As Ethan entered the dining area of the sitting room, the sight that greeted him took him by surprise – a full plate of porridge and roasted chicken adorned the table. This was a departure from the usual fare of venison or pork that dominated the Duval household meals. His heart skipped a beat as realization dawned upon him – today was his birthday.
"How did I not remember that today is my birthday?" Ethan mused to himself, a mixture of astonishment and gratitude filling his thoughts. He took a seat at the bench facing the dining table, his gaze fixated on the sumptuous meal before him.
Just then, Marcus entered the room, his presence drawing Ethan's attention. "Huh, so today is your birthday?" Marcus remarked casually, his tone betraying a hint of surprise. Ethan nodded in affirmation, a small smile gracing his lips.
"Happy birthday," Marcus offered, a genuine warmth shining through his words. Ethan returned the smile, though he knew Marcus's forgetfulness or indifference toward birthdays was nothing new.
Moments later, Celeste and Isabella emerged from the kitchen, their faces illuminated with smiles as they extended their birthday wishes to Ethan. His heart swelled with happiness at their remembrance.
"You know I will never forget your birthday," Isabella remarked, her voice tinged with maternal affection. "You have grown up so fast, it's almost hard to believe you were a little crying baby sixteen years ago."
Celeste, with her characteristic charm, chimed in apologetically, "I am sorry I forgot. I promise, next year I will make it up to you." Ethan waved off her apology with a reassuring smile, grateful for the sentiment.
As Ethan began to savor his birthday meal of porridge and roasted chicken, he offered to share the delicious fare with his family seated at the table. However, as expected, his offer was met with polite declines. The aversion to chicken among the Duval family members remained unchanged, a peculiar quirk that Ethan had grown accustomed to over the years.
With each bite of the savory chicken and spoonful of warm porridge, Ethan felt a sense of contentment wash over him. Despite the absence of grand celebrations or extravagant gifts, the simple gesture of his family's recognition and well-wishes made his birthday truly special.
As Ethan finished his meal, his father arrived, casting him a look that Ethan couldn't quite decipher. There was an unsettling quality to it, a subtle tension that lingered in the air, but Ethan brushed it aside, unable to pinpoint its source.
Deciding to seek solace in the backyard, Ethan made his way outside to find Taran, his thoughts consumed by the strange sensations rippling through his body. As he walked, he couldn't ignore the peculiar sounds emanating from his joints, reminiscent of the unsettling noises Taran made earlier in the day.
Taran spotted Ethan's approach, his eyes widening in awe as he observed the shifting hues of Ethan's eyes, cycling from blue to green to fiery red. It was a sight that filled Taran with a sense of wonder, but also a profound realization – Ethan was no ordinary werewolf.
Ethan's body trembled as he leaned against a nearby tree, grappling with the overwhelming rush of sensations flooding his senses. Thoughts raced through his mind, swirling with questions and uncertainties. Was he poisoned? Were he and Taran more alike than he realized?
Reaching Taran's side, Ethan found himself struggling to articulate the turmoil coursing through him. "Are you okay?" Taran inquired, genuine concern etched into his features. Ethan hesitated before responding, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I...I think so. Something strange was happening to me. My body was shaking, and my bones were...cracking. I couldn't understand it."
Taran regarded Ethan with a mixture of sympathy and apprehension, knowing that the time for secrets was drawing near. "Perhaps it was something you ate," Taran suggested, though he knew the truth lay much deeper. Ethan recounted his meal, mentioning the roasted chicken and porridge he had for his birthday. Taran nodded, masking his inner turmoil with a casual demeanor. "There's always a first time for everything," he remarked, though his mind churned with the weight of unspoken truths.
For Ethan, the forced smile he wore masked a myriad of fears and uncertainties. Meanwhile, Taran found himself lost in memories of his own transformation, the haunting reminder of the danger lurking within. He vividly recalled the first time transformed and nearly killed his own mother, spared only by his father's timely intervention. The thought of Ethan facing a similar fate weighed heavily on Taran's conscience, prompting him to question the wisdom of withholding the inevitable truth from him.
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Marcus pushed his half-empty plate away, the remnants of his dinner forgotten as his thoughts consumed him. Darius lingered in his mind like a haunting enigma, simultaneously fascinating and terrifying. The memory of their encounters replayed in Marcus's thoughts, each moment etched with a sense of intrigue and apprehension. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease that accompanied Darius's cryptic words and mysterious actions.
Lost in contemplation, Marcus's reverie was shattered by a voice calling out from outside the cottage. "Marcus! Marcus! Come to your neighbor's house. Please come to me." The Farleys are their only neighbors close by and their house is empty since the family had retreated to their cabin nestled on the outskirts of town, a serene haven adjacent to the tranquil waters of Lake Taurenz, a cherished seasonal escape for the family during the warmth of summer.
The urgency in the voice jolted Marcus from his thoughts, and he emerged from his room to find Celeste and his father engaged in conversation,and his mother was singing in the kitchen all oblivious to the call that had pierced the silence.
As Marcus made his way towards the door, a sense of curiosity tugged at him. How was it that only he could hear Darius's voice amidst the bustling activity of the household? The mystery deepened as he pondered the significance of Darius's unexpected call.
Arriving at the Farley's house, Marcus found Darius visibly unsettled, a stark contrast to the composed facade he usually wore. "You've mind-controlled me here, haven't you?" Marcus confronted him, unable to suppress his growing unease. "There's no way only I could have heard your voice."
Darius, now fully visible, met Marcus's gaze with a knowing smile. "Or perhaps," he suggested, "we're more connected than you realize."
Marcus bristled at the implication, unwilling to accept the notion of such a profound connection to this endearing stranger. "Why are you here?" he demanded, his voice tinged with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity.
"I find myself in a bit of a bind," Darius admitted, his usual air of confidence faltering slightly. "And I must leave your quaint town behind."
The revelation sent a pang of disappointment through Marcus's chest, though he masked it with a facade of nonchalance. "Why are you leaving? And where are you going?" he inquired, attempting to conceal the depth of his concern.
Darius, ever perceptive, sensed the turmoil beneath Marcus's composed exterior. "Do you truly care, Marcus?" he questioned, his gaze piercing through Marcus's defenses. "Or are you merely asking out of politeness?"
Caught off guard by the directness of Darius's inquiry, Marcus struggled to find the right words. "I...I don't know," he admitted, his uncertainty laid bare. "But can't you just give me a straight answer for once? No riddles, no deflections."
Darius's lips curved into a wry smile at Marcus's frustration. "I apologize, Marcus, but I can't help but be cryptic, especially with you," he confessed, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes. "But hear me out. I want you by my side as I embark on this journey. There's a world of wonders waiting beyond Blackwood, and I want you to experience it with me."
Marcus's heart raced at the prospect of adventure, yet uncertainty gnawed at him. Blackwood had been his home for as long as he could remember, but lately, it felt like he was merely existing, trapped in a cycle of monotony. Perhaps, he thought to himself, it was time to embrace the unknown and discover what lay beyond the familiar confines of his hometown. So he agreed to follow him.