Humans have fragile hearts. If they desire something, they ought to do everything to achieve it. For werewolves, such desires were simpler than that of humans. Prince Gavin, for instance, had only one desire in life: explore the world and learn more about witches.
When he was younger, people around him had been too protective and every time he asked about other creatures such as witches that existed in the world aside from werewolves and humans, they would always either scold him or ignore him. His father, His Majesty the Alpha King, particularly scolded him once he asked about them. And when he tried to ask for books about them to study in his room, no one paid him any attention.
It was as if it was a taboo subject.
But he knew it wasn't that simple. Because when he began to attend classes at the age of eleven and once passed by Princess Carrie in the library, he accidentally saw the book she was reading. His previous thoughts on the subject had subconsciously risen once again and there began a questionable friendship between him and the other royal blood.
"Is that about them?" Gavin asked Princess Carrie.
Princess Carrie gave him a stern look then closed the book. "It's none of your business."
"Princess Carrie, I've seen the symbol in your book somewhere but I couldn't remember it exactly. Can you please tell me more about this book?" Gavin asked, with a gentler voice this time. The other seemed to have been treating him worse than the rest; Gavin had been paying no mind to it but this time, he was genuinely interested to the book he had presumed only the girl owned and no one else.
"Some things are better left unknown," the princess said, looking away, her eyes reflecting something that Gavin couldn't decipher. Then she snapped back, eyes round and full, glaring at Gavin, "Especially with the likes of you. You won't understand these things!"
Then with a 'hmp', she held the book close to her chest and left, her skirt flapping away in dismissal.
Gavin silently stared from behind, sighing and frowning as Princess Carrie headed out of the library. "Someday I will make you speak nicely to me."
After whispering a series of obviously upset and childish oaths, Gavin headed out too and returned to the classroom. He noticed Princess Carrie wasn't around anymore and only a few of his classmates were there chatting with one another.
"Second Prince, we're going to Keagan's house later after class. Do you want to join us?" One of Gavin's classmates named Owen, a male werewolf and son of a general, said.
The class only had around twenty students, all of which were werewolves who were around the same age. Being the sons and daughters of the highest and most powerful figures in the country, they were considered the most privileged younger generation who were especially taught and trained with the best scholars and teachers in the world.
"Sorry, I have promised brother for a bow and arrow session this afternoon so I can't," Prince Gavin replied.
Some girls moved closer, "The First Prince is going to come? When? Where? I thought the First Prince was too busy with his engagement. I guess family is still important for him after all. He's so nice, gentle, and perfect!"
Gavin faintly smiled in response. Nobody knew that the First Prince just faked illness some days ago just to postpone that engagement of his with a daughter of some prominent family from the South. Gavin also didn't know much about such things. What he only knew was practicing the bow and arrow was just another excuse to escape. However, that too was overlooked by people due to his brother's extraordinary gentle personality.
"Only you know how much I want to be free and choose my own mate," the First Prince said to Gavin back then. Eyes focused to the target meters away from him, the arrow left the bow and it shot directly to the center of the target object.
"Is it possible to choose our own mates?" Eleven-year-old Gavin asked. He was yet to learn more about mates and bonds, the things only werewolves understood when the right time came as the adults often described.
Jarius looked at him and smiled, flashing his handsome sixteen-year-old features unconsciously. "It is. That's why I will keep postponing this marriage or whatever they call it. Gavin, in the future, I hope you can also choose your own mate and not be bound by the ideals set by the adults."
Gavin sheepishly grinned and nodded. Freedom sounded too far but it wasn't entirely impossible. He could watch from the sidelines and if his brother Jarius succeeded in choosing his own path, then he would do it too. If only he knew a day would come it would be almost impossible to hear answers from his brother in the future, Gavin would've asked him more questions when they were younger.
"Gavin... witches... they are too kind... not evil," Jarius told him, repeating the same words as he slowly closed his eyes.
Sobs emitted from the servants watching over the wounded First Prince. Even Gavin's hands and eyes trembled as he watched his own brother shut his eyes.