into this world, sunshine." Dex whispered in my ear before kissing my sweaty forehead without a care. His eyes were pink and glistening with tears. I could see the love and pure admiration mirrored in them as he looked down at our sweet Nova, that was now placed in my arms. "She's beautiful, mi amor. You're amazing." Toni kissed the top of my head next. The three of us stared down at Nova's beautiful small features. She made the smallest little noises in complaint of being pushed out of me and into this cruel world. I'll make it safe for you Nova, I promise. She had the rounde
Toni had me laying sweetly beneath him. His eyes held such a deep love for me. His gaze was undoing me long before his touches were. He kissed me tenderly, wrapping his fingers in my hair. His thumb caressed my jaw lightly, sending a warmth flowing through me."Toni." I whispered his name, a silent plea to feel him even closer. There's not enough time, not enough of him to make up for the last decade, but I am damn well going to try. I felt like this missing piece of me was finally put back in place by Toni. "Make me yours again." He kissed me with such intensity. He stole the breath from my lungs and the soul from my body. I was all his and I refuse to leave this bedroom until he's claimed me as his again. I pulled his shirt off, breaking our kiss for just a moment. His muscles were just as toned as they had been when we were younger. There was some of Sam in his body, so it wasn't exactly the same, and yet it was perfect all the same. "I love you, mi amor. I'll never leave you aga
Ember's P.O.V."Why did you come, mi amor? You could have been hurt, or the baby could have." His voice was soft, but his tone was firm. My mind was still reeling with emotions. This is Toni. Suddenly everything about my feelings towards Sam just seemed to make sense and I wanted to slap myself for not noticing it sooner. How could I have not thought about it? "Ash had a vision and he told me you were in trouble. So we all came to help. Lucy cast a protection spell over Nova to keep her safe within me. She did consume some of my magic though, so I'll need to see the doctor. It wasn't enough to make me too weak though." I bit my lip, feeling guilty about putting her in danger. "Ash told me he saw Toni here too. He saw you and we rushed over. Why didn't you tell me?" I punched his arm, furious at how he made me think I had lost him again. "I couldn't." He lightly rubbed my cheeks with Sam's calloused hands. "I am sorry, mi amor. If I had told you they woul
Sam's P.O.V.I followed Evelyn out past the barrier of the kingdom. My heart was beating a mile a minute and my hands were clammy beyond belief. In the next 30 minutes I'll be fighting for my life and getting the greatest gift I could have…my angel half. The wind was blowing harshly outside the barrier and the freezing temperature seeped deep into my bones. The wind stung my face and blew snow into my eyes, forcing me to look down in order to see. Evelyn led the way as if this freezing weather wasn't a factor in her mind at all. Nothing phases her, she could be on fire and she would still be walking like nothing is happening. When she's focused on keeping me safe she has nothing else on her mind. She's locked in. "We'll do this here. I'll start setting up the wards. You need to start engraving the ruins on your chest. Do you remember how?" She asked, handing me the flaming dagger. "Yeah, hard to forget." I took the dagger fr
Yesterday came and went and today was Sam's birthday already. I still can't believe how young he is. I groaned at the sun's blinding rays as we all gathered outside in celebration. Ash was kind and with the help of Eric and Lucy, who stopped by today to visit, they set up a small party for Sam. It was just us, nothing big or involving all the citizens here. It was small and intimate and a way for Ash to thank Sam for all he's done. Without him and his sister my brother wouldn't be having this child with Layla right now. I owe them both a lot too and I'll be sure to find a way to repay them both in the future. "Happy birthday, Sam." I told him for about the third time now. It seemed to be the only thing I could say to him. I didn't want to say anything more. I didn't want to start flirting with him or getting to know him better. He'll be leaving tomorrow and I need to be ready to let him go. "Thanks, Ember." He gave me a sma
Dex's words had rung through my head all day. How I may need Sam. How I shouldn't send him away. Is there really a bond? And if there really is, do I really want to open myself up to it? I also can't seem to get past this damn guilt eating away at me. I shouldn't be thinking of Sam. My heart should be fixed solely on Dex, and only him. Now that Toni has left me completely, there's this fissure in my heart wanting to be filled. Sam could fill it easily, but is that really the right choice? It may be easier to accept it, but I don't know that I want to. He's not Toni, no matter how much I wish him to be. The fact he has Toni's memories still bothers me deeply. Every now and again I'll get another glimpse of them through Sam and it kills me. He refuses to tell me why he has them. It's been making me trust him less the more he denies me the truth. I don't understand how he could have Toni's memories. "Where's your mind?" Ash's voice pulled me back from my thoughts. We had flown togeth
The next few days seemed to fly by. Gabriel was back at school and Dex was at my side all day. At night I would have the same recurring nightmare of the day Ash killed Toni. Having lost him again seems to have resurfaced everything I thought I had healed from. Sam and Evelyn kept their distance for the most part, although it seemed like Sam really wanted to be at my side. I sort of missed him, which still doesn't make sense to me. I barely know the man. I attribute this feeling to the fact he looks so much like Toni. He's like this thorn sent by the universe to remind me of what I am missing. Fuck you universe. "You alright, sunshine?" Dex raised an eyebrow at me. "Yeah, just thinking." I chewed on my cheek refusing to tell Dex that I was missing another man. That's ridiculous. "Let me in, Ember. What's going on?" He stroked my cheek lightly with his knuckle. His touch sent those wonderful electric sparks flying through my skin. "I just miss Toni and Sam looking so much like him
Gabriel and Dex and I spent the entire day in bed as promised. We watched movies, played games, and spoke about many things. Dex and I kept trying to get Gabriel to understand, but he refused. He kept telling us that we would see what he was talking about soon. This day was certainly something I needed. Dex always gives me just what I need even when I don't know what that is. Gabriel was taking his bath in our bathroom now, leaving Dex and I alone for the first time today. "I saw Sam was here with you last night." My heart stilled. Is he upset? Is he jealous? Is he worried? "Yeah, Ash had to-" I paused, realizing I never checked on him and Layla. Damn me and my selfish heart. "I need to call him!" I quickly reached for my phone. "What's wrong?" Dex furrowed his brows, sitting up with me. "I don't know. He left yesterday saying Layla needed him shortly after he got here." The phone rang as I spoke. "Hello?" Ash's voice came through. "Ash, oh my gosh, I am so sorry I didn't call
Dex held me flush against his chest on the bed. He had me tucked under the sheets and was lightly rubbing my back. He was doing his best to comfort me. "Ember, I have to leave you so I can care for our son. I'll return with him soon. I'll tell Ash to come over." He told me. "I won't let you be alone right now." He pulled his phone out and called Ash. He told Ash everything. I could hear Ash say he was on his way. "I won't leave until he gets here." Dex tried to comfort me."It's getting late. You need to go to him before he falls asleep. Ash is coming. I will be okay until then." I tried convincing him. I could tell he wanted to argue though. "He needs to say goodbye. He needs the chance to say it. You need to go." He very reluctantly got off the bed. He gave me one last kiss before leaving. My heart was breaking all over again. The small glue that held it together was coming undone. I was loudly sobbing again. The door opened, letting small light flood the room. "Ash?" I cried o