Phatinni leads us to where we can rest inside the castle rooms.
It's the kind of palace where most of them have their own rooms, they're like living in the same house as one big family. There's neither rich nor poor among them. Some chose to have their separate roof. Matheo's family has a separate room from us, even Dandeline has her own as well. I told Phatinni that I'd like to stay in the same room as Dandeline's but she glared suspiciously at me.
"You want to stay in the same room with a woman?" she questioned in a deep voice.
"That's how comfortable we are with each other! And I don't have the slightest malicious thoughts."
"Just abide with the rules, Hessuel," Dandeline said before she came inside her room.
"No problem!"
"Ngh— You were persistent a while ago..." Phatinni murmurs and I made a chuckle. There's no reason to be stubborn for she lends me a room right in front of Dandeline's. "Enjoy your rest here, Hessuel. Also, our fated Luna wants to deliver this message, pick the clothes that suit you provided in the wardrobes. She'll wait for you until you're through. The Alpha told her to tour you throughout Asfara."
"That won't be necessary. I can do it myself."
"It's what the Alpha wants."
"... Alright. Thank you."
Acro lays with her wings spread on the bed and then I dive there, she bounced. What a noble feature for a werewolf palace. They have yet more to adapt to human intelligence. Even the fashions of the clothes inside the wardrobes are meticulous. I picked a white coat and pants to match the general theme, then I wipe the curtain to let the sunlight in and ask Acro,
"Do I look like an angel now?"
She spins her head without answering me.
"This will do. What's more important is my tour." I made it sound excited unconsciously as usual. I counseled Acro to stay in the room before I leave. Outside this room is a hallway leading to an open terrace with waterfalls coming from above. It's wide, so as for the perspective of the whole land.
I know who was behind me when I heard a woman clearing her throat. "Hessuel, I apologize for the attack earlier. I thought you were a typical human hunter."
"Do I look like it?"
"No! I'm just... I don't want to let my guard down! Anyway, I haven't introduced myself properly." She holds her skirt and bows her head. "My name is Sherizzah. Like the others, I'm glad to meet you," she spoke timidly. I bow down as well to reflect the respect. But she pushes my head up and pinches my chin. "Only the head bows, not the body along with it. And," she fixes the brooch of my coat, "this is the right way."
"Ah, thank you." She's more mature than me.
"Shall we get going? My father will not let me sleep tonight without me reporting about this tour guide."
I wish for my tour to be enthusiastic and that wouldn't be possible if I were with a strict proud fated Luna! It seems both of us have no choice. I'll just be who I am nevertheless. Plenty of werewolves are mincing about in the preparation for the occasion. My tour with Sherizzah is half socializing with the white wolves in the market and field. My presence engrossed everyone wherever I went. And the other half is forbearing excitement for this wonderful place because Sherizzah is serious about explaining. I'm relieved that this land wasn't relinquished or what. It's still able to welcome me.
"I have a place in mind I wanted to see for myself."
"What is it?"
The place of my memories with Rossy. It wasn't her plan to take me to the place they made a cemetery. The vast grassland, with lined half-buried stones. Names on the huge stones were carved and on a separate stone—bigger than any other—I found what I'm looking for. The stones are already covered with mold so I rub them to see the names clearly. What's carved accordingly:
Rossy
Hessuel
Haiban
Lerouka
And names of Rossy's loved ones. The smile I made is pleased. It's still here. Almost everything is preserved. Haiban is the Eldar they all esteem, my father, and Lerouka is my mother. Both purebloods, both parents of mine... Memories of them are still concealed. And maybe they're waiting for me to come home to break the sluice that keeps my memories from flowing and fill the missing piece.
"Your name is carved there. You did that?"
"Yes, when I was a kid." I grab the stone with my claws to lift it up from its half grave.
"What are you doing?"
"Obviously. It's a special relic and I don't want the ground to fully devour it."
"I mean... you really are strong."
"Aren't werewolves supposed to?" I clapped my hands and the dust shook off. "One last thing, I have a place I wanted to see, the very reason why I came here." Afterward, she brought me in front of the place I requested.
It's a forest inside the astronomical palace. Two wolves are guarding the outside gate, isolated from the most bustling places of this land. "Because it's sacred," Sherizzah explained beforehand. "It's the main source of the flowing sacred water throughout the land. The pond is at the very core of this space. You can't see it from here. I can only let you in with my father's consent."
I touch the painted black gate and look far into the forest. "Will you deliver my request to see the pond to the Alpha?"
"Alright. But I'm confident he won't allow you until the occasion is over."
"I don't mind."
When the tour is over, I run as excited as I always back to my room but not exactly in my room. I knocked on Dandeline's door, the second I heard her voice, I came inside and found her reading a book beside the table.
"What the he—"
"Dan! I found the pond!" I wrap her on her waist and spin her around. "I'm finally here! I can't believe I found this place!"
"Okay. You can celebrate without freaking me out."
I stop the motion to hug her tightly, sinking the bridge of my nose into her hair. "That will never happen without you. Thanks," I utter sincerely. A momentary silence afterward. I felt her arms rubbing my back until her embrace tightened.
"I'm happy for you," she compliments. And another second of silence reigned. I could stay like this for the whole day but the feeling isn't mutual. She pushed me on the shoulder and commanded me to sit on the bed. And she drags her butt beside me. "Well, how's your tour with the fated Luna?" The question came after she lies down with her feet touching the floor.
I mimic her. Both staring at the ceiling, my hands are intertwined on my stomach and her hands are on top of her chest. "It felt like strolling with a strict parent," I complained.
"At least you have a parent."
"Dan, speaking of which, where are your parents? You live alone with the dogs but not with kins."
"I turned my back on my family for freedom. I was under my grandmother's custody until I graduated. Still, I follow the profession my family has. The mage. That was what my grandma passed on to me."
"Have you met your parents?"
"Of course. Why do you ask?"
"I'm curious about your family, that's all since I'm about to figure out mine. And it's a pleasure to know you personally."
"You already know my tragic romances."
"Would you like to hear about your blooming romance?"
"What?"
I pull strands of her hair and sniff them. "You smell like my mate."
"Oh, cheese." Her cringing reaction brought me to chuckle! She slaps my hand and I let go of her hair. "Now you're being hasty?"
"I'm trying to be sweeter than hasty. Did I make it wrong?"
But then my heart skipped a beat when she faced me, leaning on one arm sideward, and letting her long hair slide down. "You can do both, no?"
"Can I?"
"No." Then she pinches my nose tight! "It's rude to smell others!" Her laughter played along as she left me laying in the bed. "You should be preparing yourself for the party. You're the highlight."
I lay face down while wiggling my legs like a merman. "You remember the first party we attended together? I'll dance with you again."
"That's not a question, huh?" She's clicking a pen while holding a book in the other hand.
"No. Because I'm being sweet and hasty."
"Oh, goddess—"
"See you later!"
☪ ✧ ✧
Sooner, the acclimation began. I picked out the best suit I could think of in the wardrobe before setting foot in the open hall. And I didn't come alone. I put a bow tie on Acro's neck and put her on my shoulder.
There are hanging lights above also with the trees. The smell of foods to feast upon is swirling around my nose. I felt more at home than ever when I laid eyes on the white werewolves chatting along with the drums and shakers. The fire inside the cage of the trunk heaps contributes to the friendliness of the atmosphere.
Most have their eyes on me similar to the typical party I've been to before. But the approach is adverse. I was first approached by a girl who gave me a piece of grilled lamb meat on a stick. Then another woman, who's the mother, approaches me. I am like a light attracting the moths as they approach me one by one. One guy gave me a glass of wine and pats his hand on my shoulder.
They are questioning mine and life outside Asfara. I told them that I used to be a merchant of veggies in a human town. They all find that talking to me is a wise time to spend for amusement. And I'm mutual. It's the total opposite of how I was treated outside this world. When the Alpha arrived, everyone humbly submitted themselves to reverence. He speaks beside the Luna and his counselors,
"Thank you for all your hard work." His age has little enough strength to support his stance. "Let us remember the purpose of this gala. The day we've been waiting for has finally come. Once again, welcome to the realm of white wolves, Hessuel." And they all clap their hands, some howl.
"Thank you for having me here," I said politely to the Alpha. I wasn't expecting this, but I'm flattered! He then declared the official beginning of the celebration. "Alpha... Ah, I do not know thy name yet."
"I am Shio. And this is my Luna, Maia."
"It's a pleasure to know you. By the way, Alpha Shio, about the pond..."
"I heard it. My daughter will accompany you next time." Friendly, he hangs his arm on my shoulder. "I know you are after the pond. You must be weary thinking about it throughout your way here! Think about rest for yourself. This is for you! Feast your eyes." I heard the drums thumping louder and playfully.
And then I beheld a dancing presentation of women including Sherizzah, they have wolves as part of the dance as well. I clapped my hands with the crowd as it ended.
"Is this part of werewolves' traditions?"
"Traditions? You're not fully aware, aren't you?"
"Ah, yah... I mean, yes. I grew up in human traditions."
"What do you want to know about werewolf traditions?"
I speak gradually, my tongue searches for the right words, to make it sound as humble as I can, "I don't know what exactly I wanted to know because I know nothing."
"Are you not curious about how we choose our next Alpha?"
"A priestess told me the strongest rules."
"You are pureblood. Would you like to know how powerful you are?"
"That sounds exciting—!" I cleared my throat. "Can I?"
He steps in front of the bustling and chatting werewolves to notify them, especially the males, that we will hold a test of strength. I was invited to the middle of the crowd, every single one of them claimed their spots according to what seemed fit to witness this spar. And I'm standing firm on my feet, clueless. Alpha Shio invites any males who are willing for a match. And there is one who confidently raises his hand.
"I will gladly accept this privilege!" This man reminds me of Manjiro—that is all I can say. His appearance is different because of his white hair and skin. "Hey, pureblood! It's nice to match with you. My name is Cados! To inform you, the first one who fell to the ground loses. Shall we begin?"
Phatinni, who seems to be acquainted with Cados, says to him, "You'll regret this shame your whole life." She hosts the battle. The moment Cados tackles me with his claws; I tilt to dodge, catch his risk, and slide my foot to his. The instruction is that the one who loses balance loses—in other words. It happened with my fast senses, grasping his arm with my two hands, then overturning him to the ground.
The witnesses raised a clamor of excitement when the match ended in less than a minute. Cados is lurching while massaging his waist. I helped him up. "Okay, fine. Horrible mistake," he said but I translated it as a compliment. The next males volunteered to spar and I tried to make it as gentle as possible but they all seemed weak to me. I hate to conclude that they're not nurturing their gift of strength at all. Or maybe Cormelio has taught me enough about the maneuvers.
Afterward, the Alpha cuts off the match when none seems to defeat me. I was greatly surprised when he said, "Oh, by the way, let's make it an official test of strength for the next Alpha." He proudly taps my shoulder. "Would you like to know the other traditions?"
"Yes, please~"
"I hereby declare you to be the next Alpha, and my daughter, Sherizzah, to be your Luna."