The next morning, Martha Anderson fed her husband and children a good breakfast before they went off to their respective schools.
If anyone noticed she was not fully awake, they never said anything.
Martha found herself unable to sleep after that weird dream she had, because she had a lot on her mind.
After all, only Nate was interested in becoming a were. Eric and her husband would still be themselves.
Right?
And she certainly wasn't interested in Samantha and her wife Frances in any romantic or sexual capacity, let alone the possibility of becoming a were herself.
Was she?
After cleaning up from breakfast, Martha took a brief nap to catch up on some of the sleep she missed from the night before.
The fact that she took off her night gown and bathrobe, and slept totally nude on top of the covers, stretched out in the morning sun shining through the windows like a cat was totally lost on her.
Waking up after twelve o'clock, Martha had a quick shower and then got on with her daily household chores.
As it approached 4, she knew the boys would be home from school soon, but was totally surprised when there was a knock on the front door.
Seeing who it was, her heart skipped a beat before Martha opened it to greet Samantha and Frances.
Samantha introduced Frances to Martha, since the women had only met via a phone call.
Martha couldn't help noticing that Frances was just as beautiful as Samantha, if not more so.
Then the reason for their visit was revealed.
"We'd just thought we'd pop by to tell you the great news," said Samantha, all excited.
"What news?" asked Martha.
"Ben asked Nate to become a werewolf and join his pack, and Nate accepted," revealed Frances.
"That's not exactly news, considering we all knew Nate was considering it and probably would do so," replied Martha, not sure how to take this new development.
"True," agreed Samantha, "but the official ceremony is next Saturday night in the forest behind our homes during the height of the full moon."
"Which would put it around 1 am," added Frances. "The boys are over at our house right now making arrangements for the event."
"Isn't that a little cliche, let alone a private matter between them?" asked Martha, confused.
"You haven't come to fully comprehend were society yet, have you?" asked Samantha in return.
"I guess not," admitted Martha.
"This is akin to high school graduation or a wedding," explained Frances. "A big event in the life of a were."
"It isn't exactly a major gala like either of those examples though," added Samantha. "What happens is that the families of inductees can attend the initial welcoming ceremony if they want to. Then you go on home while the pack goes off to a more private place and officially inducts Nate and whoever else might be joining that night. You'll see Nate again the next morning in time for breakfast, after he has his first howl."
But he won't be exactly the same Nate any more, silently thought Martha.
"And don't worry. All were groups make sure that their big events are held on weekends, holidays, or over summer vacation; so they don't interfere with school days," said Frances.
"So do my husband, other son, or myself actually have to do anything at this ceremony?" asked Martha.
"Other than being there and supportive of Nate's decision? No," answered Samantha.
"I'll admit it took some time to fully grasp all of this, but we are that," replied Martha.
"It's not like you'll have to rehearse a speech or throw a reception afterward," said Frances. "Ben was already a member of werewolf society when he came into our lives, so we never got to attend his ceremony."
"And Nate is of age," added Samantha.
"Yes. My children are certainly growing up," realized Martha, as she casually wiped a small tear from her eye.
"Listen, would you like to come over and join the boys in their discussion?" asked Frances. "We could have a cup of tea and a nice long chat together."