"Well dad, I think I've got everything," Austin Perry Junior told his father. "Refreshments over there," he said, pointing to a couple of folding tables loaded with snacks and bottled drinks. "A partitioned area for those who prefer to transform in private," he added, pointing to a roped off area in front of some trees. "A secure place for everyone to store their gear," Austin Junior said proudly, pointing to his own car, where he planned to lock those items inside. "Music hooked into the PA system," he added, pointing to the disc player and a stack of CDs next to the public address system and the portable generator they always used for wolf pack meetings; "and everyone I couldn't invite in person during the school day I texted between classes, lunch and study hall, and after school."
"I'm proud of you my Beta," said Austin Senior, putting a furry paw on his son's shoulder, for both were already within their werewolf forms. "Who's coming?"
"Everyone who I talked to in person said they'd be here, including the guest of honor, and most of the texted wolves have already responded, so at least 80% of the pack," answered Austin Junior.
"That's pretty good for not only spur of the moment, but a week night too," admitted Austin Senior.
"Listen, there's one thing I don't get though," said his son, lowering his voice a bit and making sure they were alone before continuing. "Why such a big to do over one guy joining us so soon after his arrival?"
"I knew Jeff Decker. He was a good man and a werewolf you would always have wanted by your side through thick and thin. Honoring his memory and having his son Tad join our pack is the least I can do for him."
MEANWHILE...
"So, I'll be staying at least long enough to meet the new guy and be polite, then I'm going to keep my date with Kenya tonight. I've already texted her about this impromptu pack meeting and told her I'd be late meeting her," Ben Twist told his parents.
"Unlike you with the high school closed Friday, Kenya has college tomorrow. So what are you going to do after the two of you part company for the evening?" asked his mother Samantha Twist.
"Depending upon my mood, either go back to what by then will be a pack party or come home."
"Well, whatever happens, we just want to know you'll be okay," Ben's other mother Frances said.
"I will be moms," said Ben, before hugging the lesbian werecat couple that raised him. "It's just that for some reason, all night werewolf pack orgies are starting to lose their appeal for me."
"We understand son," said Frances, remembering the recent chat she and Samantha had concerning Ben's interest in the slightly older werepanthress Kenya Adaeze*.
"What are you two going to be doing while I'm gone?" Ben asked out of curiosity.
"Unlike you, we both have to work tomorrow. So we're probably just going to stay home and..."
"I get it. Have fun you two," Ben told his mothers, as the ladies gave each other a sly, knowing smile.
OUTSIDE...
In his human form with travel bag sitting on the front passenger seat, Ben waited by his car and soon saw his friend, next door neighbor, and fellow werewolf Nate Anderson approaching with his boyfriend and fellow werewolf Alex Ramsey.
"You guys ready?" asked Ben, before opening his car.
"You bet ya," said Nate, as he and Alex started to climb into the back seat to be together. Both had bags with them to hold their human clothing once they reached the meeting and wolfed out.
"Tonight's going to be a big night for us too," said Alex.
"Oh. How?" asked Ben, as he got in the driver's seat and put on his seat belt.
"We're going to let everyone we talk to know we're an officially dating couple," revealed Nate, before kissing his boyfriend and buckling their seat belts.
"I think a lot of people are already aware of that," said Ben with a smile, while checking his mirrors.
"It doesn't hurt to confirm the fact," Alex said with a smile toward Nate.
"You guys cool with the plan?" Ben asked, as he started his car.
"You mean you taking off to be with your girlfriend?" asked Nate. "Yeah, and we wish you the best of luck."
"We're just going to hang out at the party, fuck each other's brains out, and then go back to my place for more sex," said Alex, before kissing Nate again.
"Since we're all off tomorrow for this Teachers In Service thing, I've got permission to hang out with my beau. Meanwhile, even though mom's only a substitute teacher who hasn't actually had a class yet, she's got to go the meetings at the elementary school," revealed Nate.
"But with your dad having his own classes at the college tomorrow, won't that leave Eric home alone?" asked Ben, after he had backed out of the driveway, concerned about his friend and neighbor's younger brother.
"Usually, yeah. But since they're off tomorrow too, Eric has a daytime date with Julie," Nate informed Ben. "Which works out for them since we have to be at my dad's induction ceremony into the Skulk tomorrow night."
"I guess love is fully in bloom in Moon Lake," observed Ben, as he started off toward the pack meeting.
But when there was no reply, Ben quickly added, "If you two make a mess back there, I'm sending you the cleaning and detailing bill."
"Aw man," Ben heard Alex groan, accompanied by the sound of a zipper being hastily closed while Nate giggled, to which Ben could only smile.
___________________________________________________
*In the Moon Lake episode "Parting is such sweet sorrow..."
While the story thread that Ben, Nate, and Alex frequent is actually running a day behind chronologically compared to Tad's tale here, there is no way the three werewolves would miss the introduction of a new member into their pack.—tmw.