Chapter 1

Stormie-

One more day, and I would be eighteen. I will get my wolf mark, and then I can officially leave. It helped that I graduated high school a year earlier, so I didn't need to wait until I was done with school. Some would ask why I wanted to leave the largest Pack in the northern states, but that was a simple answer. One I couldn't admit to, though.

"Ugh, you are so annoying. Why our parents gave birth to both of us had to be a cruel joke from the Goddess." My twin sister, Misty, rolled her eyes at me from across the table, where I was helping her with her homework.

"I am just trying to help you with your homework. If you prefer to fail and repeat the year over, that is up to you." I kept calm, as I knew better than to anger her, or she might tell our parents, and then I would be punished.

"I don't know why you got the brains out of the two of us. If you weren't such a loser, I would switch places with you, and you can go to school for me." Misty sighed as she dropped her pencil on the table and leaned back.

"Let's just get this done. Only a few more problems." I picked up her pencil and held it out for her.

She took it while mumbling under her breath, which I ignored. Returning to help her with her work, I looked forward to tomorrow—just one more day after today.

It was because of her that I wanted to leave. It wasn't that I didn't love her. I did love my sister because she was my sister. However, I wouldn't say I liked the fact that although we looked alike and I was older, Misty was the object of everyone's affection. Whatever Misty wanted, Misty got.

No matter how hard I worked, how much I tried, or how good I behaved, it didn't matter. My twin sister could kill someone, and I would be the one blamed because everyone loved Misty but couldn't stand me. It didn't matter, though; after tomorrow, I will be able to leave.

Only after a werewolf received their mark were they allowed to leave the safety of the Pack. It was to make sure that no one tried to steal our mark. When I first heard about it in school, I didn't believe it was possible, but apparently, it was.

Others often stole the wolf mark from others to either sell, transfer, or simply because they wanted that power for themself. When a mark is removed, either they die, receive a different mark, or continue with their life, neither human nor wolf. Personally, I thought death was a much better alternative.

Even if we were lucky and received a new mark, it was possible that the wolf could have significant defects. Some had an extra limb or missing eye. I met one werewolf who, when he shifted, had his limbs in the wrong spot. Like he had legs for arms and hands for feet, not to mention his tail grew out of his head.

Just thinking about that made me cringe. If it meant I had to endure things with my family a little longer until I could safely leave, then I was willing to do it. I can't say I would miss anything here. I didn't have any friends, and I kept to myself.

When I did leave the house, I was typically mistaken for Misty. Whenever I corrected them, they looked at me disgustedly and walked away. I could never understand why others treated me that way, but I felt it was better not to ask.

"Finally! I am done!" Misty yelled after we finished the last math equation.

She then jumped out of her seat and did a weird, happy dance before wandering away from the table and down the hall to the living room. As I cleaned up the mess from her homework, I shook my head in annoyance. While we looked exactly the same, we were polar opposites.

She was a social butterfly, while I preferred staying to myself. She was into boys and social media, and I liked expanding my mind. She took pride in her image, while I couldn't care less about if I impressed anyone.

Speaking of boys, she was also chosen as the future Luna of Glowing River Pack. As lame as the Pack name sounds, it has an incredible story behind it. There is a waterfall just outside of our territory that glows blue.

It has been said that the river was formed hundreds of years ago when the Moon Goddess came to bless a child of the Pack. It was a beautiful place, and everyone in the Pack loved hanging out there. They drank the water from the river so the Goddess could also bless them.

When the blessed child grew up, though, he had angered the Goddess, and now it is said that the river is tainted with the anger of the Goddess. Some members continued to visit the waterfall, but no one ever returned after the night that the Goddess killed the Blessed Child.

No one knew what the child had done, but they all believed the Goddess had been angered and killed him because the child left and never returned. I didn't think the story was real, but it was fun to listen to. If I had to guess, I would think the Blessed Child grew up and decided to leave the Pack. As for others disappearing, there had to be another reason for that.

I wasn't that big into believing ghost stories, which is precisely what it was. It was told to us as children so we would be scared and listen to our parents. Otherwise, we would be taken to the river and thrown in as a sacrifice to the Goddess. No one was allowed near the river, as the entrance was patrolled.

"Stormie, will you come here?" My father's voice interrupted my thoughts.

Placing the workbooks and papers from Misty's homework in her bag, I hung the bag on the back of the chair. Heading toward the living room, I wondered why I was being called. Usually, they forgot about me until I had to be blamed for something or they wanted me to do something for my sister.

"Yes?" I entered the large living room, where I noticed someone else was sitting on the couch.

Even if I didn't have my wolf yet, I could sense that the woman wasn't a werewolf. She was a witch. It wasn't abnormal for witches to socialize with werewolves, but it also wasn't normal, at least for my family, as my father hated witches.

"Come in here. I have asked Mabel to come and run a test on the two of you. Since you will be getting your marks tomorrow, I want to ensure there won't be any issues." My mother's soft and sweet voice was unusual when she spoke to me.

Instantly, I tensed up because I felt that something was wrong. I couldn't go against my parents, as it would only mean I would be locked in my room for a week without food. Because of their punishments, I did my best not to argue with them.

"Don't worry, Dear. This will only take a few seconds, and all you need to do is sit beside your sister." Mabel smiled at me as she motioned to the loveseat Misty was sitting on.

I wanted to run out of the room, but I knew that if I did, I would be in a lot of trouble. My father wasn't high rank, but my sister was to marry the Alpha's son, the future Alpha. If I disobeyed them now, I might not be able to leave the Pack.

Doing as I was told, I sat next to Misty but couldn't relax. Every fiber in my body was telling me to run. Even a voice in my head was urging me to do so.

"Now, just relax and close your eyes." Mabel hovered over us, almost as if she were floating. It wasn't easy to tell with the long, flowing black dress she wore that covered her feet.

Allowing my eyelids to flutter shut, I tried to appear as if I was relaxed, but I was far from it. I expected Mabel to touch me, but nothing happened. I didn't feel like she was doing anything. A few seconds later, she told us that we could open our eyes and that she was done.

I thought I would see that same friendly smile on her face when I opened my eyes, but she was expressionless. "What now?"

"That is all. Go to your room." My mother said with a tone that sounded as if she was disgusted with me.

Not wanting to let it bother me, I left the living room. Heading to the only room downstairs, I shut myself in my room. Since my room was next to the living room, I quietly went to the air vent that connected the two rooms. It allowed me to listen to their conversation without them knowing.

"What did you find out?" My mother's voice sounded urgent.

"It is as you expected. Misty's wolf is weak, but Stormie's wolf is strong. With Misty's wolf, she won't be able to become the Future Luna of the Pack. Stormie will be better suited for the role. Misty will be killed if the Alpha learns you lied to him." Mabel answered with an even tone, not giving away any emotions.

I wondered what lie my mother told to the Alpha, although it didn't surprise me. I waited to see if anyone would speak again, but no one said anything else. A few minutes later, I heard the front door open and close. I waited an hour before opening my door to figure out what was happening.

I saw a large man standing outside my room as I opened my door. He looked strong and like he could break me in half, like a pencil. When his dark brown eyes turned on me, I felt immense fear flood my senses.

"Uh, who are you?" I blurted it out without thinking.

"We were hired to ensure you and your sister remain in your rooms until you both receive your mark. Don't try to leave. If you need anything, ask, and I will have someone fetch it for you." The man spoke with a deep voice that sounded like he puffed on too many cigarettes.

"In that case, can I get a glass of water and a sandwich?" I asked as I hadn't had anything to eat since this morning.

"Subject two is requesting a sandwich and water." The man pressed on his ear as he spoke.

That was when I noticed he was wearing something I have only seen CIA agents wear to communicate with their team in movies. A few moments later, another man arrived with a tray containing my requested items. He said nothing but waited for me to return to my room and shut the door.

I thought the entire situation was weird, but it wasn't that weird. I have heard of families hiring people to ensure their child received their marks without any issues arising. I guess it was a good thing.

Going to my bed, I sat down and placed the tray on my nightstand. Eating my sandwich first, I slowly drank my water. I wondered why I felt so weird earlier when the witch was here. Now there were strange men in my house.

Things were getting weirder by the second. I couldn't let myself think about it too much. In only twenty-four hours, after I received my wolf mark, I would be able to leave. All I had to do was wait until sunset. Then, I would start my transition.

Feeling excited for what was to come, I didn't realize that something was off until I put my empty glass of water on the table, but my arm suddenly felt numb. It slowly dawned on me that I should have paid attention to the warning I received earlier.

I had been drugged. Having just a little strength in my legs, I tried to stand up but ended up collapsing on the ground. I attempted to yell for help, but no sound escaped my lips. My first thought was that my parents didn't hire the men in my house. They were here to steal my sister's and my wolf mark.