We arrive in front of the now somewhat familiar house. Unlike before, there aren't any wolves in the garden, but it’s also the middle of the week.
Selena or Liam must have warned Nora about our arrival because she opens the door right away with a large smile.
"Hi, everyone! Come in, I just made some fruit juice. Mara, would you like some?"
"Uh, yes, thanks."
As always, Nora is making me comfortable right away. I had seen their house briefly before, but now, I follow Liam inside a big living room. There's a big TV screen, but it's off, and instead, the children are playing on the carpet with the large brown wolf from before. Daniel actually walks up to him, and the two wolves greet each other before Daniel lies down with him, playing with the children.
It's funny to see such young kids so comfortable with those large wolves... The brown one wouldn't even pass for a family dog, more like some mix between a bear and a wolf. There's the young boy from before, sitting down and apparently reading a picture book, and the baby girl is lying against the brown wolf, making happy smiles at her older brother. Nora's children all have her black hair and blue eyes... little Will even has very curly black hair, but his skin is a little bit darker. If they take after their parents, they'll definitely grow to be handsome or beautiful.
"Hi, Will!" chuckles Liam, leaving me to go greet his nephew.
The little boy lifts his head toward him all curious, and I can't help but glance around.
"Your... husband isn't here?" I ask, a bit nervous.
Nora chuckles, bringing a tray from the kitchen with a large pitcher of fruit juice and some glasses.
"No, he's at work," she simply says while putting it all down on the coffee table.
"Thank Moon Goddess the girls are old enough to go to school," sighs Selena. "I thought Nate would never go back to work."
"Even your youngest?" I ask, confused.
"She's in kindergarten; Nate and I both work, and I'm busy with pack duties too. Otherwise, Nora or our friend takes care of her, but I wanted Aurora to be with other kids. Estelle had trouble adapting once she started school."
I guess it is pretty normal for a pack of werewolves to take care of the children together. I glance at Liam, already sitting on the carpet to play with Will and make faces at Lily. While the little boy seems shy, Lily is quite chatty and keeps making big smiles and moving her little fists around.
"Come on, let's take a seat," says Nora, going to the couch. "You have a lot to tell me."
I nod, but I don't know what Selena or Liam told her already.
I take a spot on the couch, sitting as close as I can to Liam. He's still playing with his nephew so I don't want to intrude. It's actually quite cute to see him act like a nice uncle...
With Liam's help, I succinctly explain everything that I have found out so far. From my relationship to the Witches’ Ancestral Tree, to the Jones Family, and that newfound bond between Mara and Clarissa. Nora and Selena remain quiet the entire time. While I talk, Liam actually moves and leans his back against my legs. Neither Nora or Selena say a thing, but I'm pretty sure they noticed it.
I finish by talking about the cemetery and the tombstone we found. Nora looks really surprised and Selena, who has been standing to the side with a frown on all along, glances her way.
"...What do you think? Is it possible?"
Nora stays quiet for a moment.
"I... I honestly thought Nephera's... unborn baby was Judah Black's child. I mean, from what she had said that time, it sounded like... there wasn't another possible father. She said he wanted the child for himself too. I had thought it was because he was the father, but..."
"Maybe he just wanted another witch," said Liam. "Our father was... a junkie for magic power. I mean, for power, in general. It doesn't surprise me he would have targeted a child..."
They all make bitter expressions, and I already had quite the impression that Liam's father was the worst kind of scum. However, I really don't want to dwell on that fact any longer. The one I am curious about is Nephera and her story.
"So... do you have an idea who Mara's father was?" I ask.
Selena and Nora exchange a glance once again, and Nora sighs, crossing her arms.
"I never thought of that possibility, but... it might have been Alcott Blue."
I frown, confused. Now, that's a new name.
"Alcott Blue?"
