Chapter 1: The Day the Ball Dropped
POV: BRYNN
Sprawling across the XL twin bed inside our dorm room at Everstone Academy, I turn toward my twin sister, Cassia, who is already up and tapping away on her screen. Truth be told, I lucked out with her: Cas isn’t some drama queen eager to snatch my spotlight; she has always been my steadfast anchor, my absolute partner in crime.
“What trouble are you already getting into before 7 a.m. and my double shot of espresso?” I groan, already recognizing Cas’s twinkle in her eye that can only mean mischief.
Though we are seldom apart, the stark contrast between us is undeniable. Cas is petite, flaunting blonde hair and brilliant green eyes. Me? I’m tall, toned, and lean, with dark hair and crystal-blue eyes. Then there’s our personalities—Cassia thrives as a social butterfly. At the same time, I hardly seek the spotlight, even if my sister routinely drags me headlong into her whirlwind of drama. I crave a real challenge, whether physical or mental; nothing brightens my evening quite like a battle of wits. Back home in the Moonstone Pack, our parents, Hugh and Rhea Mireault, serve as Beta. Cas inherited Mom’s fiery spirit, whereas I am a carbon copy of Dad, living by his mantra that every single move requires intent. As for Asher and Draven, our brothers round out the family as a playful mix of us all—the natural pranksters of the bunch.
She turns toward me, eyes glittering, and I already know she has plans to ruin my day. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t, and the energy vibrating off you isn’t rattling my teeth.” I pull the duvet over my head, seeking a few more moments of peace.
I hear her bare feet cross the wood surface of our shared room, every step closer a countdown to the peace I hoped to have on my day off. She flips the cover off my head, a smile splitting her face with joy and my own personal annoyance. As if she won a battle I didn’t know I was in.
“You’re not even curious?” She asks, head cocked to the side, fully knowing I am.
Mask on tight, I press back, “Why should I be?”
Hip jutted out, arms crossed, smirk in place, she aims the kill shot. “Maybe because you’re required to go by the Alpha.”
I throw the blanket off as I sit up, alert and shocked. “For what?”
“The location of the Blue Moon Ball has been posted.” She claps her hands as if she is calling for an encore.
Really, that is what she is excited about. A heavy sigh escapes my lips before I can censor it. “Is that what has you wide-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning? Just go and claim your warrior, Cas.”
A string of giggles peals out of her as she sashays back to her bed. “It has crossed my mind, but I prefer the chase.”
I groan, “You’re awful, Cassia.”
“I contain multitudes, Bry, and my fans appreciate my depth.” She shrugs, “Anyway, I know he will be there… as will you.” The gleam in her eye is nauseating without a dose of caffeine to absorb her energy.
“Don’t remind me, Cas.” Rolling over to snuggle back in, I try to bury myself in my pillows until the wicked one yanks them off my head with glee.
“You know you are going. Don’t make this more painful than it has to be, otherwise Mom will drag you there by your hair.” She calls out as she starts rummaging in her closet.
“Where is it anyway?” Rubbing my eyes, I realize my sister doesn’t have a snooze button.
“Blackfang.” One word, and I already see where this is headed.
Cas and I are approaching the finish line of our rigorous Warrior Training at Everstone Academy, seamlessly balancing intensive physical training with our digital university coursework. Foregoing standard campus life was an intentional move for the two of us. Everstone Academy, which symbolizes strength and lasting knowledge, serves as an elite hub for high-ranking members worldwide, offering specialized tracks like Rank Officers Training for future Alphas, Lunas, Betas, Gammas, and Deltas, alongside rigorous programs in Warrior tactics, Healing arts, Council governance, and Pack Law.
After wrapping up his tactical drills and leadership preparation alongside our future Alpha, Xavier, and Gamma Noah, Asher stands ready to inherit Dad’s mantle as Beta. Right now, he is traversing distant territories with Xavier to cement vital global alliances.
Meanwhile, Cassia remains thoroughly convinced her true match is none other than Ryder, the future Beta of our stalwart neighbors, the Blackfang Pack. Joining our domains creates an unrivaled stronghold on the continent, making the union brilliant from a tactical standpoint—even if the reality of my twin moving away carves a quiet pang into my heart.
A heavy wave of melancholy settles over me; Cas finding her soulmate means I continue my path solo.
While my sister is polishing off her undergraduate degree in marketing, I accelerated my studies, securing dual degrees in business and political science. Now, I’m only months away from wrapping up a master’s program in global enterprise management.
“Asher and Xavier are making the trip back for the gathering too,” Cas announces, her eyes dancing. “Mandatory attendance for everyone, which means we have a serious date with wardrobe hunting.”
A sense of impending doom washes over me at the stark reminder of our aesthetic rivalry. Cas adores full-blown glamour and sparkle, while I prefer clean, understated elegance—though that never stops her from trying to glitter-bomb me whenever she gets the chance.
“Honestly, one of us should stay behind to supervise Draven,” I counter, trying for a tactical retreat. “Unless you want to be posting his bail.” Our younger brother is finishing his senior year of high school, and without a babysitter, he would accidentally torch the estate and blame a culinary malfunction.
“Not a chance, sister.” Cas wears a grin so bright it looks painful, practically vibrating off the mattress like a hyperactive child after an espresso shot.
“Give me one good reason,” I sigh, pushing myself up and accepting that I have already lost this skirmish.
“The Alpha declared that every single available member eighteen and older must be present.” Damn… I’m sunk; now the torture begins.
She wags a perfectly sculpted pink fingernail in my face. “You’re locked in. Now move it—we need to hit the boutiques before the crowds arrive.”
Pausing at the bathroom threshold, she fixes me with an unyielding glare, perfectly aware I cannot talk my way out of this one. “Oh, and I am booking us the entire salon package: hair styling, facials, and a full body wax.”
I collapse backward onto the mattress, arms flung over my face, and an exasperated groan of surrender escapes me. It bounces off the walls, accompanied by her delighted laughter at my impending doom as the door snaps shut.
I silently curse my luck, wishing today were scheduled for heavy-weapons physical conditioning instead.
