This already has a strong YA paranormal tone and the family dynamic feels lively and believable. The banter between Siera, her friends, and her family gives the scene personality fast. I tightened the grammar, cleaned up repetition, and made the dialogue flow more naturally while keeping your voice and style intact.
Everyone knows that on your eighteenth birthday, you find your one true mate. At least, that's what our history says. Whether they're your enemy or your closest friend, the bond is supposed to be undeniable.
In my case? That story was completely messed up.
My mate turned out to be someone so toxic that I never saw it coming.
Johnthan Lemosi and I were like water and oil—we didn't mix. Through grade school and high school, we bumped heads over almost everything. It didn't help that he always had to be the center of attention. Everything revolved around him because he was the Alpha's son.
Honestly, I wished someone would knock him off that ridiculously high horse of his.
Luckily for me, I had bigger things to focus on than Johnthan Lemosi.
I had graduated high school early at seventeen and gotten accepted into a college down south. Only my parents knew about it. And today? Today was supposed to be the biggest day of my life.
I was finally turning eighteen.
Which meant I would meet my mate before leaving for college.
There was no way I was letting Johnthan ruin that.
After washing up and getting dressed for the day's festivities, I rushed downstairs to the kitchen.
"Good morning, parental guidance," I greeted loudly, immediately catching my parents making out in the kitchen again.
"Oh—good morning, Princess," Dad said quickly, straightening his tie while Mom fixed her hair.
"You two seriously need a new place to make out that isn't the kitchen," my younger brother Jason complained from the counter.
"Easy there, Jay. You still have three more years of high school left in this house," I teased.
"Easy for you to say. You're leaving for college in the south," he muttered, giving me a sideways look.
Before I could answer, the front door burst open.
"Happy birthday, Diamond Diva!"
I groaned instantly as Jasmin Waters stormed into the house carrying balloons, gift bags, and entirely too much confetti that nobody wanted to clean up later.
"Jasmin! Really? The confetti?" I said, grabbing the broom before she could throw more. "You know that stuff is impossible to clean."
"Please," she said dramatically, taking a seat beside Jason at the breakfast nook. "It's not every day the Diamond Queen gets her crown and her king on the same day."
I laughed. "You know I actually have to leave the house to find him, right?"
She nodded while stuffing her face with the breakfast Mom made.
Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind.
"What the Goddess!" I yelped, nearly elbowing whoever it was before spinning around.
Thomas Greyson stood there laughing like an idiot.
"Boy, you know better than to sneak up on me," I snapped, jabbing him hard in the chest. "You know how fast my reflexes are."
"Darn, Siera!" he wheezed dramatically, clutching his chest.
"How many times does she have to warn you not to sneak up on her, Tom?" Jasmin asked while carrying her plate to the sink.
"Her punches are getting way harder," Thomas complained, finally straightening back up.
"Alright, children, break it up," Dad interrupted, walking over with a gift bag in his hand.
"Dad, no gifts until tonight. You already know the rules," I whined.
"I know, Princess, but I'll be working late with the Alpha tonight."
My excitement immediately faded.
"What? You're working late on the biggest night of my life?" I asked, staring at him.
"Siera, you know how this works," Dad said gently. "I'm the Beta."
I sighed heavily. "Fine. But I'm waiting to open it. It wouldn't be fair to everyone else."
I turned toward the door and grabbed my jacket.
"Thomas, Jasmin, let's go."