Chapter 1 - Charlene Samarah Adams

Imperial Year 453

“What do you mean I need to attend the banquet?” Charlene, the youngest daughter of Duke Alphonse, exclaimed in a fury in the middle of their family dinner. It had been years since she last attended one— Charlene withdrew from social gatherings after that incident.

“Watch your tone, young lady,” Adolphus, Charlene’s eldest brother, calmly said in a warning tone. His eyes land on Charlene, who’s still rebelling against the decision of her father. 

“Did you even consider my feelings at all?” she cried. Charlotte, her mother, looked away as she could not bear to see the situation of Charlene. Duke Alphonse, however, hardened his heart this time around.

He had been letting her youngest roam free, but the presence of their whole family was personally requested by His Majesty— the ruler of the werewolf kingdom, Lightcrest. Though Alphonse wanted to refute the king’s command, the domination of the king overwhelmed him.

“You just need to let the King see you, and you’re free to go—”

“As if those sanctimonious nobles! Dad! Have you forgotten what they did to me in the coming-of-age ceremony? I refuse to experience such humiliation again—”

“Charlene Samarah!” Everyone went silent. The servants all go outside the dining room, giving the family privacy to talk about the matter. Charlene looks at her mother; Charlotte rarely raises her voice. 

And if she does, it must mean that the subject of her fury has stepped over the lines. Charlotte stands up and gazes at Charlene. 

“Apologize right this moment, Charlene,” 

“No,”

“Where have you learned your manners? Don’t you know how to respect your parents now?” Charlotte furrows her brows. Charlene looks away. She knows very well what consequences she will bear because of her tantrums, but she refuses to give in nonetheless.

“Then respect me first, Mom,” Charlene stands up and leaves the room. She hears them call her name, but she never looks back.

Alphonse stands up and holds his wife, “What are we going to do about her stubbornness, Alphonse?” Charlotte is truly concerned about her daughter.

Charlotte wants Charlene to attend the banquet not because she wants to comply with the king’s orders. Charlotte simply wanted Charlene to enjoy her youth, meet friends, and straighten the youngest’s broken beliefs about the other werewolves in their kingdom.

“I’ll try to talk to her,” Harry, the second son of Alphonse, suggests. He stands up and follows Charlene to her room.

“You think Harry could convince her? You witnessed what Char fears,” Ashina, Adolphus’s twin sister, looks at him with worry. Up to this day, she has been somewhat blaming herself for not standing up for Charlene. Due to her weak constitution, Ashina was not able to attend Charlene’s coming-of-age ceremony. She was not there when her younger sister needed her the most.

Adolphus stares at his plate. He understands very well why Charlene rebels against the idea of attending a social gathering. Charlene is a sweet and kind younger sister for Adolphus— Charlene is someone innocent and soft-hearted.

Her rebellious phase explains a lot of how she felt that night. “I don’t know. After all, nobles from other packs would surely attend the banquet. And for sure, news about Charlene spread in the neighboring packs,”

“What was the king thinking— inviting all of us and all when he never really cared about his kingdom—”

“Watch what you say, Adolphus,” Alphonse warns his son. He looks at him with meaningful eyes. “We don’t know how wide His Majesty’s eyes and ears spread,”

“I apologize,”

“Just go and help Harry convince your sister. Tell her that Louise just got back and will also be attending the banquet,” Ashina’s eyes twinkled at the mention of Louise’s name. Louise is Charlene’s closest cousin.

“Then I’ll excuse myself, Mom, Dad. I better get Charlene’s dress as well. She would never refuse it once Louise’s name is brought up,” Ashina gleefully goes out of the room. Adolphus follows after her.

“Are you sure this is alright, Alphonse?” Charlotte’s grip tightens against her husband’s hand. Alphonse looks at her and smiles. He kisses her forehead and caresses her cheek.

“I will stand for our family no matter what, dear. I promise,”

***

“Come on, Char. Let me in!” Harry knocks on Charlene’s room again. The servant approaches him with the key. Harry thanks her with a smile, and he opens the door.

Charlene covers herself with the blanket and hides. “Char, talk to me. Come on,” Harry sat on her bedside and removed the blanket.

Charlene’s terrified expression surprises Harry. He sighs and pulls Charlene into a hug. “Char, no one will be able to say anything to you this time,”

“You can say that because you never experienced it, Harry,” Charlene pushes him away, but Harry is obviously stronger than her. He’s five years older, after all.

“We will protect you. Do you think anyone can say a word once Father stands beside you? You know how His Majesty treats Dad. He’s his closest aide. No one will make fun of you—”

“No! I know they will humiliate me. They will insult me, Harry! Stop saying things that will not happen. You’re just making things seem fine when they are not! Do you know what they call me at the acade—” Charlene pursed her lips. She looks down and fidgets her hands. Charlene swore to herself to never breathe a word about that to her family, but her emotions got ahead of her.

Now, Harry is looking at her intently with slightly knitted brows. “What are you talking about? What do they call you?”

Harry graduated from the academy, Celestia, five years ago. Celestia is an academic institution that caters not only to werewolves but everyone on the continent— disregarding their race and social status. The academy accepts anyone qualified to their standard.

Charlene is in her second year in the academy. She’s currently sixteen, and normally— Charlene should have shifted to her wolf last year. But she was not able to even after trying her hardest.

She has two years at most. If Charlene won’t shift on her eighteenth birthday— then this is not some ordinary delayed transformation; there could be something that is wrong with her.

Due to this reason, many werewolves of the same age and older made fun of her. Even younger ones who shifted earlier than Charlene. 

“You know what this is about, Harry. Don’t play dumb, and don’t look at me that way. I’m telling you, I’m just a late bloomer,” Harry can only ask the Moon Goddess to really let Charlene’s wishes come true.