Sorry I took this long to update. My computer went crazy so I can't update earlier. But here it is, another chapter! Hope you all like it. Thanks to those who read the prologue and reviewed. Thanks!

Chapter 1: The Bar

"The two of you, tell me honestly why is the headmistress calling me, again."

Fragrance and Nathaniel, twins born just a minute apart but has personalities that are like the earth and sky. The both of them looked so alike that if the both of them switched clothing, you'd still get them mixed up. Like any werewolves, they were extremely tall and very beautiful. Both have black hair like their father but their eyes were the most special part, it wasn't green nor was it brown. It was a mix between the both.

"Nathaniel, you're the older brother; so tell me why is Fragrance always such a badass?"

They sat down in front of me at the dining table with Lucky at my feet. I tapped my fingers patiently on the wood as I glared on at my twins. As I have said, the both of them have personalities like the earth and sky. When Nathaniel is the calm and quiet, Fragrance tend to be the loud and short-tempered. But one thing about Fragrance is that she is very protective of the people important to her, especially when it comes to the family. Since little it had always been up to her to protect Nathaniel even though he was the older brother. She would fight off any older boys who'd pick on Nathaniel since Nathaniel had always been the soft-hearted one. But that doesn't meant he was weak; he could easily break anyone's neck if he wants to, seeing he was a werewolf.

"Badass? That guy was picking on Nathaniel, again! He's the badass." Fragrance protested and I rolled my eyes at her.

"Yeah, by breaking his knuckles? Honestly, Fragrance, a punch to his face will do."

Fragrance snorted, "No way, I'd end up breaking his jaw like that. I'd prefer his knuckles. Plus, that way he won't pick on those juniors anymore."

Nathaniel smiled a little, "She got a point, mom." He swallowed when I threw him a dirty look, "I mean, at least he will be keeping his hands to himself. The freshmen's love sis now."

Fragrance smirked, "There, at least the freshmen's love me now."

"Yeah, and the dishes will love you now. Two weeks of cleaning the dishes," I smiled evilly, "at The Bar."

Fragrance mouth dropped, "No way. You can't do this to me! Does Thomas even allow this?"

"Mr. Harrison I'm sure, will allow this."

"Fine, Mr. Harrison then. But do I get paid?" Fragrance looked at me with her--guess what?—puppy dog eyes and I smiled at her.

"No."

Fragrance groaned.

I stood up and patted Lucky, the big collie's head before heading over to the counter to grab my car keys. "You start working tomorrow, and don't be late. I will talk to Harrison today and Nathaniel," I looked at my son as I walked out of the kitchen, "don't try to convince me out of it."

Nathaniel merely shrugged and Fragrance groaned even more.

"I'm going to call her Adele for now." I heard Fragrance muttered from the kitchen and smiled to myself. Every time I put her under punishment, she'd call me by my name instead of 'mom'.

"I heard that, you know."

I heard her grumble, "And she has a great hearing too!"

I chuckled to myself, a little too soft for the human ears but good enough for the werewolves to catch on. I hopped into my flame red Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and started the engine. Swiftly, I reversed it and drove it towards The Bar, a medium-sized diner mostly populated by tourist that came here. It is mostly crowded during the afternoons when tour agents bring flocks of tourist for lunch.

I prefer to work by The Bar on the morning shift for two reasons; it's less tiring and another is to avoid any people I don't want to meet. Vampires can walk under the sun; they don't fry unless they forgot to take blood. But I know it's safer when the suns out than during the night when they're most active.

Luckily for me, vampires or werewolves haven't exactly inhabited New Orleans. So the chance of meeting any blood-sucker or fur-ball is very thin.

After parking the truck in the employee parking lot, I went into the diner from the back door and was greeted by the overly-happy owner of The Bar, Thomas Harrison.

"Adele, you're early!"

I smiled back at him, "'Cause I want to talk to you."

Thomas frowned, "You're not going to tell me you're going to quit the job, are you?"

I frowned at him, "What? No. I want to talk to you about letting Fragrance do the dishes for two weeks here, for free. And don't even think of slipping her pay behind my back, I'd know."

"Sure, she'd be a great help anyway. What did she do this time?"

"The same as usual, protecting Nathaniel's ass; by breaking someone's knuckles."

Thomas chuckled, "Well, at least she didn't break his jaw."

"That's exactly what she said too!"

Two customers walked in the diner and I went off to take their orders. I nodded to Maria, the oldest waitress in The Bar, as she entered the diner to help take over my table. She nodded in return and took over the table for me as I continued my conversation with Thomas.

"So, have you found any other part-time jobs for me?" I smiled at him sweetly. Thomas has always been my resource for part-time jobs, other than working in The Bar.

He frowned at me, "Adele, why won't you let me support you? I was serious when I said I was willing to support all of you."

"And I was serious when I say 'no', Harrison."

"Thomas."

"Thomas," I rolled my eyes at him, "I can support myself and my family on my own, thank you."

"I know that," Thomas looked at me in the eye, "but you need to stop pushing me away when I'm trying really hard to get into your life."

I slammed the order sheet a little too hard on the counter and several customers turned to look at me. Maria walked over to us and throws the both of us a discouraging look. "The both of you talk at the back, now."

Even though Thomas was the boss here in The Bar, Maria seemed to have more say in this place. She might look fragile with age but she can really sack a punch if she wants to. I've seen her did that on one drunk perverted customer on my first year here, knocked the daylights out of that guy.

I sighed and headed to the back of the diner where all the locker cabinets were located. I greeted Narumi, our trust-worthy cook as I walked pass the kitchen and he smiled back while giving Thomas curious glances. As soon as I reached the lockers I turned almost abruptly to face him.

Nearly under six feet with messy red curls and grey eyes, Thomas is one fine-looking man. I've seen him loading things from the delivery truck without his shirt on and he has some fine abs. Even his butt looks cute.

But I hate this topic.

"Adele—"

"Thomas—"

The both of us looked at each other and we laughed. Thomas is a really nice person; so nice that I'm afraid if I do let him into my life, he'll get hurt instead. Plus, he doesn't know that my twins are werewolves.

"Look, Thomas," He smiled when I called him by his first name. He hates formalities. "I really, really like you. But we've been through this topic a zillion times that I'm getting tired of it. And like I've said a zillion times before—"

"—that you see me no more than a friend." Thomas rolled his eyes, "You say that all the time, Adele."

I frowned at him, "And you still ask!"

"Because you never know when you might get lucky."

This time it was my turn to roll my eyes. "So boss, any part-time job for me?"

"How about...being my mistress?"

I smacked him by his shoulders, half-laughing and half-horrified at what he said, "Thomas!"

He laughed, "Joking, sorry. I do have a job for you, but it is something like being a tour guide. There was this group of tourist my friend introduced to me, friendly people they are. They are looking for a tour guide to bring them around, you know, show them some cool places. My smart friend told them about you and they agreed to meet you if you're interested, that is--hey, you ok?"

I guess I must have looked pale because Thomas was giving me worried looks. The thought of tourist sometimes frightens me; the risk of meeting people from my past can be big. I smiled slightly, "Yeah, I'm fine. Any idea who they might be?"

Thomas thought for awhile, "I don't remember their names, but I can go with you when you meet them."

I shook my head, "No, it's fine. I can manage on my own. I don't think they'll be dangerous." Unless they turns out to be vampires or werewolves, I mentally added. "When will I have to meet them?"

Thomas pulled out his cell from his back pocket and looked through his messages, "This Friday at eight?"

I groaned, "Friday?"

"Why? Oh, sorry, I've forgotten that Friday is your family 'Night Out'."

Friday is the 'Night Out' when Fragrance and Nathaniel is able to change into their natural form and run about freely in the forest that is an hour drive away from our living area. The both of them will change into their werewolf form and run wild while I watched for approaching people.

"I can ask them to change if you want."

I smiled at Thomas, "It's fine, I will talk to my kids later; surely they will understand."

Thomas frowned at me, "Your kids are more important; the job can wait."

"Hey, Adele, some help here!" Maria called from the front and I sighed.

"It's ok, Thomas. Thanks, again."

My shift ends at four in the afternoon. Half tired as I said my goodbyes to the rest of the workers in The Bar; I went to the lockers to get my bag when Thomas stopped me halfway.

"Hey, Adele, could you change your shift to night starting tomorrow? Rene just quit and the night shift needs help. Plus, it's easier for Fragrance, anyway."

I wanted to protest but the night shift miss-bossy Ginger who just came in answered for me, "Oh, that'll be great! I've never seen you work the night shift before, the customers will love you."

I glared at Ginger, the blue eyed, dyed blond curly-like-spaghetti hair and bright painted red nails, who'd just love to chat and flirt with all the customers has always been a nuisance to me. I've heard about her from Maria who worked both shifts; Ginger hardly does any work but she is a great help in keeping customers happy.

One more reason why I don't like night shifts; there are lots of perverts around that time of the day.

Night shifts contains mostly of young pretty waitress who're too busy in the mornings doing god-knows-what so they work at night. That's why during dinner time or the late hours, young or old perverts flocked around The Bar.

Thomas looked at me with a raised eyebrow, waiting for my answer. I glared at Ginger as she disappears to the front and let out a long sigh, "Sure, I'll take the night shift."

"Good," Thomas smiled at me, "See you tomorrow, then."

"Yeah," I forced a smile, "See you tomorrow."

The morning didn't even start off good. It was raining heavily and the weather was wet. I hate weathers like this; they bring down my mood. Fragrance and Nathaniel was off to school by the time I woke up and I took my own sweet time taking along hot shower and making lunch.

Yes, lunch, seeing that it was twelve in the afternoon when I woke up.

By four, I was already packed and ready to leave for The Bar. I left a note for Fragrance to tell her to come to The Bar when she is done washing up and all that crap.

Thomas was the first to greet me, as usual.

"Hey, Adele, glad you could make it." He smiled his perfect smile and I smiled back, my day instantly brightens up. "Ginger and the other girls will be here any minute; you go get ready first and help Maria out."

"Sure." I did as I was told and helped Maria with the tables. There weren't many people in The Bar yet. But as soon as the clock strikes five, customers flocked in like birds. Almost all the seats were taken and the television was on to the max.

Fragrance was pulled to help in front since one of the girls didn't turn up. I have to watch out for her just in case any pervert try to lay their hands on her. But luckily, the locals are smart enough not to lay their hands on my girl.

After all, she has a bad reputation for breaking people's bone.

Everything was fine at first; until a teenager group of five stepped in.

At first glance, they looked perfectly normal even though they seemed like trouble. Four boys and one girl; tall, tan with piercings and very good-looking. I can see from behind the counter that the patrons were drooling over those gorgeous young teens; even my own daughter is staring.

But from past experience, I know a little bit more.

Werewolves.

I stole a glance at Fragrance and saw her looking back at me. From her looks, I got a feeling she knows what they are too.

Ginger, as expected, had flung herself to the group as soon as they sat down at an empty booth.

"I'm Ginger, delighted to be at your service!"

Ginger's shrilly voice could be heard all the way from the counter. I rolled my eyes and I heard Fragrance who was beside me chuckled. I looked at her and she must've seen the panic in my eyes. For years we've been avoiding werewolves or any supernatural beings but it will all be ruin now. She patted me by the shoulder and gave me reassuring smile, "Don't worry, we'll be fine."

I returned her smile and went back to work. We tried to avoid their booth as much as possible. I was serving the other booth when I saw Fragrance walking pass that booth of werewolves. One of them, who looked like the leader of them all, reached his hand out to touch Fragrance's butt. Immediately I reached out to grab his hand.

Obviously that was a bad idea.

He stared at me with his amazingly breathtaking green eyes that remind me so much like Julian's and a small smile spread across his handsome face. He was tanned as if he'd spent hours on the beach and he had three small studded diamond earrings on the left side of his ear. He was well-build with muscles and a six-pack, but smaller than his friend that was sitting next to him. His friend looked humongous with the muscles threatening to burst out from underneath his clothing.

Fragrance had stopped and turned to look at us. When she saw my hand on the guy's outstretched hand, she knew instantly what that guy had planned to do with that dirty hand of his and a vicious growl escaped her lips.

Apparently my act of catching his hand before he could smack my daughter's butt got everyone's attention.

I smiled as sweetly as possible, "That's not very wise."

He smiled at me and pulled my hand to his lips, kissing it when he was actually smelling me, "Hmm, you smell like one of us. But you're not one, are you? Then how'd you have this smell? Your boyfriend is one?"

Fragrance looked as if she were about to jump on him and strangle him dead but I pulled my hands free of him and threw her a knowing look. She frowned at me and sighed, understanding that I can deal with this guy on my own. Everyone's full attention was on us now.

"I don't know what you're talking about, sir, but I'd prefer if you'd keep your hands to yourself."

He looked at me with amusement in his eyes and smiled a crooked smile. I heard Ginger gave off a long sigh, "No fair, why can't I make him smile like that?"

I rolled my eyes; good looking people like these have no effect on me considering the fact that I've met even more drool-worthy people.

The only girl in the group I guess was his big-muscle friend's girlfriend, who has been practicing mouth-to-mouth respiration with him turned to look at me with a bitching look and said in a surprisingly sexy voice, "Another recruit?"

Another recruit? What the heck are they talking about?

"No, I don't think she is one of us. But I think her boyfriend might be; she smells like one. He might not like us on his turf."

I glowered at him; don't tell me these people are here to make New Orleans their turf just because no vampire or werewolf claimed it, yet.

The girl frowned, "Well, that's not fair. I like this place already. Come on, Marcus, let's take this place." Wolf-girl threw Marcus, who I guess have to be the leader, hopeful glances before turning to smirk at me, "Who's your boyfriend, lady?"

Since I was standing, I was taller than them and it was a good thing. I definitely do not want to talk to them when their standing. Even Fragrance who was standing next to me now, was already a head taller than I am. I glowered at them, "Sorry, but I have no idea what are you talking about. One of you? I don't remember any of you being my cousins or niece and nephews from any side of my family." Fragrance was half snickering at my acting.

I know I am good.

Marcus raised an eyebrow at us, "Oh? Is she one of us?" He asked as he pointed towards Fragrance. I tensed almost immediately. I felt Fragrance tensing up beside me too. His smile widen as his eyes danced with amusement, "She is, isn't she? That is probably why you smell like one of us."

I smiled forcefully, "I don't know what you are talking about. We have work to do, if you'll excuse us." I turned and pulled Fragrance along as we headed to the back of the diner. As soon as we reached the back, I turned to face her.

"Pretend everything's fine and we'll get out of here as soon as our shifts done, ok?"

Fragrance nodded, "Chill, mom. You're so tense I could see your veins popping up on your head."

I smiled stupidly at her and she frowned at me, "What?"

"You just called me 'mom'."

Fragrance rolled her eyes at me before picking up a tray with drinks and went to serve, avoiding walking pass the booth with werewolves.

Our shift ends at one and when we walked out to the lot, we didn't expect the werewolves to be waiting for us. But they weren't alone; Nathaniel just arrived with a confused look written all over his face.

"Hey, Nathaniel, what are you doing here?" I hugged him out of habit.

"I came because I was worried. It's your first night shift, after all."

I smiled from ear to ear; Nathaniel had always been the nice and caring one. But we were interrupted by Marcus oh-so-annoying voice from behind.

"Oh, so she does have a boyfriend. And I thought I'd have a chance!"

"And he is definitely a werewolf." Another friend of theirs smiled at Nathaniel and I felt Nathaniel tensing up.

"Who're they?" Nathaniel asked as he tightens his grip on me.

"No one," I pulled at his hand, "let's go."

The girl purred, "Oh, don't you want to introduce your boyfriend to us?"

Fragrance growled beside us, "He's my twin, bitch."

The wolf-girl growled back, "Oh, aren't you the same, bitch?"

Marcus now has an even more amused look on. He was smiling like he'd won a lottery, "Siblings? Than what's your relationship with this lady then?"

"I'm their mom,"

How is it? Review and tell me. If it's too short, tell me and I'll make it longer the next chapter. Review, review!