"Your mother was from the clan with the inheritance from the moon. The actual name is the Riverwood Clan. They are just on the other side of the lake." The man said gesturing behind him. Serena nodded, eager to hear more.
"My father and I would vacation here much like you and me. However, we would go hunting and fishing more than you and I did. A sort of bonding time that was only done here. Long story short, I wanted to surprise my father with some fish, so after dusk, I snuck out through the window and down to the lake.
"I still remember that night. It was bright out and the water was calm. The cicadas were so loud I doubt that even if I had made a loud noise, my father would not have noticed. I reached the shore and put the boat in the water. I paddled to the middle and cast my line. After half an hour or so, I heard some howling, but I paid little attention to it. I was there to surprise my father so that's all that mattered.
"I was beginning to dose off when I had a sharp tug on the line. I jumped up and started reeling it in with all I had. But a loud howl sounded from the shore by the cabin. I forgot all about the fish and thought only of my safety. How was I supposed to get back if the wolf blocked the way? When I turned to look at the shoreline, I saw a large wolf. Its gold eyes peered into the water straight at me—watching, curious of my intentions.
"Mesmerized, I went toward it, forgetting that I was in the boat, I flipped it and soon found myself in the cold water, struggling toward the shore. The wolf met me at the shoreline and nudged and sniffed me. It was trying to learn my scent and my intentions. I stayed perfectly still because I did not want to frighten it away. I no longer cared about my safety, rather, I wanted to learn all that I could about this mysterious beast. Eventually, another howl snapped the black wolf from its sniffing. It perked up its ears and ran off toward the forest on the other side of the lake.
"For the rest of the week, after dusk, I met the wolf at the beach. I talked to it about everything, and we became good friends. On the last night, the wolf I was to meet was not there, but rather a young girl, about the same age as me at the time. A werewolf she called herself and explained why she had to keep her secret from me. We met every night when I vacationed there from then on. Until I decided to ask her to marry me, you know that story."
Serena gaped at her father.
"You're telling me, that's when you knew about werewolves? When you were like what, ten?"
"Yes. But we had reasons to keep it from you. After that night in your bedroom, I thought for sure you had learned your mother's secret bu- "
"Wait, wait, wait. That was mom?"
The man cringed and replied, "Yes. I'm sorry we had to lie to you. She wanted it to be a secret… she felt that you would be afraid of her. But when she died, I knew you had to know the truth." The man stumbled toward his daughter and gripped her shoulders firmly. Peering deep into her amber eyes, he muttered, "That's why I asked you to come here with me for the weekend. I couldn't put it off anymore, looking for the right time to tell you. I needed to make the right time. You deserve to know the truth. You deserve the pelt and a piece of my family's history. When someone reaches the age of 21, they are required to pick one. Each pelt has a personality and pattern unlike the others, which compliments the wearers' personality and tastes."
"So, you're telling me, I have to pick one of these things and wear it? Why the fuck would I do and why are you telling me this now? You have had every opportunity." Serena exclaimed loudly, pointing disgustedly toward the chest and shrugging out of her father's grip.
"There is no need for you to be this angry, Serena. It's tradition, and I hope you pass it to your family too, one day."
"I can't believe you didn't tell me sooner. I'm a college student who's almost graduated. I've got a job, friends, and a career ahead of me. How am I supposed to manage this too! What else have you kept from me?"
The man bent his head and flexed his hands.
"Dad, what else have you not told me," Serena demanded, squaring her body.
"I hoped we would have that conversation later. After you had graduated and become officially part of the family."
"Excuse me, what? I'm not officially a part of this family? I'm your flesh and blood. How is that not official?"
"No, it is. It's just… not from my side. That's why your uncle treated you harshly sometimes." He had a different approach to parenting than your mother and I did, but that's okay."
Serena winced at the mention of her uncle.
"I don't even know what to say, Dad. You lied to me. You kept this from me. Why would you do that? Why would mom go along with this?"
"You weren't ready. Your mother agreed. If she were here, she would support me in this. She would support you in choosing a pelt." The man pulled Serena gently toward the chest.
Serena pulled her arm from her father's grip.
"But what if I don't want this?" She breathed out, the tire and frustration seeping into her face.
"Serena, Princess, why wouldn't you want this? It's a gift. A gift for us to use. Your mother used hers up to the day she died, and I will do the same."
"How did I not notice? How did she keep it from me all that time? I thought we were closer than that…" Serena murmured.
"She didn't want to keep it from you, you must understand. The less you knew the better. You were at a young age when she died, and she never fully had a chance to adjust to this world."
"I can't believe you didn't tell me. How did she die? I'm assuming you lied about that too."
"Serena… we're not talking about that right now."
"What?" She breathed out, dumbfounded. "It's been ten years. I deserve to know. Is that not also why you asked me to come here? So you didn't have to spend the anniversary alone?"
"No. That is not why, and you know it. You are just confused and angry right now. I don't want to add any more to it by telling you anything."
"Any more? That is for me to figure out, not you." Serena turned and bounded for the stairs. "I need some air."
"Serena! Come back here!" Her father called from the bottom of the stairs, but she was too far out to hear him. Out in the chilly summer night sky, running. Running away from her memories, lies, and father, toward the only place she found comfort-the beach.