Sixteen years ago, the kingdom of Dravenor rejoiced as King Hendrick, the mighty werewolf king, welcomed his last child. In the high chambers of the castle, his wife, Queen Sophia—the Queen of Witches—lay with a newborn in her arms.
The baby girl was unlike any child they had birthed before. Her golden eyes gleamed like sunlight trapped in crystal, her face angelic, her skin soft and glowing. Hendrick's heart swelled with pride as he cradled the infant.
"She is perfect," he whispered, his wolf instincts purring with joy.
But Sophia's smile faltered. For their six children before—Noah, Anesthesia, Theron, Theodora, Oliver, and now Josephine—each had carried the powerful traits of their lineage. Noah, Oliver, and Theodora inherited Hendrick's wolf blood. The twins, Anesthesia and Theron, bore their mother's witchcraft. Yet Josephine… she was born ordinary. Powerless. Worst of all, her voice never came—she was mute.
From the moment Sophia learned this, her heart hardened. She pushed Josephine away, refusing even to feed her. When the baby cried, Sophia screamed at her.
By age three, Josephine would waddle into her mother's chambers, desperate for affection, only to be shoved aside. Then, one fateful night, Sophia whispered her darkest command:
"Guards, take her into the forest… and kill her."
But Hendrick heard. Rage filled his chest. His wolf erupted as he scooped the little girl into his arms. Shifting into his beast form, he howled at the moon and ran into the woods. His loyal men followed, carrying chests of gold and supplies.
Only Noah, Anesthesia, and Oliver knew the truth of that night.
Hendrick rode until he reached Ravenglade, a peaceful fairy village. There he knocked on the door of a woman named Ceillie, a kind-hearted fairy with eyes like morning dew.
"I beg you," Hendrick said, pressing two million golden coins into her hands. "Protect my daughter. Her name is Josephine… but please, call her Jojo. I will come back for her when the time is right."
Ceillie, touched by the king's plea, nodded. "I will care for her as my own."
And she did.
Life in Ravenglade
Jojo grew in Ceillie's cottage, surrounded by warmth. Though mute, she learned to laugh with her eyes, and Ceillie taught her sign language by the time she turned six. They opened a small bakery, where the sweet aroma of honey-bread and apple tarts filled the streets.
The villagers believed Josephine was Ceillie's daughter, and Jojo loved that illusion.
Over time, she made three loyal friends: Tess (a mischievous vampire), Pierre (a young elf), and Callum (a budding witch). Though they began as thieves, stealing to survive, Ceillie scolded them into honesty and gave them work in the bakery. Together, they became Jojo's family.
Ceillie adored her like no other. She called her "Jojo," tucked her in at night, and built her a little library where Josephine devoured books silently, her golden eyes always curious.
The Palace Without Jojo
Back in Dravenor, Hendrick and Sophia's marriage rotted.
One night at the royal table, Noah confronted his mother.
"Mother, what you tried to do was cruel. Josephine is still your daughter!"
"Pure evil," Theron spat.
"Shut up! I don't see how she's wrong," Theodora sneered.
"You stupid wolf !" Anesthesia snapped.
The hall shook as Hendrick slammed his fist. "When Josephine is sixteen, she will return. And if you so much as try to harm her again, Sophia, I swear I will divorce you and strip you of your crown."
Sophia, stunned, swallowed her rage. Yet in private, she hissed, "I will never accept that thing as my daughter."
Sixteen Years Later
Josephine blossomed into a breathtaking young woman. Her golden eyes shone brighter than ever, her silence making her presence both mysterious and powerful. Wherever she went, Tess, Pierre, and Callum followed like shadows, more than friends—they were family.
On her sixteenth birthday, Ceillie kissed her forehead. "Happy birthday, Jojo."
Josephine gave her a grateful smile and signed, Thank you.
That evening, Ceillie organized a modest celebration. Music, bread, laughter—but Jojo never smiled, not once. She giggled softly, but her lips never stretched into joy.
Far away in Dravenor, during breakfast, Hendrick declared, "Today is Josephine's birthday. Tomorrow, I will bring her home."
Sophia snapped, "No, you will not!"
Hendrick's eyes glowed dangerously. "Sit. Do not anger me, Sophia. She is my daughter too. And this time, your opinion does not matter."
Sophia tried to weave a spell of control, but Anesthesia shattered it with a chant.
"Why do you even hate her?" Noah demanded.
"Because she is nothing!" Sophia spat. "She will disgrace us all!" She said I agree with mother Theodora said
Oliver rolled his eyes. "At least now she is coming home. Jojo will finally take her rightful place."
That night, Hendrick sent a messenger hawk to Ceillie: Prepare Josephine. Tomorrow, I come for my daughter.
The Goodbye
Ceillie's heart cracked when she read the message. She gathered Tess, Pierre, and Callum and confessed the truth: Josephine was a princess of Dravenor, and tomorrow her father would take her away.
Silence fell.
When Josephine returned from picking flowers, she saw their solemn faces. Ceillie took her hands and explained everything. Jojo's eyes widened, and she signed, I will not leave you. I will not go anywhere without you.
Ceillie's lips trembled. "I know, my love. But your family misses you. Every weekend, I will visit. I pinky promise." She held out her finger, and Josephine wrapped hers around it.
That night, Ceillie wept as Josephine clung to her, refusing to let go. Her friends secretly packed their own bags—wherever Josephine went, they would follow.
And at dawn on Thursday, King Hendrick and Prince Noah rode toward Ravenglade… to reclaim the lost princess of Dravenor.