Haven
As the light of the sun found its way through the glass-paned ceiling of Dark Moon Manor’s great hall, a group of a dozen fraternity boys gathered around the largest of tables.
Standing before a royal tufted armchair at the front of the table, Strix was dressed in a formal dress shirt and black slacks. His arms behind his back, he managed the slightest of grins as he welcomed the group.
“A quick announcement before we begin this morning,” he cleared his throat. “The Brothers Dark Moon have an eventful full moon evening ahead. Many of you will be representing the school tonight—and by association, this fraternity—in the much-anticipated football game against our biggest rival, Mystic Hollow University. Immediately following, members will be required to participate in Dr. Dark Moon’s moonlight procession, where we will honor the blood sacrifices demanded to resurrect the King of Wolves. Free pizza and light beverages will be served following the ceremony. You will find this agenda in your school email.”
By the time Strix finished speaking, all but one of those in attendance had found their assigned seat at the table.
“Sir?” Strix turned to face , who stood—a glass of orange juice already in hand—with a curious look upon his face before a seat with a table placard marked reserved. “Is this no longer my spot at the table?”
“Ah, yes. Thank you for the reminder, .” Strix stepped forward, putting a stern hand on ’s shoulder and guiding him to the front of the table. “How could I forget to introduce our two special guests for the morning? You know them well, and I am pleased to say they will be with us through tonight’s festivities.”
looked from the familiar faces of those seated—Dachre, Nik, Devon, Rolf, and the rest of his fraternity members—back to Strix, who maintained a cold, emotionless expression. “Gentlemen, please stand to welcome the Queen of Wolves herself, Dr. Luna Dark Moon, joined by our honored guest Pruitt Mondamin, the first of our kind.”
The entire room stood and applauded as Luna and Pruitt entered—a look of joy and gratitude on the doctor’s face, the First Werewolf’s expression solemn and cold.
“Oh, call me Luna, please. And enough with the clapping,” remarked Luna, a fake laugh of flattery rolling off of her lips. When the room obliged, her demeanor changed. “All right, just a little bit more, perhaps.”
surveyed the room as the ovation began again, briefly making eye contact with Pruitt. “Mr. Hemming, you’ll join me for breakfast this morning in the kitchen with the staff,” Strix spoke quietly into his ear as the others looked on.
“Please, breakfast is served,” Luna exclaimed, waiting as Strix pulled what was normally his chair out for her to sit in. “You boys will need all the strength we can get from you tonight.”
Pruitt took a seat at the remaining reserved spot, noticing his glass was missing.
“S-sorry, this belongs to you,” whispered, placing the cup in question down at Pruitt’s table arrangement. “Didn’t have so much as a sip. Promise.”
Pruitt eyed the contents of the glass suspiciously as those around him enjoyed bacon, eggs, ham, toast, and fruit. watched him with great anticipation, but his observations were cut short as Strix pulled him out of the room and into the adjoining kitchen quarters.