Chapter 1

Samantha’s POV

“I can’t even begin to tell you how angry I am,” growled my mother—Alpha Zoe Stone of the legendary Diamond Heart Pack—as she glared between the suspension letter in her hand and my thoroughly ashamed face.

“I forgot, Mom. I’m sorry,” I mumbled, shrinking.

Scared out of my mind didn’t even begin to describe it. My infamous prankster of a mother was seconds from combusting, and the fact that she rarely lost her temper—especially with us, her wild sextuplet children—meant I was really in trouble.

“You forgot?” she repeated, her teeth clenched so tight I heard a molar crack. “Why would you leave a trap set in the Chemistry lab in the first place—knowing the risks?!”

I wanted to cry. Period.

“It was meant for the old Chemistry teacher. I never meant to harm the new one. I just… forgot to disconnect the setup when I came back home for my 19th birthday,” I admitted shakily.

Her glare could melt titanium.

Can you blame me for shaking like a leaf? Having the pack's fiercest Alpha—my own mother—about to explode on you was like standing in front of an active volcano with gasoline socks on.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Kai—one of my brothers—and his dragon mate Ty walk into the Alpha Office. The way Kai’s eyes widened when he saw me said it all: Why are you here and not at uni?

“Hello, boys! I’ve been waiting for you,” Mom said with a surprising smile. My hope spiked—until she turned to me again with a glare so sharp it could shave a boulder.

Sigh.

“Samantha! What are you doing here, sis?” Kai asked, his voice thick with suspicion.

I stared at him, silent.

“Well?” he prodded.

I wanted to vanish into the wall. It was so freaking embarrassing. I got suspended. Again. But knowing Kai, he’d love the prank.

Do I tell him? Or do I take this secret to my grave?

“C’mon, Samantha. Tell your brother what you did to your new Chemistry teacher,” Mom said icily.

The look on Kai’s face shifted. He sensed danger.

“I’m sorry, Mom,” I muttered, my voice barely audible.

“Don’t apologize unless you mean it,” she snapped. “I gave all of you freedom to study where you wanted, but I expected basic rules to be followed. Especially when blending in with humans. How do you justify this behavior?”

Oh Moon Goddess, please flip Mom’s ‘cool’ switch back on.

“She said sorry, Mom! She’s clearly shaken. Please stop scolding her,” Kai cut in, pulling me into a protective hug.

Bless his soul.

“Don’t lecture me, Kai,” Mom snapped, though the fire in her tone flickered slightly.

I honestly couldn’t remember the last time she got this mad. Maybe when we were toddlers? Or never.

Someone, please destroy that letter. It only fueled her rage.

Kai asked gently, “What happened, Sam?”

And that was it. Cue the waterworks.

“The Chemistry teacher was a total prick all week,” I sobbed.

“Language, missy,” Mom glowered.

“But we kept quiet and focused on studies. Then he began giving surprise quizzes. No big deal—we aced them. But when the results came back, he’d failed the entire class.”

Kai frowned. “That’s insane.”

“We complained to the Principal, but instead of listening, he punished the whole class—no lunch breaks, banned from all cultural events. It was ridiculous.”

Kai rubbed slow circles on my back. “That’s not just ridiculous. That’s suspicious.”

“Exactly. Two classmates found evidence—turns out the Principal and the Chem teacher were embezzling university funds. The punishments were just a cover to cancel events and hide the missing money.”

“And where do you come in?” Kai asked.

“The police arrested both of them two days ago. But before I came home for the birthday party, I forgot to disable a few… um, prank connections. The new Chemistry teacher walked straight into a hydrogen sulphide setup.”

Kai blinked. “Let me guess… the rotten egg gas?”

I gave him a sheepish nod.

“That’s awesome!” he grinned.

I giggled through my tears.

Mom’s death glare snapped to him this time. RIP Kai.

To clarify: hydrogen sulphide gas smells like a bouquet of poop and farts. Technically, people say “rotten eggs,” but trust me—it’s much worse.

Kai asked, “But how did they know it was you?”

I sighed. “The new teacher threatened to keep the class punished unless the culprit came forward. I confessed… for the class.”

My voice cracked. I felt pathetic.

Kai wiped my tears. “How long’s the suspension?”

“One week,” Mom answered, throwing her hands up. “I told you—no pranks in school! Isn’t home enough for your mischief?!”

“Mom,” Kai defended. “No one got hurt. And you literally burned down your own school, if I recall.”

“That wasn’t a human school. We have to be careful, especially with our kind attending theirs. We cannot afford to risk the pack’s safety. That’s final.”

She stood. “Now freshen up. Elders are arriving for the council meeting. We’re discussing recent attacks—Kai, Ty, I need you both sharp. And Samantha, no more trouble.”

And with that, she walked out.

Now that the storm had passed, I took a breath.

Oh right—introductions.

I’m Samantha Stone—Were-Vamp hybrid, assassin, prankster, and most chaotic of Alpha Zoe’s sextuplets. My siblings are Kai, Ryder, Jax, Aira, and Joy. We’re the Diamond Heart Pack’s pride and menace rolled into one.

And of all of us, I’m the only one who plays in the shadows.

The only one who kills to protect.

“Sam, I’m sorry that happened,” Kai said softly once we were alone.

“You always have my back,” I whispered with a watery smile.

“Always,” he said, kissing my forehead. “Now come on. Let’s get those pretty eyes cleaned up—even if you do look adorable when you cry.”

I gave him the smack he deserved.

And just like that… I felt better.

Because no matter how wild we were—we sextuplets always had each other’s backs.

Now, all I had to do was survive Mom again… in front of the Elders.

Sigh.