Chapter 1: The Day the Ball Dropped
POV: BRYNN
Sprawled across the XL twin bed in our Everstone Academy dorm room, I turn toward my twin sister, Cassia, already up and tapping away on her screen. Truth be told, I lucked out with her: Cas isn’t some drama queen eager to steal 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, recognizing the mischievous twinkle in Cas’s eye.
Though we are seldom apart, the stark contrast between us is undeniable. Cas is petite, with blonde hair and brilliant green eyes. I’m tall, toned, and lean, with dark hair and crystal-blue eyes. Cas is the social butterfly; I rarely seek the spotlight, even when my sister drags me into her whirlwind of drama. I crave a real challenge, whether physical or mental, and nothing brightens my evening 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 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 floor of our shared room, each step bringing her closer to the peace I hoped to have on my day off. She flips the cover off my head, smiling 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, fully knowing I am.
Mask on tight, I press back, “Why should I be?”
Hip jutted out, arms crossed, smirk in place, she lands the blow. “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 as if 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 caffeine to fuel her.
“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, rummaging through 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 nearing the finish line of our Warrior Training at Everstone Academy, balancing intense physical training with digital coursework. Foregoing standard campus life was an intentional choice for us. Everstone Academy, a 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 convinced her true match is Ryder, the future Beta of our 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 thought 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 alone.
While my sister is finishing her undergraduate degree in marketing, I accelerated my studies and earned dual degrees in business and political science. Now I’m only months away from completing a master’s program in global enterprise management.
“Asher and Xavier are making the trip back for the gathering too,” Cas says, 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 glamour and sparkle, while I prefer clean, understated elegance—though that never stops her from glitter-bombing me whenever she can.
“Honestly, one of us should stay behind to supervise Draven,” I counter. “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 grins so brightly 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, aware I cannot talk my way out of this. “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 a groan of surrender escapes me. It bounces off the walls as her delighted laughter follows her exit.
I silently curse my luck, wishing today were scheduled for heavy-weapons physical conditioning instead.
Wow, sounds intense, and beautifully written. Can’t wait to read more.