Nate and Ben walked up to the front door of the house. He couldn't help but feel nervous. He was now, finally so close to one of his deepest and most seemingly unattainable fantasies coming true. He just hoped he didn't make a fool of himself. He had been going over and over everything in his head. Even though it had only been a few days, time had passed by like molasses, feeling more like a month for this day to finally arrive. Ben knocked on the door and a few moments later, the door flew open, revealing a young man, no older than thirty with bushy, blonde hair and wearing a well worn t-shirt and a pair of jeans.
"Hey Ben!" announced the man, and then turning to Nate. "And you must be Nate. I've heard a lot about you. Come on in. I'm Austin."
Nate shook the man's hand and then walked into the house, following Ben. Austin then waved to Samantha and Frances, who were both waiting in the car in the driveway. Austin then led the two of them into the living room gesturing for them to have a seat on the couch. Nate took in the surroundings, noticing the place was nicely decorated, but it was clear there was a young kid in the house, with the toy box in the corner and the shelf by the tv full of Disney DVDs. Just like any other family in the country. Well, almost like it, thought Nate, correcting himself. Austin took a seat on the love seat, positioned by the couch.
"So, Nate, Ben here has told me a lot about you. I understand your family just moved here from Minnesota."
Nate nodded. "Yep, that's right."
"I'll bet it's been an adjustment, huh?"
"Indeed it has. But I have to say I am in, I am all in." Nate was started to feel more nervous.
"Well, that's good to hear. I just wanted to get a sense for who you are and how you might fit in with our pack." Austin leaned forward, doing his best to try and put Nate to rest.
"I'm a pretty easy going guy. I just enjoy hanging out with friends. I'm a bit of a cinephile. I'm not sure what else to say," replied Nate.
Austin nodded. "You seem like a real genuine, nice kid Nate and I'd love to have you as part of our pack."
Nate felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders. He was genuinely worried he was going to do something to botch this for himself. Austin began going over the plans for the ceremony that would take place later that night. There was a path behind Austin's house that led up into the woods and to the pack's meeting spot. It would be there that they would gather for the initiation ceremony. Austin briefly went over the specifics, that he would have a speech and whatnot. After that, any guests would leave and Nate would be officially initiated into the pack.
"Now, there are a couple ways we can do this depending on what you're comfortable with. Now Ben let me know about your orientation and we have a packmate, Alex, who we think would be a good match for you and I spoke with him he's willing to you know, help you out." Nate couldn't help but blush a little. Austin continued, "Or there is the old fashioned bite or scratching. Which we really don't do much anymore but we can make an exception."
"The first choice, the one with Alex, what would that be like?" asked Nate, wanting to weigh his options.
"Well, you and Alex would come together and..."
"Nate, basically it'd be the campfire scene from The Howling," replied Ben.
Nate paused for a moment and then turned to Austin, with a silly grin on his face. "Yes, I think we'll go with that."
"Excellent. The ceremony starts at eight, if that works for you."
Nate and Ben both nodded. "Yeah, eight would be great. Thanks."
"Great, I'll let you two get going then and I will see you both tonight. Oh, and Nate, bring an extra change of clothes."
Nate nodded. Yes, he would need to do that. All three stood up and followed Austin to the front door. Ben and Nate bid him goodbye. As Nate and Ben walked back to the waiting Samantha and Frances all Nate could think of was he couldn't wait for tonight.