The Luna’s Twin: From Exile to Dragon Queen

My name is Ava.

I am the youngest daughter of Liam and Olivia Fairsprene. We are the Beta family of the Silverwood Pack in Montana. My brother, William, is coming home today. He's been away at Alpha training.

Alpha Benjamin Kalmien and my brother left almost two years ago. They went to learn how to be the best leaders for our pack. My twin sister, Sophia, has been a nervous wreck all day. Tonight, at the ascension ceremony, she will become Benjamin's chosen Luna.

I chose a different path. I decided to become an attorney for our kind. Now that shifters are known to the human world, we're constantly involved in legal disputes. I want to be part of solving those. We keep ending up in human courts, and we need proper legal representation.

The shifter council accepted only twenty applicants from all the different species. I scored in the highest percentile. That means my education is fully funded. My goal is to specialize in representing the monarchies. Especially the dragons. They are among the few who still have to stay hidden. I want to help them adjust. I want to help them interact with the other species.

All day, my parents and I have been preparing for tonight. Decorating. Coordinating with caterers. Setting up vendor stalls. I just finished showing the photographer and videographer their positions.

Sophia's voice screeched in my head through the mindlink. Even her mental voice is whiny. It sounds like nails on a chalkboard.

Where is my dress?! I told you to get it steamed and bring it back! I only have an hour to get ready!

First of all, I dropped your dress off as a favor. Anything beyond that is your responsibility. If you're not ready on time, that's not my problem.

I am going to be your Luna! You will do as I say! Bring me my dress!

Again, first, you are not my Luna. Second, I am not your servant, your highness. Get your own damn dress!

Mom! Make Ava bring my dress to me!

My mother's voice called from downstairs. "Ava! Take your sister's dress to her. She needs to get ready." I walked in from the patio. I looked at Mom. "No," I said, then turned and went back to my task.

My mother snapped. "Why do you always have to be so difficult? Your sister needs your help. It would take two minutes!"

I grunted. "And why do you always jump to fulfill her every demand? She's eighteen. She's not helpless. If it only takes two minutes, she is perfectly capable of getting the dress herself. With her, I honestly feel like a servant."

My father snapped at me to apologize to my mother and take the dress to Sophia. I rolled my eyes. I refused to apologize, but I did go get the dress. There's only so much defiance this family will tolerate from me.

I walked into Sophia's room. I hung the dress on her closet door just as she emerged from the bathroom.

"Good! You're here. I see telling Daddy made you obey. Now, I need you to do my hair. Or do I have to get Daddy's attention again?"

I smirked. "I used to think you'd outgrow this mean girl act. I actually hoped you might learn to be a decent person. But no. Even your wolf is rotten to the core."

She screeched. "You've always been jealous of me! Why? Because I'm prettier? More popular? Older? What is it, Ava? What?"

I doubled over laughing. I gripped her shoulders and spun her to face the mirror. "Prettier? We're identical twins, you idiot. More popular? My friends aren't followers. They don't fear me. Older? By one minute and thirty-seven seconds? And jealous? Of what, Sophia?"

Mom barged into the room. "Ava Rose! Stop irritating your sister this instant! She asks very little of you. The least you can do is be supportive on her big day! I don't know what's gotten into you! Now, fix her hair like she asked while I do her makeup!"

I grinned. "You're so right, dearest mother. She doesn't ask. She demands. And I irritate her? That's rich. Heaven forbid I ever ruffle the feathers of the family's golden goose. Her 'Big Day' consists of stealing a title that isn't rightfully hers. She's depriving not one, but two beings of their other half. Their soulmates. The Goddess's doctrine says we must never violate her edicts. Yet this entire pack is fine with falling out of her favor by doing exactly that! Forgive me for not condoning that behavior."

I finally entered my own room nearly an hour later. I was running late because I'd just finished with my sister. I jumped into a quick shower. I got my own gown on. I quickly braided two thin sections of my silver hair, pulling them back and securing them with a jeweled clip. I applied a little makeup and was just leaving my room.

From downstairs, I heard my brother yell. "Where's my favorite sister? I want to see her smiling face!"

Sophia giggled. "I'm right here, silly!"

William replied, "I know you're here, Sophia! I meant Ava! And you know it!"

My whole face lit up with a huge grin. I raced for the stairs. I faltered when I heard my mother's voice snidely remark, "You know your youngest daughter. Always dawdling."

I frowned. No matter how hard I try, I will always be the extra. The unexpected child. Yet, here I am. I skipped down the stairs, eager to hug my brother. The only one who has ever truly understood me. My hero.

I yelled, "William!" and leaped the last five steps into his arms.