"Alright, everyone! It's time!" my mother announced. "The first time our new wolves shift. Men, you will go to the northern gardens. Ladies, we're going to the southern gardens."

I watched as Alex walked through the front doors with Alpha Anwar, the king, and the other high-ranking men.

"Come on, weirdo." Harmony grabbed my hand, dragging me to the patio doors that led out to our flower garden. "Oh! Wait a second!"

Harmony looked around the room and smiled, waving at Rich.

"I want to say bye real quick."

"We're coming right back," I laughed.

"I know. But I'll be coming back a woman," she giggled.

I watched as she skipped across the room and right into Rich's arms. He spun her around, kissing her deeply. She whispered in his ear and a grin spread across his face.

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

The moonflowers that covered the garden were in full bloom as we took our place.

Our mother approached us with a wary smile on her face. "Alright, girls. It's time. The moon is almost at its highest point. Artemis is looking down upon you both. The first shift hurts a little, but don't be worried about that. It's just your body adjusting to the change. I love you both, and I am so proud of you!"

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

"Love you, Mom." Harmony joined the hug.

"Together?" I asked.

"Always," she replied.

A tingling sensation started in my toes and the tips of my fingers, quickly spreading throughout my entire body. I watched as Harmony grew long, blonde hair all over her body. Her face contorted as her nose vanished and a snout replaced it. Her fangs glistened in the moonlight as her grasp on me loosened. I glanced down and saw that both of our hands were replaced with paws.

An intense burn came from deep within. I thought my body was going to erupt into flames. The pain came from my bones as I heard a sickening crunch and crack, forcing me to my knees. I let out a scream as the moon shone brighter and brighter. The light enveloped me to the point that I saw nothing else.

Just as suddenly as the pain started, it stopped.

I wasn't in the circle anymore, though. I wasn't even on my family's grounds. It was emptiness. A complete void.

"Dear child."

I looked around as much as my wolf neck would allow me.

"Do not fear. I have been waiting for this day for a long time."

Who's there?

A beautiful young woman appeared before me, surrounded by the moon.

Who is that?

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

You can hear me? I thought in my head.

"Of course, my darling 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, to defend the weak, and to honor the ancient ways."

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

"You will learn. You are strong and brave, and you have the love and support of your mate. And I will always be with you, guiding you on your journey."

"I still don't understand. Why is this happening?" I could feel the panic setting in.

This was too much. This was all unreal.

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

"Wait. What?"

"In my form, I am unable to birth an earthly child. There is something coming to my beloved wolves that will require someone with Godlike abilities to help," she explained.

"That feeling I've had?" I asked.

"Yes, my darling. It's coming soon, and you will need to help the king save your kind."

"What is it?"

She shook her head. "That I do not know. I just know that something is coming, and it is a threat to you all."

"Why me?"

"Because, my sweet Elanor, you are my child. Wholly me," Artemis said.

"That can't be, Goddess. I was born. I've been with my mother and father all this time. If I am your daughter, why didn't you come for me sooner?"

"To protect you. If others knew of your existence, it would have put you and all the packs in jeopardy."

"How can I help? I'm not a warrior. I'm small. I've 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 encompassed her before darkness took over again.

The void around me started to fade, and I felt myself being pulled back into the physical world. I opened my eyes to see Harmony standing in front of me, a look of concern on her face.

Queen Amelia took a step forward. "Child, are you okay?"

I nodded, my chest rising dramatically with each breath.

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

"Wh-what?" I asked.

"On your forehead. Right below your hairline. What is that?"

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

"Elanor. What happened?" Mom asked, running to me.

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

"Well, not quite like that."

"What happened?" I asked.

"You shifted, and then collapsed."

"Oh."

I stood and looked around. "I'm fine."

"Honey?" Mom asked.

"Yeah?"

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

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

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

"Odd."

"What really happened during your shift?" she insisted.

"Can we talk about it when there isn't such a large audience?" I asked quietly.

She nodded.

"Alright, everyone, let's get back to the party and let the girls be for a bit."

"Are you okay?" she asked.

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

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

Harmony grinned and took off running, her wolf form sleek and agile. I followed after her, feeling a sense of excitement and purpose growing inside me. This was just the beginning of our journey as werewolves, and I was ready to embrace my destiny. Once our wolves had had enough freedom, we returned to the gardens and shifted back to humans. We hurried back into our gowns and to the grand ballroom where the men had all returned. I looked around for Alex.

The spark. It should be time.

I frantically searched the crowded room, desperation and despair consuming me as each second passed.

Where is he? Where is Alex?

And then I saw him. He was standing near King Orsand and his father, Alpha Anwar, but Prince Edmond was nowhere in sight. My heart skipped a beat, and I started to make 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 strange smell overtook all others.

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

But as Alex approached, the look on his face was one of confusion and uncertainty. He furrowed his brow and sniffed the air again before shaking his head.

"This is wrong. This is not right," he said before pushing me aside and walking straight up to Harmony.

I stood there in shock, tears welling in my eyes as I watched Alex walk up to Harmony. He wrapped his arms around my sister and kissed her passionately. The entire room fell silent as they stared at the two of them, and then at me. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, and my throat felt tight with emotion.

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

"I-I 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 as my cheeks felt like they were on fire. My stomach lurched, and I could feel bile rising in my throat.

But as I watched, my worst fears were realized. Alex nuzzled Harmony before biting her, marking her as his mate in front of everyone.

"Holy shit. He marked her in public," Ashley gasped.