2 Chapter 1
Both Packs and Clans were afraid of being hunted because big groupings of people were easy to find. As a result, all packs and clans lived in small groupings of no more than twenty people. They attempted to fit in with the humans while concealing their differences.
To stay alive, they kept it a secret. Their deception abilities were so good that they could conceal such a huge secret from everyone but a few trustworthy humans.
Humans served as emissaries, druids, or, in some circumstances, slaves, but this was a rare occurrence. These people kept the supernatural hidden no matter what their work title was. Some did it out of loyalty, while others did it because they were afraid of what the hunters would do if they knew.
The Werewolves and Phoenicians continued to keep the globe safe: after all, they were the Justifiers. There was a Phoenician clan and a Werewolf pack in every city, no matter how big or little, to keep the city and its residents safe from other supernatural perils unknown to them. They lived under the rules of alliances and treaties, which all had two rules:
Never divulge your identity to anyone: To humans, in particular.
At all costs, never assault humanity - keep the humans safe.
All of these wolves and phoenixes did their hardest to live the greatest lives they could. They gave it their all.
Gregory's mother wasn't a phoenix in the traditional sense. She was a druid of the human race, and a powerful one at that. She was able to keep the FireWing clan sane and safe as the red moon passed by, weakening them and driving them insane.
They were just twenty people, living in a mansion her husband, Plutonic, had purchased for the family. So twenty fire Phoenixes during the red moon shouldn't be too difficult for her. Any clan or pack could never have a better druid than her. She kept an eye on them all and looked after them as well as the leader's wife could.
She never complained.
Not even when Plutonic grew too preoccupied with his work to leave her in charge of the clan's affairs, including clan management. Not even when Plutonic became too preoccupied with his work to spend time with her, let alone with their son, Gregory. She refused to express her displeasure, even when he began staying up late or not returning home at all. Isn't he supposed to be working? On those lonely nights, she told herself. He was the clan's chief, and it was his responsibility to provide for them all!
"Why does Daddy work so hard, Mommy?" Gregory enquired during dinner one evening.
"So that he can purchase you those activity books you want with all of his money." Gregory's mother, Ninah, responded with a soft, phony smile. She was attempting to conceal her gloomy feelings in her heart.
"I'm missing him." With a petulant pout, he moaned. Ninah, too, was missing him. She despised the evenings when she went to bed alone and awoke to a chilly bed.
The absence of Plutonic's warmth had chilled the well of tears she had attempted to fight back these evenings. But what could she do? Complain? She couldn't do it; she couldn't. She was the leader's wife-mate, and it was her responsibility to stand strong for the clan and maintain it strong. As a result, she sought to push her melancholy sensations away in order to feel more comfortable.
"I don't require useless books! I desire... no, I require Daddy's presence! I've never see him around. Daddy should be by Mommy at all times! That way, I'll be able to spend time with Daddy as well ".. Gregory grumbled, his naive mind dismissing his mother's reasoning as implausible.
What was she going to say in response to that? She also saw him less. He was also needed by her and the rest of the tribe. They possessed enough wealth to endure many lifetimes and could also provide for future generations.
Their forefathers and mothers had struggled and toiled to ensure that their grandchildren were comfortable and had everything they wanted. Despite this, Plutonic continued to function. She didn't know why and didn't dare to inquire.
None of the ten adults in their tribe worked, not because they wanted Plutonic to be on his own, but because they all knew the wealth in their vault could keep them alive until they died and reincarnated. So no one knew why Plutonic went out and worked, and no one bothered to inquire. They simply assumed the worst and moved on with their lives.
This day was no different than any other.
"Grzegorz. Why don't you join in the fun? ".. Ninah politely inquired of her son, her grin previously sincere but now fake. Gregory unwillingly nodded, excused himself from the table, and went to his room to weep himself to sleep rather than play.
Everyone could hear his muffled sobbing and smell the sadness and loneliness flowing from him in waves, but no one said anything. They, too, excused themselves from the table and went to their rooms to escape the strangling stench of the ever-increasing grief and loneliness.
Everything was falling apart. The clan wasn't as tight as it had been in the past. They were becoming increasingly separated. They were all aware of it. They had all seen it coming, but what could they say when the leader was no longer at home?
They attempted to catch up on their lives as they had in the past, practicing their combat skills and flying together, but the sparkle of delight and sound of gladness that had once been present had vanished. That light had been there before, when Plutonic was present, long before his peculiar behavior began, but it wasn't there now.
They stopped attempting to restore the light and began to accept the situation as it was. They stopped pretending that Plutonic was present and accepted the harsh reality that the clan was no longer the same and that their leader was unaware of what was going on.
"You know, go to his office and bring him back to his senses." Ninah's best friend, Amina, spoke up after everyone else had departed. She stayed to assist Ninah with clearing the table and dishwashing. When Ninah heard that, she took a deep, trembling breath.
"You're missing him. Don't you agree? ".. Amina inquired.
"We're all doing it." Ninah stated categorically. Her mask concealed her apparent pain, but her best buddy was aware of it.
"Then go speak with him. Why is he even employed? ".. As she slid the cups into the sink, Amina inquired.
"To increase the amount of wealth in the vault." Ninah spoke in the same flat tone as before, her mask still on and her gaze fixed on her task.
"What is it for, exactly? Richard, my husband, does not work. I don't work, and neither do the other phoenix adults, and we're OK." Amina objected. "Are you certain he isn't concealing something?" She finally inquired, after giving her friend some thought.
Ninah, the look from her friend, sent her a message. How did Amina come up with the idea?
Is there something he is concealing? What may Plutonic be keeping hidden? He couldn't possibly be having an affair behind her back. Could he do it?
"That's all I'm saying. Ninah, you should investigate this thoroughly. I swear the clan is more important to him than his business." Amina remarked. "You need him," she stated firmly after a breath.
As they rinsed the dishes, Ninah took a big breath, unsure of what to say. After half the dishes had been cleared, Amina broke the comfortable yet strained stillness.
"Does he even realize there's a meeting with the Werewolf pack with whom we share the area next week?"
Of course, Ninah couldn't have forgotten. The Werewolf pack kept an eye on the city's northern and western areas, while the FireWing Clan kept an eye on the city's southern and eastern areas, (Lupi Alati).
They met with the werewolves once a month to keep each other informed on what was going on, whether there was a threat or not, and other matters. They were to meet this time to reaffirm their alliance, as was customary three times a year.
"Ninah, he didn't show up for the last meeting. If he doesn't come up again, the werewolves will be enraged." Amina gave a worried hiss. "If you don't remind Plutonic about that meeting, the werewolves will break their pact with us. We can't survive without allies, as you know! We're too little to manage the city on our own "..
"I'll put out my best." Ninah sighed, exhausted. She simply wanted to cuddle up next to her son Gregory and smother him with raspberries to console him. She would cuddle up with him once he was content. At the time, he was her only solace and brightest light.
"Don't even attempt! Make it happen. We're all counting on you to bring Plutonic back to reality! You are our most cherished hope! ".. Amina said that and walked away, unconcerned about whether they were finished with the dishes or not. Ninah inhaled deeply before sharply exhaling. Tears streamed down her cheek as she closed her eyes for a second.
Didn't they notice she was having trouble as well? She, too, missed her spouse, perhaps more than anybody else. She missed his presence, his voice, his smile, laughter, the scent of his cologne and aftershave, and the way he moved around with such vigor and grace. She missed him; the kisses, hugs, cuddles, and open affection... she missed it all, and suddenly it all seemed heavy; different, and she couldn't hold on any longer.
She let go of the towel she was holding with a quivering gasp and burst into loud, ugly cries. Wasn't she human, after all? She had sentiments, too, and pretending she didn't had them was exhausting. She wailed, unconcerned about whether or not everyone in the house could hear her.
She didn't give a damn if they could smell her feelings. All she knew was that this was the only way she could let go of the heavy, burdensome feeling she was experiencing in her heart.
