Ryder POV

    I can't believe I was zoned out for 15 minutes. It felt so real, and I wouldn't mind going back. But I really should leave the skate park so I can make it home on time. I get up and turn toward the bus stop, where I spot the early bus. I run to catch it, and the bus driver lets me on. 

    An hour later, I thank the driver and get off the bus. I take a deep breath and hike up the path that leads to our house. Somewhere in my mind, I know that something unexpected might happen, but I brush it off. 

    I reach the door and knock twice, only to hear the sound of giggling children. I open the door and step into the hallway, casually walking down the hallway. I enter the living room, just to be pounced on by two little wolf cubs. They lick my face, jump off my chest, and run around me in circles. I laugh and get back up.

    Both voices talk in unison. "Ryder, Ryder. Guess what we did."

    I watch as both of them go from wolf cubs to owls with wolf ears. They fly around the room and laugh hysterically. The twins land on each of my shoulders and hoot happily.

    "Lemme guess. You went to school to learn how to control your powers?" I ask rhetorically. They giggle and nod. I look them over and notice that they still have wolf ears and their opposite sun and moon beauty marks. Just as I am about to ask about it, our parents come out of the second living room.

    "Just in time. Ryder, come here. We have to talk." I nod and follow them to my dad's office. We sit down, and my dad clears his throat. "Your grandfather called today, and it is time that we explain who and what you are."

    I sit up straight, actually intrigued about the topic, but then it hits me. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold the phone. I just got home, and you are going to give me a lecture. First. Hello, Mother and Father. Second, how is Granddad? Third. I am listening."

    My mother waves at me, and my dad nods in my direction. "Your grandfather is doing just fine. Now, as I was saying. Ryder Akhil Williams, son of Viktor Taylor Xavier Williams Jr. and Sarah Scarlett Williams. Grandson of Viktor Taylor Xavier Williams Sr. and Mary Jennifer Williams. Your grandfather is a werewolf, your grandmother is a lycan, I am a werewolf, and your mother is a shifter. That would make you and your siblings shifting wolves, or so you would think." He pauses and waits for me to say something, but instead, I nod and wait for him to continue. "But for you, that is not the case." The door creaks open, and the twins walk in.

    "Hello, children. We are talking to your brother right now, so if you-" My father stops my mother. "They should hear this as well, so they know the truth." My mom nods and sighs. The twins shuffle into the room and plop down on either side of me. "As I was saying, I have been wanting to tell you for a while, but I needed to know you were ready. And I need every one of you sworn to secrecy. Is that understood?" We nod and lean in closely. "Swear on your clan. If you break the promise, you will be automatically banned from the pack." The twins' eyes widen in fright for a moment because swearing on your pack means that the situation is serious, but they still look at me and grin widely.

    All of us look the Alpha before us in the eye. "We swear on our clan, on our pack as the children of the Alpha. To follow any and all directions given to us by him. We are sworn into secrecy. Until further notice is given, we will stand firm on our vow and never break the silence." He softly smiles as he acknowledges our vow.

    "Very well. Now, listen. I bet you have all heard of the #1 leading company's announcement to reveal its name and CEO. I have gotten permission from your grandfather to tell you early." We look at each other, then our parents, and raise a quizzical eyebrow. "The truth is that your grandfather was the CEO of the #1 company, and the name is Williams International. Our ancestors were a great pack. They were the first to come in contact with the angel. They soon had a war with the neighboring island of Renwick, and even with help from Espen, only a few survivors were left. The wolves, over time, spread out and developed different characteristics to help them prosper. That is how we got lycans, werewolves, pterolycus, inu, and hellhounds. Demon wolves are the trapped spirits of any of these five groups who have yet to be guided safely to Death's Door. All of these variations are quite common, except for pterolycus, which is said to have either mysteriously vanished or gone extinct."

    I shake my head. "I just saw one before I came home. He had black and red fur, blue eyes, and wings dipped in gold. He talked with me for what seemed like forever, but it was only fifteen minutes."

    My dad looked shocked. "Y-you saw Garien? And he took you to the Sanctuary? Did you pass the test? Did you prove worthy enough?"

    Now it was my turn to look shocked. "Gary did not say anything about a test or mention being worthy." He looked at me like he was relieved that this "test" hadn't come. "Ryder, do you remember the stories I used to tell you when you were little?" I shake my head and give him a questioning look. The twins get restless. "We wanna know! Tell us, please." He chuckles and pulls a book out of his desk drawer.