Moonbound: Twin Flames

Aria's POV

The night before your first shift isn’t supposed to feel like a funeral.

But as I stared into the cracked mirror above my dresser, all I could see was someone who didn’t belong—especially not in a body destined to become something… more.

Outside, the moon was already bleeding red. A full blood moon, rare even in our kind’s lifetime. The elders whispered about omens and ancestors and destiny. I just wanted to make it through the ceremony without embarrassing myself.

“Aria,” came Selene’s voice from the hallway. Clipped. Somewhat commanding. “You’re going to be late. You know how important tonight is.”

I sighed, pulling on the ceremonial leathers laid out on my bed. The dress was mattes black, laced, and slightly too tight, just like everything in this world seemed to be.

We were born twins, me and Selene. But no one ever confused us.

Selene was made of bone and fire. She had broad shoulders, a sharp jaw, her eyes were like cold steel. Hell, she walked like she knew the earth owed her something. She was our father’s pride, our pack’s future Alpha, and everything I wasn’t.

And then there was me—Aria Silverclaw. The “gentle twin.” Quiet. Observant. More interested in painting the forest than hunting in it... and I meant this literally.

I put on the dress and headed out to meet my fate.

“Your collar’s crooked,” Selene muttered as I stepped into the hallway.

I quietly adjusted it and then looked back at her. She smirked, then turned on her heel and led the way down the stairs of the Alpha’s den. This was our family home, perched on the ridge above Thorne Hollow. It was more like fortress than a farmhouse—stone walls, thick wooden beams, and windows reinforced against things humans had long forgotten to fear.

Below, the pack was gathering in the clearing. Bonfires flickered to life. The wind carrying the scents of ash, pine, and everyone's anticipation.

Everyone would be watching us tonight, I reckoned.

Alpha Dhiran's twin daughters. The last of the Silverclaw bloodline. Born under the Eclipse. The two girls fated to shift together.

My stomach twisted at the thought of this.

Me and my sister descended the path through the trees, torches lighting the way. The forest felt more alive tonight than ever, like it was holding its breath. Whispering.

The elders stood in a semi-circle around the sacred stone, a crescent-shaped altar etched with silver and obsidian. Father—Alpha Dhiran Silverclaw—stood tall beside it, flanked by our mother, Reema, and Beta Marek.

His eyes, dark and unreadable, fixed on us.

Selene stepped forward without hesitation, chin high, spine straight. I followed, trying not to trip over my boots.

“You stand here not as children,” Father said, voice deep as thunder, “but as blood of this pack. Daughters of the Duskwatch. It is your time to become.”

Selene bowed her head.

I blinked at him, my throat dry as desert sand.

The shifting ceremony wasn’t violent—not in our line. The transformation was guided by blood and will. The elders marked our skin with runes, chanted words older than the mountains. Then, the moon did the rest.

My sister Selene went first.

She didn’t even flinch as the markings lit up. Silver light cracked along her skin, spiraling from her throat to her fingertips. Her eyes flashed gold.

Then bones broke.

Her clothing tore and then, Selene was gone.

In her place stood a towering black wolf with silver stripes down her spine, snarling into the night and the entire crowd howled in approval.

Now, it was my turn.

The air grew colder. My pulse hammered. As the elder’s blade touched my skin, I expected pain.

Instead, it was warmth—like a memory. Or a song I didn’t know the lyrics to but somehow understood.

The markings lit up, slower than Selene’s. Pale blue instead of silver. Almost hesitant.

And then—

Nothing.

The chanting stopped. I was still standing there. Human. Unshifted.

A murmur spread through the crowd.

I felt my face burn. My heart thrashed like it wanted to claw free. I couldn’t look at Selene’s wolf form, nor my father’s hardening jaw.

“I—I don’t understand,” I whispered.

“She’s not ready,” someone said behind me.

“She’s too soft,” said someone else.

I couldn't take it. I just... turned and ran.

I continued running as fast as I could and didn’t stop until the woods swallowed the torches and my lungs burned. Tears stung my eyes as I collapsed against a tree, my fingers digging into the dirt. The blood moon stared down at me like it knew I had failed. That I wasn’t meant to be a member of this pack at all.

My head pounded so badly and for some reason, I felt dizzy. I could barely even stand properly.

And just then, there was a snap.

A twig cracked behind me and i froze up immediately.

Must be a wolf, I thought as I tried my best to steady my breathing.

I made use of my nose but it wasn’t a wolf I smelled. Rather it was a human.

Male to be precise.

He just stood there, watching me from the shadows.