164, A naked viking

164, A naked viking
Nash

We had been planning the big reveal for two weeks. It was a fine balancing act between being clear and direct enough for everyone to believe us, but at the same time, not shocking or scaring them. We had also talked about what we would do if we saw signs of someone taking the reveal badly. We had decided to only include the adults, then let the parents decide how to inform their children.

"How do you feel?" Tite asked as she walked up to me. I took a deep breath.

"Nervous," I confessed, as it was just the two of us in the backyard.

"Same here, but it will be okay," she told me. I wasn't sure I believed her, but it was nice hearing her tell me it would be. I put an arm around her and pulled her to my side.

"Thank you for telling me," I said.

"You are a fearless biker and I'm a witch and a werewolf. I'd like to see the man, woman or child that thinks they can go against us," she told me. I chuckled.

"Yeah, you are a badass," I agreed.

"We both are, which is why everything will be fine," she insisted. I nodded. People started to move into the backyard and we watched in silence as all the adult members gathered.

"Is that everyone?" Bones asked. Shadow, who had been keeping a tally, gave him a thumbs up. "Okay, listen up!" Bones called out.

"Are there more rule changes?" someone asked.

"No, and yes. Before we get to the point of this meeting, I'm going to remind you of all the shit we have been through the last year. That wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for all of us coming together and protecting and looking after each other," Bones told the crowd. There were agreeing murmurs and nodding heads.

"It's a fucking awesome club!" someone shouted.

"Even better since the old ladies became members!" Inc called out. There were more agreeing shouts.

"Good! Remember that." Bones said, stepping away from the centre of attention. "I will hand the word over to Nash and Tite." I took Tite's hand and we moved into the open spot where Bones had been.

"There's no easy way to tell you this, so we'll just go for it," Tite told everyone.

"There is a society that runs parallel to ours," I informed them. "That society is hidden from humans, but is as real as our own. It comprises magical creatures." I could hear doubtful comments; some were laughing, thinking it was a joke.

"We're telling you this because some of us walk in both societies, and we feel it isn't fair to hide it from you," Tite confessed.

"Is this a joke?" someone asked. Tite smiled.

"No, it's not a joke, it's the truth. Bo, would you be so kind?" she asked him. Bo nodded and walked up to where Tite and I were standing and started to take off his clothes.

"What the fuck!" several members exclaimed, some trying to shield the eyes of their old ladies. I couldn't blame them. Bo looked like a Norse god as he stripped.

"Nash, what the fuck!" someone cursed. Then Bo wasn't standing next to me. In his place was a large sand-coloured wolf. The backyard became instantly quiet.

"Do you believe us now?" Tite asked. I was on high alert. My gaze swept over the people in front of me, looking for signs of panic, of hatred, of an inability to accept what they saw. I knew the rest of the top-tiers were doing the same, as were the warriors. I didn't find it. I saw some struggling to comprehend what they saw, but not in a way that suggested they were against the idea; more that their world view needed to rearrange itself, and they needed a moment.

"I-is that a werewolf?" Ruby asked, pointing at Bo.

"It is," Lizzy said, walking up to her mate and placing a hand on his shoulder. Bo's tail started to wag as he looked at his mate. It made him look less like a fearsome werewolf and more like a happy puppy. Lizzy smiled and scratched him behind his ear. The scene seemed to make the club members feel more at ease. I could see most of them relaxing, and some even smiled.

"This is our new reality," I told everyone. "When you see Bo in this form, does that change what he has done for the club?" I asked. There was a moment of silence, long enough for my nerves to get frazzled.

"No," Mira said. "Bo stopped Sharp when he tried to insist I needed to share his bed. Afterwards, he didn't even want a reward; he just told me he did what was right. It was before he met Lizzy. No matter what he looks like, he is a good man," she continued.

"He's pulled his weight since he came here, even if he isn't a member," Rumble told us. The rest of the members murmured in agreement. Shadow walked up and stood next to Bo and Lizzy, and started to undress.

"What the fuck, Shadow! Not again," Ink called.

"Again?" Ruby asked. Shadow just smirked and shifted into his black panther form.

"He's an animal on top of everything?" someone called out, and laughter rippled through the crowd.

"Shadow is a werepanther," Tite said, trying not to laugh.

"How many different kinds of were-creatures are there?" Mira asked.

"More than I can count, and then there are other things like witches and vampires and spirits, basically every folk story you ever heard," Tite said. "I'm a hybrid. My father is a werewolf and my mother was a witch, so I'm both." She held up her hand, palm up, and summoned a fireball. Impressed comments came from around the club.

"I think this is enough for this evening. We have a lot to talk about, but we'll give you some time to digest this. The old ladies have prepared some food for us; there's beer and other things to drink. Anyone from the magical society will wear a pin with a witch's hat on tonight. Take your time and ask them questions," I told everyone.

"And you can always come to us with any question or concern," Tite added, pinning a badge to her t-shirt. The crowd stood frozen for a moment. Then Essme called out that dinner was served, and people started moving towards the tables laden with hotdogs, hamburgers, and side dishes. I put my arm around Tite, and Bones walked up to us with his arm around Hilda.

"That went better than expected," he said. I agreed.

"Let's see if things remain the same when we add alcohol into the mix," Tite pointed out. I hummed.

"I could always put truth serum in the beer, so we'll know what people think," Hilda offered.

"Thank you, but no thank you, Aunt," Tite said. "As long as the members behave, they're allowed to have any opinion they want. Let's give them some privacy."

"My creative witch," Bones said, and kissed Hilda. I smiled at my old friend. I liked how he looked when he was around Tite's aunt. He deserved some happiness.

"Are we going to get some food?" Tite asked.

"Hungry?" I asked.

"Starving. Being nervous makes me hungry," she confessed. I chuckled.

"Then it's best we feed you. A hangry witch is a danger to society," I teased her.

"You don't know how right you are, little crock," Hilda said with a laugh.