"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.

The moonflowers that covered the garden were in full bloom as we took our place in the center of the circle of high-ranking women, including the Luna.

Our mother approached us, 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, so 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.

She smiled and joined the other ladies as we stood in the center of the circle. I reached out for my sister's hands and grasped them tightly.

"Together?" I asked.

"Always," she replied.

A tingling sensation started in my toes and the tips of my fingers quickly spreading through 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 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?

"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 God-like abilities to help."

That feeling I've had?

"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. Wholy me."

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 in jeopardy as well as all of the packs."

How can I help? I'm not a warrior. I'm small. I've never fought before.

"You are not a normal wolf. You will have additional abilities that the others won't."

Abilities? Like what?

"Foresight. Speed. Intelligence. And if you can unlock the ability, you can control those around you."

Wow. Okay. That's a lot.

"I know, my child. It is and I am so sorry that you must be the one this falls to."

Does anyone know that we're in danger?

She shook her head.

Do you know when this danger will come? Is it soon? Or will it be later?

"I wish I knew. Just prepare."

What if nobody believes me? I'm not even sure if I believe all of this.

She approached me, cupping each side of my furry face, and pressed her forehead to mine. She pulled away smiling at me.

"You'll have my mark."

She kissed my cheek and the bright moonlight encompassed her before darkness took over again. I floated in the void until I was able to feel the grass under my paws. My vision adjusted to the circle of women who were crowded around me.

I breathed heavily, trying to adjust to not just being a wolf but from leaving the void.

I stared at the ground, watching as the fur retracted on my hands. I sat up and looked around at the concerned faces.

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. What is that?"

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

"Elanor. What happened?"

"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, standing. "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 her head.

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

We walked back to the grand ballroom where the men had all returned. I looked around for Alex.

The spark. It should be time.

I spotted him near King Orsand and his father, Alpha Anwar. Prince Edmond was nowhere in sight.

I sighed and started across the room when he looked up. I saw him sniffing the air and spinning around.

I could feel something electric sparking in my stomach. It was odd. Was this it?

He's my mate!

Alex approached and looked down at me, furrowing his brow.

Wait, this is wrong.

He shook his head and pushed me to the side, walking right up to Harmony.

No!

I stood there, watching, as he wrapped his arms around my sister. She stared up at him, blinking slowly before he kissed her more passionately than he had ever kissed me. Everyone stopped and stared at them, then at me.

I could feel the tears welling in my eyes. A lump formed in my throat as I watched Harmony offer her neck to my boyfriend. He nuzzled her before biting.

He marked her! He marked my sister!

A sob escaped my throat as I turned to run. I couldn't bear the sight of it.

"Elanor," my mother called after me.

I just shook my head and ran from the room. I ran down the hallway and started up the stairs. The feeling in the pit of my stomach returned. The electricity. I stopped and looked around, seeing nothing.

I shook my head and ran to my room, slamming the door behind me.

How could he be her mate? He's supposed to be mine.

I leaned against the door, sliding to the floor, and cried.

******

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