nding beside Ma on the staircase. Dad stood

time, dear," he said,

as already behind the wheel. The road stretc

breeze, ears perked, tail flicking behind me. Abigail was thrilled, running freely insi

" Dad called, his v

," I said with a sigh, shift

led with joy in my mind. Her tail swished exc

ine, fresh soil, and ancient magic. I inhaled de

n I say hi?" I asked, excitem

happy, dear," he sai

ed out at the familiar rooftops and trees. This was the place where I'd grown up. Dad, Mom,

after knocking on the door. A fam

. "It's been so long. Maxin and the others haven't

y?" I asked, curio

pause, she added, "Maxin's... not quite the sa

I came by," I s

ou at Mama Lupa's," Dad

res her. One night, under a full moon, she hosted a massive feast. Guests from every p

itation," Grandma announced. "It's

a wolf; her mother, a human. After he died when she was five, she was raised by human relatives in London, unaware of her wolf bl

d, dropping my box as

rned, muttering, "These kids

a beautiful young woman,"

a," I replied,

grumpy!" Mam

replied with

how much I disliked them. As expected, she gave me the usual wisdom about tolerance. But later, she leaned in

wolf, eyes fixed on the TV-his favorite channel. H

nickname he gave me. "How are

apa," I said, hu

ell is this guy playing?" Papa suddenly yelled at t

irs. Dad would spend the night, while I s

-

the gentle knock on my door. I ha

you?" Mama Lupa asked, sit

d softly, a smile

you been

ough those humans!" I g

Pa was human and he was... kind. Everyon

blah..." I interrupted, rolling my eye

she scolded playfull

ggled, rubbi

ave a long day ahead," she

-

reaked across the floorboards. Something

," Mama Lupa whispered later

in quotes-'The Devil's Daughter.' I tried enrolling her elsew

en. Her life is at stake her

-

the silence from the living room

gasped, turning shar