CHAPTER 2

A couple of minutes later, I was dressed and as I walked down the stairs, my nose was blessed by a savory aroma. Walking into the kitchen, my eyes were greeted by the sight of a delectable feast that almost made me cry.

My mom had somehow made a feast out of nothing. When I looked in the fridge, all I saw was a bunch of cold things in packages. I could make a decent sandwich but my mom had made French toast, egg, bacon, hash browns, and other stuff that I couldn’t even identify.

I walked over and kissed her on the cheek.

“Eat,” she said as she cleaned the pans she’d used.

“Don’t mind if I do,” I said as I grabbed a plate and heaped my plate with food. Nothing cures a hangover like a hearty meal and it didn’t get any heartier than this.

My mom turned around and looked at me with that same look. This time though there seemed to be worry mixed in.

“So,” I started as I stuffed my face, “where are we going?”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”

I rolled my eyes at her words but her dismissal of my question worried me. All morning, she’d been different. First, she tells me to invite my one-night stand to dinner, then she doesn’t do her usual sermon, then she makes me breakfast. Whatever she was planning, she sure was buttering me up well.

“Mom,” I said, mustering the most sincere look I could. “You haven’t poisoned me have you?”

“Logan!” She almost looked hurt but she knew I was joking. “Just finish up and meet me outside.”

I shoved the rest of the food into the fridge and tossed my dirty plate into the sink. I’d deal with that when I got back home.

As I locked my front door, my mind wandered to all the possibilities. Where could she be taking me? I imagined she could have been driving me to our town’s shaman for some sort of spiritual cleansing. Or maybe she was taking me to my father’s grave to tell me how he wouldn’t be proud of the man I was becoming. I wouldn’t put it past her honestly. I knew she cared deeply about me but she could get a bit intense when she was trying to prove a point.

I watched the buildings as they blew past. The motion made me a bit dizzy, I guess my hangover wasn’t completely gone. I had to roll the window down and close my eyes, letting the fresh air wash over me.

I had zoned out when I felt the car stop. We’d pulled into the parking lot of the pack house.

The pack house was a large apartment building where pack members could choose to live for the community. They loved living close to each other. To be fair, I got the appeal. There was a playground section for the children and a lounge area for adults.

Watching your kids play while you shared a glass of wine with your neighbors. I wondered how that must feel. It did seem like it would feel pretty nice. I guessed I would never know.

“You can come here on your own time if you want to appreciate the structure,” she’d walked to the entrance and was waiting for me to follow.

She vanished into the building and I followed. I still didn’t know why she brought me here but I guessed I was about to find out.

“Luna! Good morning” Maurice, the security guard said excitedly.

“Maurice. Good morning,” she replied. “Jess and the kids are well aren’t they?”

“Yes, Luna. And you’re looking as radiant as ever.”

“Oh Maurice, you better save that charm for Jess. Send them my regard.”

As we got in the elevator, I was baffled at how she was able to remember all these names. I could hardly remember a name after a couple of minutes but here she was remembering ‘Maurice’ and ‘Jess’.

Would I also have to go through all this? I’m pretty sure that wasn’t part of the job description.

“How do you do that? How do you remember all these people? You must meet like a million people a day.’

She stared blankly at me before saying, “Two. Two million people daily.” She was proud of her joke, that much was evident from the smug smile on her face.

Here she went again with her weird behavior. I can’t remember the last time she attempted a joke. It was creeping me out at this point.

“I don’t need to remember who they are if I interact with them every day. We are one pack. What kind of Luna would I be if I didn’t know them?”

She made a good point. I would probably have to be the same way when I took over.

We got off on the second floor where I was inundated with family paraphernalia. Everywhere I looked I was reminded of the beauty of the family unit. Thankfully it was midday so most adults were at work and the kids were in school.

There were still a couple of mothers carrying their babies around though.

“Hey Remi,” mom called to a woman watching her sleeping baby in a mobile crib so much love.

She gestured for us to be quiet with a finger over her lips and waved at us.

We walked further and stopped again, this time my mother waved at a woman who was cradling her sleeping baby. The baby looked so peaceful, swaddled in a powder blue blanket. She smiled at us and did her best to do a little wave back with as little movement as possible. It made me smile because I knew how troublesome a disturbed baby could be. But there were adorable for sure.

At this point, I was beginning to see a pattern here. I was anticipating the next chance encounter with another nursing mother when we stopped in front of an apartment and knocked on the door.

Finally, it felt like we were getting our mission started.

The door opened and behind it was the most punchable face known in all existence, my insufferable cousin Glenn.

I couldn’t believe she would do this to me. It was pretty clear what she was trying to do at this point; inundate me with the joys of familial habitation, but did she think my childhood bully was the right person to do that job?

“Luna, Logan. To what do I owe the pleasure,” he said with a stupid grin on his stupid face. “Oh, forgive my manners, come on in.” He led us into his living room which was a chaotic clutter of Lego blocks and action figures.

Back in the kitchen, I could hear the kids calling for their dad. I saw the way his face fell. I could tell he didn’t like his life

He started to clear a path for us so we could at least sit. “Excuse the mess. The little ones tend to play rough.”

The rowdy kids came running into the living room, screaming the whole way. Glenn tried to control them but he was evidently struggling. I almost felt sorry for him.

Mom stepped in and unsurprisingly she was able to quiet them down. She played with them, ignoring Glenn and me.

“So what brings you here?” He asked me.

I glanced at him, unsure whether I wanted to entertain a conversation with him. He was clearly socially starved so I knew the risks. “Well, she’s trying to get to consider settling down.”

“Have you found your mate yet?” Something about the way he asked made me think he meant it mockingly. I couldn’t be offended because I felt the whole notion was ludicrous.

“Nah.”

“Well, I hope you do. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. Meeting my forever gal, starting a family. It’s very rewarding.”

I scoffed at this.

He darted a look at me. “It is. I’m serious.”

“Sure buddy. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

He was starting to get aggravated and it brought a smile to my face. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He asked me, indignantly.

Mom started to sense what was going on and she shooed the kids into their room.

“You’re miserable. Have you looked in a mirror lately? Bags under your eyes, you dread the sound of your kids’ voices. Give up the act because no one’s buying it. Even your wife can’t stand to be around you.”

“Logan!” Mom yelled. “Glenn, I am so sorry.”

“Don’t apologize to him, He knows it’s true.”

He was seething at this point, staring me down with pure hatred. I smirked; he put me through worse as a kid.

“Get out,” mom yelled at me. I wanted to stay, get him to try something so I could beat his ass in his own home. “Now!”

I didn’t want to mess with mom though besides, it was enough satisfaction to bring Glenn’s bullshit to light. I left the apartment to find a small crowd gathered outside. Of course, they would latch onto any excitement they could in their mundane lives.

This would never be me.