A matter of Necessity

The next morning, her parents, Marcus and Dahlia called to inform her that they would arrive this afternoon from their vacation. The warm sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the dust motes dancing in the air as she sat on the plush couch.  After stepping down from their positions and Orion's ascension to the throne, they had taken a well deserved break to relax and spend time together. They were now junior members of the National Elder Council though they had not resumed their roles after resigning as king and queen. Her grandparents had been senior elders there, and their generation had been the core members of the council.  As shifters, they enjoyed longevity. It had been 350 years since Orion assumed the mantle of the Lycan king, but due to their extended lifespans, time flowed differently for them. Their physical appearance aged at a slower rate, making 350 years equivalent to perhaps 30 years in human terms.  As she was lost in thought, the door swung open, and th