Jude's Night

The sunrays cutting through the forest awaken me. My knees sink into the rain-soaked soil as I kneel to stand. Peeking through the trees, I watch as the men in my family drive off in their SUVs. Once they're gone, I sprint towards my home.

Now, inside, I take a cold shower. My body is burning hot. Feeling my temperature drop causes me to release a sigh of relief. While the water flows off the back of my head and down my body, from fear, I start to tremble. Is everyone in my family still alive?

Sitting in bed nude, I call Mama. Excited, she answers, "Hey, baby. Are you okay?"

"I am well."

Hesitant, I continue, "Is everyone okay?"

"Yes. The door works great. You never entered our location."

"Well, let me rest. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Okay. Jude, we love you."

"You too."

Coming out of my daydream, I reflect. There hasn't been an alpha male werewolf in our lineage since 1677. My mama, her grandparents, and great-grandparents told stories of when the Knight family had werewolf protec