The Day Of The Tribe.

8.

8.

A blind man could sense the hostility once he walked into the Millers' living room. Claire was still incredibly furious with Kevin. Even saying his name made her want to punch a wall. It was only to be expected in a house full of young temperamental werewolves. Kevin made no effort to apologize for his choice of words the previous day. He didn't even show any remorse. Naylor was befuddled. He knew his siblings to squabble over silly issues but it never lasted over a day. He knew he had to be the mediator; the one to bring them back together but he was yet to figure out a way how. He was thinking about it when Claire emerged at the top of the staircase looking as glorious and beautiful as a queen. He smiled.

Claire wore a long black sequined dress that hugged her body until it reached her knees and spread out. The sleeves fell off her shoulders and draped all the way to the middle of her back. The dress had a sideways slit that was drawn from her knees to the ground. She had curled her hair for the night and tied it with a Bobby pin allowing one lock of hair to fall on her face. She looked stunning. She took careful steps down the stairs, without making eye contact with any of them. Kevin was looking at her, though.

"And who are you dressed for?", he asked her with a sly smile. As she smoothed out her dress, she gave him a look that could kill a demon. She ignored his childish comment and made her way for the door. He stepped boldly in front of her. Naylor sighed as he poured himself a shot of vodka. They were making things so difficult.

"You're not leaving without us", he informed her. Claire simply could not control her anger. She was completely fuming. After what he had done, he had the guts to tell her what to do. Her lenses began to change colour from green to bright amber. Another attribute of the werewolf gene was that their eyes became amber coloured whenever they displayed inhumane anger. Whenever that happened, it was swiftly followed by a show of fangs.

Kevin flinched a little but he did not move from his position. Naylor knew he had to step in before something awfully drastic happened. He stood in between them but facing Kevin.

"Kev, you need to apologize to Claire for what you said yesterday. She's already dealing with a lot and she just needs our support. Is that so much to ask from you?". It was as though Naylor had read Claire's mind. She was delighted in her big brother. Even though Kevin wouldn't apologize, at least most of her rage would subside. Kevin's eyes darted from Naylor to Claire, who was looking at him with a he-told-you look.

"If I apologize, will you quit this dumb tantrum", Kevin asked her.

"Probably", she said, speaking for the first time. Kevin looked at her skeptically before he obliged.

"I'm sorry I was rude", he said with a toothy grin. Claire lifted an eyebrow at him but she couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. They both fell into a forced hug. Naylor dropped his shot glass and made a very loud clap with his hands.

"Great! Now we can go to the damn ball!", he announced.

And they went to the ball, as a family. It was safe to say that Audrey had been right. The ball was massively grand. A raft of community men and women filtered into the town hall in domed ball gowns and expensive tuxes. The three of them stood before the entrance, Claire in the middle, Naylor on her left and Kevin on her right; a proper family trio.

"Where's Robin?", Claire asked no one in particular. Her eyes were fixed on what was ahead of her.

"She'll be here later. She was a bit... unprepared", he said. In truth, Kevin had just told Robin about the ball that morning, leaving her only eight hours to get prepared. Claire nodded.

"Let's do this", she urged. They stepped into the large hall simultaneously. Once they were fully in, everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at them. Why wouldn't they? The Millers were stunningly gorgeous, absolutely worthy of attention. Naylor and Kevin in their dapper black suits, Claire in her sexy, but elegant dress complemented the way she had them on each side. Aside from that, they were still new to town. This was their first self exhibition in their new home and it was a glorious one.