The thing She never KNEW

Hi, I'm Maya. Among the twin sisters, I'm the younger one—the naughty, stubborn, and apparently "heartless" one. At least, that's what people call me. My sister, Shayla, is the complete opposite. She's innocent, shy, and the biggest bookworm you'll ever meet. Maybe that's why our parents always seem to worry about her more. They protect her, spoil her, and somehow always manage to look at me like I'm the one who needs protecting from myself. Honestly? I don't blame them. I'm not exactly easy to handle. I do whatever I want, and once I make up my mind about something, nobody can force me to change it. People call me a heartless freak because of that. Do I care? Not even a little. People are going to talk anyway. Isn't that what they're for? But Shayla... She's different. Not just in the way she behaves, but even in the way she looks. If you saw us standing together, you would never guess we were twins. We don't look alike at all. She's thin and short, while I'm tall. She has fair skin and blonde hair, while mine is a deep maroon. Her eyes are light brown, while mine are silver-green. We're different. Completely different. But there's one thing nobody knows better than me. In this entire world, Shayla is the person I love the most. Yeah. Even more than Mom and Dad. Don't tell them I said that. Our family isn't big. It's just the four of us—Mom, Dad, Shayla, and me. And honestly, we're happy that way. My dad is a Gamma of the pack, which means our family is respected. We don't live inside the packhouse either. Our home is only a few feet away from it, so we're close enough to be part of everything while still having our own little space. It's a simple life. A happy life. At least, that's what I thought. Because lately, something has felt... different. I couldn't explain it. Nothing had really changed. Not yet. Our family was still the same. Shayla was still Shayla. Mom still worried too much, Dad still acted like he had everything under control, and I was still the stubborn, "heartless" girl everyone thought they knew. So why did I have this strange feeling that something was coming? Something I couldn't see. Something I couldn't stop. I just didn't know it then... But the life I thought I knew was already beginning to fall apart. After the semester break, today is the first day, and I am still in bed. It's not like no one wakes me up, but I don't take much time to get ready as I don't use 2hr for make-up and choosing the outfit to wear. And last night, again, I sneaked out of the house to the woods, just to enjoy the view. But if my parents knew I would be dead. I don't know why they don't want me to go to the woods alone. Last time they found it, they hid my cycle key. I can say they are worried about me, but why?? The Woods are where we belong, aren't they? The cycle means a lot to me. Because I hate going out in the car like a princess. That I am not. The cycle was my 16th Birthday gift from my parents. No, No don't think they gave that happily because they weren't. I made a bet with them that if I became in the TOP 3 STUDENT they would give me whatever I wanted on my birthday. And they agreed because they thought I couldn't. But they forgot I am Me. And that's how I got it. And I Adore It. In this past year, I didn't let any scratch or any harm to it. I protected it and took good care of it as it's my pet. "Mayaa" with a knock on the door. Shayla’s voice hits my ears. "Breakfast is Ready. Come downstairs." I knew it was time to get up. "Coming," I yelled while standing on my feet. After 30 minutes, I was ready and went downstairs. Dad, Sis and Mom were already on the table. I smiled because I knew Dad wasn't in a mood. Sat beside Sis and whispered only for her to hear. " Did I do Something Today, Again?" "Didnt you?" she asked back. I Was Confused. Did he find out last night I wasn't home? Mom gave me my Black Coffee without sugar. I smiled but she didn't. I guess I am doomed. I leaned closer to Sis again and whispered, “Seriously, what's going on?” She looked at me for a moment before glancing toward Mom and Dad. Then a tiny smile appeared on her lips. “What?” I whispered. “Nothing.” “Then why are you smiling?” “Because you're worried.” “I am not.” “You are.” I rolled my eyes. “Did I do something today? Again?” “Didn't you?” She tried to hide her smile behind her cup. I narrowed my eyes at her. She knew. She definitely knew about last night. Shayla was the only person in this house who could somehow notice everything I did without ever telling me. Well … most of the time. I leaned closer. “Did Dad find out?” “Find out what?” “You know what.” She shrugged innocently. “I don't know anything.” “Shayla.” She giggled quietly. “Relax, Maya. You're not in trouble.” I glanced at Dad. He wasn't even looking at me anymore. His eyes were fixed somewhere in front of him, his expression unusually serious. Mom wasn't any better. She hadn't said much since I came downstairs. Something was wrong. But it wasn't because of me. At least, I didn't think it was. I looked at Shayla again. “You're enjoying this, aren't you?” “A little.” “You're evil.” “I learned from you.” I almost smiled. But then Dad's phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen. Whatever he saw made his expression change. Mom immediately looked at him. They exchanged a quick glance. A strange one. The kind of look adults give each other when they think their children aren't paying attention. Unfortunately for them… I was paying attention. “What?” I asked. “Nothing,” Dad said too quickly. I raised an eyebrow. “Then why did both of you just look at each other like that?” Mom forced a smile. “Eat your breakfast, Maya.” That only made me more suspicious. I looked at Shayla. She was watching them too now. Even her smile had disappeared. Okay. So whatever was happening… It wasn't just me. Dad finally picked up his phone and placed it face down on the table. Then he sighed. “The Lycan Prince is coming to our college.” I blinked. I stared at him. Then at Mom. Then at Shayla. And honestly? I didn't understand why that was supposed to be a big deal. “So?” Dad's eyes met mine. For a second, something flashed across his face. Fear. But it disappeared so quickly that I wondered if I'd imagined it. “So?” he repeated quietly. “Yes. So?” Shayla looked at me like I had just said the dumbest thing imaginable. I frowned. “What?” She shook her head. “Nothing.” I looked back at Dad. He didn't say anything. And for some reason, the way he looked at me made the back of my neck tingle. I had no idea why. I had no idea what the Lycan Prince had to do with me. And I certainly had no idea that his arrival at my college was about to change everything.