Families shame

A little more time had passed as the young heirs had each turned seven years old and they had all been dragged to a room which had many older minks inside as they wore large hats over their heads.

Pixel and the other children looked around and showed confusion on their faces as the room had no ceiling.

The area around the location of the room was cleared and without a ceiling, they were able to get a clearer view of the sky above.

The clouds in the sky blocked the clear sky but they were showing signs of movement as if they would clear out of the way once the sky was becoming darker.

The walls that surrounded everyone was very tall and spaced out so it could prevent those with excellent climbing or jumping abilities from escaping while the only entrance had a very thick door with heavy locks on.

On the walls were many chains which had been hung that had many different sized restraints for the arms and legs.

There was also some attachments that were used to place over the faces of those chain up which looked like a muzzle for an animal while others that were lying around were for the hands and feet.

The old family head Rufus had stepped in the middle of the room and said in a serious tone of voice. "You all should be aware of what is coming since you have all been informed and you have been taught about this but I have something important to add.."

Rufus continued after a moment as he collected his thoughts. "Some of you must think of me as overly strict and that I enforce far too many rules onto you. I push you all to be model citizens for the rest of our race and I expect much from you but so far you may have learned some reasons behind each rule or why we do things the way we do. One of the reasons why our family has these rules and is so strict is because of our past history and our bloodline in particular."

Pixel and the others had shown a look of curiosity while the elders in the room had showed a look of regret.

Rufus also showed a look of sadness. "Rules keep up in check and give us boundaries which should never be crossed so that it can protect ourselves and others around us. Without them we are just wild animals without any restraint like back then when we received our greatest shame and had fallen."

The elders had lowered their heads lower as they had recalled being told the same story as they were children while the many children had listened carefully.

Among the children were the direct line if the family and some of those that belonged to different branches of the family which still remained connected as a whole clan.

Rufus had continued to tell a story of a distant past. "Back in the past the clan was very large and had many responsibilities, it was heavily relied on and trusted by many as the families power had continued to grow. We took pride in our feline heritage and were proud of our achievements but we were unprepared for that night. On the night of a full moon, one of the members of the family had transformed into a Sulong and had lost control which had resulted in many deaths until they were finally restrained but the damage had already been done. We were unable to restrain them in time so they died along with those who had been killed because of the effects of the Sulong form. The family had lost many of their main force from that day and had spiralled downwards from then on. The family member that went berserk on the family was a lion type of feline Mink and they were unable to control themselves in their Sulong form. It is believed that those with more powerful bloodlines or more carnivorous animal bloodline type will have a much harder time maintaining their reason. Even some among you have a strong bloodline and will have difficulties maintaining your reason, it will be more difficult for you to master your Sulong form but you must practice and make your wild nature submit to you."

He took another breathe and asked. "Any questions?"

Pixel raised her hand and asked. "So you mean that we are raised this way so that we can stay in control and know how to restrain our wild instincts? If this is the case then is the family going to keep rejecting a part of ourselves just because of a shameful past? We may he part human but we are also part beast. Neither can be separated from each other so why would I want to deny it."

"How rude.."

"Silly child, you do not know anything!"

"You dare to talk back to the family head like this?"

Rufus looked towards her with a look of pity and sighed. "You will understand once you experience it for yourself. Though you may actually have an easier time than the others due to you being from the mouse bloodline. Now the time is approaching so make sure that they are restrained to prevent them and others from getting hurt."

He remembered when he had first transformed during his youth, his lynx form had been quite difficult to gain control over and it had taken a very long time and many transformations as he grew up to regain his rationality once more.

Over the years, it had been discovered after a lot of research that those with a more docile animal bloodlines would be faster to regain their rationality and gain control over their Sulong form while more carnivorous ones would find it difficult to master.

Some would still find it difficult to regain their rationality once transformed after they had reached an older age.

Those individuals would need certain emotional or memory triggers and even a special person that could help them to control their wild nature.

In the past, there was one case of a lion Mink who had been unable to control himself each time he transformed but with the help of a leopard Mink called Pedro being by his side and talking to him, he was able to regain his consciousness and control his wild nature.

Sometimes it can be a close family member, a friend or someone that they would respect that could be the most crucial piece to helping them regain control over their wild nature.

In a time when they had less understanding of the transformation, even a minor mistake during a full moon could lead to many deaths and it had cost the Meridian family greatly back then.

Many children from the ages of six and above had all been carefully restrained and many elders had stood by to prevent any injuries to the children.

During their transformation, they would try to attack others but they would also try to free themselves so there was a risk of them hurting themselves while trying to escape the restraints so the elders were an extra precaution.

The clouds had started clearing up and the sky had darkened.

The moon was slowly coming clearer as it had started to appear above their heads as the many children were staring upwards.

Rufus adjusted the hat on his head to block out the moonlight from his eyes. "It will begin soon."