“So moms,” Ben speaking as he rips into a slice of pizza; “I got the job as busboy at Grrrrrrr.”
“That’s great,” Samantha speaking; “so is this an after school thing?”
“I won’t know just yet,” Ben answering; “I’ve got to go in to fill out some paperwork and then we work out my hours.”
“Okay,” Samantha nodding as she sips some soda; “how was your day Frances?”
“Um before we get into that,” Ben speaking; “can I ask you something mom?”
“What is it,” Samantha grabbing another slice of pizza.
“As I was doing my try out shift,” Ben speaking; “a couple of were-otter waiters were clearly rude to me. What is more they refused to serve these three werewolf patrons that entered the establishment. They got fired as a result,” Ben sighing; “but it's what the owner of Grrrrrrr said after that really got to me.”
“What,” Frances looking concerned.
“That after the whole incident with the Seattle chapter of the Luna Brotherhood killing Alyssa Copper,” Ben looking nervous; “that all the other were communities are viewing werewolves as wild savages and are outright racist to most. Is that true?”
Samantha groans as she closes her eyes, shaking her head. After becoming mayor pro-tem; Samantha was privy to some of the reports the elder council sent her way in regards to outside incidents. Incidents that could possibly risk weres having to come out of the shadows; some of those reports have described in vivid detail how some were communities have outright banned werewolves and a few going so far as to attack them. While these incidents were from some of the more isolated communities and the culprits are known trouble makers; Samantha knew that there was friction with the Luna Brotherhood.
“Ben, Alex,” Samantha looking at the two werewolves; “after the incident with Alyssa, the Luna brotherhood lost a lot of trust with the were communities in regards to protection. Finding out that a chapter was actively hunting their own kind,” Samantha growling; “was a real body blow towards unity. Most of the hostility is from the smaller weres,” Samantha finishing her second slice of pizza; “were-rats, were-rabbits and so forth, due to the fact of their animal’s instinctive nature to be fearful of wolves and other predatory creatures.”
“Pay it no heed,” Frances speaking up; “here in Moon Lake, no such bigotry exists.”
“I wouldn’t claim that,” Samantha sighing; “none of you heard this from me, and it does not leave this table.” Samantha pausing; “a couple of were-rats jumped and savagely attacked Randolph’s mate. They wielded bats and clubs and savagely beat her to near death.”
“What,” Frances shouting; “when did this happen?”
“Last month,” Samantha shushing her life mate; “when the were-rats found out she was the werewolf rep’s mate after getting arrested by Sheriff Cooper; they nearly ended up shitting bricks in fear. Everyone knows how protective Randolph is of his family,” Samantha speaking; “Tachibana and the rest of the council had to physically restrain him to keep Randolph from ripping the were-rats’ throats out.”
“What happened afterwards,” Ben looking spooked.
“They were tried at the council,” Samantha speaks; “most likely sent to the same secret prison Julie Stovall is currently residing. I’m only saying this,” Samantha looking at the two werewolf lovers; “so you two can be extremely careful when out doing your nightly runs. I don’t want to find out that you were attacked by a group of fear mongering bigots.”
“I wonder if Austin knows,” Alex looking at Ben; “think we should tell him in case the pack gathering gets attacked?”
“What I told you regarding the attack,” Samantha growling; “does not leave this table, you don’t tell your pack leader or anyone else. Is that clear?”
A dread silence fell over the table as silently munched on the Canadian pizza Alex paid for supper. Despite Frances dislike of eating overly greasy foods, she was too mentally exhausted to make an argument. Instead Frances just grabbed a few slices of pepperoni with bacon and mushroom and quietly ate while Samantha told everyone of her announcement to run for mayor. Knowing that her life partner kept out some of the more stressful details; details pertaining who will be running against her; it was however a good bit of news to lift every one’s spirits a bit.
“Mom’s cancer is back,” Frances killing the mood at the table; “its pancreatic cancer. It’s why I couldn’t be at your press conference Samantha,” Frances breathing hard; “Dad is beside himself.”
“Is that why I saw you at Grrrrrrr,” Ben speaking before being interrupted.
“Joseph is a were-bloodhound,” Frances looking at Ben; “Angelica is a were-greyhound. You know my brothers were-dog fursona is based off of the Alaskan Malamute. We were at Grrrrrrr,” France feeling full from pizza; "because mom wanted to go to someplace expensive for lunch.”
“Grrrrrrr qualifies,” Samantha answering; “did your father start spouting off religious bullshit?”
“Dad was actually civil,” Frances sighing; “he didn’t even get upset when I told him of your announcement to run for mayor.”
“I guess with Angelica sick,” Samantha shaking her head; “he has no time to be his usual homophobic self.”
“Samantha,” Frances looking upset; “my dad is trying to reconnect with me, it does not help if you are baiting him into a fight every time you two cross paths.”
“How long does your mother have,” Ben trying to steer the conversation away from more bigotry and hate mongering.
“Six months,” Frances sighing; “but that’s not the worst of it. Marcus Huntington,” Frances growling at the name; “is treating mom.”
“That were-rat quack,” Samantha looking shocked; “how did he get involved.”
“I asked the same with dad when mom mentioned his name,” Frances grousing; “even he is not thrilled at the slimy doctor treating mom with some radical new therapy.”
“Who is here real doctor,” Samantha speaking; “who is Angelica’s Oncologist?”
“I don’t know if Tora Tachibana specializes in caner,” Frances sighs; “but he was the first to diagnose mom with the latest tumor.”
“Well since he is the head doctor at the hospital,” Samantha responding; “Marcus will be under a microscope in case he fucks up like last time.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” Frances sighing; “I don’t want to lose mom to cancer, or to him.”