The evening sky was deep indigo, sprinkled with countless twinkling stars that seemed to wink down at the world below. The air was fragrant with the earthy scent of wet sand, a reminder of the recent rain. Majestic trees danced gracefully in the gentle evening breeze, their leaves whispering in the peaceful night.
Within the warm confines of a cozy room, Maeve knelt on the plush carpet, carefully adjusting the delicate strap of her daughter's dress. The fabric was a lovely shade of soft lavender, adorned with intricate embroidery that sparkled like a constellation against the dim light. This dress, a special birthday gift from Luna Aveline, was meant to make Liora feel every bit the princess she was.
As Maeve worked, Liora's eyes shimmered with delight, captivated by the way the dress caught the light and sparkled. She giggled, her long, natural amber hair cascading around her shoulders as she twirled a strand between her fingers, humming a cheerful melody that matched her mother's tune.
"Mama, look! My dress is shining like a diamond!" Liora exclaimed, her face flushed with excitement, the happiness radiating from her innocent eyes. Maeve paused to smile at her beloved daughter, who lived with mild Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID); a condition that amplified her need for warmth, affection, and understanding.
"Yes, my moonbeam, you look magnificent and adorable," Maeve replied, her heart swelling with love. "Now hold still; I just need to fix this, or they'll leave without you."
Liora puffed out her cheeks in feigned annoyance but managed to stay still—at least for a moment. Soon enough, her curiosity got the better of her, and she began chattering eagerly about her upcoming birthday celebration. "Is there going to be a cake? A massive one? Hmm, I want one with both vanilla and strawberries!" She flipped her hair out of her face, her enthusiasm spilling over. "Like a snowman or a snow bunny, but it will be enormous!" Her eyes glimmered with confusion as she sought reassurance from her mother.
Maeve chuckled softly, her heart light. "You're right, but you're turning 18 today. That means you're a big girl now, and you'll be going with them to celebrate this special day," she explained, deftly tying Liora's hair into a neat ponytail.
Just then, the familiar sound of footsteps echoed outside, and Liora bounced on her feet, her face lighting up in recognition.
"We've been waiting for you for so long, princess! It's getting late!" called Lyanna, the mischievous daughter of the alpha, peering excitedly into the room.
"Mama is fixing my hair; just a minute, I'll be right there!" Liora replied, gesturing dramatically for her mother to hurry.
"Alright, we're leaving," Vaila chimed in teasingly. "You're going to miss out on all the dancing and games!"
"Mama, they're leaving!" Liora said, her voice tinged with disappointment.
"They're only teasing you, love. We're all done now," Maeve reassured her. As soon as she finished, Liora dashed out, eager to join her friends.
"Stop running before you trip!" Maeve called after her, but Liora was already lost in her excitement.
"Okay, I'm trusting you all with her. Please keep an eye on her," Maeve instructed, glancing at her daughter who was now joyfully twirling, completely engrossed in the magic of her dress.
"Don't worry, Aunty Maeve! She's our sister; we'll take care of her! Promise!" Esmé assured with an earnest smile. Maeve nodded gratefully and pressed a gentle kiss to Liora's forehead.
"Okay, Mama, bye!" Liora waved exuberantly as she sprinted toward Luna Aveline, who stood nearby.
"Luna, look! I'm a princess! My dress is sparkling!" Liora exclaimed, nearly bouncing with enthusiasm. Luna's face transformed with delight, her eyes wide with admiration.
"Oh, just look at my princess all dressed up! So beautiful!" Luna exclaimed, making Liora blush with pride. She tenderly caressed Liora's cheeks before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. "Alright, darling, get going before it gets too late," Aveline said, casting a knowing glance at her daughters, silently reminding them to watch over Liora. They all nodded in understanding and climbed into the car.
"Where are we going? Will there be cake?" Liora asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Serena, laughing, glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
"The place we're going is even better than cake! But there will be drinks and maybe some sweets," she explained, her voice playful. Liora made a face, her disappointment palpable.
"But why drinks? I want a cake, and lots and lots of gifts!" she exclaimed, dramatically spreading her arms wide to show just how much she wanted.
"You're turning 18, which means you're a big girl now. That's why you'll eat and drink like the rest of us," Esmé clarified, smiling warmly. Liora considered this for a moment before nodding enthusiastically, excitement bubbling within her.
The drive to the venue was a joyous blur as they sang along to every song, laughing and joking with one another, particularly during the playful banter between Vaila and Liora, both of whom thrived on mischief. Their infectious laughter filled the car, setting the tone for the evening ahead. As they approached the club, the pulsating music poured out into the streets like a wave of energy.
"Stick close, and don't wander off without letting us know! There are a lot of people here," Lyanna, the most protective of the four sisters, warned Liora gently but firmly. Liora, her eyes wide with wonder at the bustling atmosphere, nodded obediently.
"Alright, girls, let's go and partyyyyyy!" Serena and Vaila squealed in excitement, dancing their way through the door of the club.
"This is going to be the best birthday ever!" Liora exclaimed, mimicking the exuberance of her sisters. Esmé and Lyanna chuckled at her adorable antics. Little did they know, the night was still young, and Liora's life was poised to change forever.
On the other side
"Mum, I've been urging you to stop pairing me with females. My true mate could still be out there, and I can't give up on that," Malzahar stated, his voice steady yet firm. Despite being king, he knew that his mother would never hesitate to set him straight. She wouldn't care about his royal status; if she needed to, she'd put him in his place without a second thought.
"I understand, darling, but how long can you wait? What if your mate has already chosen someone else? Or worse..." Before she could finish her thought, he gently pinched the bridge of her nose, silencing her words.
"Mum, please. I'll call you back when I've reached my destination." He ended the call and let out a deep sigh. His best friend Solis, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced at him through the rearview mirror.
"Why don't you just accept it and lighten your burden?" Solis suggested, tapping his fingers against his lap.
"Let him be if he doesn't want to," Lilith, his army commander, interjected, frustration evident in her voice.
"Calm down, Lilith. We know you have feelings for him, but let's not escalate," Solis teased, only to duck as she playfully threw a punch at him.
"Enough of the childish antics. Focus on driving before you get us into trouble," Malzahar warned.