Isaac always fawned over his sister. She was his entire world, and true to his word he would do anything for her. Daine wasn’t exaggerating when she said Isaac had taught her everything she knew. Her parents wouldn’t come near her, and so Isaac filled the role of caretaker. He taught her how to take care of herself, how to read, even how to fight. Being the king’s heir, Isaac had been taught many techniques that were only passed down to the lycan kings. Knowledge that was not meant for any other being, so naturally Isaac taught it all to Daine as well.

But as much as Isaac tried, he couldn’t always make time for Daine. The duties of the king’s heir were demanding, and he only found himself with less free time as he got older. He was genuinely relieved when Daine had made a new friend. Now during the times where his duty took him away from his sister, Shadow could be there in his stead.

It wasn’t long before Daine and Shadow found themselves inseparable. You would rarely see one without the other, and even the other lycans took notice of the two. Daine was a girl full of curiosity, and she liked to spend her days exploring the forest surrounding Lupan Hollow. She dreams of exploring the world someday, but this tiny corner of it would have to do for now.

Her small adventures have become significantly more exciting now that she has Shadow in tow. He wasn’t as interested in exploring as she was. He’s already overly familiar with these woods. But he too found immense joy in these explorations, not for the forest, but for her. Seeing Daine happy made him happy, and he always felt at peace when she was around.

He cheerfully listened as she told him about her dream. “I’m not allowed outside the barrier yet,” she’d say. “But the world is so big! Bigger than our village! And I want to see all of the wonders it has to offer!”

He wanted to help as she told him her woes. “I wish I didn’t have to wear this eyepatch. It’s ugly, but I gotta hide my eye…” she’d wallow. Shadow would think intently, wanting to come up with a solution to her problems.

“...what about your hair?” he’d ask.

“My hair?”

“Yeah,” he’d say, motioning a hand over his left eye. “If you grow out your bangs real long, you could use your hair to hide your eye instead.”

Daine would gasp. “YOU’RE SO SMART SHADOW!” she’d squeal, eager to try out his idea as soon as she was able.

He’d look at her thoughtfully as she’d tell him her desires. “I wish I was prettier,” she’d mumble. “I’ve always wanted to get my ears pierced someday. If I had real pretty earrings, then people would think I’m pretty too.”

Shadow disagreed. He already thought she was pretty.

But if this is what she wants, then he will make it happen.

His interest in Daine was not one-sided, as she was greatly interested in him as well. Daine wanted to know more about her new friend, but he was always coy when it came to talking about himself. At first he would refuse to reveal anything, but as time passed and the two grew closer, his shell would eventually start to crack. He would start opening up about his joy for creation. He liked to draw, he liked to design ideas, and he liked to craft things with his own hands.

Daine was excited when she learned about this, and of course she was eager to see his creative works. Shadow was nervous about such an idea, but eventually he would bring her to his home to show her his art.

He lived in the attic of his house, and when he brought Daine over no one else was home. He took her up to his room, and Daine stared starry-eyed at all the art he had displayed. Shadow was a much more talented artist than he gave himself credit for. He had never shown another person his work before, and seeing Daine’s genuine admiration for his talent brought him a joy he would never forget.

It would be interrupted though, as the sound of a door opening is heard. Shadow notices it immediately, quickly gasping with shock and panic.

“HIDE! HIDE!” he whispers, trying to push Daine under his bed.

“Huh?” She’s confused. Shadow’s sudden panic made her nervous, but she complied and crawled underneath the bed frame.

He leans down to look at her, bringing a single finger to his face. “SHH!” he quietly hisses. Daine quickly covers her mouth, as Shadow stands up and leaves her hidden there.

“HEY!” a loud voice is heard downstairs. “You there?”

Without waiting for a response, the door to the attic opens. A man climbs partway up the ladder leading to the room. Though Daine can’t see his face, it’s not difficult for her to figure out who he is.

“Hey, Dad…” Shadow quietly mumbles.

“What are you doing up here?” the man responds. Shadow stays quiet. “You doing more of that art shit?”

“Hmph. Maybe,” Shadow loudly huffs, crossing his arms.

“Watch the attitude,” the man scoffs, annoyed. “I’m gonna be out for a bit. Get dinner ready, yeah? I want it done by the time I get home.”

“Whatever.”

His father gives an annoyed sigh, but leaves it at that. He climbs back down the ladder and slams the door shut. Shadow waits, holding his breath until he can hear his father leaving the house. When the coast is clear, he leans back down towards Daine, extending his hand.

“You’ve gotta go!” he says.

“Huh? But why?” Daine asks.

“I don’t want Dad seeing you here. Let’s go!”

That was the first and last time Daine would enter Shadow’s home. It was a strange interaction that Daine would slowly forget over time. Shadow, however, would never forget that day.

Daine was always very open about her dreams, but Shadow was hesitant to talk about his. What did he want, really? He wasn’t sure what he hoped for his future, but he was shouldering the burden of another’s dream. He would eventually open up to Daine about it at one of their childhood Full Moon Festivals.

It was another typical festival for the Crescent Moon Pack. Another celebration of the coming year without much else to note. The same old speech, the same old dance, the same old song howled into the night. The queen’s dance was beautiful, as usual. The king gave yet another rousing speech to rally the pack. All the while, Isaac would stand up there with them, politely smiling as everyone adored the upcoming heir.

And as every year before, Daine stayed in the back, staring longingly at the family she’d never have. This year, however, she was not alone. Shadow hung back with her. He, too, had a gloomy look on his face as he watched the lycan royalty. But his worries were much different than hers.

“You know,” he mumbles, “my dad always wanted to be the lycan king.”

“He did?” Daine curiously asks.

“He wanted to lead his old pack before they were killed. He never let go of that dream, even as he came here. He knows he can’t replace Orion though.” Daine didn’t know what to think of this. She didn’t know very much about Shadow’s father. But then again, she didn’t know much about Orion either.

“I think…” Shadow whispers. “He wants me to do it instead.” He clenches his fist, looking towards the ground. “His dream of being the king is dead, but sometimes he tells me I should try for it.”

This surprises Daine. “You want to be the lycan king?”

“Hm…” Shadow crosses his arms, his brow furrowing. “Not really. That’s just what my dad wants. I’m not interested though.”

“Oh, that’s good! Because…” Daine wouldn’t finish that thought. Neither of them said it out loud, but both of them knew how bad it would be if Shadow had wanted to follow through with his dad’s dream. After all, the only way for him to become king would be to challenge Isaac to a King’s Bout. No matter who won, someone Daine cared about would be banished.

“I don’t like these festivals very much,” Shadow groans.

“Really? I kinda like ‘em,” Daine responds.

“Why’s that?”

“It’s the one time of the year we all get to be a family,” she says. Daine softly smiles, looking up towards the sky. “I can’t wait until I become an alpha lycan, then I’ll get to dance up there with everyone else. I’ll finally be accepted...”

Shadow never really thought about it that way. He hadn’t thought too much about becoming an alpha lycan. It was true though, only the alphas were allowed to dance. That didn’t mean much to him, but it meant everything to her.

“I’m gonna show them someday,” she grins. “They don’t know it yet, but I’m going to become someone special! I’ll find the most impressive omega in the world. I’ll curse them myself and show them I’m not useless. And then they’ll accept me, and I’ll be allowed to dance!” She closes her eyes, a light breeze flowing through her hair. “I’ll become a part of the family.”

Daine looks so sincerely happy as she dreams about such a day. Seeing her like this, Shadow too hoped that day would someday come for her.