18 years later—- The twins are grown
The silk gown felt like a noose around Selena's neck. Every breath came shallow, every heartbeat louder than the hum of the maids fluttering through the room.
They weren't there for her. They never were.
They circled around Seraphine, brushing moon dust across her shoulders, fastening silver threads into her glowing hair…. the golden daughter, the Luna-to-be.
Selena stood by the corner mirror, her reflection half-shadowed, her own white dress plain and unadorned. She looked like a ghost that had accidentally stepped into someone else's fairytale.
"Can you move a little?" one of the maids snapped without even glancing her way. "You're blocking the light from the Lady."
Selena stepped back silently, clutching her hands before her.
Across the room, Seraphine turned, her every movement effortless. "You shouldn't even be here," she said softly, her voice smooth as velvet, but sharp beneath.
"I wanted to wish you luck," Selena murmured.
Seraphine's lips curved, not quite a smile. "Luck is for those the Goddess might forget. She won't forget me."
Selena's throat tightened. "She's the Goddess of balance. She sees everything."
"Then she'll see that you don't belong beside me."
The words landed like cold stones in her chest.
Selena had lived eighteen years beside her twin, yet somehow always behind her….. hidden, hushed, shadowed. When they were little, they'd shared secrets beneath the willow tree. Now, Seraphine barely remembered those afternoons.
The door opened before Selena could reply. Luna Alara entered….. graceful, radiant, and terrifying all at once. The scent of wolfbane and sacred oil followed her like a warning.
"Seraphine," she said, her tone softening only for that name. "The High Priestess has arrived. The Alpha will be here soon."
Her gaze shifted, and hardened when it found Selena. "Why are you dressed?"
Selena's voice faltered. "The Moon-Bond… the twins always stand together before the Goddess. It's tradition."
"Tradition doesn't apply to curses," Alara cut in, her voice like frost. "You'll stay out of sight."
"Mother, please…"
"Do not call me that when the Goddess is watching."
The room went silent. Even Seraphine's smugness flickered for a second.
Alara stepped closer, lowering her tone but not her fury. "You think I don't remember that night? The Blood Moon burning, your cry echoing before dawn? You were born after her, dragged into the world with silence in your lungs and shadow on your skin. The Priestess said it herself…. you were a sign of discord."
Selena's eyes filled. "I was still yours."
Alara looked at her like she'd spoken blasphemy. "You were a test."
Seraphine turned back to the mirror, pretending not to hear.
Selena's voice cracked. "If I am a curse, then why let me live?"
Alara's jaw tensed. "Because the Goddess demanded balance. For every blessing, a burden."
The words sank deep, colder than the marble beneath Selena's bare feet.
For the first time, she truly understood, her mother didn't hate her out of fear. She hated her because she believed she was divine punishment.
Alara turned to Seraphine. "Do not look at her again tonight. When the Alpha's wolf awakens, you'll be his only focus. Do you understand?"
Seraphine nodded. "Yes, Mother."
Selena stared at her twin, the same face, the same blood, yet completely different lives. One loved, one tolerated.
A soft knock came at the door.
A guard stepped in and bowed. "Luna, the High Priestess requests your daughters at the temple entrance. The moon has reached its height."
Alara's posture straightened. "Good. Escort Seraphine."
Selena's heart raced. "Please… let me walk with her. Just to the steps."
Alara didn't answer.
Seraphine turned, her expression unreadable. "Please let her come mother. If she stays behind, the whispers will only grow worse."
The Luna hesitated, then nodded sharply. "Fine. But she will not cross the temple threshold."
Selena whispered a silent thank-you.
---
The night outside was alive, the drums low and rhythmic, the air thick with the scent of sacred fire. Wolves gathered across the temple grounds, faces lifted toward the sky.
The Blood Moon hung full and red, staining the clouds.
Selena walked behind Seraphine, her fingers trembling against the cold wind.
The temple loomed ahead…. carved stone glowing with faint silver runes. The path to it seemed longer than usual, as if the Goddess herself was stretching time.
Everywhere they passed, eyes followed.
Some filled with pity.
Most with fear.
Whispers rippled through the crowd. "The cursed twin walks tonight…"
Seraphine ignored them, chin high, every step graceful.
Selena kept her gaze down. She didn't need to see their faces to feel their judgment pressing on her skin.
At the base of the temple stairs, the High Priestess stood waiting….. tall, robed in silver. Her eyes, pale and knowing, seemed to pierce straight through both girls.
"Ah," she said softly. "The daughters of Luna Alara. One blessed by the Goddess… and one shadowed by her silence."
Selena's breath caught.
The Priestess smiled faintly, as though amused by something no one else could see. "You were right to bring her, Luna. The Moon never likes to be presented half-lit."
Alara's face stiffened, but she said nothing.
The drums deepened. A wolf howled somewhere far away, the sound echoing through the valley.
The High Priestess lifted her staff. "It is time."
The crowd stirred, the Alpha was near.
Seraphine's pulse quickened. She smoothed her gown, her confidence gleaming like armor.
Selena felt her sister's hand brush hers for the briefest second…. not in affection, but a warning.
Stay out of my light.
Selena drew in a slow breath, forcing her hands to still.
The ceremony was about to begin.
Seraphine ascended the first step, every gaze following her.
Selena remained below, heart pounding hard enough to drown the drums.
She looked up at the Blood Moon …. vast, burning, and red as spilled wine, and for a moment, she could have sworn it pulsed in answer to her heartbeat.
Somewhere deep inside, something stirred.
A whisper she couldn't name.
A presence she'd never felt before.
And as Seraphine took her final step toward the altar, Selena's vision blurred for a second, the ground trembling beneath her feet.
The Goddess was watching. And somewhere far beyond the temple walls, a wolf howled, not in worship, but in warning.
The ground shuddered.
The Priestess lowered her staff slowly, her gaze locked on Selena.
"Luna Alara…" her voice trembled. "Do you feel that?"
Alara's frown deepened. "What is she trying to do? What trickery is this?"
Before anyone could answer, the Blood Moon flared brighter…. a pulse like a heartbeat, throbbing through the air.
Selena couldn't breathe. The power brushing against her skin didn't feel like punishment anymore.
It felt like recognition.
The Priestess whispered, almost in fear, "The Moon remembers."
The drums thundered again, calling for the Alpha.
The crowd turned as footsteps approached from the shadows.
The ceremony was about to begin.
And the Goddess was waiting for it.