Chapter 1 The Invite

• “Hurry up, Tara! Or we’ll be late to our party!” Taylor’s voice echoed through the room as she checked her dress for the hundredth time in front of the mirror.
• “A party that’s being held downstairs,” Tara shot back from the bathroom, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
• Taylor rolled her eyes. “I still don’t want to be late!”
• Steam rolled out as the bathroom door opened, and Tara stepped into the room, a towel wrapped around her chest, water glistening on her skin.
• “You look nice in that dress,” she said with a soft smile.
• Taylor grinned, then flung the dress she held straight at her sister. “Then get dressed already!”
• Both girls burst into laughter.
• Twins — but not the usual kind. Where Taylor was light, Tara was quiet. Taylor, blonde and full of energy. Tara, dark-haired, thoughtful. One lived for fun. The other lived in her books. But they were inseparable.
• Tonight was special. Their coming-of-age ceremony. The night their wolves emerged, they had both waited for this day.
• “Time’s up, ladies!”
• Vera barged into the room without knocking, hands on her hips and a knowing smirk on her face. The Alpha’s daughter. Sister in all but blood.
• “Father’s starting to get pissed,” she warned.
• “I already told Tara,” Taylor muttered as she adjusted her hair.
• Vera walked over and helped zip up Tara’s deep wine-colored dress.
• “You’re overreacting again, Taylor,” Tara muttered.
• “And you’re underreacting,” Taylor said with a scoff, spinning in front of the mirror one last time.
• All three girls left the room together, laughter trailing behind them as they made their way downstairs.
• The pack house had never looked so beautiful. Golden drapes hung from the ceiling beams, flickering candles floated mid-air—enchanted by the witches in the pack, casting soft light over the polished wooden floors. Dozens of pack members filled the room, dressed in fine clothes, smiling, chatting, waiting.
• At the center of the hall stood Alpha Curtis, tall and proud in his ceremonial robe, a silver sash draped across his chest.
• Beside him stood Stone, his son, dark-eyed, smirking, and never without something teasing to say.
• “You girls look beautiful,” Alpha Curtis said with a warm nod.
• “Especially you, Tara,” Stone added with a wink.
• Tara rolled her eyes and tried not to smile.
• After the greetings and well-wishes, the room began to quiet.
• “It’s time,” someone announced.
• Everyone followed the Alpha outside. The night was clear. A large circle had been drawn on the earth behind the house, lined with glowing stones. The moon sat high, watching silently.
• The Pack Elder stepped forward, draped in fur robes, a wooden staff in his hand. He began the ancient chant.
• Taylor’s hand gripped Tara’s.
• The ground hummed beneath their feet. The circle pulsed. The elder spoke the final words, and everyone held their breath.
• Nothing and whispers began.
• “Try again,” Alpha Curtis said quietly.
• The ritual was repeated. The moon watched. The wind moved. But again… nothing.
• Tara’s chest ached. She felt Taylor’s fingers trembling in hers.
• Taylor’s breath hitched. Her face crumbled.
• “I can’t—” she whispered, voice breaking as she turned and ran into the woods.
• “Taylor!” Tara called out, chasing after her.
• Branches scratched at their arms as they ran through the trees. Tara finally caught up to her sister, who had collapsed beside a tree, tears streaming down her cheeks.
• “I waited… all my life… and nothing,” she sobbed.
• Tara dropped beside her, pulling her into her arms. “We don’t know why yet. But it doesn’t mean it’s over.”
• They sat like that in silence until footsteps approached.
• “Found you two,” Stone said softly, kneeling beside them. “Let’s go back.”
• That night, the entire pack was quiet. Disappointment hung in the air like smoke.
• The girls were supposed to shift. But they didn’t.
• ---
• Six Months Later
• Still no wolves.
• Every day, Taylor cried. Every day, Tara pretended she wasn’t worried too.
• They tried to be normal. Smiled when they could. But inside, something felt broken.
• Then one afternoon…
• “Tara!” Vera burst into the room, waving an envelope in her hand like it held the secrets of the moon.
• Taylor, who lay on Tara’s lap half-asleep, jumped up. “What’s that?”
• “An invitation to the Crent Festival!” Vera squealed.
• “No way!” Taylor shouted, grabbing the envelope.
• “Way!” Vera laughed.
• “What’s the Crent Festival again?” Taylor asked quickly, eyes wide.
• “It’s that event held every three years on Crent Island,” Tara said from behind her book. “Where all the packs from every region come together. Games. Rituals. Mating ceremonies. You name it.”
• Vera nodded. “And this year… we’re going.”
• Taylor gasped. “We’re actually going?!”
• “Well…” Tara closed her book. “Father might not let us. And besides, only wolves with—”
• “—with their wolves, I know,” Taylor cut in, slumping back on the bed. “If only our wolves would just come.”
• “They don’t need to,” Vera said, stepping forward. “Father already agreed. He’s taking all four of us.”
• Taylor bolted upright again. “Say what now?!”
• “All four of his children,” Vera repeated. “Including you two.”
• Tara blinked. “But why? Why now?”
• “Who cares why!” Taylor shouted, jumping up. “We’re going!”
• Vera grinned. “And I haven’t even told you the best part yet…”
• Tara raised a brow. “What could possibly top this?”
• “It’s been rumored…” Vera leaned closer. “The Frost Pack will be part of this year’s Crent gathering.”
• Taylor froze. Then shrieked. “NO. WAY!”
• “YES WAY!” Vera yelled back, jumping with her.
• They held hands and spun in circles, laughing.
• Tara stared at them from her bed, book in hand. “Why are you two so excited about the Frost brothers showing up? It’s not like they’ll be mated to either of you. Or me.”
• Taylor stuck her tongue out. “Live a little, sister. Maybe if you stopped reading so many romance books, you’d see there’s more to life.”
• Both girls ran out, already talking about what they’d wear.
• Tara looked out the window, a strange tightness curling in her chest.
• She didn’t know why… but something about this trip didn’t feel right.
• Not right at all.