O N E
Growing up, my mother would sit my brother and I down at night. She wasn't like a normal mom, reading you a bed time story and tucking you in with a kiss on the forehead. No, our evenings were very different. They were times to learn about our pack history, or faith in the Moon Goddess, about our destiny in this life.
Instead of singing us a lullaby, she would tell us the story of the Moon Goddess cursing our Pack's very first Alpha. Malachi. It was always a story that would leave me questioning, wanting answers that I couldn't have. Answers that nobody knew.
Legend has it, he killed his entire family out of disgust. His mate, his two newborn twins. He went on to kill all of the children of his pack, and soon all of the women. The Moon Goddess stepped in and struck Malachi down, before he could destroy the entire pack.
She declared, that six men, would become Alphas of new packs, each would be given a new mate and each would trust each other, live in peace along side one another, fight for each other against all harm.
Every one hundred years, she would call upon Malachi to bless each of the pack's Alphas with a set of twins. Just like his twins, one boy and one girl. The twelve children would destroy the six packs, and restore the peace once again. They will create their own singular pack, and rule over all. When the time came, they would again divide into six new packs, and all would be safe for another 100 years.
The Legend says that you will know when the time is coming because the twins will be born, during a total solar eclipse, and as my mother says, it is Malachi's spirit joining the Goddess and fulfilling his punishment, blessing each pack with a set of twins.
My mother was very adamant about teaching us all she could about Malachi and his curse. Regardless of however many times my father tried to deny the validity of it, brushing it off, wanting nothing to do with it. Instead he would question us about actual pack history, and prepare my brother and I for our Alpha duties ahead of us. My father's resistance to the Legend planted even more questions in my head, made my own beliefs grow.
--
I woke up to my phone alarm going off, picking it up I saw it was 4:30 in the morning. I groaned, it was time for patrol. It was also the day Theo and I turned 21, a normally very exciting day to get your duties done and get home to get ready to go out on the town, but not today.
No. You see, Theo and I are twins.
The day we were born, there was a total eclipse. A shiver ran down my spine thinking about the Legend of Malachi.
I mind linked Theo, Fern, and Bex.
"Ready sleepy heads? Big day ahead of us, I need to run it out," the thoughts left my mind and entered theirs.
I rolled out of my cozy bed, and grabbed an empty backpack for my pajamas and headed out the door. I could hear Theo bumping around his bedroom, it raised concern that he'd wake our parents. Something that I was not very interested in currently.
"Theo! Be careful, do you want to talk to mom and dad this early. Hurry up and let's go! Oh and uh, happy birthday big brother," another mind link sent just to him.
My wolf was stressing out too, she hadn't said anything to me yet which was a little strange for her. I could feel her slight anxiety and I tried to send her feelings of comfort. Taking a deep breath I turned the knob on the front door and walked out.
The air was crisp, the feeling of winter creeping in around us. It was getting into November after all. Soon, there would be snow on the ground and I wouldn't be able to run off without leaving tracks behind. I like to be alone to process my thoughts and feelings, Theo on the other hand, likes to talk to anyone and everyone about it to gather opinions. He's always worried about me.
--
Fern and Bex, the Pack Beta's children, met Theo and I at the Northwest corner of our territory. By default they were our best friends, we spent all of our time with them. Alphas are often accompanied by their Beta's and that means their kids just grow up together.
"HAPPY FRICKEN BIRTHDAY YOU GUYS!"
Fern squealed with excitement, her emerald eyes sparkling at us. I gave her a soft smile and bumped her shoulder.
"Thanks, I know you know how important today is for us, so I'd like to just get a good run in today, but keep your eyes open. Southern patrol came back yesterday with scent of some rouges." I could see Bex stand taller, he was 25 and the oldest of our group of four this morning. Even as an heir to being a Beta, he wanted to keep us all safe. It made my feelings for him stronger.
"You know, you could have just stayed over last night." I winked at Fern, and she gave me a death glare, knowing exactly what I was doing. It was the first night Bex and I hadn't shared together in a while. He had to be kept a secret, a beta and alpha relationship could prove dangerous for pack health.
"Nah, I was okay to walk home."
Bex raised a brow at us,
"But were you though??" I questioned with a grin on my face.
"Okay okay! FINE! I think I'm about to find him. I've had these really weird dreams lately and aches to go with them." Fern giggled as her brother shot her a glare, "don't you dare say what I think you're about to say." With that he made a gagging sound.
We all shared a laugh, it was a good way to start my day. Surrounded by people I love, that understand what Theo and I are going to be going through today. I inhaled the forest smell deeply. Lots of pine, and dead leaves.
"Look, as absolutely exciting as that is, I'm ready for a hell of a run, so shall we?" I motioned at our route. A small growl of anticipation escaped my lips and I started to strip from my pajamas, feeling the shift coming on.