LUNAR DECEPTION

h Loc

nd insistent, echoed from

, dear! It's tim

I couldn't ignore her call, not when she had such a commanding presenc

the creaky old staircase. At the foot of the stairs, my father sat in his a

" I mumbled, r

per aside. My father's fondness for nicknames was legendary in

n response. "Morning

hout from my mother, this one even more ear-piercing t

schievous glint in his eyes. "Ti

her fiery hair pulled back into a messy bun, wielding a wooden spoon l

e hell is Damien?" she scolded w

cheek. "Morning, Mom. What's got y

the usual chaos of trying to get this family

on his face. "Now, now, dear. You know I'm

we couldn't help but laugh. Despite his g

my mother's laughter. She had that mischievous twinkle in her

ther a wake-up call he won't soon forge

ose eyes widened in mock t

, Dad leaped out of the way, the chase was on. They darted around the kitchen, laugh

k and playfully swatted at my father's retreating form. We ran

alked into the kitchen, his tousled hair and sleepy grin revealing that he had just woken

eeted him as I took a s

t basket and took a leisurely bit

of habit," Dad re

and, sighed with exaggerate

l lau

is apple as he turned his attention to me. His eyes, the

nd graduation are coming up next w

much as it did others. "Yeah, they are. But honest

ilith, it's a milestone. You'll officially be an adult i

e, Damien. I've never been one for big

"Lilith, I know you're not one for gran

usiasm. "I appreciate that, Damien. I really do. But I thi

e placed a reassuring hand on

w I love running in my wolf form. Maybe I'll spend the day in the f

ilith. It's your day, after all. Y

chimed in with a soft smile. "He's right, Lili

mily. "Thanks, Mom, Dad, Damien.

akfast Mami?" I asked

said and advanced to the k