Joshua launched forward in a blur of motion, tackling Jonathan to the ground with a thundering crash that shook the dirt beneath them.
"HAHAHAHA! NOW YOU DIE, YOU SCUM! FOR KILLING AMY!" Joshua roared, his voice guttural and deranged. His sharp teeth were bared in a twisted grin, glistening with saliva that dripped onto Jonathan's face. His eyes were wild, inhuman.
Jonathan stared up at him, frozen. He's... he's like a different person.
"Joshua, wait! The reason I killed Amy... it was because she was going to end her life after you rejected her. I couldn't let that happen! I manipulated everything so at least... at least she could have a death where she felt some happiness. If she had died alone, depressed..."
Joshua's head throbbed violently.
It's all my fault...
NO! HE'S THE MONSTER! LET ME KILL HIM!
No... we're the monster too...
Conflicting voices battled in Joshua's head until, at last, the pain ebbed. Slowly, he stood up, backing away from Jonathan with a blank, heavy stare. His eyes had lost that feral gleam, now replaced by sadness.
Jonathan coughed and sat up. "Don't be too hard on yourself. Amy... she was troubled. It was no one's fault. Not really."
But Joshua didn't respond. He turned silently and walked away, heading toward the training field.
Captain Percival crossed his arms as he spotted Joshua approaching. "WHY ARE YOU LATE FOR TRAINING?!"
"I'm sorry, Captain. It won't happen again," Joshua muttered, eyes cast down.
Percival squinted, noting the shadows beneath his eyes and the lingering sorrow. (He's still grieving... poor kid.)
"Joshua," the captain said, his voice softening. "Take the day off. Clear your head. Come back stronger tomorrow."
Joshua nodded. "Thank you, sir."
Later, when Joshua returned to his room, the last thing he expected was to find Tiffany in his bed, under his blanket, acting bizarrely.
"Ohh, Joshua... yes, Joshua…" she mumbled, face flushed as she buried herself in his sheets.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" Joshua shouted, stepping back, stunned.
Tiffany bolted upright, instantly straightening the bed with supernatural speed, then sat calmly on the edge as if nothing had happened.
"You can't just pretend I didn't see that," Joshua said, glaring.
Tiffany blushed and gave a small, awkward laugh. "I thought you were still at training. Why are you back so early?"
"Captain gave me the day off," he said, inching away, clearly uncomfortable.
Tiffany patted the bed beside her. "Come. Sit. I actually found something important about your... condition."
Joshua hesitated, then sat beside her, leaving a wide gap between them.
"I did some research in the old library," she said. "About werewolf awakenings. Turns out, when werewolves awaken at a young age, their hormones go out of control, but they usually stabilize after their first transformation. You, however, are older... a Mutated Awakened. Your condition is unstable. That's why your aggression comes and goes. You're not staying awakened like the others."
Joshua blinked. "So how do I stop it?"
Tiffany's smile turned mischievous. "With affection."
She suddenly lunged, playfully tackling him down onto the bed, straddling him. "I could help you," she whispered, eyes gleaming with intent.
Joshua's head flared with pain again, and he gritted his teeth.
She wants you. Give in.
No. I love Blanchette.
We can love Blanchette and still enjoy this. She doesn't have to know.
No… she'd be heartbroken.
His glowing green eyes opened wide as the aggressive voice won over. He grabbed Tiffany and flipped her, pinning her beneath him.
"You want this?" he said, his voice husky and conflicted. "Fine."
Tiffany, blushing deeply, nodded. "Yes…"
Just then, the door creaked open.
"Joshua…?"
Blanchette stood in the doorway, eyes wide, mouth trembling. Then her heart broke in one audible gasp.
"AAAAAAAAHHHH!!!"
She burst into tears, mucus streaking her face as she turned and fled down the hallway.
"BLANCHETTE!!" Joshua shouted, leaping off Tiffany and chasing after her, still glowing with unstable energy.
He found her beneath a tree in the courtyard, curled up and sobbing.
He knelt before her, grasping her shoulders. She looked up at him, broken.
"I'm sorry," he said, voice full of guilt. "I... I got seduced. I wasn't thinking. I made a terrible mistake."
"Am I not good enough for you?" Blanchette cried. "Do I not satisfy you? Is that why you seek other women?"
"No. You are everything. I was the fool."
His eyes dimmed, the green light fading. He sat beside her and held her for what felt like hours as the sun passed overhead. Slowly, their breathing calmed. Words were exchanged. Wounds began to heal, if only slightly.
By the time the new servants were due to arrive, Blanchette and Joshua had found a fragile peace.
They returned to the entrance hall together, where Tiffany and Jonathan were already waiting. Blanchette shot Tiffany a look that could freeze a volcano, while Tiffany winked at Joshua with shameless smugness.
Joshua looked away in shame.
Jonathan raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Then came a knock at the door.
Opening it, Jonathan was greeted by a young vampire with striking red eyes and a beautiful, almost doll-like face.
"Hello," he said politely. "My name is James. I am a noble from the vampire kingdom."
Joshua blinked. Wait… I thought we were expecting a boy… Is this… a girl?
All three, Joshua, Blanchette, and Tiffany, thought the same thing at once.
(He's a guy?!)
James stepped inside. Moments later, a scrappy girl with short black hair, brown eyes, and visible fangs entered behind him.
"Hi. I'm Julia," she said shyly. "I'm just a low-class werewolf from the slums. I'll be happy to serve however I can."
The moment Joshua saw her, his head exploded in pain again.
What is she doing here? She's a threat! She's like us!
No, she's innocent.
Do you want Blanchette to end up like Amy?!
Stop... please...
His headache stopped. Joshua looked up, breathing hard.
Tiffany reached for his arm. "Joshua? Are you okay?"
Blanchette stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Don't touch him, Tiffany! You've done enough!"
Tiffany ignored her.
Without warning, Joshua's eyes turned green again. He grabbed Tiffany by the neck and lifted her effortlessly.
"If you ever touch me again in Blanchette's presence," he growled, "I will end you."
He dropped her to the floor. She gasped, trembling in terror.
Everyone stood frozen.
Then, with a sudden lunge, Joshua darted toward Julia. His claws extended, and he rammed them into her shoulder, slamming her against the wall.
"HAHAHAHA! The only good werewolf is a dead one… or a scared one!" he cackled, his eyes blazing, his madness returned.
Julia screamed in pain and fear. Everyone watched, helpless, as the monster inside Joshua began to take control again.