Another car pulled up as another section of the family came walking up with everyone once again being introduced to each other. Himora, quiet and observing, became the silent star of the night when her baby started to cry. Raven was the first to come to her before Cynthia and the rest of the women fussed over the baby. Lovely squeezed by my side and held me close with her head laying on my shoulder.
“I love our little family,” she concluded.
“They’re country and ghetto,” Carmilla said with an uppity tone. “Clearly, we’re the side of the family with money.”
“No, we’re clearly the side that was raised as the very thing we are….” I said. “We were raised as predators, and they were raised to be more like prey.”
“They were raised like regular humans. I think they’re perfect,” Draco said in awe. “I can’t wait for Maze to meet everyone.”
“Go look in the car, in my bag and grab my little pouch,” Raven said, handing the keys to a little boy. “And don’t put my bag on the floor! Keep it in the seat! This baby is teething. Look at her little fangs coming in…”
I watched my mother gently hold the baby in her arms as she rocked her from side to side trying to settle her down. Everyonepitched in to help calm the tiniest Holmes in the family until I caught the familiar lingering gaze of Seth from a distance. A pair of yellow eyes appeared through the fog as he began to walk towards us on all fours.
“It’s time,” I said out loud. The only thing you could hear were the women trying to settle a crying baby before Himora ultimately stepped aside with Raven following behind her. I met Seth halfway, not sure how anyone else would react to him as he calmly sat on his back legs before me.
“Alright so here’s the situation,” he said, voice low as his yellow eyes shifted. I could feel Draco and the rest coming up behind me to listen.
“There shouldn’t be a situation if we’re invited,” I reminded him.
“Well given what you are and what we are…there’s going to be a situation. Not everyone is feeling y'all being here but don’t worry about it. I got you. I’ma escort everyone in but when you come, don’t say anything. Don’t speak, don’t ask any questions until the ceremony is over. I’ll explain what’s happening–––”
“Hold on now,” Raven said as she came in between us to step towards Seth. “We got chirren and a baby with us. If this isn’t safe–––”
“They’ll be fine. There’s a little tension but it'll be fine.”
“If there’s a problem,” Carmilla said as she stepped up. “Surely, we can handle ourselves–––”
“All will be fine.” Seth remained calm before standing up on all fours as he began to walk. “We’ve covered this area with our scent so no one can trace or smell you all. Just come in and respect the space. We stand to gain more by sticking together than not and I think everyone realizes that so come on.”
Naturally, I waited on my mother until we were walking side by side through the thickening grass and weeds. I kept my eyes on Himora as she walked with Lovely beside her until Seth began trotting into the woods, picking up his feet as the stench of urine, blood, and fur collected in my nose.
“How in the world does your daughter get mixed up in this mess with wolves?” Raven whispered in her childish voice towards my mother.
“I don’t have the slightest clue, but I don’t like it,” Cynthia muttered. Dorian and Carmilla walked by as she held her nose high in the air, making sure to let us know we were beneath her with a single look. Raven snorted with a roll of her eyes.
“Baby, that lil heifer right there better watch herself,” Raven muttered under her breath. “I’ll put you six feet under in a heartbeat. I ain’t the one or the two. Ask my daughters.”
“You damn sho’ ain’t the three or the four either,” Clarence said before laughing out loud. “You’re more like the nine and ten with your height and–––”
“Hush!” Raven fussed when she turned to him. “Sick of you and your mouth!”
“Mama, deddy please….” Bree groaned. “Not tonight. Tony, please get yo mama…”
“Why y'all always telling me to get her?” Tony complained. “Mama can handle herself.”
“And that’s why you’re my favorite son,” Raven stated proudly.
“He’s your only son,” Leslie retorted.
“Everybody keep quiet,” Trevor called out.
Seth began trotting through the tall trees as we reached the edge of the forest. I hadn’t realized my mother grabbed my arm until she leaned in close to keep balance. The only thing you could hear were our footsteps as we began to follow Seth alongthe specific path. The stench only grew stronger and the clothes that were sprawled out along with piles of shoes were collected against the tree trunks. I wondered just how many were present, but I soon got my answer when we came up on a break in the trees. I felt the chills go down my spine when I saw every man woman, wolf and child sitting in a circle. There were stones placed every few feet, blocking everyone from entering what looked like a sacred space where Namir stood in the center with two women. His mother and someone who looked too old to be still living. Of course he would be shirtless but instead of the usual basketball shorts, he almost looked to be in black boxer briefs and bare feet.
Trevor silently motioned for everyone to spread around while Raven got the little ones to sit quietly on the ground. The rest of us remained standing and on guard as every eye on four legs watched us with caution. Clearance grabbed Raven’s arm, moving her with a polite shove to sit with the children before she silently swatted his arm away. Himora hung back as her baby made the most noise but Lovely who shockingly became protective, stood guard before her with fangs silently drawn. I looked back at Namir, watching as the two women spoke to him before he looked up and for the first time. I felt a strike of fear hit me for a moment when his eyes slowly bled white until there was no color left. He looked up at the sky and his chest began heaving with his heavy panting.
“Shit…” I murmured, seeing it in real time. Is this what Himora meant when she said he is the moon?
“I felt a small nudge when I looked down at my mother who nodded with a tilt of her head. Following her direction, I saw the anxious women sitting at the front, staring desperately at Namirwith greed, attraction, and infatuation. Leaning in for her ear, I whispered,
