Chapter 1: The Invisible Twin

The first thing Jeffery Vale realised about himself was that he would always come second. The story of his birth had followed him his entire life. Inside Moonfang Pack, people still spoke about the night the alpha twins were born as if it were some sacred event. “The first child arrived beneath the full moon.” “He cried like a future leader.” “His wolf could already be felt.” That child was Lucien Vale. Golden-eyed. Strong. Perfect. The entire pack celebrated him before he couldd even open his eyes. Then the second baby arrived. The room reportedly fell silent. Jeffery had pale eyes, silver-white hair, and skin so light that the older wolves exchanged uneasy looks the moment they saw him. One elder whispered a single word. “Cursed.”

Jeffery was never meant to hear that story, but secrets never stayed hidden long in Moonfang Manor.

As the twins grew older, the difference between them became impossible to ignore.

Lucien shifted early. He learned combat quickly, dominated pack training, and naturally drew people toward him. Adults praised him constantly. Younger wolves followed him around like he already wore the alpha title.

Jeffery never shifted at all—no claws, no wolf, nothing. The pack doctors called it delayed development, while others used harsher words: broken, defective, useless omega. At first, those words hurt, but eventually, they became background noise. By seventeen, Jeffery had become skilled at pretending nothing bothered him; sarcastic remarks seemed to work better than tears anyway.

“Jeffery,” a voice called. He looked up from his breakfast. The dining hall felt cold despite the large fireplace near the walls. Everything inside Moonfang Manor appeared expensive and polished, yet it lacked warmth.

Selene Vale stood nearby, holding a cup of tea. You’rere late again,” she said. Jeffery glanced at the clock. “By one minute.” “A minute is still late.” He snatched a piece of toast from his plate without arguing. Opposite him, Lucien offered a small smile. “You know she memorizes the clock just to tease you.” Selene totally ignored that comment, her eyes shifting to Jeffery’s unhooded hair.

“At least wear your hood outside,” she pointed out. Jeffery almost chuckled. Naturally, the hair was the problem,the silver strands made him stand out way too much. Moonfang didn’t like attention on him.

“Good morning to you, too,” he mumbled. Lucien kicked his foot lightly under the table as a warning, and Jeffery kicked back a little harder. For a moment, Lucien looked like he was close to laughing. That was the tricky part about his brother—he genuinely cared, never joined in the bullying or was cruel like the others. But caring from a distance still created a barrier.

*********

Lucien was part of Moonfang, but Jeffery just existed within it.

Suddenly, Alpha Dominic said, “You’ll return home early tonight.” Jeffery stiffened instantly. His father rarely spoke directly to him. Dominic Vale was seated at the head of the table, broad-shouldered and commanding even when silent. Years of leading Moonfang had sharpened every move he made.

We have guests arriving, Dominic added. Jeffery nodded. Understood. That was all—no warmth, no questions about school.

Dominic’s attention quickly shifted back to Lucien.

“The scouts confirmed attendance for Nationals,” he said.

Lucien straightened slightly. “Coach thinks we have a real shot this season.”

“You will not embarrass Moonfang, I know dad.

Jeffery stopped listening after that.

These conversations always followed the same pattern.

Lucien spoke. People listened.

Jeffery quietly faded into the background.

***********

Blackthorne Heights Academy was the only place where breathing felt easy.

No wolves watched him there.

No elders whispered behind his back.

No one cared about pack, or bloodlines and failed shifts.

Humans worried about grades, gossip, sports, and relationships. Simple things.

Jeffery preferred it that way.

He pulled his hood higher as he walked through the school gates.

“JEFF!”

Anna Brooks tackled him onto the pavement.

“You’re insane,” he said while steadying himself.

“And yet you still hang out with me every day.”

“I question that decision constantly.”

Anna grinned proudly.

Maxwell Reed jogged towards them, carrying too many snacks in one hand and a hockey magazine in the other.

“You look exhausted,” Maxwell said immediately.

“Thanks. Very kind.”

“I’m serious. Your face screams tragic backstory.”

“You read too many comics.”

Ella Carter walked beside Alex Moreno quietly, studying Jeffery for a moment longer than the others did.

“You didn’t sleep again,” Ella said softly.

Jeffery shrugged.

Sleeping had become difficult lately.

Every night, strange whispers echoed through the forest outside Moonfang territory. Sometimes he heard his name clearly, carried through the dark like distant voices calling for him.

Jeffery never mentioned it to anyone.

Not even Lucien. Especially not his parents.

“You’re doing that thing again,” Anna said.

What thing?

The disappearing thing. You stare into space like your soul left your body.”

Maybe it did.

That’s not comforting.

Alex laughed quietly while opening the school doors for everyone.

Students crowded the hallways, talking loudly as they rushed towards classes.

Jeffery relaxed immediately.

Here, nobody knew Alpha Dominic Vale had two sons.

As far as the public knew, Lucien Vale was an only child attending Blackthorne Elite Academy, the prestigious private school known for producing hockey stars and future leaders of the pack. Meanwhile, Jeffery attended a regular human school. Moonfang believed it was safer for him, but Jeffery knew the truth: they didn’t see much point in hiding him. At first, this realization hurt, but now it mostly just made him feel tired.

“Earth to Jeffery,” Maxwell said playfully, snapping him out of his thoughts.

Jeffery blinked. “What?”

“Are you coming to the hockey game this week?” Maxwell asked eagerly. “Probably not,” Jeffery responded. “You say that every time.”

“Because hockey players scare me,” Maxwell admitted with a sheepish grin.

“That’s discrimination,” Jeffery teased, earning a loud snort from Anna.

“Maxwell, you cried because a player winked at you once,” Anna recalled with a grin.

“He was famous. That changes everything,” Maxwell defended, and their laughter echoed warmly down the hallway.

Jeffery found himself smiling before he even realized. These small moments still caught him off guard sometimes. His friends treated him like a normal person—no curses, no disappointments—just Jeffery. And honestly, that possibility of being accepted, of belonging, was more frightening than rejection, because he had something valuable to lose.

Later, during lunch break, they sat together on the rooftop, as they always did. The Wind gently stirred the air, and Maxwell was absorbed in scrolling through hockey news on his phone.

“Northfang is definitely winning Nationals,” he declared confidently.

Alex rolled his eyes. “You say that every year.”

“Because Roland Hayes exists,” Maxwell replied with admiration.

At the mention of his name, Jeffery looked up slightly. Even humans knew Roland Hayes—future alpha of the Northfang Pack, hockey prodigy, wealthy, talented, and a bit terrifying. The internet adored him almost as much as they feared him.

Maxwell eagerly pushed his phone closer. On the screen, a sports interview was playing. Roland stood outside an arena, surrounded by reporters. Tall, dark-haired, expression unreadable. Even through the screen, he looked formidable.

“He looks dangerous,” Anna judged.

“He looks attractive,” Ella whispered, a hint of awe in her voice.

“Both are true,” Alex agreed.

The reporter asked Roland about rival teams.

“Moonfang isn’t a concern,” Roland answered calmly.

Maxwell gasped dramatically. “See? Pure entertainment.”

Jeffery looked away from the screen, a strange discomfort settling deep in his chest—sharp, instinctive, as if something inside him sensed danger before his mind could grasp it.

Suddenly,

The rooftop lights blinked quickly, making everyone quiet down right away. A chilly breeze blew over the rooftop, giving Jeffery goosebumps. Suddenly, clouds hurried across the sky at an odd speed.

And then, he heard it.

“Jeffery.”

A whisper brushed softly against his ear. His heartbeat quickened, and he immediately stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. Anna looked worried.

“Jeff?” she asked.

But he hardly heard her, because above the school, hidden behind dark clouds

The moon had appeared in the middle of the daylight sky. And in that moment, it felt as though it was watching him very closely.