Chapter 1: Blue Moon Ceremony
***CAMILA'S POV***
“No! This can't be happening!" I cried out loud as I picked up the pieces of what was left of my ceremonial gown. "It... it was just here." I stuttered, trying to comprehend how my gown, which was perfectly fine, was now in shreds. But I didn't need to think for long, as the evil laughter coming from my twin sister, Camile, was enough to confirm who was behind it. I turned to Camile, tears filling my eyes, about to fall. "Why? Why did you do this to me?" I asked, my heart heavy with sadness. But Camile remained nonchalant, indifferent to my broken state.
“Pretty things don’t suit you Camila, you would look more beautiful in rags, that’s why I did it.” Camile replied with an evil smile and i couldn’t hold my tears anymore.
“Camile! I've been waiting for this day for three years! You know how much it means to me. Why would you do this? We're sisters, twins! I can't understand why you enjoy hurting me!" I cried aloud, unable to comprehend why my sister, who used to love and protect me, was now causing me so much pain.
“Are you done?” Camile asked nonchalantly. “The ceremony is about to begin and I need to go. The moon goddess would definitely bless me with a mate tonight and I don’t want to keep her waiting. If I were you, I would stay home.” Camile said with an evil grin before she left the room, laughing at her mischief.
I hugged the pieces of my once beautiful emerald green gown, tears streaming down my face. This has been my reality for years. At first, it was just my mother who treated me poorly because I developed a disease that revealed I didn't have the wolf gene. I could handle her taunts because I had my twin sister, Camile. She always comforted me, scolding our mother for her mean words and encouraging me not to give up hope. We believed that on our 18th birthday, we would both have our first shift and I would be cured.
That hope kept me going, but on our 18th birthday, only Camile got her wolf side while I remained the same. Since then, my life has become a living hell. Camile turned into a wicked version of herself, tormenting me with reminders of my illness and weakness. It's as if my suffering has become their daily sustenance.
I never lost hope, even in the face of adversity, because I knew the Blue Moon ceremony was approaching, bringing with it the promise of freedom. This sacred tradition occurred every three years, coinciding with the fullest moon. It was believed that the moon goddess herself would grace the ceremony and bestow mates upon those who were mateless, making it a cherished event for the Blue Moon Pack. I clung to the possibility of finding my mate during this ceremony, a glimmer of solace amidst the disappointment of not having my wolf side. It was my chance to escape the confines of my challenging life and embrace a brief, peaceful existence before my inevitable fate.
Not only did I develop this illness that has cut my life short, but I also didn't get my wolf side. And now, as I'm finally going to get my mate and my freedom, Camile ruins my ceremonial dress! “No, I won't miss the ceremony. I must find my mate today and get out of this place," I declared, wiping my teary eyes. I walked to my closet and brought out a black gown that was fit for special occasions like this. I put on the gown and stood in front of the mirror, removing the band from my curly blonde hair, letting it fall and adorn my neck.
Camile and I are identical twins, both having the same color of hair, cobalt blue eyes, strawberry-colored lips, both slender and gorgeous. The only difference is our hair nature. While I have curly blonde hair, Camile has straight blonde hair, which is how one can differentiate us aside from our personalities, of course.
Satisfied with my appearance, I hurried out of the house and to the ceremonial ground, silently praying the ceremony was yet to begin. Thankfully, I got there in time but was the odd one amongst them since I was the only one in black while everyone wore the green ceremonial gown.
“What is she wearing?”
“Does she remember what today is?”
“Gosh, she’s so weird.” The female wolves commented on my odd attire while glaring at me in disgust, but I chose to ignore them all. I was getting my freedom today, and that made me extremely happy. I didn’t even realize I was smiling so hard until my cheeks began to hurt a little.
"Wolves of the Blue Moon Pack, we are gathered here tonight for our sacred mating ritual," announced Slene, the pack's witch. The Alpha and Luna were absent, as this ceremony was only for wolves who had yet to find their mates, just like my mother. "You are all blessed to be part of this great ritual. Dance around the magic fire with your eyes closed until midnight, and when the song ends, the moon goddess will bless you with your mates," Slene explained. The wolves howled at the moon, except for me, as I had no wolf side.
The ceremony began, and we all danced around the magic fire. It was called a magic fire because it had been ignited with a spell and could not be extinguished by water or anyone else except Slene, the witch who cast the spell. As midnight approached and the moon shone its brightest, the music ended, and I heard wolves screaming "Mate" and embracing each other.
I turned around and saw Camile in the arms of a male wolf. I smiled, happy my sister found her mate. I kept turning here and there, waiting to meet my mate but after a while, i realized that every wolf had been paired and i was the only one standing.
“No, it can’t be.” I muttered, silently praying my mate would show up and save me from this humiliation. The wolves began laughing at me, especially Camile.
“Not only is she without a wolf, but she's also mateless," one of the she-wolves remarked, followed by laughter. My vision blurred as my heart shattered into a million pieces. This was supposed to be my chance for freedom, so why didn't the moon goddess grant me a mate? Was it because of my illness? Why would the moon goddess bring me into this world only to make me suffer and face a painful death? Countless thoughts raced through my mind as I watched the wolves depart, hand in hand.
“What's the matter, Camila? Didn't get the mate you expected?" Camile taunted, her hands possessively wrapped around her mate as if afraid he would escape. ”Just as it should be. You should have listened to me and stayed home, sister. You were destined to be alone and die alone. Accept it and do yourself a favor by leaving this pack. You don't belong here; you're not one of us!" She spoke coldly, laughing hysterically as she walked away with her mate.
As everyone disappeared, I collapsed to the ground, unable to comprehend what had just occurred, or rather, what hadn't. "Why? Why am I always plagued by misfortune?" I cried out, my sobs echoing in the empty space. "Perhaps Camile is right. Maybe I truly don't belong here." Slowly, I lifted myself from the ground, clenching my fists. "I can't bear to return to that wretched house. I'll leave. I'll find solace among humans, where I truly belong. That's what I'll do."
