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"Good morning,"Arthur saidloudly.

Itookone look at his hair and started tolaugh.

"What?"heasked.

"Your bed hair,"I said,pointing.

Vander turned to look,and snorted. “You look like your hairexploded.”

Alexis squealedwith laughter too as she jumped up and down on the bed. Jupiter went quiet again with the new addition to the room, and came to hide behind myleg.

"You look silly, uncle Arthur,"Alexissaid.

Arthur quickly ranhis hands through his hair, but it only made it worse. I laughed harder, and he groaned. "Ah, screw it. Vander, what the hell are you doinghome?"

"Irememberedhow much I missed it, yesterday. Hey, I thought you'd be happy to see your little brother. Loch's going to be here later, too, if you weren'taware."

"Iknew that,"Arthur said. "Sorry, I'll move Perry and Jupiter to Christophe'sroom."

"Nah,"Vander replied. "That's fine. We're not staying the night. Alexis, let's go and eat some breakfast. You can play with your new friend later. Nice to meet you, Perry," he said, and winked atme.

"Bye,"Alexis said, waving to Jupiter. Jupiter silently waved back, her eyes still wide as she gripped myleg.

"Sorry about that,"Arthur said. "I had no idea they'd be heretoday."

"Don't apologize,"I said. "I'm the oneintruding..."

"You're not,"he said. "So. You must be Jupiter." He crouched down to her height, and she hid herself further behind my leg, her ears flattening down and her tail droopingshyly.

"Jupiter,come on. This is Daddy'sfriend."

"Ilike your ears,"Arthur said. "And your tail. Very nice. I can do that too." He closed his eyes, and his ears pulled upwards to the top of his head, popping out as two, fur-covered wolf ears. He smiled and made them twitch, and Jupiter eased out a bit, her tail waggingcuriously.

"Can you shift anything else?"he asked, and she shook herhead.

"That's okay.You'll be able to soon. Are youhungry?"

She nodded.

"Good.Breakfast is ready downstairs, and afterwards you and Alexis can play together. How aboutthat?"

"Okay,"she saidquietly.

After Arthur washedup and fixed his hair, the three of us went downstairs to join his family in the dining room. In the light of day, the house seemed even more regal and impressive. Gigantic windows lit sprawling sitting rooms lined with towering bookshelves, antique furniture, and artwork. Contrasting the older, antique rooms were modern ones with clean design and cutting-edge style, obviously packed with impressive technology. It was apparent the house was very old, and had been updated and renovated over many decades. You could see family history lying in everycorner.

I'd been briefly introducedto his parents before when we were young, but my memory of them was thin. I was worried that they would be apprehensive about having me here, especially because they didn't know who I was, but I was quickly relieved of my fears. They both greeted Jupiter and me warmly, almost as if we were part of thefamily.

Arthur exchanged a look with me.I could read the question in his gaze—if it was appropriate for him to discuss my situation. I nodded tohim.

"Iofferedto take Perry and his daughter in because of the situation he's currently in," Arthursaid.

"And what situation is that?"Mr. Lunaasked.

"My husband,"I said. "Is not a faithful man. Nor is he a reliable father, or a kind one. My mother and father had arranged my marriage to him when I was very young, in order to strengthen our family position. I managed to hold on out of duty to my family, but once I had Jupiter... I couldn't stand having her raised in that environment, so I took her and left. I was hoping to find a way to sever the marriage, but my father isn't supportive, and I've come to realize that there isn't a way to do itanyway."

"Perry and I are in love,"Arthur announced, suddenly. I looked at him inshock.

"Well,I think we all knew that," Mrs. Lunasaid.