With the windows rolled down on a hot summer day, it was easy for Leon Talbot to shout "Status?" as he pulled into his driveway, before his car even came to a complete stop.
"Perimeter's secured, and your loved ones are safe within your majesty," reported a guard as Leon parked and got out of his vehicle, a classic VW bug from the 60s that he was test driving before sending back to its owner after having done restoration work, including replacing the original air cooling system with a traditional water based radiator so the engine would last longer.
"However, the Queen has been asking for and about you," the guard added.
"I'll deal with her," Leon said with a sigh, looking at his house. "Maintain your posts."
A man's home was supposedly his castle, especially if one also happened to be the were-lion king of Moon Lake, but it sure didn't feel like it as Leon walked inside, to be greeted by the cold stare of his mate Regina.
"Is our son all right?" she asked, looking at her husband.
"As well as can be expected at the moment," replied Leon, drawing closer but waiting to see exactly what kind of mood she was in. "No one else has attempted to see Peter unauthorized. The hospital expects him to make a full recovery and believes he shall be discharged by Wednesday at the latest, and our son believes he has found his future mate within the were-rabbit doctor in charge of his recovery."
"What?" exclaimed his wife, not believing that last part at all.
Leon gave her a brief rundown of everything Peter had told him and he had seen for himself at the hospital today.
"Well, even if it really is Peter's heart and not his libido saying she is the one, I will still want to meet her before things get too serious between them," replied Regina.
"As is your right," agreed Leon.
"And how is your war going?" asked Regina coldly, staring at him once more.
"It is not my war," Leon replied as calmly as he could. "The Parkers started it when their son Daniel shot our Peter just because the man craved our son's car!" Then Leon managed to take a deep breath and calm down a bit before adding, "However, I have promised the Elders' Council via Tachibana no Akane that whatever happens, I or no were-lion shall be the instigator of future events. We shall only act in self defense."
"Knowing you as well as I do, you shall take the first opportunity available to attempt wiping these Parkers and their fellow mobsters off the face of the earth, in self defense."
"And why shouldn't I?" Leon asked in return, feeling his rage building again. "One of theirs almost killed our only son! Then another of their number attempted to enter his hospital room for reasons we are still unclear on, but the fact the man was armed speaks volumes in and of itself! But the most ironic thing in this whole mess is that while we find ourselves against normals once more, they are totally unaware that we are weres!"
"And let's keep it that way!" advised Regina in return.
Then she paused before adding, "I know you have responsibilities, not just to all werelions present but to the town of Moon Lake as well. Yet while you have done your best to guard and protect us, our needs have gone unanswered in the process!"
"How so?" Leon asked in return.
"Joan has Nate, and the two of them have been inseparable all day, even when they are not rutting. Yet whenever I ask about your status or try to send word to you, I get no response."
Leon quickly checked his phone and said, "I have received no word from or about you, neither in person or electronically."
"The best any of those guards outside could tell me was that you were still somewhere between here and the hospital," began Regina, letting her own rage out. "I worry about you as much as you worry about us! Since this madness began Friday night, I almost lost a son too, remember? The LAST thing I want to do is lose my husband as well!"
Leon Talbot looked at his wife. There was nothing he could say to undo the damage or pain she was feeling at that moment, so he hoped the simple gesture of hugging her would work.
Regina practically melted in his arms as she laid her weary head upon his equally weary shoulder. "I needed you," she said, trying to hold back her tears.
"And I needed you too," he replied, holding her closer. "I shall always need you, my love."
They were silent for a time. Just content to stand there holding each other.
Then, Leon broke the silence by saying, "When this is all over. Completely over, we'll go on a private vacation together. Just the 2 of us. It shall be like a second honeymoon. I promise."
Regina raised her head and looked directly at her husband. "Funny. Despite all the ups and downs in our lives, I didn't think our first honeymoon had even ended yet."
Leon looked at her and smiled before initiating a kiss.
One kiss led to another, and soon Leon picked up his mate and was starting to carry her to their bedroom when his cellphone rang.
"Dang it!" he cursed, reluctantly putting Regina down.
Not recognizing the number, Leon cautiously answered it and said, "Hello?"
"Dad?" began Peter, calling via the phone in his hospital room. "Something's wrong."
Those two words made his parents blood run cold as their son added, "My doctor... Helen's missing."