Before lunch period, Allison and Jacob had the same class, and she sat next to him.
She glanced at him and asked. "Jay, can I ask you something?"
Jacob nodded. "Sure."
"Can you tell me why that man-bear attacked my family yesterday? You said he was targeting Kate. Do you know why?"
Jacob sighed. "Oh, it's about that... Didn't we agree that you'd give me a few days before we talk about it?"
Allison looked frustrated. "Yes, but I know my parents and Kate know something, and they won't tell me. So please, can you at least tell me something? Please?"
Jacob leaned back in his chair. "Look, if you're worried about your family, don't be. That idiot won't attack them again... at least not for a while."
Allison gasped. "How can I not worry when you say he's not going to attack them but just for a while?"
"Your family isn't as defenseless as you think." Jacob said calmly. "They can protect themselves."
"Wait... are they like you?" She asked. "Do they have powers too?"
Jacob shook his head. "No, they're normal humans. But they have weapons. Now stop asking questions. I'll tell you everything on Saturday."
Allison frowned. "Okay… but just one last question, please."
Jacob chuckled. "I'm listening."
"Do my parents know what that man-bear really is? Do they know about the supernatural?"
"Yes." Jacob said. "They know."
"Then why didn't they tell me?"
"They're probably trying to protect you." He replied. "The supernatural side of the world is very cruel and bloody, Allison."
"I'm not a scared little girl." She said firmly. "I can handle the truth."
Jacob looked into her eyes. "Once you know certain things, there's no going back to a normal life. I think your parents just want you to hold onto that normalcy as long as possible."
Allison gave him a small smile. "But you're going to tell me, though. Aren't you afraid of ruining my life?"
Jacob smiled back. "No. I'm more afraid of having a life without you. So I need to tell you what I am and about my world—before someone else does and fills your head with lies about the supernatural and makes you hate me."
Allison gently took his hand. "I'll never hate you."
Jacob squeezed her hand. "I hope so."
---
After school, Jacob, Allison, and Lydia met in front of the school gate.
Allison said. "Alright, guys, I'll see you tomorrow. My mom won't let me out at night after what happened yesterday."
Lydia smirked. "Bye. We'll miss you."
Allison snorted, then hugged Jacob. As she leaned in close, she whispered in his ear. "I don't know if I'll be with you when you tell me your secret or not. I haven't made up my mind yet. But I know one thing—whatever you do, don't you dare sleep with Lydia. I knew you first, and we're both virgins. So if I decide to be with you, I want to be your first woman. That's my condition."
Jacob whispered back. "Alright. I won't have sex with Lydia before you. I promise."
Allison playfully pinched his side. "You better not, you pervert."
She let go, and just then, Kate arrived in her car to pick her up. Allison hopped in and waved goodbye as they drove off.
Once she was gone, Lydia turned to Jacob. "So, what did she tell you?"
"She told me she'll miss me." Jacob said casually. "Now, are you heading home or hanging out with me today?"
Lydia didn't ask further about what Allison said and smiled. "I'm all yours today."
Jacob grinned. "So, what's the plan?"
"How about we rent a movie and watch it at your place?" She suggested.
"Sounds good."
"Great! Then let's go." She said. "But what about the cars?"
Jacob looked at the parking lot. "Well, we can't leave them here. You drive yours, I'll drive mine. And by the way, lead the way to the video store—I have no idea where it is."
Lydia smirked. "Alright then. Follow me."
---
After driving for a few minutes, Lydia arrived at the video store first. She went inside while Jacob parked his car, then followed her in.
But the moment Jacob stepped into the store, he smelled blood. Panic surged through him—he thought something had happened to Lydia. He rushed through the aisles, searching for her, only to find her safe and sound, casually humming a tune while browsing for a movie.
Jacob's thoughts raced. 'Damn it. Tonight's the night Peter attacked the owner of the video store. I thought we wouldn't run into him. Of course, my luck sucks. I can hear him... he's still here.'
He quickly grabbed Lydia's hand and whispered urgently. "We need to leave. Right now."
Lydia blinked. "What? We haven't even picked a movie yet."
"Forget the movie." Jacob said, glancing toward the back of the store. "We need to go. Now."
"Why? What's going on?"
"I'll tell you later." Jacob said, already pulling her toward the exit.
"Jay… you're scaring me."
Then Jacob heard footsteps—and growling.
"Damn it. He's coming." Jacob muttered.
Lydia, alarmed, asked. "Who's coming?! Jay?"
A low, menacing growl echoed through the store.
Lydia froze. "What… what was that?"
Jacob stepped protectively in front of her. "Stay behind me."
Then Peter appeared—fully transformed in his monstrous werewolf form, stalking toward them on all fours. His glowing eyes locked onto them with predatory intent.
Lydia gripped Jacob's hand tightly, eyes wide with fear. "W-What is that thing?!"
"Don't be scared." Jacob said calmly. "I'm here."
He turned to Peter. "This isn't the place for a fight. You should leave."
Peter crept closer and rose to stand on two legs, towering over them. His voice was low and growling. "You're not so brave now, you little shit. Are you worried about your little girlfriend?"
Lydia screamed. "A-Aaahh! It talked! The monster talked!" She clung to Jacob from behind, shaking.
Jacob's expression didn't change. He released his dragon aura and calmly said. "I'm not worried. And if you try to hurt her, I swear—I'll make it my life's mission to find you and end your miserable life."
The moment Jacob released his aura, Peter froze. He could feel it—danger, raw and overwhelming, and He knew that dealing with Jacob would be very difficult.
He thought to himself. 'What kind of shifter is this kid? He's definitely stronger than when I first met him in the woods…'
Seeing Peter hesitate, Jacob smirked. "And one more thing—whatever grudge you have with Kate Argent, leave Allison out of it. She doesn't know anything. If you try to hurt her, you won't just deal with the Argents' wrath… you'll deal with mine too."
Peter growled. "You're arrogant."
Jacob didn't flinch. "I have the strength to back up my arrogance. Now leave—before the cops show up. The last thing we need is a supernatural coming-out party."
Peter narrowed his eyes. "What are you, kid?"
Jacob's eyes glowed golden as he smiled coldly. "Something very dangerous… and very vengeful when provoked."
Lydia gathered her courage and peeked from behind Jacob at Peter.
Peter gave her a hideous smile with his wolf-like face, scaring her into hiding behind Jacob's back again.
Peter chuckled. "You're right, kid. Now isn't the time or place for a fight. See you around." He stepped back, then suddenly turned and smashed through the front glass of the video store, disappearing into the night.
Jacob's eyes faded back to normal, and he restrained his aura. He turned around to Lydia and asked gently. "Are you okay?"
Lydia shouted. "No, I'm not okay! What was that thing? Why was it talking? And why were you talking to it so calmly?!"
Then she locked eyes with him. "And most importantly, why did it listen to you and not attack us? It looked wary of you. Jay… are you a monster too?"
Jacob sighed. "That was a man with the power to turn into the monster you saw. And yes, I have powers too. But he and I aren't the same kind. Now calm down, please."
Still trembling, Lydia said. "How am I supposed to calm down? I just saw a talking beast!"
Jacob gave a small smirk. "Let me help you calm down."
He leaned in and kissed her—deep and slow—until they were both out of breath.
When the kiss ended, he asked. "Better?"
Lydia hugged him tightly, seeking comfort. "Yeah… a little. Are you going to tell me what's going on?"
"Not now. I'll tell you and Allison everything on Saturday. But right now, we need to call the cops—there's a dead body in here."
Lydia's grip on him tightened. "What? A… dead body?!"
Jacob nodded. "Yeah. He killed the store owner."
He pulled out his phone and called Stiles.
"Hey man, what's up?" Stiles answered.
"Are you alone?" Jacob asked.
"No, I'm with my dad." Stiles replied.
"Good. Pass the phone to him."
"Why?"
"Lydia and I found a dead body."
"Okay—hang on."
Stiles handed the phone to Sheriff Stilinski, and Jacob calmly gave him the details and the address. After the call, he looked at Lydia, still hugging him like her life depended on it.
"Let's go outside and wait for the cops. I don't want you seeing the body. And when they ask you what you saw, just say it was some kind of animal fleeing the store. Got it?"
Lydia nodded silently. "Okay."
The two stepped outside and waited until the sheriff and Stiles arrived.
After asking them a few routine questions, Sheriff Stilinski went into the store. Stiles looked between Lydia—still clinging to Jacob—and Jacob himself. He clearly wanted to ask what happened, but hesitated.
Jacob noticed and said plainly. "It was the Alpha."
Stiles widened his eyes and made a gesture to stop talking. "Dude! She's still here!" He whispered, pointing at Lydia.
Jacob shook his head. "She saw everything, Stiles. The stupid Alpha came to us and spoke to me. It's safe to talk around her—she knows more than you do at this point."
"She knows more than me?" Stiles said, incredulous.
Jacob shrugged. "She saw the Alpha up close, even heard him talk. You've never even seen him."
"You've got a point." Stiles admitted. "So what did the Alpha say?"
Jacob replied. "Nothing much. He just tried to scare me, then said he'd see me around and left."
Just then, Jacob glanced up at the store's roof and spotted two familiar figures.
"You told Scott?" He asked.
Stiles nodded. "Yeah, he should be here any second."
Jacob smirked. "He's already here. Look on the store's roof."
Stiles looked up and saw Scott standing beside Derek.
"Why is he with Rocket Man?" Stiles asked.
Jacob laughed. "You do know Derek can hear you, right?"
Stiles flinched. "Shit. I forgot about that."
After Scott and Derek joined them, Jacob quickly explained what had happened. When he finished, he said. "Alright guys, I need to take Lydia home. That stupid mutt really scared her."
Then he handed his car keys to Scott and added. "Do me a favor—take my car to your place tonight and bring it back to school tomorrow. I'll drive Lydia's car."
Scott took the keys and nodded. "You got it."
Jacob and Lydia got into her car. As he settled into the driver's seat, he asked. "So, should I take you home?"
Lydia shook her head. "No, I don't want to go home. I want to go with you."
Jacob raised a brow. "Don't you think I'm a monster too? Aren't you afraid of me?"
She looked at him and shook her head again. "No. You're not a monster. And I'm not scared of you. Actually… I feel really safe when I'm with you. I can't even explain why—it's just how I feel."
Jacob smiled softly. "Alright then. Let's grab a bite to eat first, then head home."
The two of them drove to a nearby diner, had a quick meal, and then made their way to Jacob's mansion.
To be continued... 😊