The morning sunlight slipped through the curtains, warming the room. Jacob slowly stirred awake, feeling the soft weight of Lydia curled against him. Her red hair tickled his chest as she breathed evenly.
He smiled, brushing a hand through her hair. "Lydia, wake up."
Lydia, who wasn't actually sleeping, opened her eyes with a faint grin. "Morning, handsome." She got on top of him, pressing her lips against his. What started as a soft kiss quickly deepened, their hands wandering until Lydia giggled and pulled back. "Careful. If we start this now, we won't leave the bed until noon."
Jacob smirked. "Sounds like a plan to me."
"We can't skip school." Lydia rolled her eyes, kissed him one more time, then slid out of bed and headed into the bathroom.
Jacob chuckled, leaning back against the pillows. 'System, sign in.'
[Daily sign-in successful. Rewards obtained:
– Deluxe Coffee Maker: modern, programmable with grinder.
– Fluffy Bathrobe: snow-white, extremely comfortable.
– Stack of Pancakes: perfectly cooked, with syrup and butter.]
Jacob raised a brow. "Boring." Then he heard the water running and smirked before slipping into the bathroom to join Lydia.
Lydia was humming to herself under the shower when Jacob entered and hugged her from behind. "How about we have some fun?"
Lydia sighed. "We're going to be late for school."
Jacob turned her around with a grin. "I'll be quick."
He kissed her, and they had a 'fun' bath together. When they were done, they dried off and headed downstairs together.
Jacob set up the new coffee maker he'd just gotten as a reward while Lydia sat at the counter, still drying her hair. He pulled out the pancakes and some other baked goods from his pocket dimension, plated them, made some scrambled eggs, and set the table. Then he and Lydia started eating.
The faint rumble of an engine reached them from outside. Moments later, Allison strolled into the kitchen, helmet in hand. She walked over, kissed Jacob, and whispered against his lips. "Good morning."
Jacob kissed her back. "Good morning, beautiful."
Allison then sat down beside Lydia. "Good morning." She said cheerfully to her. Then her eyes lit up with curiosity. "So… what kind of powers did you end up with? I wanted to ask yesterday, but I didn't want to disturb you guys."
Lydia grinned proudly, her eyes glowing white as her hair shifted into its banshee-white color. "I'm a Banshee. I can manipulate sound, teleport, and even fly when I get strong enough."
Allison blinked. "But you were already a banshee. Did you just awaken your powers?"
Lydia shook her head. "No. This is different from a normal banshee. I got a bloodline called Silver Banshee. I'm very strong. Last night I even beat Peter in a fair fight."
Allison's jaw dropped. "Wait. Peter? The Alpha?"
Lydia smirked, sipping from her coffee. "Yep. I kicked his ass and he couldn't even fight back."
Allison turned to Jacob. "Is she telling the truth?"
Jacob nodded. "Yes, Peter couldn't do anything against her sonic screams and teleportation."
Allison leaned forward, eager. "Tell me what happened yesterday. How did you even meet Peter?"
Jacob and Lydia took turns explaining the night's events.
After listening, Allison looked at Lydia. "Was Jacob's storm ability really that terrifying?"
Lydia shot Jacob a glare. "Yes. He summoned a thunderstorm and almost killed me. It was so scary."
Jacob said. "Come on, I said I'm sorry!"
Lydia snorted and looked back at Allison. "And when I was done beating Peter, he called me a bitch, and Jay got angry. He used his fire ability, shaping it into a huge, lifelike snake, and burned Peter."
Allison's eyes widened. "Is Peter dead?"
Lydia shook her head. "No, he is not."
Jacob added. "But he will need a few days to heal."
Allison leaned back in her chair, sighing. "I wish I was with you guys yesterday."
Jacob's expression shifted, his usual playfulness vanishing into seriousness. "Allison, there's something I need to tell you. It's about your pendant… and the Hale fire."
Allison blinked, confusion flickering across her face. "My pendant? What about it?"
Jacob took a deep breath. "That pendant wasn't just a family heirloom. It belonged to the woman behind the Hale family massacre. The one who set the fire."
The warmth of the kitchen seemed to vanish, replaced by a heavy silence. Allison's face went pale, her expression turned to one of shock. "You mean… Kate."
Jacob nodded grimly. "Yes. It was Kate who burned the Hale family alive. And not all of them were werewolves, Allison. Some of them were just normal humans, and some were just kids."
The coffee cup in Allison's hands shattered as her grip tightened, hot coffee dripped down her fingers. Tears welled up in her eyes. "That can't be real. Please tell me you're joking."
Jacob quickly grabbed paper towels, gently wiping her hands clean. His voice was low, firm. "I'm sorry, Allison. But it's the truth."
Her tears spilled freely now. "Maybe… maybe the Hales were dangerous. Maybe Kate didn't have a choice."
Jacob cleared the table, tossing the broken pieces of the cup into the trash. He sat back down, shaking his head. "Sorry to disappoint you again, but Talia Hale—Derek's mother—was a good, peaceful Alpha. She was Beacon Hills' guardian, protecting humans from supernatural threats. She was respected by every Alpha and pack nearby."
Jacob sighed. "But your psychopathic aunt killed her so Gerard would be proud of her."
Allison buried her face in her hands. "Why? Why would she do that? Why kill someone who was protecting people—and even kill innocent children too?"
Jacob said. "Because of hatred, Allison. She killed the Hale family out of a deep-seated hatred for werewolves and supernatural creatures, a prejudice taught to her by your grandfather, Gerard."
Allison leaned back in her chair, voice trembling. "What do I do? How do I even face her now? And what if she tries to kill you—or Lydia?"
Jacob's eyes narrowed. "Then she will only have herself to blame for what will happen to her."
Lydia looked at Allison. "And what if she tries to kill you when she finds out you are a fairy?"
Allison hesitated, her confidence faltering. "No… she loves me. I don't think she'd hurt me. At least… I hope not. I'm not so sure anymore. What should I do?"
Jacob softened slightly. "You don't have to do anything. Just act normal around her, and when you think you are ready, talk to her. Ask her why she did what she did, but don't expect much from her. Like I said before, she is not a good person."
Allison sighed heavily, resting her forehead on the table. "This sucks. What next? Am I going to learn that my parents helped her too?"
Jacob shook his head. "No, they didn't. Your dad follows the code—he would not help Kate kill innocent people. And although I'm sure your mom didn't help either, I think if Kate had asked her for help when she burned the Hale family, your mom would have probably said yes. I'm about 60% sure."
Allison shot him a glare through teary eyes. "No, she wouldn't. She is mean, sure, but she is not a monster."
Jacob said. "If you say so. Now, let's forget about stupid Kate. I only told you about her because I didn't want to hide what we found out from you. Let's finish our breakfast and go to school."
Just then, the kitchen door opened, and an old man in a black butler's suit stepped inside. His posture was impeccable, his expression calm and composed.
Lydia blinked. "Uh… who are you?"
Jacob grinned. "You look evil—I like it. That new look suits you perfectly, Cogman."
Allison raised a brow. "Cogman?"
The old man gave a courteous bow. "Yes, it is I, madame."
Allison tilted her head, then smiled. "Well… you look surprisingly good."
"Thank you, Madame." Cogman replied smoothly.
Lydia stood and pinched his cheek, eyes wide. "Wow, your skin actually feels real! I thought it would be cold and hard, like metal."
"I designed it to mimic human skin." Cogman explained calmly. "Though I can harden it like steel whenever I wish."
Lydia sat back in her chair. "Can you stop calling me madame? Just call me Lydia. I feel old when you call me that."
Allison agreed. "Me too. You can just call me Allison."
Cogman shook his head. "I'm afraid I cannot do that. It would be improper."
Lydia sighed. "Then just call us Lady Lydia and Lady Allison."
Cogman gave a polite bow. "As you wish, my ladies."
Jacob chuckled. "Hey, Cogman. Did you finish making the phones?"
"They'll be ready tomorrow, sir." Cogman replied.
Jacob said. "Alright."
After finishing breakfast, Jacob and the girls got ready for school. As they headed toward the door, Cogman cleared his throat. "From now on, I will drive you to school, sir, and pick you up after classes. It is my duty as your butler."
Jacob smirked. "Sure. But I still want to drive sometimes. I like the feeling."
"As you wish, sir." Cogman replied.
They exited the mansion, and Cogman opened the doors of the silver Rolls-Royce for them. Jacob slid into the middle of the backseat, with Allison and Lydia tucked warmly against him on either side.
He let out a contented sigh, hugging them both. "I love my life."
Cogman drove smoothly through Beacon Hills. When they arrived at school, he stepped out, opened the doors, and the three walked out under the envious stares of the students—the guys were envious of Jacob's car, and the girls were envious of Allison and Lydia.
Jacob and the girls didn't care. They met up with Stiles and Scott at the entrance, then casually strolled into the building as if it were any other day.
In a red SUV parked not far from the school, Chris and Kate watched Cogman get back to the driver's seat and drive away.
Kate followed the car with narrowed eyes. "Who's the old man?" she asked, tilting her head.
Chris shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe the kid's butler. He opened the door for them like some proper valet. What I want to know is why Lydia is hugging that stupid kid's arm like that."
Kate smirked. "Maybe he's dating her too. He's handsome—if he wasn't Allison's boyfriend I'd go for him myself."
Chris said. "He's a minor, Kate."
Kate snorted and thought. 'Like I haven't dated a minor before.' Then smirked. 'I remember how cute Derek was back then.'
Chris said. "I can't let him continue to be with Allison. We're attacking him tonight and making him lose control in front of her. She said this morning she would be late because she's going on a date with him, so we'll attack them on their way back."
Kate said. "Are you sure? She might hate you."
Chris replied. "Her hating me for a few days is better than her dating a playboy shapeshifter."
Kate said. "What about the old man who drove them to school? Maybe he's a shapeshifter too. What if he attacks us to protect the kid?"
Chris thought for a moment. "Then we will bring more men and use lethal force if we have to."
Kate said. "Then you better be ready for the worst."
Chris asked. "What do you mean?"
Kate explained. "That kid, Jacob, was never scared of you, even though he knows you're a hunter and even when you pointed your gun at him. And he wasn't afraid of the Alpha that night in front of your house at all. Which means he's confident enough in his own strength."
Chris frowned. "So what's your point?"
"We might lose a few men tonight." Kate said it flatly.
Chris frowned and looked at her.
Kate folded her arms. "Don't look at me like that. We are dealing with an unknown shifter. Adding the old man, we could be dealing with two unknown shifters. We don't know how strong they are, and we don't know their weaknesses. Gerard taught us to never fight an unknown shifter, and he taught us that even when we fight just an Omega werewolf, to never fight it head-on but always ambush it and use its weaknesses."
Chris said. "The kid wouldn't dare do anything stupid because of Allison."
Kate shot him a cold look. "You are trying to make him lose control and break up with Allison, so I think you are a little too hopeful."
Chris insisted. "You think too much. The kid is not that strong, and we all have guns. Whatever he is, he will still be afraid of guns."
Kate sighed. "I hope you're right."
To be continued…