“We welcome you,” Frank’s real father said, welcoming him to the pack. He then embraced him in his claws, and his mother brushed his shoulder and rubbed his cheek, but he was afraid her claws would dig deep into his skin.

When they were done, Frank stood with his mother and father between the shrub trees. The pack was howling on the other side, and the crickets chirped louder than he had ever experienced before. An owl was also hooting in the tree, but all the prey was hidden from sight because they knew that predators had come to devour them.

They had all transformed into werewolves, and Frank could smell from the scents they secreted that they were was his parents. But at first, he couldn’t distinguish who was who. They were happy to be with him, and his mother kept rubbing his back and licking his ears. He had needed that when he was younger, and the void in his heart was finally filled.

“I just want to know why you left me in a stranger’s home,” Frank asked curiously.

“You were safe there,” his mother answered.

******

At home, Frank’s adopted father was restless. He had had a dream about Frank being taken away by a werewolf. He didn’t want to lose his son, so he kept strolling up and down searching for him. He put aside his fears and leaned over and looked for him in front of the trees. He was worried, but his instincts told him that Frank had found his family. ‘The yellow eyed creature is his father,’ he muttered under his breath. He kept searching for him in his room, and when he saw the moon shining up in the sky through the window, he panicked. He rushed into the bush, scanning the whole area. It was quiet, except for the chirping and the owl screeching, then he heard a loud hoot echo.

He wasn’t aware that some werewolf was following him, but he heard rustling leaves as he strolled by, then he leaned on a tree. He leaned down and panted, thinking that he was unsafe, and he stayed there until a werewolf stood in front of him on his two legs, growling. When he tried to run, he found that he was surrounded by a pack of werewolves. One of them had a backpack on, and he thought that the wolves were humans in disguise.

**********

“You’re the next leader, so we had to keep you safe,” Frank’s father said while rubbing his head. “And you must keep staying with that man until it’s your time to be crowned,” he continued.

Frank didn’t believe what he was hearing, until his adopted father walked in like a captive while the pack of werewolves shoved him in front.

“Please don’t harm him,” he begged his father. He then knelt down in front him with pleading eyes, and the pack of werewolves knelt down next to him. His father raised him up. His adopted father, on the other hand, was shaking and sweating, and even though he didn’t know what was happening, he recognized Frank’s voice, even when he was in his werewolf form.

“You can’t kneel to me, I ‘m just a mere being,” Frank’s stepfather said, then he knelt down for him instead.

The wolves howled as if they were praising their king. The horizon was getting bright because the sun was about to rise. When that happened, all the wolves transformed back to their human form, and they were naked. They quickly wore their clothes and gave Frank a coat. His adopted father closed his eyes when the light shone and they transformed.

“Frank, who are these people?” Frank’s adopted father asked while rubbing his eyes with his hand because he was puzzled.

“This are my family,” Frank replied, then looked at his father.

“Thank you for raising my son. We are not going to take him away from you, but we wanted him protected,” Frank’s father said, producing his hand and helping him to stand. He then shook his hand in admiration.

“Thank you sir,” Frank’s mother said, kissing Frank’s adopted father on his cheek.

The rest of the pack shook his hand with smiles on their faces. Frank’s adopted Father was still in shock, and he was trying to acclimate to the unusual horrific scene.

“You have to go now,” Frank’s father warned when they heard and felt danger. A loud echo sounded in the bush. “Please look after him. When the time comes, he will be crowned King. And Frank, don’t come into the bush, even when it’s full moon. Be safe,” he said, brushing his son’s elbow.

After Frank’s father spoke, the group disappeared into the bush, leaving Frank and his adoptive father, who had regained his strength and confidence. “Let’s go. But tell me what were you doing in the bush?” he said

***

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