After the trip, the three friends walked in silence, the weight of the night's revelations still heavy on their shoulders. Phelan's mind was racing. His thoughts were jumbled, unsure of what to feel or even how to process everything that had happened. He hadn't said much since yesterday. Tala and Timber had tried to talk to him, but he could tell they were holding back, unsure of how much to say.

Now, as they approached Phelan's family house, the knot in his stomach in tightened.

"What's going to happen now?" he wondered quietly, more to himself than anyone else.

Tala shot him a concerned glance, "we'll figure it out, Phelan. I promise that you're not alone in this. But... but there's something else you need to know. About your dad."

Phelan froze in his tracks, his heart pounding. "What about him?" He questioned, his voice raw, "what else could there be?"

Timber slowed to a stop beside him. "You've been kept in the dark about a lot, Phelan. You and Fallon both. But now it's time for you to know the truth."

The door to the house opened just then, and Summer stepped out, her smile fading when she saw the tense looks on their faces.

"You're back early," she said, her eyes scanning the three of them. She seemed to sense the heaviness in the air. "Come inside. We need to talk."

Once the three kids went inside, the atmosphere felt thick, as if the weight of the moment was pressing down on them. Fallon was sitting on the couch, his eyes flicking between his brother and the others.

Summer led them to the kitchen, where she leaned against the counter, looking down at her hands. "Boys, sit down," she said softly, her voice full of an unspoken sadness.

Fallon and Phelan did as she asked, sitting at the kitchen table. Phelan's mind was still swirling.

"Mom, what's going on?" Fallon asked. Summer hesitated for a moment, clearly weighing her words.

"There's a lot I haven't told you. A lot that's been kept from the two of you. But now, I can't keep the truth from you any longer," she started.

Fallon's heart skipped a beat. "The truth about what?" He asked, his voice quiet, almost afraid to hear the answer.

Summer took a deep breath, her hands gripping the edge of the counter as she gathered her thoughts. "Your father wasn't just a man, boys," she said, her voice trembling and she closed her eyes for a moment, as though she was remembering something painful. "He was a werewolf."

Phelan gripped the hem of his shirt. Fallon looked at their mother with wide eyes,"what... what do you mean? Dad was-" he couldn't even finish the sentence.

Summer nodded, her eyes glistening with tears. "He was a werewolf," she repeated, her voice heavy with sorrow, "I never wanted you to know. I thought I could protect you from it, keep you safe from that world. But now... you deserve to know the truth."

Phelan's breath caught in his throat, the reality of the words setting in. He'd heard it from Tala and Timber, but hearing his mother say it felt like a punch to the gut. His father, the man who had abandoned them, hadn't just disappeared- he'd left to protect them.

Fallon stared at their mother with wide eyes. His voice shook as he whispered, "wait... he really was a werewolf?"

Summer nodded, tears now slipping down her cheeks, "yes, Fallon. He was born into this world, just like you and Phelan."

Phelan's hands clenched into fists.

'Just like you and Phelan.' The weight of those words hit him harder than he'd expected. It was hard enough to accept that he was a werewolf, but hearing that Fallon was a werewolf as well made it feel real in a way that was impossible to ignore.

Fallon turned to him, his eyes searching Phelan's face for answers. "So... we're both... like Dad?" His voice was a mix of disbelief and fear. He looked back at Summer, "how could you not tell me? Why didn't you-"

"Because I didn't want this life for either of you," Summer's voice shook, "your father left because he thought he was protecting you. He knew what that life would bring, and he wanted to keep you safe from it. He loved you both. But I... I thought I could shelter you, that you'd never have to face it. And now..." "Now that Domino's shown up, there's no doubt the Leaders will find out," Timber sighed.

Phelan stood up abruptly, frustration bubbling up inside him. "So you kept us in the dark?" His voice was tight, his hands trembling. "You didn't think we deserved to know the truth!?"

Summer's expression faltered, guilt and sorrow clouding her eyes, "I never wanted to hurt you, Phelan. I was trying to protect you both, trying to keep you safe from the danger that comes with being part of this world."

Fallon's face was pale as he stared at their mother, "but why? Why would he leave us if he really cared? And why didn't you tell us the truth? I mean...how long have you known about this?"

Summer wiped her eyes, her voice soft but firm, "I knew about your father. I knew what he was and what he came from. But I didn't want to drag you into that world. I didn't want either of you to suffer because of it. I thought if I kept you away from it, you'd have a better life. A normal life."

Phelan's frustration flared up again, but this time, it was tinged with anger. "Normal? What's normal about keeping secrets? What's normal about keeping us locked in the dark, pretending like everything's fine?"

Summer lowered her head, "I... I know everything is changing before your eyes and I'm so sorry that I can't do anything to make it easier. But I want you both to know that I did everything out of love. I... I couldn't lose you like I lost your father."

An uneasy silence fell over the room. Timber rubbed the back of his neck.

"So... so what happens now?" Fallon asked quietly. "We take you to our world," Tala explained cautiously, "fortunately... we know how to get there."

She looked at Summer, "can... can you drive us?"

Summer nodded slightly before she grabbed the car keys and everyone went to the car. Luckily, it was big enough for the five of them to climb in. Summer puts the key in the ignition and she starts the car. Once the engine revs, Summer started driving.

Phelan leaned back against the seat, staring out the window sadly. He didn't know how long it would be until they got to their important destination, but he didn't want to focus on it right now. The long drive and the somewhat comfortable silence had lulled him to sleep.