TWIST (TWIN SWAP)

AURELIA

I looked around the small apartment Ariston brought me to.

It was very quiet and plain. There were no triggering scents or anything to stir Xena and wake her.

Ariston prioritized my safety.

Nothing here felt like the pack house, but I didn't care. Not now. The warm woods, and thick carpets didn't matter to me.

I preferred this peaceful, clean, modern place.

I still wasn’t fully processing everything Ariston had told me. My head was too full and too empty at the same time.

I needed to find the second wolf to save myself… but I didn’t even know where to start.

If Aiden was the only man I had ever been with… then it had to be him.

The moment the thought came, doubt crept in.

If Aiden was truly an unbound wolf, then Tania wouldn’t be able to carry his child.

His seed would be too strong for a regular werewolf, unless he wasn't the second wolf I needed to find.

But the more I thought about it, Aiden has never transformed before.

I had hid my wolf because my grandparents asked me to, but Aiden, never once shifted.

We were the only two left on the fields in school when the rest went hunting, yet only I was bullied. Right now, everything was becoming clear to me.

The phone in my pocket suddenly vibrated, breaking my thoughts and my breath caught as the screen lit up with the caller's ID.

My fingers trembled with the phone in my hands.

“Mum…” I whispered, not answering it.

Just seeing her name brought me unpleasant memories.

Whenever she called, it was never to check on me, it was always for Tania.

Always another favour. Another sacrifice. And right now, I couldn’t risk anything that would trigger Xena.

I didn’t want to imagine what would happen if Xena woke up when my heart was weak.

I needed to be strong, but I couldn't.

My chest tightened painfully, and the phone slipped from my hands, still buzzing against the floor.

I buried my face in my palms, my back folded forward and then I cried.

“I’m so tired,” I choked out to nobody. “I’m so tired of always being the victim.”

But then, there was a noise outside, accompanied by a knock.

“Ariston? Are you home?” A young female voice called from outside the door.

I instantly froze, not saying a word. My breath was held and my tears dried instantly.

Someone stood outside the door, taking some time before making any move.

And then the keys jingled, with the locks turning. My wolf senses sharpened as I stood immediately with my defensive stance ready, when a young girl, maybe aged fifteen walked in.

She paused and I paused.

We stared at each other, both confused.

“Who are you? And what are you doing here?” she demanded, suspicion sharp in her eyes.

“I’m Aurelia,” I answered quietly. “Doctor Ariston asked me to stay here for a while.”

She didn’t believe me. It was written all over her face.

“And who are you?” I asked before I could stop myself.

“Ariston should have introduced me to you, before letting you in.” She spat with a sharp look, and turned around as she stomped up the stairs.

A few minutes later, she returned with a frown.

“When are you leaving? You aren't supposed to be here, this is my hunter dad's house, and he hunts werewolves without wolves.” I stared at her, wondering if she was trying to scare me, but I knew Ariston wouldn't bring me to an unsafe place.

I watched her leave again, but after taking some steps, she paused and looked back at me. Her eyes widened like she had just recognised me.

“Hold on, are you Luna Aurelia?” I was taken aback by her question, but didn't say a word. “The hot Alpha Aiden's mate?” She continued, I didn't have an option but to give a nod.

“Cool.” She immediately brought out her phone and took a video with me. Her sudden change of mood, made me smile.

At the very least, I still had relevance in the pack.

“You should be in the pack house,” she continued, “Preparing for your coronation.”

Coronation?

“My coronation is next month.” I corrected, but she looked at me like I was insane.

“It's tomorrow . The news is everywhere, you both agreed to bring it forward.”

“Even the hottest blogs, ‘Betwolves blog’ has posted it. Alpha Aiden's official page released a pre-coronation photo shoot you both took yesterday, and it was romantic.” My mouth fell open as I realised what was going on, my sister Tania, was getting enthroned in my stead.

“Half the town is already at the Eastern Coast of the pack house…”

The door flew open, interrupting the young lady.

Ariston rushed in, breathless, like someone had chased him. I straightened instantly.

“You’ve met my sister, Auburn,” he said, with a smile.

I nodded, and he held his hand out gently.

“I’ve found a way to merge Xena with you, but you must hurry.”

Even in his calm tone, I could feel his urgency.

Auburn stepped closer. “Are you going to the pack house? Can I tag along?”

Ariston shook his head softly.

“Hybrids aren’t allowed inside the pack house. You know this. I’ll be back soon.”

He tapped her shoulder, and we left.

Something in my gut twisted.

“Tania is being enthroned in your stead tomorrow.” He announced gently, I nodded while adjusting my glasses.

“And, Alpha Aiden has summoned you. You’re going to trade places with her. From today, she becomes you, and you become her.”

My hands curled into fists, as I struggled to stop the tears from flowing.

“The people won’t allow the Alpha to break the law, they believe it comes with a curse.” Ariston continued.

“He can’t take another woman as his wife while his official mate is still alive, amd since the world believes Tania is still in a coma, that story must continue with you.”

A cold shiver ran through me.

The rest of the drive was silent.

When we arrived, the western pack house was buzzing with activity. Ariston squeezed my hand gently like it was a fragile egg.

“You’ll be fine. The Alpha’s betas will take you soon. But first… take this.”

He handed me a small white bottle. The liquid inside smelled awful.

“This will protect you. It is an antidote against poison and sleeping drugs meant for an unbound wolf, so any drugs administered on you in there wouldn't work.

I nodded.

“Once you get the chance, knock Tania unconscious. Give her this same solution. She’ll fall into a deep sleep. Then take your rightful place… and make sure you get intimate with Aiden, once the coronation ends.”

I hesitated.

“But what if…” My voice dropped to a whisper.

“What if Aiden isn’t the powerful wolf?”

Ariston’s jaw tightened. He didn’t know either. But we didn’t have another option.

“The night tomorrow is the lunar tether,” he said softly.

“If Aiden is the one, Xena would merge as you with a mind of yours and the baby would be yours, while you'd return to your normal life… as Tania. And if Aiden isn't who we suspect him to be, then by tomorrow, Xena will be detached from your body by the moon goddess and you'd be bound to Aiden for life.”

His eyes never left mine as he spoke. I felt the weight of everything crushing both of us.

I didn't love Ariston, but I knew he loved me. He called me his mate, but wouldn't explain why he did that, and I couldn't help but shake off the feeling that something was going on, something I didn't know about.

“Will you be okay with all this?” I asked quietly.

He smiled at me, while squeezing my hands gently.

“Your safety comes first Luna.” I smiled, but the dispersing park workers broke my joy and I knew the betas had arrived.

I stepped out, not wanting trouble as the lead beta approached, and before I could blink, I was injected.

The world tilted, and I let myself fall.

Because, pretending to pass out was the last choice I had.