I am going to die today.

How was I going to die today exactly? By my parents.

Punctuality was not my strong suite. Everyone around me always had to remind me to do something, go somewhere. When my parents reminded me that's it's been a long time since I've visited the pack, I decided to have a dinner date with them. Driving from werewolf academy- a private institution that the majority of Alphas agreed upon- to my pack was at least 5 hours.

My friends had no problem reminding me how late I am. Stopping at a red light, I look at my phone and the text messages.

Theo, joyful Theo, sent me the text on our groupchat.

Abby, delightful Abby, wanted to add this on our groupchat.

I made a face, taking a selfie of myself holding flowers while typing:

Because, let's face it, my mom would have no trouble kicking my butt for being 30 minutes late. Tracker wolves in my pack came just near me to know who I was, the son of the Alpha so they dismissed me as I walked towards my home.

As I opened the door, inhaling the savory scent of whatever my mom is cooking up, yelled out, "Your favorite son is here!"

Mom walks out of the kitchen, spatula in hand and squints, placing her hand on her forehead searching the house. "I don't see Wyatt here."

"I know I'm your favorite," I walked towards her, picking her up in a bone crushing hug where she laughed. Even though she always thinks I don't, I missed her and Dad too much. Being in school sucked being so far away from home. Especially since I had summer classes and school was about to start again.

Grinning down at her, I handed her flowers. Three bouquet worth of roses of all colors. Sure, she wouldn't give Dad the time of day if he gave her flowers, but if one of her sons did it? She'll melt.

"Don't think we weren't waiting," Mom said, but taking the flowers and smiling at me.

"Don't let her fool you, she burnt the first batch of bread so she was glad you came late." Dad entered the room, throwing a white wash cloth over his shoulder, looking as domesticated as it gets. He's still fine for his age- still tall and built like any Alpha. Ferocious as they come- he is the infamous Demon Alpha after all. The reason why so many other wolves either tried to bully Wyatt and I or stayed clear of us during school. We were the sons of Lance Styder. It would always be one little wolf who would try something with me and my twin. Wyatt wasn't much of a fighter, so I always fought for him. Always beat everyone that tried anything with him. One time, these group of Alphas and Betas thought I was Wyatt so they threw some punches, and that's when I realized Wyatt was getting bullied. But that one day, they chose the wrong person at the wrongto mess with. As my dad was infamous among the packs, I was infamous during school. I always punched first and didn't care enough to have asked questions later.

Usually, I would always be right to have punched first.

Dad embraced me, patting my back. "You're growing even bigger, West."

"I know," Mom agreed. "We saw Wyatt last week and wondered how tall you'd get."

"Maybe I can finally take Dad on," I joked, but it was a total lie- I wouldn't be strong enough for that for a long long time. Dad was only a short few years older than me when he became an Alpha and when I think about it, I know I wouldn't be ready at such a young age Dad was.

Dad raised an eyebrow, "Let's see if you still kept up with your training. Your magic ability improved."

The thing about having parents that both were half witches, all their recessive magic genes went straight to me. Not Wyatt. I don't know if it had something to do when we shared a womb or what, but Wyatt didn't have a single ounce of magic in him and I envied how normal he was as a wolf. Not having to deal with random fire outbursts or trying to control any magic was a blessing. On top of the crap show that is me, I gained my dad's curse. But the thing about having his eyes- it came and went when I was in my wolf form. Which I hardly wanted to be in because it took too much out of me. I'm only slightly better at controlling my wolf as I got older with my dad's help since he knew what it was like too, but having the eyes were a huge gamble. Controlling the volatile beast inside me was still difficult. He usually did as he pleased. But Dad told me to work with him, not fight him. Which is hard since I like fighting everyone.

"Hurry up and wash your hands so we can get rid of you."

I placed my right hand on my heart. "I thought you guys missed me since I've been away at school."

"Slacking at school more like it," Mom said as Dad put the last dish on the table and we all sat down. I noticed that no one was at the pack house, so that means my parents just want us to be here.

"Hey! I'm passing my classes." C's get degrees, or in my case, will help me graduate werewolf Academy. I've already talked to my counselor about school, and she agreed that if I didn't fail anything, I'd be able to graduate. That's the only thing I need, really. How horrible would it be if my twin brother had to graduate without me? I couldn't leave Wyatt alone in graduation. I'm the only entertainment.

"As long as sports isn't interfering with your academics," Dad said. "You know you have the biggest potential."

"I'll just ask Wyatt to help me out if I see my grades slipping." If I ever get around asking my twin, that is. I can't help it that my twin is the smart one between us. Wyatt always tells me if maybe I studied for more than an hour on a test, I'd do good. But come on? Who has that time or concentration for that long? Whenever I'm online, I always go on YouTube and look at random videos. They're way better to look at than homework. Plus, they make you laugh. Studying makes me want to jump off a cliff.

I help myself to some grilled chicken and white rice on my plate. I begin eating like a starved wolf.

Both my parents looked at me like I never eaten. "You act like they don't feed you," Mom teased.

"You act like cafeteria food is edible," I grinned at her. "I missed home cooking."

"Please, they have chefs there for you spoiled brats."

"Ma, you wouldn't say that if you saw the tuna surprise they had yesterday," just thinking about it made me want to vomit. "So how are you elderly folk doing?"

"Enjoying the quiet in the house," Mom replied. I smiled as I bit into the cheesy saucy goodness. Mom did a great job cooking. "What about you?" Mom took a bread stick from the basket.

"What about me?" I asked, stealing the piece of bread stick from Dad's plate.

"Have you...met anyone?" Mom asked. She exchanged a glance with Dad. They're probably talking about me right in front of my face through their mind-link. Parents, I tell ya.

"If you're saying have I found my mate yet, the answer is a big fat no."

"You haven't dated anyone?" Mom still questioned.

I shrugged, "I'm waiting for my mate." Maybe hung out with a few too many she-wolves (Abby likes to say) every now and then, but my mate is out there. I know nothing serious can come from these outings with the female wolves. I don't feel like putting in the effort of a relationship with someone who isn't going to be forever. My mate is.

Dad smiled softly. Mom sighed. "Be careful, West."

"You mean don't have unprotected sex?" I asked her. Little did she know Dad already gave Wyatt and I the birds and bee talk. We first thought we were trouble when Dad called us to his office. To the ones who don't know him, maybe he looks intimidating, but to the ones who see him on a daily basis- see him with Mom? He's a cuddly koala bear. Not that I'd ever tell him that, but whenever he tries to act mean towards Wyatt and I, we laugh at him. Which makes his face even angrier which is even funnier. Anyways, Dad told us what we needed to know about all things pups and how to make them and consent and all that common sense that isn't common anymore stuff.

I never want to re-visit that talk again, but I know the message Dad was trying to get out.

"Exactly," Mom narrowed her eyes at me. "You're too cute for them." I'm so glad that my un-biased mother thinks I'm cute.

"Thanks, sometimes I forget that you actually think I'm the cuter twin" I grinned at Mom. "Anyways, everything good with you guys? Truly really honestly?"

Dad chuckles lowly, "Everything's been calm recently." It was suspicious for them. Like it was too good to be true.

This seemed like the calm before the storm.