ALPHA UNIVERSE #5: DESIROUS

SPECIAL CHAPTER #1

The twins had been miraculously quiet in the past few days. It wasn't often that such calmness reigned in their home, especially during summer break. Nari was off on a trip with her friends, leaving Minjun to spend most of his time indoors. It was an unexpected peace, a much-needed break for both their parents. After all, the twins, as inseparable as they were, rarely ever gave anyone the chance to catch a breath from their constant bickering and playful chaos.

Their time apart had felt like a small slice of paradise. To see the familiar faces of their children every hour of the day, without the usual clamor, was a relief. The house was quieter, less chaotic, and yet, the silence was beginning to feel too comfortable. But all good things come to an end.

Today was the day Nari's group of friends would return from their trip to Singapore. A quick flight home, and the house would be filled with chatter once again.

"Are you sure Uncle Jen's picking you up?" Heejoo asked, having just finished chatting with her dad.

"You can ride with us. For sure, Dad won't mind," Ara added, offering a ride without hesitation.

Nari, however, frowned as she glanced down at her phone for what felt like the hundredth time. "He's not replying," she muttered, impatience growing as her excitement for her dad's car arrival began to bubble over.

"Or you can come with us. Dad is on the way," Ara suggested again, but Nari remained hopeful. There was something special about seeing her dad, something she didn't want to share, not today.

But when the car finally pulled up, it wasn't the black Mercedes or Jeno's signature eyesmile that greeted her. Instead, she was met with a red Lexus and the teasing grin of Lee Minjun.

"Are you sure he's single?" Minho whispered loudly to Nari, and before she could smack his head in retaliation, he yelled, "Hey, you hit me!"

Nari clicked her tongue in annoyance, shoving her heavy backpack into her brother's hands. The weight didn't faze him; he just grinned wider, clearly unfazed by his sister's scowl.

"Glad to see your face again, sister," he said with a playful wink.

"The feeling's rather not mutual, brother," Nari snapped back, rolling her luggage toward the back of the car, feeling more frustrated with each passing second.

They would've continued bickering right there, but the blaring sound of a honk interrupted them, followed by two more. Three cars now lined up in front of them.

Minjun's eyes lit up. "Uncle Haech!"

"Hey, young man! Oh, hello, twins, how's the trip?" Haechan greeted, ruffling their hair affectionately.

"It was fancy, uncle," Nari smiled, her frustration fading a little as she responded.

"I thought Jeno was the one picking you up. We talked about it," Renjun said, helping Heejoo with her baggage.

"Something happened at the company, I'm sure. He looked like he was about to cry when he couldn't see his princess," Minjun added, his voice laced with mockery, but there was no mistaking the affection behind the teasing nickname.

The others couldn't help but chuckle as they watched the twins bicker with their eyes. The pureblood pride was no joke, after all. But despite their rivalry, they made it home without anyone needing a visit to the hospital, thankfully.