Norah Reed, the headstrong and resilient daughter of the family, discovers herself entangled in a mesmerising and dangerous world when she becomes the target of a fateful werewolf bite. As she grapples with her newfound identity, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Liam Prescott, a charismatic and enigmatic figure who conceals a captivating secret of his own.
Chapter 1 Oman’s
Dear diary:25 August
It has been three long, agonizing months since my father's passing, and now my mother has made the decision to uproot our lives and move to a completely new place. The thought of leaving my father's memories behind breaks my heart. I pleaded with my mother, desperately trying to convince her not to sell our house, but my efforts were in vain. Ryan, my dear friend, is furious at the idea of me leaving her behind as well. I can't believe I'm abandoning my own best friend in this tumultuous time.
Yet, deep down, I hope that this new beginning will bring a sense of joy back into our shattered family. In just one week, we will bid farewell to this familiar place that holds so many cherished memories. Oh, how I will miss it. And I miss you, Dad, more than words can express.
As I continue packing, my mother intrudes into my sanctuary, opening the door to my bedroom.
"Norah, are you finished packing?" she asks, concern etched in her voice.
"Almost," I reply curtly. The anger I harbor towards my mother for making this decision without consulting me still burns within. My father would never have suggested such a drastic change. She knows very well that I am still furious with her.
"Hey, baby, I'm sorry, but we need to move on. Your father would have wanted that," she says, her voice filled with sorrow.
"Yes, but he wouldn't have wanted us to move to an entirely new town!"
"Don't you dare raise your voice at me, young lady! We will be fine, remember that we are a family."
"Well, we were a family before you decided to uproot us. You didn't even give us a chance to share our opinions."
"I'm doing this for all of us. You'll understand one day, trust me," she says, her words hanging in the air before she exits my room.
My mother and I have been at odds for weeks now, a stark contrast to the closeness we once shared before my father's passing.
Once I finish packing, I make my way to Ryan's house, our childhood sanctuary located just opposite ours. Ryan and I have been inseparable since kindergarten, dreaming of attending UCLA together, forging an unbreakable bond.
"Hey, Lilian," I greet Ryan's mother as she opens the door. "Is Ryan home?"
"Hey, Norah. Oh, she's upstairs. How's your mother holding up?"
"She's pretending to be fine, but deep down, we both know she's not."
"Oh my goodness, I'll check in on her later today," Lilian promises. She has been my mother's dear friend since Ryan and I were little, and her concern for us runs deep.
I ascend the stairs to Ryan's bedroom, bursting through the door. "Hey, stranger," I exclaim, flinging myself onto her bed while she remains engrossed in her computer.
"Ow, you're hurting me!" Ryan playfully protests.
"Apologies. What are you up to?" I inquire.
"I'm researching SML College, the one Jason wants to attend."
"What? Why?" I ask, baffled by this sudden change of plans.
"He doesn't want to join us at UCLA, so I'm exploring other options in case I don't get accepted there."
"That's absurd! They'll definitely accept you. You're an A student. 'In case they don't accept you'—come on! Let's get off that computer and go have some fun."
"Alright, fine. Let's head to Oman's," she suggests, referring to the diner we frequent. "I'll call Jason and the gang."
"Sounds good. Now get up. I'll be the driver," I declare as I rise from her bed.
[20 minutes later]
"So, Norah, you'll be leaving us in a week?" Jason remarks.
"Yeah," I reply, a hint of sadness permeating my voice.
"We're going to miss you, girl," one of Jason's friends chimes in with a cheeky grin, adding, "and that amazing ass of yours." Laughter and playful banter fill the room. It seems my slightly curvier figure and hourglass shape have become a source of amusement for some at school. In truth, I inherited this physique from my mother, who also possesses a similar figure.
"Well, you better cherish it now because you won't be seeing it anymore once I'm gone," I retort, a smirk playing on my lips. The room erupts in playful 'oohs' and 'ahs,' effectively silencing the joker.
Jason and Ryan have been together since eighth grade, with Jason now leading the basketball team as its captain. As for me, I've never been in a relationship. I've harbored crushes along the way, but true romance has eluded me thus far.
"We'll miss you, Norah," Jason says, his voice filled with sincerity. He has always been my secret crush, a fact I have carefully guarded, even from my closest friend. Jason is an idol at school, adored by everyone.
After our gathering at Jason's house, where we enjoyed snacks and indulged in casual conversations, I couldn't help but notice the opulence surrounding his family's extravagant mansion. Jason may have it all, but he remains a solitary soul, being an only child. It's the reason he constantly invites friends over, craving the companionship he so often lacks.
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Chapter concluded.