I put down my pen and took a deep breath in relief. Finished. A giant smile fills my face as the academic advisor comes to take up my exams. After two days spent in the hospital, I had just finished the second half of my midterms (Ariana was as true to her word when it came to the teachers knowing what had happened and making sure that I had enough time to finish my midterms as did Matt). And now, I was finally finished writing two theory papers, taking a timed exam for Calculus, and doing an oral exam for Spanish II.

"What a day," I mumbled sotto-voce, nodding goodbye to the genial academic advisor before grabbing my belongings and trudging out of the office in search of a light lunch before heading back to the dorms to prepare for tonight's long-awaited dinner party with my family that was hosted by Matt's parents. Thankfully, the drag-queen witch coven and Ariana also intended to drop in and join us for moral support (I had learned that Ariana was the one to fully read my parents and Uncle Cameron for filth and gave them the ultimatum of either making things right or losing me altogether and risking her wrath).

"Thierry!"

Turning from the vending machine that I stopped by to grab a bottled water, I soon saw Jacerimiah and Landon walk in my direction. "Oh, hey," I greeted them, giving them hugs and handshakes. "What's up with you two?"

"Got back from our patrol duties and training with the other Beta warriors," Jacerimiah answered. "And we were just sent by Matt to escort you back to the dorms where Kylie and Crystal brought you lunch."

I nodded, already knowing that my mate had made sure that the girls would be on standby to make sure that my needs and whims were catered to, though I wasn't too keen on having a swelled head. That, and I still had my reservations about the two she-wolves who had nearly ended my wrath and almost ended up on the Most Wanted List of Rogue Supernaturals. But then again, Ariana and the others bound them to keep their promise to ensure my safety, so I should have nothing to worry about...for now.

We toddled out of the testing center building and into the partly-cloudy sunlight where other students were also savoring the last of the midterm rush before making plans for the weekend. I saw a few were-shifters in their animal forms taking a light nap. "So, Thierry," Jacerimiah began as we neared the dorms. "Tonight's the night when you're slated to have that inevitable dinner party with your family. I bet that's going to be nerve-wracking since they mainly gave you grief back in Texas."

"I call it suicide," Landon remarked as we passed the cross-country team (were-cheetahs) who were talking to their coach about fundraisers. "If anything, this sounds like a death trap waiting to happen."

"Well, I know that my sisters and Mi'Chelle won't be in attendance, given that they're still in holding for bringing weapons to Logan International," I replied. "But yeah, I am nervous about what might happen."

"But you know that you need to put all your cards on the table and set the record straight, right?" Jacerimiah asked as we arrived at my dormitory. "I mean, we all have some bad memories regarding the worst family members, and most kids these days usually end up dead without clearing the air. You're one of the lucky ones to finally place it all on the line, you know that?"

I nodded. "All the more reason to finally rip off the bandages and just settle the score once and for all," I replied.

"Well, just make sure that Ariana and her coven have their magic on standby should the event rise when your parents and uncle actually go sour on you," Landon replied. "I have a strong feeling that some heavy shit is about to go down tonight. You're one brave man, Thierry, to go through with this after all that you went through."

We reached the dorm room, where a light lunch of chicken Caesar wraps and kettle-cooked chips greeted me upon our arrival in the kitchen with Grandma Druscilla and Ariana talking eagerly. "Had a good run with finals?" the latter asked me.

I nodded. "Just went in and set my academic goals on paper," I replied. "I think I messed up on one question during Calculus, but everything else was smooth sailing. All that's left to do now is get through this dinner party."

"About that," Landon began, "I personally think that this is all a serious death trap and that the whole thing should be canceled immediately- or at least hold off until we got the Gruesome Threesome dealt with."

"Like hell," Ariana rebutted, narrowing her eyes at the Beta werewolf. "Thierry's parents and uncle were part of the factors that led to his turning point in life. As for those three harlots, I made sure that all the hunters kept them under lockdown in the prison and had constant surveillance on them. They won't let those girls escape if I could help it."

"It's still suicide," Landon insisted. "Something tells me that some heavy shit- sorry, Madame Fabatier- is about to go down and I think that it's going to be a turning point at the dinner table. If anything, this is going to be when the real mess hits the fan and-"

"Well, that's the chance I'm just going to have to take," I cut him off. "I told myself earlier that today was going to be the day when I finally own my greatness and shut everything down regarding the scars from my past. If I want to be able to move forward to the future, then it means being able to conquer my demons and confront those who have hurt me. And if there are any further objections, then tough turkeys and hard cheeses. I'm going through with this and that's the end of that."

The room was silent as I took my seat and ate my food.

"Damn," Jace whistled lowly as we saw Matt come out from his bedroom with a smile on his face. "Rosseaux-Yanez, you got one hell of a mate right here who's not afraid to handle himself. This is why everyone's insisting that he'll be ready to help lead your pack. You better hold on to your mate real tight, man. Other Alphas would duel to the death to walk in your shoes right now."

"Don't I know it," Matt replied dreamily. "This is why I love my mate- my LOVELY and DETERMINED mate."

I ducked my head sheepishly, Kristoff purring at the praise. This was what I needed to make sure that I would handle myself for tonight.

******************

"Ready for tonight?" Velvet asked me as she, the other witches, Landon, Jacerimiah, and I was soon heading to the headmaster's mansion (the main packhouse) for the long-awaited dinner party. "You had all of this afternoon to make sure that you're mentally and emotionally prepared for tonight's big meeting. How you're feeling right now?"

I opened my eyes, breaking away from my meditation stance to gaze into the plus-sized queen's eyes as the others were also looking at me with concern. "I've been dealing with a wave of emotions," I began, taking a deep breath to quiet the rattling nerves in my soul. "And while part of me wants to turn around and abort this mission; I know that there's no going back now. It's either I show up or shatter down to nothing. And I plan to show up big-time and face my demons."

"I still think that this is all a bad idea," Landon replied uneasily. "And I still can't comprehend why I have to come along."

"Uh, your current Luna and her family- your future Alpha included- insisted that you and Jace join us for moral support, fool," Aquilla shot back, patting the back of her French bun wig. "And we need y'all to be the muscle for the gang."

"Right," commented Sagittarina as we reached the two-story manor where Matt and his dad, both dressed in semi-formal wear, were waiting at the entrance. "All right, Thierry Lemieux. Your family's waiting for you inside, sans the Gruesome Threesome. You sure that you're ready for this moment?"

I took a deep breath, followed by another as I felt Kristoff's assurance hum from within me. "Grandma Druscilla once said that it's better to go through the war head-on than to cry and run home," I said firmly. "It's time to go through with this and set it all on fire. No looking back."

"Right on," Electrique cheered as the limo driver opened the passenger door so we could leave the car while taking care of our formal wear. "Let's go through with this."

"Hey, babe," Matt greeted me as he placed a kiss on my lips. "Your parents, uncle, and grandmother are already here as are your vampire friends."

My eyes went wide at the mention of Jose and Elisa. "Do they know about-" I began to ask.

"They do," Matt cut me off. "And let's just say that the Latina vampiress was ready to slash Kylie and Crystal's throats if it weren't for Jose reminding her that the Moon Goddess coming to visit you and revealing herself. She's one loyal broad."

I fought a smile, knowing that the Puerto Rican beauty can fight anyone who tried to harm me. "I'll be given an earful from her tonight," I replied. "Well, there's no use delaying the inevitable. Shall we head inside?"

"Let's," Matt agreed.

Time to head inside and embrace whatever happens.

****************

After some introductions, my entourage and I took our seats that faced my parents, Uncle Cameron, and Grandma Dru in the large living room while several servers brought over glasses of nonalcoholic cider and small charcuterie boards and set them on the coffee table. "Mom. Dad. Uncle Cameron. You three look amazing today," I commented.

"So do you," Mom replied, granting me a small smile as she took in my spring-themed Tom Ford tuxedo. "I want to go ahead and place it all on the line, young man, because it's been bugging me, your father, and your uncle since the confrontation."

"Ah, straight to the point, aren't we?" Jose said, his eyes flashing gold briefly. "Let me guess, you're ready to transfer him to military school and make him forget about Matt, right?"

"Peace, Munoz," scolded Ariana, sending my god-brother a small glare. "Let's hope that it won't come to that, especially after I told her and her male companions what would happen if she chose wrongly."

"There won't be any need for that," Dad replied uneasily. "And after we took in what was said at the hospital, my wife, brother-in-law, and I decided that we were due to eat lots and lots of crow after all the shit that we put Thierry through."

"Oh?" replied Summertyme as she took a small glass of cocktail shrimp for herself. "Do tell."

"We do, and we shall," Uncle Cameron replied. "Thierry, we did you wrong and yet thought your parents and I were looking out for your best interests. You gave us so much more than we asked of you and yet demanded more and more from you like we were money-hungry brats taking too much from the bank. We maxed out on your graces and patience so many times that it's amazing how you can keep calm around us while not planning our murders or your suicide- if not both. And as for your school life, we knew of your trials with your schoolyard bullies and how you made sure to keep silent to spare yourself more torture from those jocks and the teachers. And yet, we still made you feel like you never belonged in any status."

"Right," Mom agreed, nodding her head in assent. "The day when we learned about your near-death experience by your now-ladies-in-waiting, I tried to imagine myself walking a mile in your shoes- envisioning myself trying to keep my problems to myself and dealing with the abuse and bullying that came my way. One scenario led me to try to talk to someone but ended up making me look more like a bad guy and leading me to an early grave. And as each scenario played out in my mind on the plane ride over here, I concluded that you're the only person strong enough to deal with it all and not do something reckless. I thank God for my mother- your grandmother to pick up the slack where your father, uncle, and I failed in parenting you and showing you the facts of life. If we had shown enough love to you as we overly did with your sisters and Mi'Chelle, then you might've gone places and had a lot of opportunities that we've denied you back then."

It was then Dad's turn to speak. "It's no secret that you're now thriving here at Sammons Falls Academy and the town itself," he replied. "If we had sent you over here sooner, then things might have been more different- well, not really, since we might be in the same position with the incoming war and all that. Hell, if we were in different worlds, you might have been the golden child that we desperately needed to keep us all in line. We know that we can't change the past with what we've done, but we want time to be on our side with the present and the future. Can it be possible to start fresh with you? Can it be possible for things to finally be made right with us?"

I took a deep breath, taking in their words as Kristoff was doing the same. Could it be easy to learn to trust in the three people who pushed their daughters to nearly ruin my life and question my sanity?

They speak the truth, I heard Kristoff intone inside my head. They've nearly broken your spirit and yet you've come back stronger like a phoenix from the ashes. They want to start fresh, Thierry. Don't let your bias keep you from a fresh start. Forgive, yet never forget what became the driving force of your life.

Right.

I turned to my mate and his family, who only remained silent. I then found Ariana and the other queens, Aquilla herself brushing away a tear.

I knew what had to be done. "Stand up, the three of you," I said to my parents and uncle.

They did so as I did the same and approached them.

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

"That's for being shitty parents and a really-homophobic uncle!" I spat.

"We deserved that," Uncle Cameron winced.

And then...I wrapped them in a giant hug. "Now I forgive you," I replied. "Just remember to not break me down again."

"That's a promise we're willing to keep," Mom replied, fighting a sob.

"My coven and I will hold you three to that," Ariana warned, though she was dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "And we won't hesitate to jinx you if you do turn sour. We're going to magically bind you to the promise."

She snapped her fingers as my parents jolted slightly as if struck by lightning. "Damn," Dad whined. "That hurt like hell."

"We'll do worse if you break your promise," Velvet warned. "And if need be, a trip to the Seelie Court will make y'all dance to you drop...dead."

"No thanks," Uncle Cameron replied. "I have heart problems and I hate dancing."

We all laughed.

"Well, well," Grandma Dru said softly. "I guess it's my turn to place my cards on the table."

"How's that?" I wanted to know. "Grandma, are you all right?"

"I am, my grandchild," she said, her voice sounding more and more regal as she started to look more youthful as if she was turning back time. "In fact, I've been wanting to make this known to you for a long time."

A bright light filled the room, everyone shielded themselves from the light.

"What the hell?!" Summertyme exclaimed.

"Thierry, stay by my side!" I heard Dad order me.

The light suddenly faded but remained bright as my mouth dropped low in shock.

Right in front of us, in place of my maternal grandmother, was none other than...the Moon Goddess.

"Wait, is that who I think-" began Ariana, her smile growing wide. "Druscilla?!"

"Mom?!" Mom and Uncle Cameron shouted as Dad fainted.

"Holy hellfire," Matt breathed. "My mate's grandmother is actually-"

"That I am," She said, coming forward. "Thierry Lemieux, I am none other than your REAL mother, the one who has created you from my own hands and placed you into my human daughter's womb. I am Druscilla, the Moon Goddess and Mother of all the supernatural beings."

Well, looks like this dinner party is bound to be memorable! No one in school would believe this.

*********************

Mr. E's POV

"Good evening, sir," commented the perky female brunette as I accepted my belongings. "Welcome to Sammons Falls, Massachusetts. Are you here on business or vacation?"

I smiled widely. "I'm here to finally come home to be reunited with my long-awaited mate," I replied. "And before you ask, I prefer men, my dear."

She looked a bit crestfallen when I told her my sexuality, but seemed to get the message. "I see," she replied. "And I take it that you're here for the homecoming ceremonies at Sammons Falls Academy?"

"Of course," I replied as she led me to a nearby taxi service. "I'm actually transferring to the school after spending my time in Seattle."

"Very well," the greeter replied. "As a tradition, I need to know your name and whether or not you're supernatural so the other supernatural communities can be familiar with you."

Ah, time to make myself known, folks. "That I am. My name's Luciane. Luciane Moranox, the son of none other than..."

The greeter's eyes went wide as I snapped my fingers and let my whole body burst into flames. "Praise be," she breathed. "You're the son of Amalia, the goddess of wrath and the sister of the Moon Goddess."

"That's right," I grinned. "And now, I have two mates to claim- the future Alpha of the Sammons Falls werewolf pack and the Moon Goddess' own child, AKA Thierry Lemieux, and Matthieux Rosseaux-Yanez."

Fe-fi, fo-fum. Look out, Thierry and Matt, because here I come!

Well...that just happened!

1. Druscilla Fabatier is the Moon Goddess and Thierry's real mom! I might have dropped a few hints here and there.

2. We now know the identity of Thierry and Matthieux's mate! Meet Luciane Moranox, the son of Amalia, the goddess of the underworld and wrath!

3. Looks like we know that Therry's parents and uncle want to make things right, and everything is good.

Part two of the dinner party revelations is coming up in the next chapter!

Dedication: DonaldUzoka and LLMontez. Song: "Sandcastles" by Beyonce.

Vote.
Comment.
Share.
Follow.
Add.
FAN!