The day of the induction had finally arrived.
Among the werewolf people, the royal castle was in turmoil. Silver and purple draperies hung from the stone walls, embroidered with ancient symbols representing the four united peoples. Enchanted torches cast a warm light, while garlands of night flowers — rare and luminescent — snaked around the pillars. Servants ran in all directions, carrying jewelry, trays, fabrics, crowns and official scrolls.
In the royal wing, a room echoed with laughter.
On a large bed covered with light furs, two young girls were sitting.
The youngest, Lyra, a girl of about ten, had long, slightly wavy brown hair and large amber eyes sparkling with excitement. She was practically jumping up and down, unable to contain her energy.
— It's today! she exclaimed.
— The party! The music! The guests ! And then… big brother's wife!
Next to her, calmer but just as smiling, was sixteen-year-old Selya. She had straight black hair falling to the middle of her back and silver-gray eyes, an obvious heritage of royal lineage. She crossed her arms, a mischievous smile on her lips.
"I'm excited too," she admitted.
— But above all… I can't wait to see the woman Axel has chosen.
Lyra leaned toward her conspiratorially.
— Do you think she's beautiful?
— Strong?
— Or that she's scary?
"I hope she has character," Selya replied, laughing.
— Otherwise, she will never survive our family.
A female voice suddenly interrupted them:
—What are you two up to?
Lyra turned around immediately.
- Mom !
She jumped out of bed and threw herself into the arms of their mother, Reyna.
Reyna was a majestic woman, with auburn hair tied in an elegant braid, golden eyes shining with intelligence. She wore a dark green dress with silver embroidery, perfectly matching her queenly figure.
Selya smiles.
— We were just talking about big brother's wife.
Reyna raised an amused eyebrow.
- Oh ?
— I see that you are as impatient as I am to meet your future sister-in-law.
- Yes !!! replied the two girls in unison.
—What's all this fuss?
All three turned around.
In the doorway stood King Drakkar.
Tall, broad-shouldered, with dark gray hair streaked with silver and piercing amber eyes, he naturally commanded respect... even if his smile betrayed deep tenderness.
Lyra and Selya ran to him and hugged him.
—So, asked Drakkar, laughing,
— what are the three women doing in my life?
Lyra raised her head, proud.
— We imagined our future sister-in-law!
Drakkar nodded slowly.
—Hmm…
— I can see that very clearly...
Reyna crossed her arms.
"Tell me, darling…
— Is Axel ready?
Drakkar grimaced.
"I think you should go help him."
— His room is… how should I put it… a battlefield.
Reyna rolled her eyes in despair.
— By the Moon...
The two girls burst out laughing.
"Seriously," Reyna muttered.
— all this to be beautiful?
Selya shrugged.
— I think Axel wants to impress his beloved.
Drakkar sighed theatrically.
— We didn't leave the inn…
—If he's doing this for a party, I can't even imagine the wedding day!
Reyna stopped, turned around slowly with a dangerous smile.
— Oh really?
— You mean the day you turned your room upside down...
— And sent all the servants of the castle to fetch you clothes in the latest fashion?
She left towards the door.
King Drakkar turned peony red.
Lyra and Selya doubled over, dying of laughter, imagining the scene.