As I ventured through the deserted streets, the relentless snowfall enveloped me, my breath visible in the crisp winter air. The full moon shone brightly, casting an eerie but mesmerizing glow on the blanket of white. I had always loved the snow, but tonight it felt different. The full moon seemed to call out to me, its silvery light beckoning me forward on a mysterious journey.

The snow danced and swirled in the moonlight, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that made me feel as if I were walking through a dream. The silence was deafening, broken only by the crunching of snow under my boots and the occasional howl of the wind. Despite the cold, I couldn't help but feel a sense of calm and serenity wash over me, as if the moon were cleansing my mind and purifying my soul. I felt compelled to keep moving forward, drawn in by the hypnotic call of the full moon.

Finally reaching my parents' estate, I could see my dad sitting in the living room through the window. I opened the door and was greeted by the warm and inviting smell of hot cocoa.

He looked up from his book and smiled as I walked in. "Welcome home, honey."

I couldn't help but smile back, feeling a sense of comfort and safety in my own home. I quickly shed my coat and boots and joined my dad by the fireplace, grateful for the warmth and company on such a cold and snowy night.

As we sat and chatted, I could feel my eyes growing heavy. It had been a long day, and I was ready for some rest.

"Well, I think it's about time for me to head to bed," I said as I stood up from the couch. "Goodnight, Dad," I added, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek before making my way up to my bedroom.

I changed into my pajamas and crawled into bed, feeling the soft sheets against my skin, the memories of my mysterious journey still fresh in my mind.

My skin and the familiar lull of my home surrounded me. With a deep sigh, I let myself drift off into a peaceful sleep.

As the days turned into weeks, the harsh grip of winter slowly began to loosen. The snow, once so thick and relentless, started to recede, revealing patches of earth beneath. The once biting wind grew gentler, and the air was no longer filled with the howls of icy gusts but with the first hints of spring. Each day, the sun lingered a little longer in the sky, melting the last remnants of winter's hold.

By the time the first buds appeared on the trees, the world had transformed. The crisp whiteness of snow was replaced by vibrant greens and bursts of color as the trees and flowers came to life. Birds returned with their sweet melodies, filling the air with a sense of renewal. The quiet calm of the snow was gone, replaced by the bustling sounds of nature awakening from its long slumber.

However, as the seasons changed, the school days seemed to get longer and longer. As I sat at my desk trying to stay focused on a monotonous lecture in my strategy class, my mind kept wandering. The day felt like an eternity, and all I could think about was going home.

Suddenly, I was jolted back to reality by my teacher's voice.

"Miss Lunaire, can you answer the question?" he asked, his tone laced with irritation.

I looked up to see every eye in the room fixed on me, and I could feel my face flushing with embarrassment as I realized I had no idea what the question was.

"Oh, um, what was the question again?" I asked, trying to play it off with a sheepish smile.

"Why was the battle between the Misty Pines and Winter Lake so important?" he repeated, clearly annoyed.

"Oh, right," I said, trying to gather my thoughts. "Well, there are two reasons why that battle is so significant. First, the Misty Pines pack was the first in one hundred and fifty years to challenge the lycan royal family at Winter Lake. Second, it was the first time that a combination of human and wolf forms was used to defeat an enemy in battle. Before that, all battles were fought exclusively in wolf form. This changed the way warfare was conducted from that point on."

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

I nodded, still feeling embarrassed as my sister Harmony called out across the room, "Good job, dumbo."

"Miss Lunaire, that's enough," my teacher warned her.

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

"You're only two and a half minutes older than me, Harmony," I shot back, eliciting laughter from the rest of the class.

DING DING DING.

As the bell signaled the end of the school day, I grabbed my things and practically ran out of the classroom, determined to escape the clutches of Harmony, the resident school bully.

But as I made my way through the crowded hall, I was stopped by a familiar voice. "Where are you going in such a hurry?"

I turned to see Alex, my boyfriend, walking toward me. He was tall and muscular, with shaggy hair that I'd begged him to cut on more than one occasion. His bright smile and perfect teeth were impossible to resist, and he pulled me in for a quick kiss on the cheek as he wrapped an arm around my waist.

"Alex, thank God it's you. Harmony has been on a rampage today."

"She's not so bad," he replied, earning a roll of my eyes.

"She's not so good! 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 different."

As we continued down the hall, a teacher called out to Alex, greeting him as "future Alpha." I couldn't help feeling a twinge of jealousy as I watched the teacher fawn over him, while I was mostly ignored. Alex was quick to reassure me as we stepped out into the fresh air.

"Don't let it get you down, sweetheart. We're almost finished here. We turn eighteen soon and have an entire life ahead of us."

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

Alex was a physically striking and undeniably attractive guy. He was tall with an athletic build and toned muscles that were evident even under his clothing, especially when he wore his tight tank tops. His dark, wavy hair was always styled in a way that highlighted his sharp features and piercing blue eyes. His chiseled jawline and defined cheekbones gave him a strong, masculine look that exuded confidence and sex appeal. His warm and inviting smile added to his overall charm and made him seem like a genuinely caring person.

"Do you think it's weird that we haven't felt anything yet?" I asked tentatively. "A spark, or a need, or an urge? Anything?"

Alex thought for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don't think it's weird. We're not eighteen yet. Maybe that's when we're supposed to feel that spark."

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

"Almost nineteen? That's unusual, especially for a royal lycan," Alex said.

"Yeah, I don't think a royal hasn't mated at eighteen in a few hundred years," I added.

"Maybe his mate is beyond the royal city," Alex suggested as he opened the car door for me.

I sat in the car, staring out the window as a nagging feeling lingered at the back of my mind. Something was off, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

I turned to look at Alex, who was fiddling with the radio. "Do you feel different at all?" I asked.

"Different? How?" he replied.

"I don't know. There's just something not right. Like something is missing," I said, trying to explain the feeling.

Alex took my hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "We're not eighteen yet. We have time to figure it all out. Plus, we have each other. That's all that matters."

I smiled and leaned over to kiss him. Maybe he was right. We had time to figure everything out. For now, I was just grateful to have him by my side.

I turned back the window and stared at the other kids heading toward cars and buses as we pulled out of the parking lot.

As we drove home, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. I tried to push it to the back of my mind and focus on the present, but the nagging sensation persisted.

When we got home, Harmony was already there and waiting for us in the living room. "Hey, losers," she greeted us with a smirk.

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

"Rich brought his bike today." She smiled as Rich walked out of the kitchen with a sandwich.

"Yo."

Rich wasn't that tall, but he was taller than Harmony, with a physique honed from hours spent on the football field and in the weight room. He exuded arrogant confidence and raw masculinity. His dull gray eyes and rugged jawline gave him an air of danger, while his easy smile and quick wit made him impossible to resist. With muscles that bulged with every movement, he commanded attention and ignited passion in almost all those around him.

I found him completely insufferable and dull.

"Rich. Hi," I said.

"El."

"Hey, Harm," Alex said, giving her a hug.

"Ugh, do you have to be so affectionate with her?" I asked, feeling a twinge of jealousy.

"Jealous much?" Harmony teased.

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

Harmony shrugged. "It's just how I am. But seriously, what's been up with you today? You've been acting weird all day."

I hesitated, not sure if I wanted to share my feelings with her. But something about the concerned look on her face made me open up. "I don't know. I just have this feeling that something is off. Like I'm missing something, or like I'm not supposed to be here."

Harmony's expression softened. "It's probably just pre-mating jitters. You're turning eighteen soon, and your wolf is probably getting antsy. Don't worry, it'll pass."

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

It's probably because our birthday was in two days and I'm being paranoid.

Alex, Harmony, and I shared a birthday. It has been expected that he would mate with one of us. Our father, Kenrick, has been the beta of the pack since his father died, and it's expected that our older brother, Tristan, will become the next beta.

It only seemed fitting that one of his daughters would be mated to the next Alpha, Alex, and everyone assumed that someone would be me.

"So we're still on for Sunday?"

"Huh?" I looked over at Alex.

"The party? We're still doing it, right?"

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

"It is a big birthday for all of us."

"I suppose it is. Talk later?"

"Yeah."

In the house, servants and pack members bustled about as my mother shouted out orders. She acted more like a Luna than the actual Luna.

Alex's mother, Luna Celeste, was a very gentle and sweet woman. Nothing like the no-nonsense woman who had an iron grip on our house.

"Ellie! You're home! Where is your sister?"

I kissed my mother on the cheek. "Hi, Mom. She was right behind me. She's probably talking to Rich."

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

"Nobody does," I muttered, walking up to my room.

The weekend passed quickly, and before I knew it, it was time to get ready for the big birthday party. 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 gave thanks to Artemis for her blessings.

I stood in front of the mirror, admiring the icy blue dress my mother had made for me. It matched my eyes and went well with my silver hair. The fabric hugged my curves perfectly.

Harmony's dress was the same as mine, but amber in color to match her eyes.

"Hurry, girls! The guests are arriving. There's a big surprise for all three of you tonight!" Our mother was more excited than I had ever seen her.

"What is she talking about?" Harmony asked.

I shrugged. I put on my matching blue shoes and walked down the stairs with my sister.

"I love you," she said as we stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

"What?"

"I love you. I know I pick on you a lot, but I love you."

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

"Are you ready?"

"I guess. Let's get this over with."

We walked into the grand ballroom, where all the high-ranking members of our pack, their families, and leaders from other packs were gathered.

"That's a lot of people," Harmony whispered.

"How often do the future Alpha and twin daughters of the Beta turn eighteen on the same night?"

"I guess... never."

Harmony pulled me onto the dance floor as the music started. The lights flashed, and a smoke machine filled the area with fog. We danced and laughed as our friends and some of the other kids joined us.

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

"Is it time already?" I asked, looking at the clock.

It was 9:00. Everyone was here—but why had the music stopped?

"Attention everyone. Please welcome our benevolent rulers, King Orsand and Prince Edmond of the Winter Lake pack," Alpha Anwar announced, as an older man with gray hair and a commanding presence entered the room, followed by a younger version of him.

The prince towered over me, at least six feet all. He really was a sight to behold. His sandy blond hair fell in perfect waves, framing his defined face and ocean blue eyes. His muscles looked perfectly toned beneath his suit, hinting at the strength and power that lay beneath. He exuded a brooding intensity that was both alluring and mysterious. He had this almost magnetic presence that drew people in, and his good looks were only matched by his air of confidence and authority. He was the epitome of masculine beauty, and his gaze alone was enough to make hearts race.

He stood beside the king, not smiling, his jaw clenched. His nose flared as he looked around the room, as if he smelled something. He stared at me for longer than was comfortable, and I saw his lips twitch into a small smile. The entire room bowed and curtsied to him, but he only had eyes for me. Gamma Arthur stepped between us, breaking his gaze.

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

"He is appealing," I agreed.

"Appealing? Elanor, he's amazing!"

She dragged me over to where Alpha Anwar and Alex were talking with the royal wolves.

She cleared her throat and smiled expectantly.

"Oh, my apologies, girls!" Alpha Anwar said. "Let me introduce you. King Orsand, Prince Edmond, these are Beta Kenrick's daughters, Harmony and Elanor."

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

"Happy birthday," King Orsand said. "It's nice to meet you both."

That's when I felt it—a faint, indescribable feeling. I looked up at the prince and saw him staring at me again. Alex, noticing, stepped in front of him and started speaking. Harmony and I returned to the dance floor, taking that as a cue to leave. As we danced, I felt the prince's gaze linger on me. It left me feeling both unsettled and uncertain. Despite this, I enjoyed the rest of the party with my sister and our friends, grateful for the love and support of our pack.