Moon Phase 7

Wellesley looked confused. "But we're not -"

"We have some new Transmogrified werewolf arrivals," Alpha Blackwater was saying, Luciana looked pointedly at Wellesley now. He hoped she wasn't doing the equivalent of pretending she didn't recognize him .. should he pretend he didn't know her?

"Among them is Wellesley Guillotine formerly a human recently Transmogrified in the recent attack you saw broadcast. Apparently rescued by Nouveau Eclipse. The first to have such an honor joining our Community Pack," Alpha Blackwater announced calmly but towards the end seemed to be mocking Nouveau Eclipse helping someone. Lucifugus bristled as did Wellesley. Wellesley, because it was clear that Alpha Blackwater did not approve of Nouveau, oddly similar to how he didn't approve of Lucifugus.

Lucifugus bristled because he was suddenly unsure of his choice to have Wellesley here. 'But the Silva Community Pack would be a hassle to visit....'

At the mention of Nouveau Eclipse, almost all the wolves present turned to stare at him, except for Luciana and Lucifugus himself.

The result was that Wellesley looked uncomfortable and reflexively his more behind the person he was next to. He suddenly became aware of the number of people in the room. In an instant Wellesley wished that 'Alpha' Blackwater hadn't even brought it up. He blocked the view of his face using his left hand while his other, almost instinctively, grabbed the shoulder of Lucifugus.

"Shh calm down," Lucifugus advised as Wellesley recovered but didn't let go. He made sure to keep his tone as soft as possible, but Wellesley still felt that he was speaking over the Alpha announcing the name of the wolf primarily responsible for looking after the so-called new pups.

"You know, now that you're a werewolf you may want to try getting used to this." Lucifugus remarked grabbing his arm gently pulling him so he slightly stood more beside Lucifugus than behind him.

Wellesley inhaled deeply and looked at the ground. It was easier than feeling like he was at school all over again. Where all the eyes and attention was on him. Not in a way that he liked. 'But it was never in a way he liked..' Wellesley thought.

"The Community Pack has meetings like this all the time." Lucifugus stated and Wellesley snapped his head up to gape in horror.

" I'm usually not needed to be present though," he shrugged. Wellesley wanted to ask why, but Alpha Blackwater's next words called for attention.

"Luciana being my first child to be born an Alpha is accepting the role of the next Alpha in my place. As you know her coming of age ceremony is approaching and all hands that assist are deeply appreciated. The Lycan monarchy will be coming tomorrow in preparation as well. I expect all of you to be on your best behavior. Do not shame the Community Pack." As he said that sentence his gaze fell on the person next to Wellesley, Lucifugus. As did the gazes of everyone else's gaze. Wellesley regretted standing next to Lucifugus on account of all the eyes glaring at him.

Lucifugus smiled wryly "I'm sorry, I'm fatally allergic to pressuring expectations," he said calmly. At least he tried to sound apologetic, he wasn't sure Lucifugus was actually sorry though. Abruptly he sneezed and a few people, sans Wellesley, jumped backwards. The chains on Lucifugus rattled as if to emphasize the action.

"Oh that? I tried ascending just now... But everyone here knows I live to disappoint," he remarked in a devil may care tone.

The woman who looked similar to Luciana and terrified Wellesley. Her stern, icy gaze made it hard to pay attention and although every time he looked back she smiled -and he looked back embarrassingly often, he felt nervous around her.

As soon as Alpha Blackwater's announcement was over, not that Wellesley had been completely listening, she then rounded on Lucifugus: "You've stayed long enough, we'll have someone escort you to your room and you can enjoy your dinner there," she ordered.

Lucifugus stepped back, releasing Wellesley who until then forgot he was being held at all. "Of course," he said smoothly.

Wellesley stared after Lucifugus who looked back at him one last time, the look in his eyes saying "I warned you".

As he left the room, chains rattling faintly with every movement, Luciana approached him.

"I'll take on the duty of introducing you to our world and getting together beginner supplies for the new pups before handing you to the wolf who can take on the task of making sure you stay in line," Luciana remarked. He wanted to ask why Lucifugus her brother wasn't watching over him if she was so busy but realized that may not be the best thing to bring up. Lucifugus seemed to somehow be on bad terms with everyone else at the Community.

'Did they all know and were just pretending they didn't..?' he wondered.

"As a werewolf our job is to guide and protect. Be it this Community, Veritas City, our superior Lycan brethren or even the entire supernatural world from modest civilians. The Blackwater Community has happily seen to the care of many Transmogrified Werewolves. Believe me, Your presence is accepted. You are not the first," Luciana informed. Wellesley was stunned into silence. 'Well good to know I'm not alone he thought'.

"We're happy to add more to our ranks. Your arrival is a blessing from Selene. And.. as one of your friends I don't have to keep this secret from you anymore," Luciana said, then smiled sincerely.

Wellesley felt like something got stuck in his throat. Somehow that sentence seemed wrong.

'As one of your friends I don't have to keep this secret from you anymore.' he internally flinched. He hadn't actually realized that they were friends.

He was only ever called upon by Luciana when she wanted him to help one of her 'friends' with school work. That wasn't a problem of course but still he was pretty sure he was only useful as far as studying went.

'I thought I was just a Human encyclopedia.' he thought. 'Right, sorry. Werewolf encyclopedia.' he corrected.

Still he tried for a smile, did his best not to feel uncomfortable and tried to take part in the conversation.

"Oh you.. you felt bad about it?" He asked weakly.

"Of course! And if I'm being honest, I'm truly sorry for the way you were pulled into our.. well my world but I'm overjoyed that you are here," she stated as she resumed walking.

He blinked almost feeling bad for wanting to be angry she hadn't told. But really no one could have prepared for such an event.

It wasn't like her life was any of his business.

"You said that as a werewolf your job is to guide and protect." Wellesley started.

"Yes?" Luciana asked.

"So are you saying that the werewolves that protect city territories are... guard dogs?" Wellesley asked. Luciana stared at him. Her expression oddly neutral. Then it morphed into annoyance.

"You'd do well not to make any dog jokes newborn, not all of us are as calm about them. And none of us will help you if you say something and get burned for it," she remarked coldly.

"What? I'm not saying it is a bad thing! I think it's kinda cool!" Wellesley tried to defend.

"Now onto the Marketplace," she said as if they were on some tour he unknowingly joined. Her tone made it clear to drop the current topic lest he discover the result of his 'joke'.

She leisurely walked through a neighborhood market of sorts. Walking up to the first vendor she ordered five boxes of what she vaguely referred to as 'toys'.

"Freya normally looks after the Transmogrified ones -like yourself and makes the rules clear.It falls to the appointed guards and other members to watch over them and make sure they don't get into trouble or get injured." Luciana explained as she bought five box sets of...what he was sure were dog chew toys.

"Uh..." Wellesley looked uncomfortable with what he was seeing.

"Oh crucial for the first two or three transformations. One box for each of you," She said like it was something typical.

"New pups want to play before they even think about eating. They don't have a serious grasp on what will hurt them so it's easy to keep them in a set perimeter and keep them occupied."

He gawked at her, his cheeks slowly reddening.

"No one will judge you when you do it, trust me, so there's no need to feel embarrassed," she assured, carrying all five boxes in a bag large enough to hold six.

She went in a diagonal direction to another vendor stall and Wellesley caught the gaze of the vendor's sly grin.

"Good evening, I'll take six bottles of your Houndstooth," Luciana remarked.

"That'll be $144," he announced. Luciana raised her eyebrow.

"future-Alpha discount." The vendor grinned as he winked. " But seriously Luciana, At this rate I might have to make a new shipment before the weekend," the vendor smirked. Luciana held up a semi wide, four inch tall oval shaped bottle. It was filled with shimmery grey liquid similar to early grey tea.

"At least you're getting in the funds to make more. This bottle is extremely helpful and very important. It is also expensive for you so don't use it all at once," Luciana handed him the bottle with her free hand.

"What is it?" Wellesley asked.