Nate Anderson was waiting in in car for his friend and neighbor Ben to hurry up and get ready. Despite having a great sleep and a happy start to his day; Nate was eager to get a move on. He was about to honk his horn when Ben steps out the door, along with his boyfriend Alex Ramsey. Both clearly in a good mood, as they climb into Nate’s car.
“Guess I wasn’t the only one to have a little fun last night,” Nate grinning as he starts driving.
“You had some fun in the woods,” Ben asking; “with who?”
“Well it started in the woods,” Nate grinning; “but we ended up finishing in my bed. “Nate grinning even harder; “this morning as well.”
“Who;” Ben asking.
“Jean Talbot,” Nate sighing; “she texted me last night, waiting for me in the backyard.”
“The same Jean,” Alex asking; “from your day of hooky last Friday?”
“The same,” Nate grins; “slept well as well; despite rutting until around eleven and waking up at six in the morning. Even got a little morning fun as well,” Nate smiles.
“Hope we get to meet her,” Ben responds; “she’s not like Liv now is she?”
“Unlike Liv,” Nate answers; “Jean has boundaries.”
“That’s reassuring,” Alex placing a hand on Ben; “I’m not keen on anther of your girl’s making a play for my Ben.”
Nate laughs as he pulls up into the school parking lot; “you make me sound like I’m a pimp.”
The three werewolves leaving the car walk to the school. Nate seeing his younger brother with his two girlfriend’s Spencer and Frieda, just waves as he follows Ben and Alex to their usual spot by the office entrance. Ben was the first to speak; “Nate. After school, Alex and I are going to do some Christmas shopping downtown. After your detention, you think you can give us a ride and join us?”
“I don’t think I will be able to,” Nate answering; “I’m planning on being with Jean shortly after detention. She wants to introduce me to her parents and older brother.”
“A wolf walking into to the lion’s den,” Alex was chuckling; “if you survive the meet, then we’ll do the Christmas shopping tomorrow.”
Before Nate could respond the bell rings signaling the start of school.
*****
After dropping Frieda and her friends off at school; Benton headed to the hospital. Making a brief stop at Café Luna to pick up some coffee; he heads to his wife’s recovery room. Handing the black furred were-panthress a cup of coffee he sits down next to her and sighs.
“Okay husband,” Amanda sipping her coffee; “out with it. What happened last night?”
“Surprisingly,” Benton sipping his black coffee; “nothing much. Frieda inducted Eric and Spencer in her own unique way. Spencer showed her fursona; a black fur werewolf/panther/feline hybrid. But not before Eric revealed his; A pure white werepanther, with a vague hint of brown fur on his head. Liz Baker burned her bridges by trying to force herself on Eric. Oh and Franklin catering’s head chef is a fourteen year old seven foot werewolf.”
“Hold on,” Amanda chiming in;” back up a bit. What exactly did you mean Liv baker burning her bridges?”
“Like I said,” Benton answering; “she tried to force herself onto Eric Anderson. Spencer who was there took exception and had the were-panthress twice her size on the ground yowling in pain.” Benton smiling as he can picture the scene from last night, “Spencer wasn’t kidding when she said her father taught her how to fight like a marine.”
“More husband;” Amanda pressing the bemused Knight; “what happened afterward?”
“I expelled Liz from the pride and told her never to show her face at any social function you or I might host in the future.”
Amanda grins; “good. After her attempt to hit on you, I’ve been itching for a reason to blackball her. Now about this seven foot werewolf. Fourteen years old and a head chef? Now that sounds like an interesting story.”
“More tragedy then comedy there,” Benton responding; “the only family the kid has is an aunt. Both parents are dead. His mother to alcohol and his father a police officer died serving a search warrant at a drug house his team raided.” Benton sighing, “I’d rather talk about our daughter.”
“Did anything happen to Frieda last night,” Amanda looking worried; “was she harmed?”
“No, no,” Benton shaking his head; “nothing of like that. Frieda is perfectly fine, happy in fact. She and her friends kept me up half the night with worry. They were quite noisy with their lovemaking.”
“That it Benton,” Amanda responds; “or is there more?”
Benton pauses; “I’m not sure Amanda. Do you notice that Frieda is always so formal with us? She always refers to me a father and you as mother. And there is always a slight pause as she forces to use those specific words.”
“It’s because we never spent enough time with her Benton,” Amanda sighs; “we might as well be strangers to her. Always leaving her alone to a house full of servants, never letting her go anywhere; with the exception of school and certain social obligations, we turned her into a shut in.” Amanda getting up to grab her phone and sitting next to her husband; “as much as you don’t like to hear it Benton; Spencer and Eric have been the best thing to happen to our daughter.”
“I’m not arguing that,” Benton looking at his wife; “I clearly saw that last night and this morning. I’m wondering if our relationship with Frieda is damaged beyond repair.”
“No Benton, strained; but not unfix-able. We just have to make an effort Benton,” Amanda looking at her husband; “this is not something that can be fixed overnight or with fancy gifts.”
“Yeah;” Benton finishing his coffee and looking at his were-panthress wife; “now I know you want to head home, but right now I need to get going. Julie Stovall's court proceedings begin today and I want to be their. And I have my first appointment with Frances Twist at noon today."