The Chronicles: Green Night

Family Dinner

As he left Lys's office, the mansion echoed with shouts and commotion.

"Adam! You can't just waltz into someone's house when you're not living in it. Are you deaf or something?" Anna yelled as she chased after a highly amused Adam, who blatantly ignored her. Anna's face seethed with anger, but when she spotted me, she abandoned her mission to evict Adam and enveloped me in a warm hug.

"I heard you're staying with us. That's awesome. I hope you'll be happy with your new family," Anna congratulated me with a radiant smile. Her tone shifted when Adam joined us and greeted me.

"Hey Francis, how are you?"

"Hey, I'm doing really well. Everyone here has been so kind to me." Well, almost everyone.

Anna rolled her eyes and took my hand, leading me into the dining room, with Adam following closely.

"You, see? I told you you'd find your new coven." Adam chimed in. I turned to him, offering a smile as I walked with Anna.

"Yeah... I guess you were right." Hopefully.

Upon entering the dining room, I was greeted by the three friends I'd met earlier. They smiled warmly as we approached.

"Guys, this is Francis, our new coven member," Anna introduced me.

"Oh, Francis, you're in our coven now! That's awesome! I can already imagine us shopping together and joking about how silly Lucas and Rob are," Jessica exclaimed, hugging me with so much enthusiasm that I had trouble breathing. Oh my God. Is this how I'm going to meet my end? Strangled by an overly energetic girl? Help!

"I... I c-can't breathe," I gasped, attempting to say something. Jess immediately released me, apologizing.

"I see you guys have already met," Adam said, sounding surprised. The three of them simply laughed, looking at him.

"Yeah, though I'm not sure it was the best first encounter. I think we may have scared Francis, especially Jess," Lucas admitted, his voice trailing off at the end. Unfortunately for him, Jess overheard and smacked his head.

"Oh, I wouldn't expect anything less from you three. Don't worry, Francis; they're not always this crazy," Adam said with a big grin.

"How's your mischievous brother? Is he still in heat, wanting to pounce on anything with two legs?" I asked curiously, wondering how long this heat would last. Laughter filled the room as everyone began to snicker about my comment. Just as I thought that the awkwardness had passed, the door swung open once again, and this time, it was Suho who entered, along with Ailee and Eryk. Perfect timing.

"Hey, Suho, have you met Francis? He's our new coven member," Anna asked with a warm smile, ignoring Adam as he imitated her.

Sometimes I wonder if they're friends or if they genuinely dislike each other. To me, they just argue like two best friends.

"Yes, I have," Suho replied, his earlier smile immediately vanishing as he took the seat next to Lys. Eryk and Ailee eagerly rushed over to me, ready to smother me with affection.

"Yes! Francis can stay and play with us now!" Ailee exclaimed as Eryk nestled his head on my belly. I petted Eryk's head and glanced at Adam.

Aren't kids just the sweetest?

"So, does he still have his heat?" I asked once more, hoping no one else would enter the room this time. But, as I had jinxed it with my thoughts, the door opened once more, just as Adam was about to answer my question. This time it was Lys who entered the room. She smiled at us, and upon seeing Eryk attached to my side, her smile grew even broader.

"I assume you all now know that Francis will be a new member of our coven?" she inquired as she made her way to the end of the table and took a seat. Everyone nodded in response, all with smiles on their faces, except Suho. Lys looked at Adam for a moment and gestured for him to join us at the table.

"Adam, would you like to join us for dinner, if you don't mind?" She asked. Adam flashed a bright smile and agreed to stay and dine with us.

We all took our seats at the table, engaging in conversation while we waited for dinner to be served.

Thanks to my impeccable luck, I was seated between Suho and Adam. As Anna and Adam quarrelled over who could sit next to me, I observed their bickering with amusement, unaware that everyone else had already chosen their seats. Lys had intended for Suho to sit on her left side, and as Adam snatched the seat next to me, Anna grudgingly moved to the opposite side of the table, at least sitting across from me. I assumed my place, hoping I'd survive this dinner.

And now I was sandwiched in my own little personal hell. Adam playfully nudged me to provoke me, while Suho ignored my presence with his passive-aggressiveness.

"Would you like to explore the city tomorrow? I can show you all the important places, and we can eat out and shop. You know, you need some new clothes. I suspect you don't have much in your little bag," Adam suggested with a grin, poking me in the side.

I considered it; I did need new clothes, and it would be great to see more of the city. Plus, I love food!

"Wait! If you're taking Francis to the city tomorrow, I want to come too!" Anna declared right after Adam's suggestion.

"Count me in as well. It'll be fun to help pick out some clothes for him," Jess chimed in, her eyes gleaming with the prospect of using me as her personal dress-up doll.

"Why don't we all show Francis around the city? That way, we can learn more about him, and he can learn more about us," Robert proposed while holding Eryk on his lap.

Before I could respond, Suho chuckled to my right. I turned to him, and he looked at everyone but me.

"Don't forget, Francis will have to go through the initiation ceremony if he wants to be fully connected to our coven," he reminded the others, his voice dripping with annoyance.

They all gasped, realizing the implications of his statement. I glanced at Lys, who offered me a reassuring smile.

I hope their opinion of me doesn't change after the ceremony.

"Do we really have to do it tomorrow? Seriously, the poor guy needs clothes," Adam grumbled, looking put out.

I glanced at him and smiled. He understood my silent request and ceased complaining about my urgent need for food and clothing.

"As far as I'm concerned, I'm ready to go through the ceremony tomorrow if that's what you all want," I assured everyone. They looked at me, their faces filled with small smiles, nodding in agreement. Adam huffed but eventually relented, pouting after Lys gave her nod of approval.

"So, it's decided. Francis will undergo the initiation ceremony tomorrow," Lys declared proudly.