Bond of Fangs & Fur

Nia Grayson here, I reside in the Lycan Realm with both my fathers and two other siblings. My dad Xavier is on the Moon Goddess's council with my grandparents Grayson and Violet, aunt Amelia, and a bloodsucker former king named Damon. He is wed to my other aunt, Zuri. The wolves and bloodsuckers have had a peace treaty for as many years as I've been alive, nineteen years to be exact. Vampires still give me the heebie-jeebies even though I am half of one genetically.  I am what is referred to as a hybrid. In my case, I'm a Lycan, wolf vampire mix but apparently, there are hybrid crosses of other fanciful creatures like fairies, demons, merfolk, and whatnot. It's all mind-numbing to my senses. Oh and I drink blood, yummy. My siblings and I were all born from surrogate mothers. Each of us is from a different mother and a test subject of the moon Goddess that she performed using one of my father's sperm. I was the only child with jet-black hair and blue eyes opposite of my blonde-haired, yellow-eyed siblings. I was also the same height as my brother. He and I practiced sword fighting. Not practical in this day and age but a fun way to kick my brother's butt because I was exceptional at it.

My family got along fabulously and my brother Galen was a strong Lycan and possibly a future member of the Moon Goddess's council. He hung out most of the time with me and our cousin, Max. My sister and I have been paraded around for potential mates since birth by both our fathers who felt that we "must" for our future success (eye roll). My sister Inaria is a blonde-haired bombshell whereas I am more on the tomboyish side. I cleaned up well when I wasn't covered in cow manure or covered in soil. I worked outdoors, tending our garden and livestock as my sister dressed in flowing pristine dresses and lived a pampered lifestyle. I had heard from the other pack members that her mother was a high-ranking vampire who never lifted a finger. I believe that. My father Xavier told me I was like my grandmother and I nodded letting him know I was fine with that since she was the strongest female I knew in my short life. 

Tomorrow was the day of the annual full moon festival celebration. Today the entire Lycan Realm is preparing for the celebration and this year the vampire Elders will also be in attendance. My sister is currently getting her hair and makeup done along with her gown fitting as I helped Mabel at my grandparent's house load bagged blood we had received from Viktor, the vampire's blood supplier, into coolers to be taken down to the village. My brow was sweaty and I was certain that I smelled of body odor. 

"You better get your tiny butt back to your fathers and prepare. I don't believe that either of your fathers will approve of you not attending tomorrow," Mabel scolded and I wiped my hands on my jeans and huffed.

"Why should I bother? Inaria will get all the attention as I am the ugly duckling of my family," I replied and the old woman shook her head and said something to Heidi who was a brownie or hob that helped around my grandparent's house. The creature snorted and also shook her head causing my eyes to narrow at the pair.

"Perhaps I will don my sword and gut an Elder," I smirked and Mabel grunted telling me I will do no such thing. I waved goodbye to them both as I rushed down the mountain path to get my home chores for that day done before the celebration.

I watched the sunrise over the mountain to greet the new day as I skipped down the path toward home. I stopped to collect a few eggs for breakfast and quickly went inside before any of my family woke.

This morning as I prepared breakfast, my father Xavier came before me and handed me a long list of what needed to be done for the day due to the upcoming celebration.

"Take your brother with you. You both work well together," he said softly and I grunted.

"We are the only two that do the work," I mumbled sourly and Xavier looked at me with a frown.

"Your sister is a delicate flower and can not do manual labor, it would ruin her chances for a suitable mate," he said staunchly and I rolled my eyes over his description of Inaria. She was a spoiled prissy brat as far as I was concerned and hardly the golden child or great catch he made her out to be. I finished cooking and my brother Galen waltzed in sticking his tongue out at me. I handed him the list. His yellow eyes skimmed over it quickly.

"I have to head to Noah's place first then I will meet you in the field to bring in the cattle," he told me and pinched my side playfully. I glanced at him and grinned.

"Thank you, Galen. I'm glad you always have my back," I said softly to him and his arm snaked around my waist as his mouth neared my ear. 

"Always, Nia," he growled low and I pushed him away from me and told him to knock it off and stop being such a weirdo. 

"I smell awful, I don't know how you can stand it," I said regretfully and he chuckled.

"I think you smell like a hard worker," he teased with a grin and brushed his knuckles under my chin. Our fathers were watching us with odd glances and I waved at them asking if either of them wanted a cup of coffee. 

"I'd like a bag of blood, sis," Galen replied with a cocky smirk and I growled sternly that he was capable of getting his own. He pouted as he leaned down to grab one from the refrigerator he had opened. He handed one to me and I popped it in my mouth with a nod of thanks. The moon Goddess Selene appeared suddenly. She had a habit of transporting herself where ever she liked, startling whomever.  Selene looked at all of us with a condescending glare. She then narrowed in on Galen and me.

"Nia, I must speak with you. Xavier, I will need your ear afterward or vice-versa," she said sternly. 

"'Well I am going to the field, you are welcome to communicate with me there as I count the cattle," I mumbled bluntly and made my way outside. Selene didn't follow after me so I jumped the fence and made my way toward the herd in the distance. The Goddess appeared before me looking stressed.

"I spoke with your siblings first and now must inform you of some devastating information I've uncovered," she sighed. Inhaling deeply I ignored my duties to give her my full attention.