THE CROWN.

“Well, I haven’t seen you for a long time, and I’m glad you are home to see me because I will leave shortly. Before that, let me make it up to you to leave home without informing you.”

He was so tall; was I that short? Wait, a minute!

Leaving home?

“Huh,’ I whined. ‘`You are leaving so soon, but you just came back. Can’t you stay?’

“Nope, I can’t, kiddo. I'm doing this for your protection. I’ve got to go soon or else the rogues will attack you; that’s why your brother has to fight.’ he playfully poked my nose; it twinkled me as I giggled, and we both laughed happily.

“I’ve got a present for you.” He announced, brought out a cute little black box, and handed it over to me.

“Really?”

I took it from him, opened the box, and saw a little silver necklace with my name written on it, “Oceana,” gleaming, and in the middle of my name was a blue sparkling diamond.

It was the most beautiful silver I have ever seen.

“It’s ravishing, isn’t it?’

“Yes,” I whispered with admiration, and I couldn’t stop looking at the necklace.

“It’s gorgeous, just like your eyes, love,’ he mumbled.

“Thank you so much, Gérard. Thank you.” I jumped. He kissed my little cheek and hugged me, patting my back.

“You are welcome, gorgeous.” He pulled away from me and squatted in front of me. “Let me help you put it on,’’ he said, taking the necklace from me.

I raised my hair up with my hands and turned my back to him to help me put the necklace on, and I could feel myself getting more exquisite and ecstatic.

“Thank you!” I beamed.

“You are welcome, lovely.” He kissed the side of my neck.

I felt a spark rush through my body for a second there, but I ignored it and smiled, dropping my hair and idolising the necklace.

My wolf was so excited, and I couldn’t tell what was going on with her.

“Miss me too,’ Carmine said, coming out of nowhere laughing.

I smiled and went to him, giving him a hug, too.

After that, I kicked his foot.

“Ouch!” he winced. “What was that for? I can’t believe my little sister has turned me into such a punching bag.’ He complained.

‘That’s for influencing Gerard and leaving me; take that.’ I smirked at him.

“But you didn’t do that to Gerard; I’m not the only one who left you. I didn't influence him.’

“He’s remorseful and not like you.’ I pointed at him, and Gerard just cracked up. “It seems like I’m her favourite, as always.’ Gerard chuckled.

“Fuck you.’ He emphasised.

“Hey, Gérard.” My father was walking toward us with a smile. “My sons are back,” he roared happily.

“Hi, Father,’ Gerard said. He went over and gave him a big hug.

“You could have told me you were both home.” Gerard pulled away from him, and Carmine went over to clutch him too.

“Welcome back, Carmine.’ He said with delight.

“Thank you, father.’

“I just came back a while ago, Father, a couple of ten minutes ago.” Gerard added.

“And the first person you saw and greeted was Oceana, not your father,’

“He even brought her a necklace.’ Carmine added and winked at me.

“Oh, it’s really beautiful,’ he said, appearing fascinated at the present Gerard gave me.

He turned to Gerard. “And you didn’t get any presents for me.’

He seemed jealous; well, I’m his favourite, anyway.

“Father, you sound like a kid,” Carmine giggled.

“Sorry about that; next time.” He laughed, and then my mother came along, heartily running like a kid and hugging my brothers. “You’ve both grown up so fast; look at how big you are, my sons; they must have been feeding you well over there.”

“Mom, I’m good,’’ he said, smiling and kissing her on the forehead.

Then Alex came along and also welcomed Gérard and Carmine by shouting with excitement.

We all left, including Jessie. She was happy to see Gérard; he was her role model, and she always looked up at him.

“Wow, your big brothers are back.” She shouted with delight and pounced on me, choking my neck.

“Go away,’ I struggled to say, and she then released me. “You don’t have to kill me.” I coughed a little.

“I’m sorry, Oceana,’ she apologised.

These days were the best days of my life. Everyone also ran to him, surrounding him like a celebrity, and the clan loves him so much that he is their hero.

I wish he wasn’t going back so soon, including Carmine.

Gérard is my elder brother, an heir to the pack; he is ten years older than me, always showering me with care and attention since I was a baby.

We were pretty close to each other, but he was always away from home due to stuff that I don’t know about.

And my parents hid his affairs from me and refused to tell me the true reason my brother was always away from home.

They were my older brothers, who were so protective of me when they were around, and as soon as they were done with high school, they left without a word, which pissed me off.

This time, I’m not letting them off the hook.

“Oceana, it’s time to be crowned,” my mom announced.

I looked over the big gate as it opened up so widely.

Guards came up to me and gave me an enormous animal skin to put on. I took it from them and wore it, but it stinks like dog poop.

“Be quick with it, Oceana,” my mom reminded me.

“Show yourself to the kingdom,” my father encouraged me. “It’s possible your wolf will come out of you as the ritual is going on.’

I bobbed and walked to the gate barefoot, my white hair flowing all over my face.

I was so nervous that I stopped looking at the thousands of people waiting for me to appear before them.

I saw lots of blood spilled over the cold floor, stinking and gross with organs over it; I almost puked.

I was terrified and shook my head, disagreeing with her. “Mom, I can’t walk over this; this is so gross. Why are there organs scattered everywhere” I covered my nose with my hand.

“Don’t you dare puke, Oceana; prove to them you are a princess that could lead and protect them tomorrow; don’t act like a baby.’ My mom hushed me and handed over the dried head of a wolf to me.