UNDENIABLY DESTINED

CHAPTER 6

Amidst the mayhem, an outrageously boyish, girly scream of, "Whyyyyyyyyyyy", reverberated through the room, sounding like a dramatic soap opera actor who had just realized he might be traded in a bizarre collectable card exchange program...

I instinctively swivelled my head toward the living room and kitchen door, only to be greeted by the sight of the red-haired guy from earlier, who looked just like James but with an extra dose of mischief. He stood there, striking a pose that could rival a seasoned comedian, clearly aiming to get a laugh out of everyone. Next to him stood someone oddly familiar, someone I'd chatted with for days about our dreams and everything under the sun but had never met in person. He'd always been a phone call away, ready to help me pick up the pieces when life scattered them. This was the brother I'd wished the universe would gift me.

His eyes widened as they scrutinized me from head to toe as if he couldn't quite believe I was real. Under his intense gaze, I felt a flush of shyness creep up, and I found myself gazing at my shoes. But before I knew it, he charged toward me at warp speed, catching me off guard. In the blink of an eye, I was over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, laughing uncontrollably while Zack, my soon-to-be-not-so-imaginary brother, hollered, "My baby sister!" with every toss.

The room burst into laughter, and even Ryan, who had been engrossed in whatever he was doing, froze with his mouth agape. Zack finally set me down but held me at arm's length, his eyes fixed on me with an expression that screamed, "Is this real life?" He exclaimed, "Wow, you're actually here. I can't believe it!"

In the midst of our uproarious laughter and chaos, a sudden loud curse erupted in the room, shattering the peaceful atmosphere like a bull in a china shop. Zack's bear hug tightened around me as he chuckled, and Ryan couldn't resist pointing at me and declaring, "That's your sister! Uhhh, can I get one toooo?" It was like watching a stand-up comedy show where the audience couldn't stop giggling. But before Ryan's request could be processed, Beta James swiftly administered a head slap with sound effects, making the room erupt in even more laughter. The sound of Ryan's "ow" provided the perfect comedic timing, and Betafemale Siren launched into a motherly scolding session, complete with wagging fingers.

Amid this entertaining spectacle, Zack guided me toward the kitchen table, eager to have a heart-to-heart chat. But, as per Murphy's Law, no heart-to-heart chat can go uninterrupted. Just as we were about to sit down, Alpha shot up like a jack-in-the-box with a thoroughly puzzled expression. His glossy eyes signalled incoming pack communication, and he turned to Aadaya, inquiring, "Are you friends with the heir of the Satvana clan? She's apparently at the borders with a wizard in her car." Before Aadaya could reply, her aunt jumped in, replying for Aadaya, "They are her friends, Alpha. Please, let them enter the pack. They're just kids," she said nonchalantly.

To add to the comedic chaos, Saddie was a vampire, and Chris was a wizard, turning our trio into an even more perplexing enigma. Saddie had the additional prestige of being the heir to the Elite Vampire clan Satvana. Alpha, in a magnanimous mood, nodded and quipped, "No problem, we can always use more allies," before his eyes started to gleam once more, signalling another episode of his mind link show. He then dramatically resumed his seat, and all eyes were on him as he announced, "They'll be here in a few."

Right on cue, the car horn blared outside like a klaxon warning of impending hilarity. The doors flew open dramatically, and a hyperactive vampire descended upon me, knocking me off my chair with the finesse of a cartoon character. My head found itself snugly ensconced under her armpit, and she proceeded to pepper me with questions in a tone that could only be described as sarcastically over-the-top, "Thank the gods! Are you okay?!?!?!?!?!" It was like a scene from a slapstick comedy, and I could hardly contain my laughter as I struggled to nod in response. She reluctantly released my face, leaving me in stitches.