LOVE AMONGST HUMANS

“Girls! We’re running late!” Mrs. Campbell called out, her voice carrying over the afternoon air as she hurried toward the car. She popped the trunk open, balancing a large stack of neatly packed items before placing them inside with care.

Her husband, Mr. Campbell, leaned casually against the car, watching with an amused smile. “Are you planning to move into the library? This looks like enough stuff to last a month,” he teased, his eyes twinkling.

Mrs. Campbell shot him a playful look, wiping her brow. “Well, you know me. If we’re doing this, I’m not leaving anything to chance. I haven’t had enough time with the girls lately, and now that I do, I’m going all out.”

He chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief as he glanced at the overloaded trunk. “A night out in the library? How in the world did you get permission to do that?” His tone was a mix of surprise and admiration. After all, the Central Library was no ordinary place—it was one of the city's most treasured and ancient buildings, housing rare volumes that touched on not just worldly knowledge but also the mysterious realms beyond. The idea that his wife could get access for an entire night was no small feat.

Mrs. Campbell smirked, her eyes flashing with a hint of mischief as she stepped toward him. “I have my ways,” she said, her voice low and teasing.

He raised an eyebrow, a grin spreading across his face as he reached out and pulled her closer by the waist. “You sneaky little—” His sentence trailed off as he leaned in, clearly intending to kiss her.

“Ew! Dad, seriously? Not on the porch!” Piper, their eldest daughter, groaned as she passed between them, making a dramatic show of separating the two with her hands.

Mrs. Campbell laughed, pulling away but not before exchanging a look with her husband that said, ‘We’ll finish this later.’

The Campbell family was picture-perfect, a tight-knit unit full of energy and warmth. They had three daughters and one son, each unique in their own way. The eldest, Piper, at fifteen, already saw herself as a young adult—mature beyond her years, or so she liked to think. Next was Jeff, a twelve-year-old with big dreams of becoming a soccer star, always kicking a ball around the house and practicing his footwork. Emma came third, the ten-year-old drama queen who had a flair for theatrics, constantly pretending she was the star of some grand performance. And then there was Belle, the baby of the family, recently turned eight. She was undeniably the princess of the house, adored by everyone and never far from her mother’s side.

In many ways, they all looked so alike it was almost eerie—each one with the same shiny ginger hair that caught the sunlight and a matching set of bright blue eyes that sparkled with mischief or wonder, depending on the day. Yet despite their shared appearance, their personalities couldn’t have been more different. It was only their heights and the way they carried themselves that gave away their ages and roles in the family.

Mrs. Campbell had planned a girls' night out with her daughters, but the location was still a mystery. All her children loved reading, and she knew that bringing them to the Central Library—especially for an overnight stay—would be a delightful surprise. As she packed the essentials, she smiled to herself, already picturing the shock on their faces when they finally discovered where they were headed. She had thoughtfully packed their favorite snacks and cozy blankets to make sure they would be comfortable and content during the long night ahead. After a final check, she closed the trunk and glanced at her watch. It was almost six in the evening, and she needed to get to the library in time to retrieve the keys from the librarian on duty.

“Emma! Belle! Let’s go, we’re running late!” Mrs. Campbell called as she glanced back toward the house. She could hear shuffling inside, but only Emma appeared, stepping out in her usual over-the-top style.

“I’m hereee!” Emma announced, strutting toward the car like she was on a runway, a plastic crown perched proudly on her head. She moved with exaggerated elegance, lifting her chin and pretending to be royalty.

Piper, already seated in the front, rolled her eyes dramatically. “This isn’t some pageant, Emma. Take that weird crown off.”

Emma paused mid-strut, her gaze fixed on Piper, even though Piper stood taller. With all the seriousness she could muster, Emma declared, “I am the queen. I always wear my crown.” She turned on her heel with a flourish and sashayed to the backseat of the car, settling in with regal grace.

Mrs. Campbell watched the whole scene unfold, amusement dancing in her eyes as she shook her head and laughed.

A moment later, Belle bounded out of the house, running straight for the car. When she saw Piper already sitting in the coveted front seat, her face fell, and she immediately turned to her mother with wide eyes.

“Muuummmmm! I called the front seat! Piper’s sitting there!” Belle whined, tugging at Piper’s sleeve in an attempt to claim her spot.

Mrs. Campbell sighed softly, but there was a smile tugging at her lips. “Piper, your sister called dibs. Could you please move to the back seat today?”

Piper huffed but eventually relented. “Fine. Adults don’t argue with children,” she said with exaggerated dignity, casting a glance down at Belle.

From the backseat, Emma’s voice cut in with her usual flair. “Girl, you’re like... fifteeeennn.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Piper retorted, hopping out and moving to the back. She plopped down beside Emma, still wearing a smirk as she buckled her seatbelt.

Jeff appeared on the porch, watching with narrowed eyes as the car filled with his sisters, all chattering excitedly about their secret adventure. His arms crossed over his chest, and he let out a huff.

“Mum, I want to go to the secret location too!” Jeff declared, his voice a mix of frustration and longing. He wasn’t used to being left out.

Mrs. Campbell, already sensing the jealousy, stepped toward him with a soft smile. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. It’s a girls-only night.” She reached out, gently ruffling his hair. “We’ll plan something special for you another time, I promise.”

From behind her, Mr. Campbell piped up, trying to lighten the mood. “Hey, buddy. Don’t worry, we’ll have our own fun. Let the girls do their... ‘girl stuff.’ Am I right, Jeff?” He winked, attempting to sound cooler than he really was.

Jeff wasn’t impressed. He gave his dad a sidelong glance before muttering, “Dad, you’re boring. Don’t force it.” Without another word, he turned and stomped back into the house, clearly not in the mood for any consolation.

Mrs. Campbell chuckled softly as she watched him go. “Poor Jeff,” she said, feeling a twinge of guilt at leaving him behind.

“He’ll be fine,” Mr. Campbell assured her, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around her in a warm, reassuring hug. “You should get going, or you’ll be late. Drive safe, alright? I love you.”

“I love you too,” Mrs. Campbell replied, leaning into the embrace before pulling away reluctantly. After a quick peck on the lips, she headed toward the car, ready to start the girls' adventure. The girls chattered and guessed confidently about their secret location. They were of different opinions, but the one that stood out was Emma's.

“We are gracing Louis Vuitton’s runway!” Emma declared with a grand flourish, waving her hands in the air as though she were the star of a fashion show.

Mrs. Campbell, laughing quietly at Emma’s usual antics, shook her head in fond amusement. She finally slipped behind the wheel, her lips curving into a knowing smile. The secret of their destination remained tucked away for now, and the adventure was only just beginning.

They stopped for fast food on the way to the library, singing along to songs from the car stereo. When they finally arrived, the girls’ eyes lit up with excitement.

“I’m going to eat up all the books here!” Belle squealed, bouncing in her seat.

“History section, wait for me,” Piper said, rubbing her hands together in anticipation.

“Forget royalty. I’m sleeping in the fiction section,” Emma declared, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Hold your horses, girls. There’s something even more special waiting for you. This isn’t the main surprise,” Mrs. Campbell teased, smiling as she led them inside.

At the library, Mrs. Campbell collected the keys from Miss Karen, the librarian on duty.

“Make sure to keep the library safe,” Miss Karen said, handing over the keys.

“Will do,” Mrs. Campbell replied.

“Y’all have fun. Bye, girls!” Miss Karen waved as she headed out, though the girls were already too absorbed in the bookshelves to respond. Only Mrs. Campbell waved back with a chuckle.

“Okay, girls, soak yourselves in some books while I set things up. Just don’t make a mess,” Mrs. Campbell said.

“Yes, Mum!” they chorused. Piper had already lost herself in a history book while Belle and Emma wandered the aisles, searching for the perfect reads.

Two hours later, Mrs. Campbell had everything ready and called the girls over.

“Campbell girls, it’s time!” she announced excitedly.

“Finally! Jinx, you owe me a soda!” they all said in unison, bursting into laughter.

Mrs. Campbell led them through the shadowy corners of the library until they stood in front of a large, mysterious door.

“Is this a secret passage?” Piper asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

“Better. It’s an ancient secret library,” Mrs. Campbell said as she unlocked the door. It creaked open, revealing towering shelves lined with dusty, ancient books. The smell of old parchment and leather filled the air, mixed with the comforting scent of pie. A thick blanket lay spread across the floor, with soft, fluffy pillows scattered around it. Their favorite snacks and sodas were neatly arranged on one side, and glowing golden lamps cast a warm light over the cozy setup.

“Behold, girls—your surprise,” Mrs. Campbell said, watching as their jaws dropped in awe.

“This library dates back hundreds, maybe even thousands of years. It holds mysterious books, and tonight, I’m going to read one to you. Now, go ahead and settle in.”

The girls quickly sat down, still wide-eyed. Mrs. Campbell walked to one of the ancient shelves and carefully pulled out a spiral-bound, leather-covered book, its pages yellowed with age. She returned to her seat, and after they had eaten, she spoke.

“Alright, girls. We’re not just going to hear the story—we’re going to immerse ourselves in it. Do you know how?”

“Meditation!” Belle piped up.

“Exactly,” Mrs. Campbell said, nodding in approval.

They folded their legs and spread their arms, pressing their fingers together in meditation.

“Breathe in... breathe out,” Mrs. Campbell instructed softly. They repeated the breathing, their surroundings fading as they focused.

“Now close your eyes. Travel far back in time. Picture the ancient woods under a full moon. Imagine the world of the werewolves.”

“Are we visiting the werewolves?” Belle blurted out, disrupting the process.

“Shhh,” Piper hushed, one eye slightly open.

When Mrs. Campbell saw they were fully immersed again, she picked up the book and opened to the first page.

“No talking during the story, girls. This is going to be a long ride,” she said with a smile.

“Welcome, my girls, to a tale I call... Love Amongst Humans.”

Back in ancient times, when werewolves still roamed the earth, there was a small town nestled in a valley, surrounded by towering, thick trees. This town was known as Everwood, where humans lived peacefully. But deep within the dark, sprawling forests surrounding the town dwelled the Ziku clan—one of the most powerful werewolf clans in history.

The Ziku clan, led by their formidable leader Ziku, had long coexisted with the humans, abiding by strict rules. Ziku forbade most of his clan from entering the town, allowing only a few trusted individuals to venture near the humans. This peace was hard-earned, as rival clans hidden in the dense forests coveted the Ziku clan's power and sought to conquer them in hopes of gaining access to the humans.

But time and again, the Ziku clan emerged victorious from every battle, making them the most feared of all. Their reputation was bolstered by their warriors—fearless and dangerous. Among these warriors stood Ziku's daughter, G