“We’ll talk here while your mother and Helen chat in the kitchen,” Leon speaking to his son Peter. The two in one of the restoration garages; currently occupied by a rusted out Rolls Royce Phantom in the beginning stages of restoration. Peter looking at the hulk that came from a competing restoration shop on the east coast. Said shop biting off more than they can chew, called up Talbot Restoration to take over the project. Peter running his paw over a dented wheel well, looks at his father as he toys with a wrench that was left carelessly on a nearby table.
“So what is it you wanted to talk about,” Peter speaking; his focus currently still on the classic car before him.
“Dreams mostly,” Leon sighing; “a bit of it having to do with the future.”
“Prophecy dreams,” Peter turning to look at his father; “you had one?”
“One for sure,” Leon tossing the wrench aside; “it predicted my death and I’d rather not go into detail with it. Suffice to say,” Leon holding up a hand to stop his son from speaking; “I had the good sense to heed it, when Frederick Parker made his move today.”
“Made his move,” Peter looking confused; “what do you mean?”
Leon pauses with a breath before explaining how Frederick Parker attacked the jail; attempting to break his son Daniel Parker out of jail. Peter growled upon hearing the name of the man that shot him Friday evening; all for his ’66 mustang that now lies in ruins. Snorting in mild amusement, when Leon mentioned how the sheriff had Daniel transferred out of town.
“In the trunk of a state trooper’s cruiser,” Peter shaking his head; “isn’t that a violation of rights or something?”
“Yeah,” Leon answering dismissively; “but its Daniel’s word against a state trooper and an FBI agent. Who is going to believe him?”
“Fair point,” Peter responding; “and now the shark is in jail?”
“No lawyer will get him off on trying to murder nearly the town’s entire police force,” Leon stating; “but that is not why I wanted to have a chat with you.”
“Then what is it,” Peter looking at his father.”
“Helen,” Leon looking at his son.
******
“Helen,” Regina looking at the small woman before her; turning her head slightly as the sound of Jean and Nate’s rutting could be heard through the walls.
“Whether you approve of me or not,” Helen staring at the were-lioness in front of her; “matters not. Peter and I,” Helen giving a laissez-faire look; “are mates.”
“It does matter,” Regina looking stone faced at the were-rabbit; “Peter is the prince of the were-lion pride. He is next in line to be the king,” Regina espousing; “you don’t realize how desirable he is to the single were-lionesses.”
“Peter has told me,” Helen rolling his eyes; “all they see of him as a stepping stone to being queen. That is why they fawn over your son,” Helen smirking; “they love his title and status, but not him. Me, I could care less of such titles. I already have on,” Helen looking serious; “and it’s Doctor.”
Regina eyes go wide upon hearing what Helen just said; the thought of her son nothing more than a tool for some ambitious were-lioness was not lost on her. It was the casual way in which it was brought up that floored the woman.
“You can look stunned all you want,” Helen observing Regina; “it is the truth. At least what Peter has confided in me,” Helen quickly adding.
“You said Peter made some vow to you last night,” Regina wanting to change the conversation; “that this vow is what effectively started a were-wedding between the two of you.”
“I wouldn’t say start,” Helen commenting; “but it was a big part of the… event.”
“You say event with some difficulty,” Regina speaking; “why is that?”
“Because I was taking the wrong were-birth control pills,” Helen sighing; “it put me in state in which I wasn’t in complete control.”
******
“Why didn’t you mention this to me sooner,” Peter looking at his father.
“I wasn’t sure what to make of it,” Leon shaking his head; “to be told by the same draconic man that kept you from dying, that the pride will look at you taking a were-rabbit for a mate as a sign of weakness…”
“Bullshit,” Peter growling; “they will see how strong I can be.”
“Not if I step down,” Leon stating sadly; “you would need to challenge me for leadership if you want to be king.”
“Assuming I want that title,” Peter grumbling; “and its responsibilities.”
“Heavy is the head that wears the crown” Leon speaking; “if it isn’t you, it will be one of my brothers or nephews. None have the temperament to lead, unlike you.”
“Your still assuming,” Peter speaking; “that Helen will not be accepted as an honorary member of the pride. Her being my mate and all.”
“It’s not a question of that,” Leon responding; “it’s accepting her as the queen.”
*******
“The dream I had last night,” Helen shivering; “of being hunted by a were-lioness and watching that were-lioness get killed by Peter. That was before he made his promise to me,” Helen looking at Regina; “after a brief struggle with him in the safe room, Peter made a really interesting comment that completely threw me off guard.”
“I’ll bite,” Regina listening to Helen talk; “what did Peter say to you last night.”
“That tiny pink nose at the end of your muzzle, is your best feature; I enjoy seeing it constantly twitch, “Helen repeating what Peter said; “I wasn’t expecting that from a large were-lion.”
Regina couldn’t help but laugh as she heard what Helen just said. Helen letting her continue to laugh before continuing what happened last night.
“It was then he started saying all the right things while,” Helen pausing; “getting very intimate with me. Without giving you a blow by blow what was said and… done,” Helen not wanting to get explicit; “it was than he made his promise to protect me.”
Before Regina could respond further; a load roar could be heard followed by a wolfish howl. Both sounds giving Helen a pang of fear; yet seeing Peter enter the kitchen made Helen feel less fearful.
“Jean and Nate are obviously here,” Peter sitting next to Helen at the kitchen table; “Don’t those two ever stop?”
“You could always ask them,” Leon looking at his wife Regina; “but don’t expect a civil answer from your sister Peter.”
“Leon,” Regina shaking her head; “leave them be. Now that we are together,” Regina looking at her son in his were-lion fursona; “perhaps it’s time to celebrate with a family feast.”