The older Isaac got, the more that was expected of him. The role of the lycan king was the most important one in the pack. A lot of responsibility had been hoisted on his shoulders, even at such a young age. He was responsible for leading the lycans into the next generation. It was his duty to protect them from the lingering hunter threat. His purpose was to father the next line of lycan leadership, and appease the girl who has been chosen for him.

“Are you listening, Isaac?” Elaine pleads.

Isaac looks up at the young girl, returning to reality after being lost in his own thoughts. There was a lot on his mind at this time, and though he hid it well, he was struggling with much inner turmoil.

He smiles at Elaine. “What is it?” he asks her.

Elaine blushes when his eyes meet hers. It’s been some time now since she was selected to be the queen’s heir, but this was the first she was having one-on-one time with Isaac. She really liked him, and wanted to do her best to give him a good impression.

“We should get to know each other, right?” Elaine plays with her hair. “Y’know, since we’re gonna be king and queen someday. I think it’s a good idea for the two of us to get closer.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Isaac responds, never dropping his insincere smile.

This caught Elaine completely off guard. She was expecting something different once she became the queen’s heir. They’re supposed to get along, aren’t they? They’re supposed to get married and bear children someday. But of course, Isaac has no interest in the girl, and he isn’t subtle about it. Though Elaine is desperately trying to tell herself otherwise, she’s very aware of what Isaac thinks of her. With a nervous gulp, she finally asks what she’s been afraid to know this entire time.

“Do you like me?”

Isaac looks at her. He stares directly into her eyes for an uncomfortable amount of time. Elaine’s heart beats rapidly, scared but eager to hear his answer. Finally, Isaac gets up. Without dropping his smile, he gives her a single, cold word.

“No.”

And with that, he gets up and leaves her behind. That single word devastated Elaine, and for many years to come she would desperately try to change it.

Not one person understood Isaac. Every day he wore his mask and played the role he was given. He’s the friendly little king’s heir, and he’ll be leading everyone to greatness. His peers didn’t understand how he really felt, for all they saw was their future icon. His parents didn’t understand him, for regardless of anything, they would always push for him to follow his duty. Not even those closest to him understood. He loves Daine more than anything, but she lives in a much different world than he does. Even Leonard, the boy he had fallen in love with, could never truly understand him. Revealing his very nature would make him lose Leonard, and he can’t let that happen. And then there’s…

“Oh, hey Isaac.”

Isaac looks up towards the voice. Lost in his head once more, he had been wandering aimlessly through the village. A familiar face greets him. It’s that boy, Vince Shady. He’s by himself, which is unusual. It was rare for him to leave Daine’s side. But Vince was on a mission, and he needed to seek out Isaac alone.

“Are you busy right now?” he asks him.

Isaac stares at Vince for a moment. They’ve known each other for a few years now, but how much did he really know the boy? It was very rare for the two of them to speak alone. Really, he was more of Daine’s friend than Isaac’s. But that, alone, was enough for Isaac to like him.

However, there was something he had recently learned about Vince. Something he definitely wasn’t supposed to know. Poor Daine, bless her heart, had let slip something she’d learned about him. Something not meant for Isaac’s ears.

He knew that Vince’s father was pressuring him to become the king’s heir.

Isaac remembers scoffing when Daine accidentally revealed this information. Oh, how nice that would be. It was almost the perfect solution to all of his problems. He could be free from his duty. Vince could bear that responsibility in his stead. He wouldn’t have to marry that girl. He could stay with Leonard. He could be free to be who he really wanted to be.

But, of course, that wasn’t actually a solution. One small detail ruined the entire fantasy, a detail that can’t be ignored. Handing over the reigns to the king's heir would mean his banishment. He wouldn’t be allowed back in the village, nor would he be allowed in the city. Losing his title would mean losing the ones he loves. And so, unfortunately, he can never let it happen.

Isaac decided it was wise not to clue in Vince to what he knew. Besides, he at least knows Vince well enough to tell that being the king’s heir wouldn’t make him happy either. Why would he subject himself to marrying that girl? After all, it was really obvious who Vince actually liked.

The mask stays on, and Isaac smiles towards his friend. “Hey, Shady! What’s up?”

Vince averts his gaze, awkwardly trying to hide his embarrassment. “Did you, uh, get what I asked for…?”

Isaac stares at him, trying to recall what he could be talking about. Then he remembers. That’s right, he was in the city not that long ago, and Vince had asked him for something very specific. “Follow me,” he says with a smile.

The two boys make their way to the woods outside the village. Isaac has brought a bag with him, and hands Vince his requested item away from prying eyes. It was an ear piercing gun, and as soon as it was in Vince’s hands he began to grin from ear to ear.

“Thanks!” he beams. “This is perfect!”

“Getting your ears pierced, huh?” Isaac asks him.

Vince awkwardly turns around, trying to hide his embarrassed expression. “It’s not for me…” he mumbles.

“Oh, it’s for Daine!” Isaac smirks.

“... mmm… maybe…” Vince grumbles.

“Sorry, bud, I only got the piercer. I didn’t pick up any earrings.”

“It’s okay…” Vince’s voice has become barely audible at this point. “I made her some…” Isaac had been catching on to Vince’s feelings for a while, but even he wasn’t expecting this. He breaks into a genuine smile, and gives off a loud, exaggerated gasp. “YOU MADE HER EARRINGS!?”

“YEAH, SO WHAT!?” Vince barks back. “SHE WANTED EARRINGS SO I GOT HER EARRINGS! WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL!?” Isaac just laughs. He laughs, and laughs, and laughs as Vince awkwardly tries to cover up his humiliation. Eventually, both boys calm down. Isaac’s laugh slows to a chuckle, and Vince exhausts himself of yelling back.

“You like her,” Isaac says. It wasn’t a question. There was no need to ask.

Vince averts his gaze, but he’s calmed down. After a moment, he gives just a single, sincere whisper.

“...yeah.”

He was embarrassed to admit it, especially in front of her brother, but it was true. Daine made him happy. His frustration at the world seemed to melt away whenever she was near. The friendship he had found with Daine had grown into his biggest treasure, and it was only when he was with her that his anxious heart felt at ease. He would do anything to make her happy.

Isaac’s smile grows wide. The mask has fallen, and he’s finally able to smile sincerely. “I’m glad,” he says. “You’re the one person I trust with her, and I know you’ll make her happy.”

This encounter was deeply uncomfortable for Vince, but at the same time it was a much needed one. Having Isaac’s blessing meant a lot to him, and he was starting to believe everything would be okay. Isaac watches on as the two of them part ways. That conversation was much needed for him, too. He was grateful to have Daine and Vince in his life, and those two made his time in the pack worthwhile.

Vince finds Daine playing by the water once more. She sees him approaching, and immediately she breaks into the biggest smile. The moment he sees that smile, Vince can feel the weight of his troubles lifting from his shoulders.

“Hi, Vince!” she happily calls out.

He smiles back. “Hi, Daine! I’ve got something for you!”

She immediately jumps up and down with excitement. It was rare for Vince to get her anything, and she could never have imagined what he’d prepared. He showed her the ear piercing gun, as well as the earrings he’d made for her. She’s stunned at the sight of it all. Piercing her ears was always a personal desire of hers, and she can’t believe Vince has made it a reality.

Very carefully, he uses the tool to pierce through her earlobes. Daine holds her breath as it happens, only to be surprised when it hurts less than expected. When it’s all done, she looks at her reflection in the water. Her new earrings are long, dangling past her shoulders. She’d never seen anything like it before.

“Sorry if they look weird…” Vince mutters awkardly. “I can get you better ones if you want…”

Daine turns to face him, and she’s beaming. “What do you mean? I love them!” she gleefully shouts. “I look so pretty! Thank you, Vince, thank you!”

She runs up to him and gives him a tight hug. He’s relieved by her reaction. Those earrings would become an important symbol of their friendship, and Daine would continue to wear them for many years to come.