Shadows in Moonlight

The relentless snowfall enveloped me as I trudged through the desolate streets, my breath visible in the crisp winter air. The full moon shone brilliantly, casting an eerie glow upon the white blanket beneath. I had always cherished the snow, but this night, it felt distinct, as though the full moon itself was summoning me, its silvery light beckoning me forward on an enigmatic journey.

Upon finally reaching my home, I glimpsed my father sitting in the living room through the window. I opened the door and was greeted by the warm, inviting aroma of hot cocoa. My father looked up from his book and beamed as I entered. "Welcome home, dear."

I couldn't resist returning the smile, finding comfort and safety in the familiarity of my own abode. Hastily shedding my coat and boots, I joined my father by the fireplace, appreciating the warmth and companionship on such a cold, snowy night.

As we conversed, I could feel my eyelids growing heavy. It had been a long day, and I yearned for rest. "Well, I think it's about time for me to head to bed," I announced, rising from the couch. "Goodnight, Dad," I added, embracing him and planting a kiss on his cheek before ascending to my bedroom. Slipping into my pajamas and crawling into bed, I savored the soft sheets against my skin and the comforting embrace of my home. With a deep sigh, I allowed myself to drift into a peaceful slumber.

However, as the seasons shifted, the school days seemed to stretch on endlessly. Seated at my desk, struggling to maintain focus during a tedious strategy lecture, my thoughts wandered incessantly. The day felt interminable, and my longing to return home intensified.

Abruptly, I was yanked back to reality by my teacher's voice. "Miss Smith, can you answer the question?" he inquired, his tone tinged with irritation.

I looked up, realizing that every eye in the room was fixed upon me, and I could feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment as I acknowledged my lack of attention. "Oh, um, what was the question again?" I asked, attempting to mask my embarrassment with a sheepish smile.

"Why is the battle between the Windy Pines and Winter Lake so important?" he repeated, his annoyance palpable.

"Correct," my teacher affirmed sternly. "Please make sure you pay attention in the future."

I nodded, still feeling embarrassed, while my sister Eleanor chimed in from across the room, "Good job, dumbo."

"Enough, Miss Smith," our teacher warned her.

Eleanor just shrugged and flashed her perfect smile, tossing her perfect blonde hair over her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Mr. Williams. I'll leave my little sister alone."

"You're only two and a half minutes older than me, Eleanor," I retorted, prompting laughter from the rest of the class.

DING DING DING

As the bell signaled the end of the school day, I gathered my belongings and practically dashed out of the classroom, eager to escape Eleanor. However, my path was intercepted by a familiar voice. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

I turned to see Jayden, my boyfriend, strolling toward me. His bright smile and perfect teeth were irresistible, and he pulled me in for a quick kiss on the cheek while wrapping an arm around my waist.

"Jayden, thank goodness it's you. Eleanor has been on a rampage today."

"She's not that bad," he replied, earning an eye roll from me.

"She's not that good either! And she looks nothing like me, by the way. I have silver hair, not blond like hers."

"My bad," he chuckled. "Your hair is definitely distinctive."

As we continued down the hall, a teacher greeted Jayden as the "future Alpha." I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as I watched the teacher lavish attention on him while mostly ignoring me. But Jayden was quick to reassure me as we stepped into the fresh air.

"Don't let it get you down, sweetheart. We're almost done here. We'll turn 18 soon and have our whole lives ahead of us."

"I know," I said, twirling a strand of hair around my finger as I looked up at him.

"Do you ever find it strange that we haven't experienced anything yet?" I asked hesitantly. "No spark, no longing, no impulse—nothing?"

Jayden pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don't find it strange. We're not 18 yet. Perhaps that's when we're supposed to experience that spark."

"I suppose," I replied, feeling somewhat relieved. "But have you heard about Prince Edmond? He's almost nineteen, and he still hasn't found his mate."

"Almost nineteen? That's unusual, especially for a royal lycan," Jayden remarked.

"Yeah, I can't recall a royal not finding their mate by eighteen in centuries," I added.

"Perhaps his mate is located outside the royal city," Jayden suggested as he held the car door open for me.

Sitting in the car, I gazed out the window while a persistent feeling gnawed at the back of my mind. Something didn't feel quite right, but I couldn't quite pinpoint it.

I turned to Jayden, who was adjusting the radio. "Do you ever feel different, like something's missing?" I inquired.

"Different? How?" he responded.

"I don't know. It's just... there's something not quite right. Like something's absent," I tried to convey the feeling.

Jayden grasped my hand and gave it an assuring squeeze. "We're not eighteen yet. We have time to figure it all out. And we have each other. That's what truly matters."

I smiled and leaned in to kiss him. Maybe he was right. We had time to figure things out, and for now, I was grateful to have him by my side.

Returning my gaze to the window, I watched as other students made their way to cars and buses as we departed from the parking lot.

Upon arriving home, Eleanor was already waiting for us in the living room. "Hey, losers," she greeted us with a smirk.

"How did you get home so quickly?" I asked.

"Sebastian brought his bike today," she said, smiling as Sebastian emerged from the kitchen with a sandwich.

"Yo."

Sebastian, not particularly tall but taller than Eleanor, boasted a physique honed from countless hours on the football field and in the weight room. He exuded a selfassured confidence and raw masculinity. His dull gray eyes and rugged jawline lent him an air of danger, while his easy smile and quick wit made him irresistible to many. His muscles bulged with every movement, demanding attention and igniting passion in nearly everyone around him.

I, on the other hand, found him utterly insufferable and tedious. "Sebastian. Hi," I greeted, keeping my tone polite.

"El."

"Hey, Harm," Jayden said, embracing her.

"Ugh, must you two be so affectionate?" I quipped, a twinge of jealousy creeping in.

"Jealous, Ava?" Eleanor teased.

"No, not jealous. I just don't understand why you have to be so mean all the time," I responded.

Eleanor shrugged. "It's just my way. But seriously, Ava, what's been going on with you today? You've been acting strangely all day."

I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to confide in her. However, the concern on her face prompted me to open up. "I don't know. I just have this feeling that something's off. Like I'm missing something or that I'm not supposed to be here."

Eleanor's expression softened. "It's probably just premating jitters. You're turning eighteen soon, and your wolf is probably getting restless. Don't worry; it'll pass."

I nodded, feeling a bit reassured. "Maybe you're right. It's just been a weird day."

"It's probably because our birthday is in two days, and you're getting a bit paranoid," Eleanor offered with a reassuring smile.

Jayden, Eleanor, and I shared the same birthday, and it had long been expected that one of us would be mated to him. Our father, Ethan, had held the position of beta in the pack since the passing of his father, and it was anticipated that our older brother, Jack, would succeed him as the next beta. Given this lineage, it seemed only natural that one of Ethan's daughters would be destined to become the alpha's mate, and most assumed that someone would be me.

"So, we're still on for Sunday?" Jayden inquired.

"Huh?" I glanced over at him.

"The party? We're still planning to have it, right?"

"Oh, yeah, of course. Your mom and my mom have been organizing it for months. It's practically all they talk about."

"It's a significant birthday for all of us."

"I suppose it is," I replied as I opened the car door and stepped out. "We'll talk later?"

"Yeah," he agreed.

I waved and made my way into the house. Inside, servants and pack members bustled about, and my mother shouted out orders, acting more like a Luna than the actual Luna.

In contrast, Jayden's mother, Luna Charlotte, was a gentle and sweet woman, nothing like the nononsense matriarch who held an iron grip on our household.

"Ava! You're home! Where's your sister?" my mother inquired eagerly.

I kissed her on the cheek. "Hi, Mom. She was right behind me. Probably chatting with Sebastian."

My mother rolled her eyes and marched off to another room. "I don't like him."

"Nobody does," I muttered, heading to my room.

The weekend flew by, and before I knew it, it was time to prepare for the grand birthday celebration. Our parties were always held late at night, with the moon as our goddess and source of power. We celebrated not only our lives but also expressed gratitude to Benjamin for her blessings.

I stood before the mirror, admiring the icy blue dress my mother had meticulously crafted for me. It perfectly complemented my eyes and silver hair, hugging my curves with precision.

Eleanor's dress matched mine in design but was amber in color to accentuate her eyes.

"Hurry, girls! The guests are arriving. There's a big surprise for all three of you tonight!" our mother exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

"What is she talking about?" Eleanor inquired.

I shrugged, slipped into my matching blue shoes, and descended the stairs with my sister.

"I love you," she suddenly declared as we reached the bottom of the staircase.

"What?"

"I love you. I know I tease you a lot, but I genuinely love you."

I smiled at her. "I love you too."

"Are you ready?"

"I guess. Let's just get through this."

Together, we entered the grand ballroom, where highranking members of our pack, their families, and leaders from other packs had gathered.

"That's quite a crowd," Eleanor whispered.

"How often do the future Alpha and twin daughters of the Beta celebrate their eighteenth birthdays on the same night?"

"I guess it's a rare occurrence," I replied.

Eleanor pulled me onto the dance floor as the music began. The lights flashed, and a smoke machine enveloped the area in a thick fog. We danced and laughed while our friends and some other kids joined us.

Suddenly, the music abruptly stopped, and the lights came on.

"Is it time already?" I asked, glancing at the clock. It was only 9:00. Everyone was here, but why had the music stopped?

"Attention, everyone. Please welcome our esteemed rulers, King James and Prince Edmond of the Winter Lake pack," Alpha Oliver announced. An older man with gray hair and a commanding presence entered the room, followed by a younger version of himself.

Standing beside the king, he remained unsmiling, jaw clenched. His nostrils flared as he surveyed the room, as though he detected something unusual. His gaze lingered on me for an uncomfortably long moment, and I noticed the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. The entire room bowed and curtsied to him, but his attention remained fixed on me. Gamma Noah stepped between us, breaking the gaze.

"Oh my goddess," Eleanor exclaimed, covering her mouth. "He's the most stunning man I've ever seen."

"He is quite striking," I agreed.

"Striking? Ava, he's utterly breathtaking!"

She dragged me over to where Alpha Oliver and Jayden were conversing with the royal wolves.

Clearing her throat, she smiled expectantly.

"Oh, my apologies, girls!" Alpha Oliver said. "Let me introduce you. King James, Prince Edmond, these are Beta Ethan's daughters, Eleanor and Ava."

We curtsied to the two men as they looked us over.

"Happy birthday," King James said. "It's a pleasure to meet you both."

...

"Alright, everyone! It's time!" my mother announced with enthusiasm. "It's the moment our new wolves have been waiting for. Men, you will gather in the northern gardens, while ladies, we're heading to the southern gardens."

I observed as Jayden entered through the front doors, joining Alpha Oliver, the king, and the other highranking men.

"Come on, weirdo," Eleanor urged, seizing my hand and leading me toward the patio doors that opened into our flower garden. "Oh, wait a second!"

Eleanor glanced around the room, her eyes landing on Sebastian. She smiled and waved at him.

"I just want to say goodbye real quick," she explained.

"We'll be right back," I chuckled.

"I know. But I'll be returning as a woman," she giggled.

I watched as she skipped across the room and into Sebastian's arms. He spun her around, kissing her passionately. She whispered something in his ear, and a grin stretched across his face.

Eleanor hurried back to my side as we walked to the center of the circle formed by the ladies. I reached out for my sister's hands and held them tightly.

The moonflowers that adorned the garden were in full bloom as we took our positions.

Our mother approached us, wearing a hopeful smile. "Alright, girls. It's time. The moon is nearly at its zenith. Benjamin herself is watching over you both. The first shift may sting a bit, but don't worry about it. It's just your body adapting to the change. I love you both, and I am immensely proud of you!"

"Thanks, Mom," I said softly, hugging her.

"Love you, Mom," Eleanor chimed in, joining the embrace.

"Together?" I asked.

"Always," she replied.

A tingling sensation began in my toes and fingertips, swiftly spreading throughout my entire body. I watched as Eleanor's body sprouted long, blonde fur. Her facial features contorted as her nose vanished, replaced by a snout. Glistening fangs caught the moonlight as her grip on me weakened. Glancing down, I saw that both of our hands had transformed into paws.

A searing pain surged from deep within me. I felt as though my body might ignite into flames. The agony seemed to emanate from my bones, accompanied by a nauseating crunch and snap, forcing me to my knees. A scream escaped my lips as the moon shone brighter and brighter, its brilliance enveloping me until I saw nothing else.

Just as suddenly as the pain began, it ceased. However, I was no longer in the circle, nor on my family's grounds. It was emptiness, a complete void.

"Dear child."

I looked around as best I could with my wolflike neck.

"Do not be afraid. I have waited for this day for a long time."

Who's there?

A magnificent young woman materialized before me, surrounded by the radiance of the moon.

Who is that?

"I am Benjamin. Goddess of the moon. Goddess of the woodlands. And your mother."

You can hear me? I thought in my mind.

"Of course, my beloved daughter."

Daughter? What do you mean?

"You are my child, a wolf born under the light of the full moon. It is your destiny to protect the balance of nature, defend the weak, and uphold the ancient ways."

"But how? I don't know anything about being a wolf."

"You will learn. You possess strength and courage, and you have the love and support of your mate. I will always be with you, guiding you on your journey."

"I still don't understand. Why is this happening?" Panic began to grip me. This was too much, too unreal.

"Eighteen years ago, when your earthly mother was pregnant with your earthly sister, I used her body as a vessel to give physical form to myself. You."

"Wait. What?"

"In my divine form, I cannot birth an earthly child. There is something approaching my beloved wolves that will require one with godlike abilities to assist."

"The feeling I've been having?" I inquired.

"Yes, my dearest. It is approaching, and you will need to aid the king in saving your kind."

What is it?

She shook her head. "I do not know, my darling. I only sense its impending threat."

"Why me?"

"Because, sweet Ava, you are my child, a part of me."

"That cannot be, Goddess. I was born. I have lived with my mother and father all these years. If I am your daughter, why did you not come for me sooner?"

"To protect you. If others knew of your existence, it would have placed you in peril, along with all the packs."

"How can I help? I am not a warrior. I am small, and I have never fought before."

"You will discover more. Now go, my child. Embrace your true nature and fulfill your destiny." She kissed my cheek, and the bright moonlight enveloped her before darkness reclaimed the void.

The emptiness around me began to recede, and I felt myself being drawn back to the physical world. I opened my eyes to see Eleanor standing before me, her expression filled with concern.

Queen Aurora took a step closer. "Child, are you alright?"

I nodded, my chest heaving with each breath.

"Uh, what is that?" Eleanor asked, staring at my face.

"What?" I queried.

"On your forehead, right below your hairline. What is that?"

I reached up and ran my fingers along my forehead, feeling nothing unusual. I shrugged.

"Ava, what happened?" my mother inquired, rushing toward me.

"Um, I don't know. What is the first shift supposed to be like?" I asked.

"Well, not quite like that."

"What happened?" I asked again.

"You shifted and then collapsed."

"Oh."

I rose and looked around, steadying myself. "I'm fine."

"Honey?" my mother asked.

"Yeah?"

"Eleanor is right. What's on your forehead?"

"I don't know? Nothing? I don't feel anything. What does it look like?"

"It looks like a moon with a bow in it."

"Odd."

"What truly happened during your shift?" she pressed.

"Can we discuss it when we're not in front of such a large audience?" I requested softly.

She nodded in agreement.

"Alright, everyone, let's return to the party and give the girls some space," Alpha Oliver suggested.

"Are you alright?" my mother asked me.

"I think so," I replied, still trying to process everything that had just occurred.

"Come on, let's explore our new forms," I urged.

The spark. It should be time.

Desperation and despair gripped me as each second ticked by.

Where is he? Where is Jayden?

Then, I spotted him. He stood near King James and his father, Alpha Oliver, but there was no sign of Prince Edmond. My heart skipped a beat, and I began making my way toward him. But before I could take more than a few steps, I saw him sniff the air and turn around. Suddenly, I felt a spark in my stomach, and a peculiar scent overwhelmed all others.

Is this it? Is this the moment I've been waiting for?

But as Jayden approached, confusion and uncertainty clouded his face. He furrowed his brow and sniffed the air again before shaking his head.

"This is wrong. This is not right," he muttered, pushing me aside and walking directly toward Eleanor.

I stood there in shock, tears welling up in my eyes, as I watched Jayden approach Eleanor. He wrapped his arms around my sister and kissed her passionately. The entire room fell into an eerie silence as they gazed at the two of them, and then at me. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, and my throat tightened with emotion.

"He's not going to do what I think he's going to do, is he?" Abigail whispered from behind me.

"II don't know. It's public. He would never do something so tacky and taboo, right?" I looked at her, tears streaming down my face.

My mouth hung open, my cheeks aflame, and my stomach churned as I felt bile rising in my throat.

But as I watched, my worst fears materialized. Jayden nuzzled Eleanor and then bit her, marking her as his mate in front of everyone.

"Holy... He marked her in public," Abigail gasped.

My face felt ablaze as the eyes of those around me shifted between the newly marked pair and me.

"Jayden! What have you done?" Alpha Oliver bellowed, storming toward his son.

"Oh, my God!" Abigail whispered loudly. "There's some serious drama llama going on here tonight."

"Ash!" I looked at her, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Girl, you dodged a bullet here. I'm sorry, but if that had been you, you deserve way better than this hot mess."

King James murmured loudly, and Queen Aurora looked utterly disgusted. I briefly locked eyes with Sebastian. He appeared shocked and furious.

"Eleanor!" he finally screamed.

"I can't watch this anymore. I refuse to allow it!" Abigail grabbed my hand and briskly led me across the ballroom toward the stairs.

As we stormed past Jayden and Eleanor, she glowered at them. "You two are awful for doing that in such a public manner."

I glanced back as they stood, nuzzling each other. No one else, aside from Alpha Oliver, had even dared to move. Not even our utterly mortified parents.

Abigail held my hand firmly as she pulled me up the stairs and all the way to my bedroom. "Okay, you stay. I'll be right back."

I nodded as she shut the door behind her. I sat on the floor, sobbing, and hugged my knees.

A soft knock on the door followed by a voice calling out, "Can I come in?"

"Abigail?" I sniffled, recognizing my friend's voice.

"Yeah, it's me. Can I come in?"

I stood up and opened the door a crack, allowing Abigail to poke her head in.

"Hey there," she said gently.

I looked at her and sniffled.

Abigail nodded sympathetically. "I know this is really tough, but I brought something that might help. I bribed the bartender and got us this bottle of champagne and some glasses. Want to try to drown your sorrows a little?"

She held up the bottle and glasses, and I reached out my hand to take one.

"Maybe not everyone saw what happened," Abigail said, attempting to comfort me.

"Everyone saw!" I wailed, collapsing back onto the bed. "I can't believe this. Why would he do something like this in public? I loved him, Abigail. I can't understand why he would humiliate me like this."

"I know it's hard to understand, but the whole concept of a mate bond can be really confusing. Maybe he just couldn't control himself," Abigail suggested.

"But what about Eleanor? She's my sister. She could have at least told him to wait until the marking ceremony. I was so sure he was my mate," I said, feeling hopeless.

"I know," Abigail said, handing me a glass of champagne. "It sucks that this happened, but if he couldn't even wait to mark his mate privately, maybe you dodged a bullet by not being with him. You deserve someone who will treat you with respect and love."

"I know, but it still hurts. Why couldn't he wait like a normal wolf? How am I supposed to go back to school and face everyone after this?" I asked, feeling overwhelmed.

"It's not as bad as you think."

I rolled my eyes while chugging the bubbly in my glass. "It's worse than bad. It's utterly humiliating."

"Yeah, that is pretty bad. I doubt anyone's going to care."

"Abigail, they're going to care. They're going to talk about it. The future alpha marked his girlfriend's sister. In public. At their birthday party. This is the biggest news to hit the pack in years."

She sat next to me and put an arm around my shoulders. "If anyone says anything, you want me to beat them up? I can do that."

I let out a small chuckle. "No. Just give me more champagne."

"I don't think anyone would really blame you if you took a few days off of school. Since we are graduating in just a few short months, maybe there's a way that you could rework your entire schedule to not go to class."

"How would that be possible?"

"So, you know I work in the office as an office aide."

"Yeah," I said.

"I happen to know some rules when it comes to senior wolves and their schedules."

"What kind of rules?" I queried.

"A rule that says the wolf with the highest grades, who is eighteen and desires to run for the local council after graduation, can work closely with the head of the strategy department and not go to class."

"I do like strategy," I mumbled. "And Council President Andrew is knowledgeable and nice."

"Indeed."

"Yeah, that can work. I can do that. But I am definitely taking like two weeks off from going back to that place. I don't want to see anyone."

As we sat on the bed, the door flew open. Eleanor jumped up and down in the doorway.

"What do you want?" I growled.

"Oh my god! Can you believe it, Ava? The future alpha mated with me!"

"Yeah, I know. My boyfriend. Get out. I don't want to see you."

"What? You're not happy for me?"

"Are you dense? Happy for you? No, I'm not happy for you! You humiliated me in front of everybody. Why would you mark each other in public? I never want to speak to you or him ever again! Get out!"

Her smile vanished as she stood staring at me. "But, you're my sister."

"Was."

"I was hoping you could help me when the time came to become Luna."

"Are you out of your absolutely ditzy, airheaded, idiotic mind? I'm not helping you. I'm doing nothing for you! Go away!"

She pouted and stared for a minute.

"Uh, you heard Ava, right?" Abigail asked, glaring at my sister. "Shoo."

"Oh, okay."

She shut the door and was gone.

"Was I too mean?" I asked, staring at the wood.

"Too mean? Hell no! You have every right to be pissed!"

"It's not really their fault though. I mean they can't help that they were mated. That's something that's determined before we're born."

"They didn't have to rub it in the way they did. They could have done it privately like you're supposed to. I mean we're wolves, we're not uncultured animals. Some things are meant to be done in private."

"I guess."

I poured more champagne and sipped it slower. I still felt a little bad for yelling at Eleanor.

"What are you going to do with two weeks of nothing?"

"I don't know. Travel around the packs? Experience life a bit."

"Find your mate?" she asked, nudging me.

I smiled a bit. "No. I don't even want to think about that right now. I think just doing some traveling will do me good. I have been having this weird feeling lately. Like something is not right."

"Okay, weird."

"There's something else." I pushed my hair out of my face and showed her the moon and bow marking on my forehead.

"Okay, that's weird. What is that?"

"This is going to sound so incredibly crazy and insane. I'm still not sure if it's real or if I was hallucinating. And you have to absolutely swear not to tell anyone!"

"Okay. Pinky promise."

"When I shifted, I went into this black void. The Goddess Benjamin was there."

"I'm sorry...what?"

"I'm not finished. That's not even the craziest part."

"There's more?"

"Uh, yeah, Abigail."

Her eyes were as wide as saucers.

"So, she approaches me and tells me, get this, I'm her daughter."

"We're all Benjamin's daughters and sons."

"No, like her legit daughter. Her child."

"What?"

"Right?" I asked.

"How? You and Eleanor are twins."

"That's where I was confused. But Benjamin said that since mom was pregnant with Eleanor at the time, it was easy to put me there. Since she's a goddess, she couldn't give birth. She said something bad was coming and wanted her child to help save the packs."

"Something bad?"

"Yeah, the feeling I've been getting the past few weeks, what if that's it?"

"And not turning eighteen and shifting for the first time?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I told you it sounded crazy."

"Are there other children?"

I shrugged my shoulders again. "I don't know. She didn't say there were."

"Maybe there's something in the archives?" she suggested.

"Maybe. I'll go there before setting off on my great adventure."

"I want to adventure."

"Come with me."

"What?" she asked.

"Come with me."

"I don't know. I mean, do you think I should?"

"What are we going to miss? Sitting in class doing nothing for the last few weeks of school?"

"The rest of our finals?"

"There's what, three left? We can do those and then leave. I can postpone taking a few weeks off," I said.

"Okay. Yeah. Yeah, that'll be fun! That'll be awesome." Abigail bounced excitedly on my bed, nearly spilling her glass of bubbly.

"Yeah, it will!"

"Wolves don't travel without their pack though?"

"No, but we're not leaving forever. Just for a little bit."

"Okay. I can do that! Yes!"

We finished drinking the champagne and made our plans for going on an adventure. I hoped that it would be nothing but fun, but that nagging feeling was in the pit of my stomach.

As the sun started to crest the horizon, I heard the jovial sounds of laughter below my window.

"Everyone must be leaving."

I stood and watched as everyone filed out of the house and towards their cars. I spotted Eleanor, hanging onto Jayden as he left. She giggled and kissed him as they walked to his car.

"I hope she just leaves."

She kissed him long and hard before turning back to the house.

"There's that electricity again."

I felt a tingling in my body, and that was so odd. My gaze was drawn to the royal family. Prince Edmond stopped and looked around before looking up at my window.

My throat seemed to suddenly feel so dry. Our eyes met, and the feeling intensified.

"No. It's nothing. You're crazy."

"Who are you staring at?" Abigail called, lying on the bed.

"Oh, nobody. Everyone's just leaving my birthday party."

"Your party! Did you even get cake?"

I shook my head. "I don't really like red velvet cake. That's Eleanor's favorite."

"Let's get some sleep so we can get these plans put into motion!"

"Sounds good."

I lay next to Abigail and talked until the sun was high in the sky, eventually drifting off.

I sat at the breakfast nook in the kitchen, poking at a plate of waffles while staring out the window. My heart hurt, and the house seemed more like a prison with each passing minute.

"Hey..." Eleanor said, entering the kitchen.

I stood, dumped my plate in the sink, and brushed past her.

"Come on, Ava..."

"Don't. Talk. To. Me."

She sighed heavily and left the kitchen through the opposite door.

"You can't be mad at her forever," Mom said, standing in the library that was right outside the kitchen.

"Sure I can."

"It's not her fault."

"Mom, I don't care. I'm hurting. This is the worst betrayal. I hate her. I hate him. I hate being here."

"Ava, come on now."

"No, mom. Why can't anyone just let me be sad? Why can't anyone understand that I'm hurting right now?"

"This is an exciting time for your sister. You should be happy for her."

"I don't want to be happy for her. I've loved Jayden for as long as I can remember. I was convinced he was my mate. He's not. I'm not going to be able to just turn that off right away."

"Honey, when you meet..." I cut her off before she could finish.

"No, mom. I'm not staying. I'm not helping Eleanor plan her future with the man that I loved. Abigail and I are leaving for a few weeks after finals."

"Leaving? Where?"

"Everywhere. We're going to visit the other packs and just get away."

She tsked and shook her head. "I don't like that idea. We don't just leave the pack."

"I don't belong here, mom. I'm not dealing with her being the next Luna. I can't."

I felt the tears spill down my cheeks. She sighed heavily and nodded.

"I have to go to school. I'll see you later."

I grabbed my bag off the desk that sat in the corner and made my way for the front door. My heart dropped seeing Jayden's car sitting in the driveway. I could feel vomit rising in my throat.

"Hey, Ava, you wan.."

I turned and walked away from him before he could even finish.

"Hey! Come on! Don't walk away from me!"

"Don't talk to me."

"I'm your future alpha. You can't speak to me like that."

"I just did. Leave me alone."

"Ava!"

"Stop, Jayden!" I shouted. "I'll tell you the same thing I told my mom. I'm going to be in my feelings right now. You marked Eleanor in public. At our birthday party. You could have had the decency to talk to me first. A heads up. Something. But no. I didn't even get that. You literally pushed me out of your way."

"El...."

I looked up when I heard the familiar beeping of Abigail's car. "Come on, loser. Get in."

I smiled lightly and hurried to her convertible. She lowered her sunglasses a bit and wrinkled her nose at Jayden.

"Ew. He's at your house."

I nodded. "Let's just leave."

"So I have news for you."

"News? It's 7 am. What news?"

"I'm magical."

"How, Ash?"

"How pissed would you be to take all of your finals today and just leave tomorrow?"

"What? How? Why? That's a lot of tests."

"Dean Jones heard about what happened and called me this morning."

"Why did he call you?"

"Duh, Ava. He knows we're bff's. Anyway, can I finish?"

"Yes, please finish."

"So, I explained our plan, and he was actually on board with it. He said if we wanted, we could spend today taking all of our finals and just be done."

"Just like that?"

"Yeah."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "That's six finals today. Why is he being so nice?"

"He's a nice guy. He's just a strict disciplinarian. But he does care about us."

"I guess. Yeah, that's a good idea. Let's leave tomorrow."

"What about your parents?"

"Mom is too focused on Eleanor right now. She probably won't even notice I'm gone for a few days. Dad, though. He might miss me. I'll talk to him tonight."

"Pops will be hard to talk to. He's very....I dunno. Pops."