The night of the shift.

The Beta’s household pulsed with life. Lanterns lined the courtyard, their flames dancing against the night, while the scent of roasted meats and spiced wine floated through the air. Guests poured in from across the pack.warriors, elders, even noble families who seldom mingled outside the Alpha’s estate.

All had come for one reason: to witness Ravena and Liora's first shift.

Music drifted through the air as wolves and humans alike celebrated, laughter echoing under the silver glow of the Moon. At the center of it all stood Ravena, draped in a flowing crimson gown, her hair adorned with pearls that shimmered under the torchlight. She glowed with confidence, every smile and bow directed at her feeding her vanity.

“Ravena, the jewel of the pack!” one elder exclaimed, raising a goblet. “Surely the Moon Goddess herself will envy your beauty tonight!”

The words filled her with pride. Yet, even as she basked in admiration, her sharp eyes darted across the crowd searching, always searching for one pair of eyes.

And there he was “Kaelen”

The Alpha’s son,  watching from across the gathering with an expression too guarded to read. His gaze, however, slipped past her, lingering just a moment too long on the girl who stood in the shadows near the servants’ table “Liora”,

Dressed plainly in a faded dress that clung to her slender frame, Liora carried a tray of drinks, her head bowed. Yet even like this, whispers rippled through the guests.

“Look at her, Beta Rexor’s other daughter. How can a servant girl shine so brightly?”

“She could pass for a goddess herself.”

“Pity she’s dressed like this on her special day and even made to serve drinks”.

Ravena’s smile faltered. Her nails dug into her palms, rage burning beneath her skin. This was her night as well,  her triumph and not just her sister's, And still Liora managed to steal most of the attention she craved.

From the corner of her eye, Ravena saw Kaelen smirk as Liora brushed a strand of hair from her face. The sight made her blood boil. Kaelen was so anxious to see Liora's wolf and how beautiful it would be.

The drums pounded louder, signaling the moment of her shift. The pack gathered in a wide circle, their voices chanting her name. 

Ravena stood proudly in the moon’s glow, her head tilted back as the pack chanted around her. The first sign came as a shiver that ran through her body, her skin prickling as though lightning danced beneath it.

Then it began.

Her bones cracked sharply, echoing in the night, twisting and reshaping as her body bent unnaturally. She ran into the woods and screamed loudly in pain. Her arms shortened, fingers curling into claws. Her jaw elongated, teeth sharpening into gleaming fangs.

Fur, black as the void of midnight, pulsed across her skin, swallowing her human form. A silvery sheen streaked along her back, shimmering like starlight under the Moon’s gaze.

When the transformation was complete, Ravena no longer stood as a girl, she prowled as a magnificent wolf.

Obsidian fur glistened under the moonlight,She returned to the crowd with her body sleek and powerful Her golden eyes burned with dominance, piercing through the crowd, demanding submission.

A deep growl rumbled from her throat, and the earth seemed to tremble in answer. The pack gasped, then cheered, bowing their heads in awe.

Ravena had shifted, all strong, graceful, and glorious. A wolf born for power.

This made her parents so happy and proud, her mother looked at her with eyes full of admiration.

Kaelen was impressed, and for the first time in a long while,  he smiled at Ravena while patiently waiting for Liora to shift. 

“My daughter,” Mariseth declared loudly, her voice trembling with pride, “tonight, before the Moon, you have claimed your birthright!”

The crowd roared in approval.

“She’s magnificent,” an elder whispered.

“The strongest shift I’ve seen in years,” another murmured.

Yet amidst the applause, a different stir was happening. Several heads turned not toward Ravena, but toward Liora.

The girl stood frozen, her hand pressed against her chest, eyes wide in silent pain. The strange ache from earlier burned hotter now, as though something inside her was trying to break free, yet couldn’t.

“Is she…?” someone whispered, noticing her trembling.

Liora staggered back, her vision blurring. The Moon’s light was too sharp, too heavy, as though it wanted something from her. She clutched her side, willing the feeling to pass.

And from across the circle, Ravena’s wolf noticed.

Golden eyes fixed on her sister. A low growl rumbled in her throat, the kind that was not for prey, but for rivals. Even in her glorious moment, she sensed it,the Moon’s gaze falling not fully on her, but on Liora.

The wolf bared its teeth.

And Liora realized, too late, that tonight was not only about Ravena’s shift. It was about the war brewing in the shadows,the one that had always existed between them

Liora clutched her chest, her breathing ragged. A strange warmth pulsed under her skin, spreading like fire through her veins. The Moon’s light clung to her as though claiming her, wrapping her in silver threads no one else could see.

“Liora?” someone whispered, their voice drowned by the sudden uproar.

Her knees buckled. She staggered forward, the sound of her heartbeat roaring louder than the pack’s shouts. The air grew heavy, pressing her down until she could hardly stand.

Ravena snarled, fury flashing in her golden eyes as she realized the attention had shifted away from her. “What is happening?” she hissed, but her voice was lost in the chaos.

Liora’s scream tore through the night as she collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain.

The pack erupted. Some shouted for help, others whispered in fear. A few bowed low, trembling, as though they recognized the Moon’s blessing.

And then… silence.

Liora lay motionless, her chest rising shallowly, the glow fading into her skin. The crowd held its breath.

The last thing she heard before darkness claimed her was Ravena’s voice, dripping with venom.

“She’s cursed.”

    

  Ravena’s POV

The drums still thundered in my chest. The voices of the pack rose like a hymn, all chanting, cheering, celebrating me. My wolf stood tall in the center of the clearing, her coat gleaming golden under the Moon. I had never felt so alive, so powerful, so complete.

This was my night. Mine. The Moon had chosen me, blessed me, made me radiant before all. Even Kaelen’s hungry eyes were fixed on me, admiration burning in his gaze. Finally, everyone would see who was truly worthy.

Then it happened!.

The Moonlight thickened, its glow spilling like liquid silver, brighter, far brighter than when I shifted. The air rippled, sharp with power. My heart stuttered. The crowd’s cheers faltered.

And then they looked past me.

At her!.

At Liora!.

She clutched her chest like some weakling, staggering as though she could barely breathe. And yet, the Moon wrapped her in light, as though she was some divine jewel. Her skin shimmered, her mark burned silver, my moment was ripped from me in an instant.

I froze, my nails digging into my palms. Rage, disbelief, humiliation, all swirled inside me like poison. Why her? Why her? She was nothing. She was the ragged girl who washed floors and fetched water. She didn’t deserve a fraction of what I had.

Liora screamed, collapsing in the dirt, writhing like prey caught in a trap. She should have looked pathetic. She should have looked weak. But still, the Moon caressed her, lighting her as though she were its most beloved child.

A burning hatred rose in me so sharp I nearly choked on it. The fire of it filled every corner of my soul until only one truth remained: I could not allow her to take this from me.

I forced my lips into a sneer, my voice slicing through the chaos like a blade.

“She’s cursed!” I spat, loud enough for all to hear. “The Moon burns her because she’s unnatural!”

Heads turned. Fear rippled. For a moment, some believed me, I saw it in their eyes. And in that moment, I vowed:

If the Moon loved her, I would make the pack hate her.

If destiny belonged to her, I would steal it.

If she was to shine, I would drag her into the shadows with me.

She will never outshine me!.

The clearing grew silent, the air heavy with expectation. The pack had gathered in a circle, every eye fixed on the girl bathed in the Moon’s radiant glow. Whispers hushed, breaths stilled. They waited patiently and breathlessly for the moment when Liora would rise to her feet and the sacred shift would claim her.

 Her body trembled violently, bones quivering as though on the edge of transformation. For an instant, hope soared through the crowd. Surely, this was it, surely the Moon had chosen her as something greater.

But then… nothing.

The light began to fade, retreating as though mocking her.

Minutes dragged on. Still, no wolf emerged. No howl pierced the sky.

Confusion rippled through the pack like a wave. Murmurs turned to scoffs.

“Why isn’t she shifting?”

“She should have turned by now.”

“Maybe she’s broken…”

The awe that had filled their eyes only moments before turned to doubt, then to scorn. Where there had been reverence, now there was pity and nothing stung more than pity.

Kaelen, who also witnessed everything, was left with disappointment and anger.

Ravena and her mother smiled through the night.

Beta Rexor was who was equally disappointed that Liora had brought him disgrace, furiously ordered some guards to carry her motionless body her room.