Ch: 99-100
Chapter 99: Dinner with Lydia's Mother
Natalie, who was preparing dinner, heard the doorbell. She opened the door and looked at Jacob in surprise. Her first thought was: 'What a handsome boy. No wonder Lydia doesn't want to break up with him.'
"Mom!" Lydia called out, a note of irritation in her voice.
Natalie came back to her senses and looked at her daughter. "Oh, sorry, sweetheart. I didn't see you there."
Lydia pouted, and Natalie smiled before looking back at Jacob. "You must be Jacob."
Jacob offered a polite smile. "Yes, ma'am. Nice to meet you. Now I know where Lydia got her beauty."
Natalie's smile widened. "You're sweet. Come on in."
Jacob and Lydia entered, and Natalie closed the door behind them. Jacob handed her the luxurious box of chocolates.
"You didn't have to bring anything, but thank you." She said, accepting the gift. She then looked at her daughter. "Take him to the living room. I'm almost done with dinner."
"Do you need some help?" Jacob offered. "I can't cook, but I can help set the table."
"Sure." Natalie said. She turned to Lydia. "Take your coat off and come help, too."
Jacob and Lydia helped set the table in the dining room and brought out the dishes. Once the food was served, the three of them sat down to eat. Jacob was polite and complimentary, praising Natalie's cooking, which made her smile genuinely.
After they finished dinner, they moved to the living room. Natalie sat opposite them, her demeanor shifting from hostess to concerned mother.
"Jacob," She began, her tone careful but firm. "You seem like a nice kid from what I saw tonight. But I've heard that you're dating my daughter and another girl. Is that true?"
"It's true." Jacob said, meeting her gaze without flinching. "I love Lydia, and I also love Allison. That's her name."
"Well, I know you're just kids and… trying things." Natalie said, choosing her words. "But I can't allow my daughter to date someone like you. You're just going to break her heart eventually. So, I want you to either break up with Allison and date only Lydia, or break up with Lydia."
Jacob shook his head gently. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I don't want to break up with either of them. Actually, I can't. The three of us are bound by something deeper than just love."
Natalie's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Jacob and Lydia exchanged a look. She sighed. "I guess it's time to tell her the truth." She turned back to her mother. "Actually, Mom, I'm not just his girlfriend. I'm his wife."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Natalie said, a flush of irritation coloring her cheeks. "You're sixteen. You're not allowed to get married."
"Let's forget about the marriage thing for a second." Lydia said, steering the conversation with deliberate calm. "Tell me, Mom. Do you remember why you put Grandma in a mental hospital?"
"Why are you asking?" Natalie's voice held a note of defensive caution.
"Just answer the question."
Natalie sighed, the old pain briefly shadowing her face. "Because Lorraine had a severe mental illness. She used to scream and said she could hear voices and see people die. She was found near dead bodies, and when the police asked her what she was doing there, she said she didn't know how she got there."
"Grandma didn't have a mental illness." Lydia said. "She had supernatural powers."
Natalie began to look genuinely worried. "Sweetheart, you're scaring me. Please tell me you're just joking and you don't actually believe what you just said."
"I'm not joking, Mom. Grandma was a supernatural creature called a banshee. Banshees are harbingers of death. They can predict mortal danger and have a connection to the supernatural spiritual world, and that makes them hear voices and..."
"Lydia, stop!" Natalie cut in sharply. "If this is a joke, it is not funny. And if you really believe what you're saying, then we need to get you some help."
Jacob's voice spoke directly in Lydia's mind. [Yeah, like putting you in a nuthouse like your grandmother.]
Lydia rolled her eyes at him before focusing back on her mother. "I can prove it. But don't freak out."
"How would you prove it? And why would I freak out?"
"If I were a normal banshee, I wouldn't be able to prove what I just said." Lydia explained. "But I'm not. I'm something more. So just watch…"
Then, in front of the stunned Natalie, Lydia's eyes glowed white. Her hair turned snow-white, and her skin grew pale.
She gave her mother a moment to process the transformation.
Natalie stared, her mind racing for a reasonable, scientific explanation—makeup, contacts, a trick of the light—but none fit the instantaneous, profound change she had just witnessed. "How?" She finally whispered. "How did you change the color of your eyes, your hair, your skin?"
"I already told you. I'm a banshee, and I can shift. I can also control sound… and I can teleport. Watch."
Then, Lydia disappeared from her place on the couch.
"Lydia? Where are you?" Natalie asked, her voice tinged with alarm.
"I'm behind you, Mom."
Natalie turned to find Lydia standing calmly behind the couch she was sitting on. "How? This doesn't make any sense."
Lydia walked around and sat next to her mother, taking her hand. "Mom, the supernatural creatures from mythology—like werewolves and vampires—are real. Magic is real." She looked at Jacob. "Jay, show her."
Jacob lifted his hand. A flame burst from his palm, shaped itself into a small bird, and flew a silent loop around the room before winking out of existence. Then, he shifted. His eyes glowed a fierce gold, claws extended from his fingertips, and his teeth lengthened into sharp fangs. A low, resonant growl rumbled in his chest.
Natalie flinched, and Lydia squeezed her hand. "Don't be scared. He won't harm you."
"Are you sure?" Natalie breathed, eyeing the creature her daughter called her husband. "He's growling like a beast."
Lydia smiled softly. "Well, he is a beast. But like I said, he won't harm you."
Jacob and Lydia shifted back to normal. For the next while, Lydia patiently explained the basics of the supernatural world to her mother, answering her stunned, hesitant questions.
Finally, Lydia said. "Mom, do you remember the cannibal family they found in Beacon Hills a few days ago?"
"Yes," Natalie said, her voice quieter now. "What about them?"
"They were a cannibalistic creature that survives by eating humans. They're called Wendigos."
Natalie absorbed this, the horrific news story taking on a new, darker meaning. "And I assume there are more creatures like them?"
"Yes," Jacob confirmed. "Just like there are good humans and bad humans, there are good supernatural creatures and bad ones. And, of course, there are pure evil ones like Wendigos."
Natalie let out a long, weary sigh, as if the weight of an unseen world had just settled on her shoulders. "Let's… let's not talk about evil things anymore." She waved a hand as if to physically clear the air of dark thoughts. "Let's talk about you two. Tell me about this… marriage of yours."
Lydia said. "It's called a mating bond. It's an intense, instinctual, and irreversible supernatural connection—far deeper than just love. We can't break up, not for life. And we can't harm each other."
"And he has a mating bond with Allison, too?" Natalie asked.
"Yes." Lydia confirmed. "And not only her. There's a third girl, Malia."
Natalie's eyes widened. "What? How many girls is he going to have?"
Lydia shrugged, a gesture of weary acceptance. "I don't know. It's what he is; he can't help it. All I can do is make sure he doesn't bring a bad girl into our home."
"Are you really okay with this relationship?" Natalie pressed, searching her daughter's face. "Are you happy?"
Lydia's smile was radiant and genuine. "I'm more than happy, Mom. I love him, and I love Allison and Malia, too."
Natalie raised a brow. "You love the girls, too? Are you…"
"No, it's not what you think." Lydia said quickly, shaking her head. "It's just that since the three of us have a mating bond with Jay, we also have a connection with each other. We love each other like sisters, but… more than sisters. It's hard to explain, but there is nothing sexual between us."
Natalie let out another long sigh, the last of her resistance seeming to drain away. "I see. Well, as long as you are happy, that's all I want. And you should focus on your studies, too. Don't forget about that."
"I won't." Lydia promised, her smile softening.
Natalie turned her gaze to Jacob, her expression shifting into one of maternal sternness. "Take care of my daughter, kid. And give her a proper wedding when you graduate from college."
"I promise I would never make her sad." Jacob said, his tone solemn and respectful. "As for the wedding, as long as she says the words, I will hold any kind of wedding she wants."
Lydia looked at her mother hopefully. "So, Mom… are you okay with me being with Jay?"
"You said there's nothing I can do to break you up." Natalie said with a wry smile. "So it doesn't really matter if I'm okay with it or not." Then her expression softened, and she reached out to touch Lydia's cheek. "But as long as you are happy, sweetheart, then I'm happy for you, too. You have my blessing."
Lydia threw her arms around her mother in a tight hug. "Thanks, Mom."
After they broke apart, Lydia studied her mother's face. "What's wrong? You look sad."
"I was thinking about Lorraine." Natalie admitted, her voice thick with regret. "She was telling us the truth, but we didn't believe her. We locked her up in a mental hospital and got her killed."
"No, Mom." Lydia said firmly, taking her mother's hands. "You didn't get Grandma killed. You didn't know about banshees. She herself didn't know what she was. Besides, it was Dad who took her to Eichen House, not you."
"If your father knew the truth, he'd be devastated." Natalie murmured.
"Then let's not tell him." Lydia suggested. "He's already out of our lives and moved away from Beacon Hills. Let him be."
"But I think he should know the truth." Natalie said, a glint of something sharper in her eyes.
Lydia rolled her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips. "I know you hate him, Mom. But telling him the truth will break his heart."
Natalie's smile turned wicked. "I know. That's why I want to tell him the truth. I really want him to be miserable for the rest of his life."
'Women are really petty and evil.' Jacob thought, wisely keeping the observation to himself.
Lydia chuckled. "Just let the poor man be. Please. For me."
Natalie relented with a theatrical sigh. "Fine."
Jacob stood up. "Time for me to leave. What about you, Lydia?"
"I'll spend the night here with Mom." Lydia said. "There's so much I want to tell her."
Jacob's voice spoke directly in her mind. [Don't tell her about us killing people or that I'm a dragon.]
Lydia's mental reply was instant. [I'm not stupid. I know what to say and what not to say.]
Jacob looked at Natalie. "It was nice meeting you, ma'am."
"You can call me Natalie." She said, offering a genuine smile. "And it was nice meeting you too, kid."
Jacob returned the smile, then he retrieved one of his remaining seven vials of Mirakuru from his pocket dimension and handed it to Natalie. "Here. This is my gift to you. Lydia will explain what it is."
Natalie took the vial, looking at the glowing green liquid with curiosity before turning to her daughter for an explanation.
But Lydia, who had drunk the Mirakuru herself, knew exactly what it was. She jumped up and kissed Jacob deeply. "Thanks, love!"
"You're welcome." He said, smiling against her lips.
"Did you give it to Allison's parents, too?" Lydia asked, pulling back slightly.
"I'm planning to." Jacob said. "But I haven't decided when yet. So don't tell Allison I gave your mom one first."
Lydia's smile turned mischievous. "Okay. I'll wait until you give it to them, then I'll tell her that you gave it to my mom first."
Jacob pinched her nose playfully. "Are you trying to get me in trouble?"
Lydia winked. "Yep."
Jacob shook his head with a fond smile, kissed her one last time, and said. "Alright. Good night, ladies." With that, he left.
After the door closed, Natalie looked at the vial in her hand, then at her beaming daughter. "What does this green liquid do to make you that excited?"
"After you drink it," Lydia explained, her voice full of excitement, "you will become incredibly strong, have supernatural healing, and you will never get sick again."
Natalie's eyes widened. "Isn't this thing too precious? It must be very expensive. And does it not have any side effects?"
"No, it doesn't have any side effects." Lydia assured her. "And don't worry about it being precious or expensive. If Jacob gave it to you, then just drink it and don't worry about anything else."
"Okay." Natalie said, still looking at the vial with a mix of awe and trepidation. She moved to open it, but Lydia stopped her.
"Wait! Let's go to the bathroom first and get in the bathtub. You'll sweat a lot."
The two of them went to the bathroom. They filled the bathtub with hot water, and then Natalie, with a final deep breath, drank the contents of the vial. She immediately felt a spreading warmth from her core. Soon, she began to sweat profusely. She quickly got into the tub. Lydia stripped off her own clothes, climbed in, and lay back in her mother's arms, and they started talking about the supernatural side of the world and about Jacob.
---
Jacob drove back home, had dinner with Malia, and then the two of them watched a movie. Eventually, they went to Jacob's room, where they fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms.
Chapter 100: Becoming a Chimera
Malia woke up around 4 a.m. After thinking for a moment, she smirked, turned on the bedside lamp, and shook Jacob. "Jay, wake up."
Jacob opened one eye. "What time is it? Let me sleep some more." He turned over and buried his face in the pillow.
Malia smiled and leaned over him and began tickling his ear with the ends of her hair.
Jacob groaned. "Stop that. Why are you waking me up this early? It's still dark outside." He sat up, rubbing his eyes, and looked at her. "If you're hungry, go wake Cogman and ask him to make you something. He doesn't need to sleep for too long, anyway."
"Wait," Malia said, her curiosity piqued. "Lydia told me that Cogman is a robot from another world. Do robots need to sleep?"
Jacob yawned widely. "He's not a robot… well, he is, but he's also a living creature. And he does need to sleep, or go into Stasis Mode as he calls it. So just go wake him and ask him to cook, or I can give you food. I have a lot. What do you want to eat?"
"I'm not hungry." Malia said bluntly. "I want to sleep with you."
Jacob blinked. "Aren't we sleeping togeth..." Then, as if realizing her meaning, his eyes went wide. "You mean..."
"Yes," Malia said straightforwardly. "I want to have sex."
"But…" Jacob hesitated. "Aren't you on your period?"
"No, I'm not." Malia replied. "My period only took one day. I'm a shapeshifter with supernatural healing, after all. Didn't Lydia and Allison tell you how long theirs last?"
Jacob scratched the back of his head. "I never asked. But come to think of it, I've never seen them on their period, even though I've been with them for almost two months."
Malia nodded. "They told me they go spend the night with their parents when they get it, and it only takes one day."
"I see." Jacob said. He looked at her seriously. "But are you sure you want to do this now? We haven't gone on any dates yet."
"Who cares about that?" Malia scoffed, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Besides, it's not like if we sleep together now, we can't go on dates later." She pulled him closer, her breath warm against his lips. "Now, enough talking. Show me if you're really as good as Lydia and Allison said."
Jacob kissed her, a slow kiss that melted her playful smirk. He pulled back just enough to murmur against her lips, a smirk of his own tugging at his mouth. "You have no idea what I am, do you?"
"No." Malia whispered. "You never told me."
"I'm a dragon." He said. "And my kind are known for being perverts who love sex."
A smile spread across Malia's face. "A dragon? I read about them in stories when I was a kid. They're known for kidnapping princesses."
"That's slander!" Jacob protested. "I didn't kidnap any princess."
"Are you sure?" Malia's smile turned mischievous. "Isn't Allison a princess of a hunter family?"
"Who told you that?"
"Lydia did," Malia said, her grin widening. "And she also told me that when you weren't sure if Allison would choose to be with you or not, you told her that even if she chose not to be with you, you would stalk her and kill anyone who got close to her."
Jacob coughed awkwardly. "I was… I was just joking. Yes, just joking. Besides, she chose to be with me. I didn't kidnap her or any other girl."
Malia wasn't finished. "But I remember someone catching me the first time we met in the woods and telling me he would not let me go after finding me. Telling me to be a good girl and become his mate with a creepy smile on his face before roaring at me and making me faint, then bringing me here to his house." She tilted her head, her expression one of mock innocence. "If that isn't kidnapping, then what is?"
Jacob was stunned into silence, his mind scrambling for a rebuttal. 'No matter how you look at it, I really do look guilty.' He thought with an internal wince.
Malia laughed, the sound bright and clear in the quiet room. "Don't worry. I still love you, despite you being a creepy pervert. And if you want…" She leaned in conspiratorially. "…I can help you kidnap other girls you're interested in. I heard you like Scott's mom. So, let's go kidnap her tomorrow." She wiggled her eyebrows twice. "What do you think? Are you tempted?"
Jacob's initial shock melted into fond exasperation. He smiled, then kissed her deeply before pushing her gently back onto the bed and settling on top of her. "I love your mischievous ass, too. But we aren't kidnapping anyone." He nipped at her lower lip playfully. "Now, let me teach you the consequences of messing with me."
Malia's smile was pure challenge. "Do your worst."
"We'll see how long you last." He murmured, his golden eyes glowing softly in the lamplight. "Just remember, don't beg me to stop later."
With that, he leaned down and captured her lips in a fierce, hungry kiss. Clothes were torn and discarded in a frantic, eager rush, and the room was soon filled with the sounds of their wild, passionate lovemaking.
Five hours later, Malia's stubborn endurance finally failed. Jacob felt her go still, then limp, as consciousness left her on top of him.
Jacob smiled with deep satisfaction, stroking her sweat-dampened hair as she lay boneless against him. As he did, the familiar translucent screen of his system materialized before his eyes.
[Congratulations, Host. You have consummated your bond with Malia Hale. Your strength will now begin to grow faster than before, and you may grant Malia abilities and bloodlines rewarded by the system.]
[Rewards for consummating the bond with Malia Hale:
-System Upgrade - New Function: Harem Space
-Description: An extra-dimensional island with a grand palace, forests, and a large lake. Access is exclusive to you and your bonded wives.
-Key Rules:
-Access Control: Only you can grant entry permissions to people other than your wives and can revoke them at will. Wives can teleport there at will but cannot bring unauthorized guests.
-Time Dilation: 5 hours inside is equal to only 1 hour outside. Useful for training, recovery, or intimate moments without missing external events.
-Living Storage: You can store living creatures there.
-Ability Teleport: Enables instantaneous teleportation to any visual or previously visited location within a set range. You can also teleport randomly over long distances, but the destination will be random and potentially dangerous. Physical contact allows you to bring others along.
-Range & Cost: Base range is 1 kilometer. Teleporting further requires more magical/mental energy. The stronger you are, the further you can teleport.
-Scroll of Firaga x20 (Final Fantasy): This magical scroll allows the user to learn a high-tier fire spell that conjures a massive, concentrated explosion of magical fire.
-Note: The spell's destructive power, size, and heat are directly linked to the amount of magical energy channeled into it. The user should be careful.]
Jacob smiled with excitement. 'Great! With this Harem Space, me and the girls can escape from danger whenever we want. The teleport ability is great, too. As for the fire spell, I don't need it, but it's a good ability for the girls. Now, all is good, but System, why did you mix your upgrade with my rewards? Shouldn't you upgrade and give me three separate rewards?'
[Do not be greedy, Host.]
Jacob sighed internally. 'Fine. But you didn't tell me you could upgrade. What are the conditions? Should I marry more wives?'
[No, Host. I will not upgrade again simply because you add more wives, no matter how many you take. I will upgrade the more you sign in, especially during event sign-ins, as those are the most significant.]
'I see. Good to know.' Jacob thought. 'Now, show me what kind of bloodlines Malia can receive.'
[Please select one of the following Bloodlines for your mate:
1. Nāga Bloodline
-Lifespan: Ageless and long-lived.
-Primary Affinity: Water, Venom, and Earth.
-Abilities: Hydrokinesis, Geokinesis, Breathe underwater, Secrete paralyzing or healing venoms, Command rivers and rains, Immense strength.
2. Púca
-Lifespan: Ageless and long-lived.
-Primary Affinity: Chaos and mischief.
-Abilities: Teleportation, Illusion tricks, Riddle-speaking, Shift into different animals.
3. Thunderbird
-Lifespan: Ageless and long-lived.
-Primary Affinity: Lightning.
-Abilities: Electrokinesis, Aerokinesis, Thunderstorm creation.]
Jacob considered the options. 'The Nāga is strong, but I doubt Malia would want it. As for the Púca, the only good thing is the teleportation, and while it can shift into different animals, that isn't very powerful. That only leaves the Thunderbird, which is a good choice.'
'But System, if Malia merges the Thunderbird bloodline into her body, will she still be a werecoyote? Will she become only a Thunderbird, or will she become a chimera?'
[The Host can ask her to choose between becoming a Thunderbird only, discarding her werecoyote bloodline or keeping her werecoyote bloodline and merging the Thunderbird bloodline into her body, which will make her a chimera. The second option will be painful but carries no risk of death.]
'Alright.' Jacob said in his mind. 'Let's wait until she wakes up and let her choose for herself. Now, merge that Teleportation ability into my body.'
[Are you sure, Host?]
'Yes.'
Jacob felt a warm energy spreading throughout his body. The sensation faded after a minute, and another message appeared.
[Ability has been successfully merged.]
Jacob grinned. 'I want to try my teleportation ability right now, but let's wait until Malia wakes up.'
He looked at his phone; it was 9 a.m. Deciding to skip school, he closed his eyes and fell back asleep.
He didn't wake up again until 2 p.m., when he felt Malia stirring on top of him. He looked at her and smiled. "Should we continue?"
Malia yawned lazily. "Do you want to kill me, you pervert? I can't do it anymore."
Jacob's smile widened. "So you admit defeat?"
"Yes." Malia said, though a spark of challenge remained in her eyes. "But I'll beat you next time. This was my first time, after all." She pressed a soft kiss against his lips. "And I have to admit, Allison and Lydia weren't lying—you really are good. Now, let's take a shower and eat something. I'm starving."
"Alright." Jacob agreed. He carried her to the bathroom, and after they showered, they went downstairs to the kitchen. They found that Cogman had already prepared a large amount of food.
After they had their fill, Jacob looked at Cogman. "Didn't Allison and Lydia come back home this morning?"
"No, sir." Cogman replied. "But they asked me to pick them up from school later."
"I see." Jacob then turned to Malia. "Let's go back to my room. I have a gift for you."
They went upstairs to his room and sat on the bed. Jacob explained the three bloodline options to her in detail and then asked. "So, what bloodline do you want?"
Malia thought for a few moments, her expression serious as she weighed the choices. "I think the Thunderbird is the best one. I can use lightning attacks like you, and I can use wind attacks like Allison. Most importantly, I can fly." She looked at him, her curiosity evident. "But can I keep my coyote form, too?"
"You can." Jacob said. "But you will probably not be able to shift into a bird. You'll become a chimera."
"What's a chimera?"
"It's a hybrid creature that possesses traits and abilities from at least two different supernatural creatures."
"Will I have wings?"
"We won't know until you shift after merging the bloodline into your body." Jacob explained. "And by the way, it will hurt a lot. You should prepare yourself for the pain."
Malia thought about it for a moment, then nodded decisively. "Okay. You can give me the Thunderbird bloodline. What should I do?"
"Turn around." Jacob instructed.
Malia gave him her back. He placed his hand between her shoulder blades. 'System, merge the Thunderbird bloodline into Malia's body.'
[Are you sure, Host?]
'Yes.'
A surge of raw, electric energy pulsed from Jacob's palm into Malia's spine. Her body grew instantly warm, then hot, as if every cell was igniting at once as the ancient power wove itself into her very essence.
After five minutes, a new prompt appeared in Jacob's vision.
[You may remove your hand now, Host. The transformation will take approximately one hour to complete.]
Jacob removed his hand, watching her closely. Malia's eyes were closed, her expression calm at first. But soon, her eyes opened wide as a ragged scream tore from her throat. "Aaaahh! Damn it, it hurts!"
Jacob looked at her with deep concern. "It will pass soon, jus... wait. Maybe I can help."
He caught Malia's hand and focused. Soon, dark, web-like veins began to appear on his own hand, crawling up his arm and over his shoulder. "As I thought." He gritted out. "I can absorb your pain."
Malia's agony vanished. She looked at Jacob, whose face was now half-covered in those pulsing dark veins. He was biting his lip so hard it bled. She understood immediately—he was taking her pain upon himself.
"Stop!" She cried, panic lacing her voice. "What are you doing? Let go of my hand!" She tried to wrench her hand free, but his grip was like iron.
Jacob took a shuddering breath, fighting not to scream. He managed an ugly, strained smile. "Just… let me do this... for you."
Malia wanted to argue, but the sudden absence of pain, combined with the immense energy still working within her, was overwhelming. Her vision blurred, and she suddenly lost consciousness.
Jacob helped her lay down gently on the bed, never releasing her hand. He continued to absorb her pain.
A knock sounded at the door. "Sir, is everything okay?" Cogman's concerned voice came from the hallway.
Jacob spoke through clenched teeth, each word an effort. "Yes… ev… everything is… fine."
"You do not sound fine, sir." Cogman said. "And why was Lady Malia screaming?"
"Come… in." Jacob managed.
Cogman entered and took in the scene: Malia sleeping peacefully, and Jacob holding her hand, dark veins marring half of his face and body like a sinister tattoo. "What is going on?"
"I gave her… a new bloodline." Jacob rasped. "To merge it… into her body… she would feel… pain. So, I'm absorbing it."
"I see." Cogman said. "Do you need anything?"
Jacob shook his head slightly.
Cogman's lips twitched into smirk. "Alright then. I will leave you to it, sir. Hang in there."
Jacob gave him the middle finger. Cogman's smirk widened into a brief smile before he turned and left, closing the door softly behind him.
After thirty painful minutes, the torrent of pain Jacob was siphoning from Malia finally stopped. He let out a long, shuddering sigh of relief but didn't remove his hand. Exhausted, he lay down beside Malia and closed his eyes to rest, waiting for her to wake.
Another thirty minutes later, Malia finally stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, and she immediately turned to Jacob beside her. She pulled him into a deep, grateful kiss. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine." He said, his voice returning to normal. "The pain stopped shortly after you passed out. Now, let's forget about that. Shift and show me what you look like now."
Malia nodded eagerly. She stood up, closed her eyes, and concentrated. After a few seconds, her eyes snapped open. They glowed a fierce, vibrant gold, but they were no longer purely coyote-like; they had vertical slit pupils. Crackling lightning began to dance around her body. Then, to both their astonishment, a pair of magnificent, feathered wings burst from her back, stretching wide.
Jacob looked at her, awe clear on his face. "Wow. You look gorgeous."
Malia flapped the huge wings experimentally, a thrill of pure excitement coursing through her. She looked at Jacob, her golden eyes sparkling. "I have wings!"
Jacob walked to her, completely unconcerned by the lightning still playing over her skin, and hugged her. He kissed her gently. "Do you want to go try them out?"
"Yes!" Malia said, her voice full of exhilaration.
"Then let's go to the woods." Jacob said.
Before Malia could reply, a wave of dizziness hit her, and then they were standing amidst the tall trees of the Beacon Hills Preserve.
She blinked. "How did we get here?"
"I used a new ability I just gained called Teleportation." Jacob said with a grin. "Cool, right?"
"Yes, it's a very cool ability." Malia agreed, still marveling at the instantaneous travel. She flapped her wings again. "Now, tell me how I should use my wings."
Jacob made his own majestic, leathery dragon wings appear behind him. "First, make that lightning around your body disappear."
After Malia willed the crackling energy back into her body, Jacob continued. "Flying is easy. Just flap your wings and go. Like this…" He bent his knees slightly, then with a powerful downbeat of his wings, he launched himself into the sky.
Malia mimicked his motion. To her delight and surprise, it was intuitive. She pushed off the ground and soared upward after him. The two of them flew above the Beacon Hills Preserve, the wind rushing past. Then, Malia remembered the lightning. She coated her body with it again, and her speed skyrocketed, turning her into a literal bolt of lightning streaking across the sky.
Jacob laughed, did the same, and followed her. This time, they flew around the entire town, moving so fast they were nothing more than a blue blur to anyone who might have glanced up.
After they had their fill of the sky, they returned to the mansion, landing softly in the backyard. Malia threw herself at Jacob, wrapping her arms around him as she kissed him deeply. "I love you so much." She breathed against his lips.
Jacob smiled, holding her tight. "I love you, too."
Malia pulled back slightly, her golden eyes still alight with the thrill of discovery. "I think I can do more."
"What do you mean?" Jacob asked.
"I'm way stronger than before." Malia explained, flexing her hands. "And I think my coyote form is changed, too."
"Show me." Jacob said, curiosity piqued.
Malia stepped a few paces away from him and focused. She shifted into her full animal form—but it shouldn't be called a coyote anymore. She was now as large as a horse, her frame more powerful and wolf-like, with thick, muscular limbs. A pair of magnificent, feathered wings were folded against her back, and arcs of blue-white lightning danced across her fur.
Jacob looked at her in surprise and admiration. "You look majestic." He walked up to her, and she lowered her giant head, nuzzling against his chest as he stroked her thick, electrified fur.
Malia's voice spoke directly in his mind. [I think I can make my body small again.]
"Try it." Jacob said.
She concentrated, and soon the lightning receded into her body. Her wings vanished completely as her body shrank until she stood before him as an ordinary-looking coyote.
"Try to shift into your werecoyote form." Jacob suggested. "Your hybrid form, I mean. Like this."
He demonstrated. Black scales rippled across his skin, covering his body except for his face. Curved dragon horns sprouted from his forehead, he grew several inches taller, and a long, powerful tail swished behind him.
Malia shifted back to her human form, studying him intently. Then she attempted to mimic his hybrid form. Dark grey fur sprouted across her body, her face elongated slightly into a wolf-like muzzle with gleaming fangs, and she grew a few inches taller. A bushy tail emerged from the base of her spine.
Jacob's eyes lit up. He hugged her tightly, then, in a blink, teleported them both back into his bedroom. "Let's do it while you're in this form."
Malia blinked, her voice deeper and slightly raspy in this shape. "What, really? You like me looking like this, you pervert?"
"Yes, I do." Jacob admitted with a shameless grin. "I do love me a monster girl. So, can we? Please?"
Malia's wolfish muzzle stretched into a smile, revealing sharp canines. "Sure. But we're only doing it once; that's my limit."
With that, Jacob scooped her up and tossed her playfully onto the bed before pouncing on top of her. Soon, the sounds of their passionate—and distinctly non-human—lovemaking filled the room: low growls, playful howls, and satisfied roars.
Downstairs, Cogman, who was on his way out to pick up Allison and Lydia from school, paused as a particularly resonant growl echoed from the upper floor, followed by a playful snarl. He shook his head with a smile, then continued out the door, got into the Rolls-Royce, and drove away, leaving the amorous chaos of the mansion behind.
Chapter 101: Harem Space pt. 1
Jacob and Malia were laying in bed, naked and still in their hybrid forms, wrapped in each other's arms.
Jacob stroked Malia's furred cheek gently. "By the way, don't tell anyone outside our family that I'm a dragon. Not even Scott and Stiles."
Malia, who was curiously tracing the ridges of his horns, said. "Okay. But why?"
"Just to avoid unnecessary trouble." Jacob explained. "Although I don't care as much now since I can teleport and have a place where you girls and I can hide. But it's better to be safe than sorry, I guess."
"Where is the place we can hide at?" Malia asked, her golden eyes curious.
"I'll tell you when Allison and Lydia get back." He promised.
They kept lying there, wrapped in a comfortable silence, until the door to the room opened and Lydia and Allison entered.
Both girls stopped, their eyes widening as they took in Malia's new hybrid form. Then Lydia smiled, a playful glint in her eye. "Hey, perverts." She walked over to the bed and kissed Jacob. "So, you couldn't wait and had sex with her."
Jacob smiled. "Yes. I've been waiting to eat her up since the day she shifted back to human."
Allison sat on the other side of the bed and stroked the soft fur on Malia's arm. "You look surprisingly beautiful in your werecoyote form."
Lydia leaned in, touching Malia's furry cheek. "Yes, you look beautiful. Unlike Peter and Scott—the two of them are just ugly."
Malia blinked in surprise, her tail giving a little flick. "Aren't you guys going to make fun of Jay for sleeping with me in this form?"
Lydia snorted. "Actually, I'd be more surprised if he didn't. We already know he's a pervert who likes monster girls, so he wasn't going to miss sleeping with your beautiful furry ass."
"Yeah." Allison agreed with a smirk. "He loves sleeping with me and Lydia in our fairy and banshee forms. And, to be honest, I like doing it with him in his dragon form, too. It's exciting that way."
Lydia traced one of Jacob's horns with her finger. "Me too. I like a little beauty and the beast roleplay from time to time."
Malia smirked, her sharp canines showing. "So everyone in our family is a pervert, huh?"
Allison laughed. "I guess we are. Welcome to the family."
Lydia smiled warmly and took Malia's clawed hand. "Welcome to the family. We should throw a party or something."
Jacob stretched lazily. "I don't mind a party, but only us, and maybe Scott and Stiles. I don't like strangers in my house."
"Yes, just us." Allison said, wrinkling her nose. "I remember Lydia's party—it was gross and disgusting. I don't want people vomiting in our home, or maybe even having sex here. That's just nasty."
"I wasn't suggesting inviting people from school." Lydia clarified, rolling her eyes. "I meant just us, and maybe we could invite our parents."
Jacob's eyes lit up. "Yes! We should invite Melissa, too."
Thump. Thump.
Lydia and Allison punched him in the face simultaneously. "Scum." They said in unison.
Jacob just smiled, and wisely chose to shut his mouth.
Allison shook her head and turned her attention back to Malia. "So, what bloodline did you get?"
"A Thunderbird bloodline." Malia said proudly. "I have wings, and I can control lightning and wind."
"Can you turn into a bird?" Lydia asked.
"No, she can't." Jacob answered. "She chose to be a chimera." He then explained what a chimera was, and Malia eagerly demonstrated her new powers—her wings, her giant animal form, and the crackling lightning she could summon.
After that, Jacob got out of bed and headed toward the bathroom. Malia started to follow him, but Allison stopped her with a wink. "You can go take a shower in your room." She said. Then she shifted into her fairy form, and followed Jacob. "Hubby, do you mind if I join you?"
Jacob stopped, scooped her into his arms, and grinned. "Not at all, love."
"Damn it, she beat me to it." Lydia muttered, then called after them as they neared the bathroom. "Be quick, you two! We still need to get ready for the formal!" Then she and Malia left the room.
Jacob and Allison entered the bathroom and proceeded to have their own kind of "fun."
😏😘👄💋🍑💦🍆💥🌊❤️😊
An hour later, Jacob and Allison were done and stepped out of the bathroom, both wrapped in bathrobes.
"Put on your clothes and call the girls." Jacob said to Allison. "Let's meet in the living room. There's something I want to show you all."
Allison raised a brow. "Something good?"
Jacob smiled. "Yes. You girls will love it."
Allison hugged his arm, putting on her most coquettish act. "Can you tell your first wife before the others, babe?"
Jacob kissed her lips and gave her ass a playful spank. "Nope. Go get the others."
Allison snorted. "Idiot." But she couldn't hide her excited smile as she headed to her room.
Jacob got dressed and went downstairs to the living room, summoning Cogman as well.
Soon, Allison, Lydia, and Malia came running down the stairs, their faces full of expectation.
"After Malia truly became my mate, my strength grew a bit, and now I can access a new space." Jacob announced. "It was left by my parents, or an ancestor, or something—it's like how I get those abilities, potions, magical food, and the scroll that summoned Cogman."
Lydia's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What's in that space? More abilities and potions?"
"No," Jacob said, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. "It's better if I just show you."
He waved a hand, and a shimmering portal of swirling light and energy appeared in the middle of the living room. "Follow me." He said, and stepped through.
They stepped out of the portal and found themselves at the edge of a vast, breathtaking island. It was a paradise of vibrant green forests, blossoming fruit trees, fields of exotic flowers, and a large, crystal-clear lake. In the very center of the island stood a grand, majestic palace of pristine white stone.
The girls and Jacob gasped in surprise, and even Cogman was impressed.
"What a beautiful place." Allison said.
Lydia pointed toward the center of the island. "And look at that magnificent palace! It looks huge even from this distance."
Malia took a deep, slow breath. "The air here is so fresh. It's like the first time I ever took a breath."
Jacob smiled, pleased by their reactions. "That's because this place is filled with magical energy. And from now on, it's our home. You girls can teleport here from the outside world whenever you want."
"Yeah, I felt a connection to this place the moment we entered." Lydia said, her voice filled with awe.
"Me too." Allison and Malia echoed in unison.
Jacob turned to his butler. "Cogman, give me your hand."
Cogman extended his hand, and Jacob grasped it. A flash of golden light emanated from their joined hands, and when it faded, a faint dragon head mark appeared on the back of Cogman's hand before shimmering and disappearing beneath his artificial skin.
"Now you can teleport in and out of this space as well." Jacob explained. "But you can't bring anyone with you." He looked at the girls. "Same for you three. You can't bring anyone here. This place is accessible only to me, my bonded wives, and people I give permission to—like Cogman. From now on, this won't just be a home; it will be our safe place to escape to if we're ever in danger."
"Great!" Allison exclaimed. She threw her arms around Jacob and gave him a deep kiss. "I love you so much, my magical treasure boy."
Not to be outdone, Lydia and Malia pounced on him, showering him with kisses of their own.
After they pulled back, a competitive glint appeared in Allison's eyes. "Girls! Let's race to the palace!" Laughing, she took off running. Lydia and Malia immediately gave chase, their supernatural speed kicking in as they sprinted across the lush, open field.
Cogman stepped closer to Jacob. A slow, unsettling smirk spread across his face. "Sir," he said in a deliberately silky tone, "do you want me to kiss you, too?"
Jacob's reaction was instant. He kicked Cogman's legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the soft grass. "Say something like that again, and I'll burn you to ash." Jacob growled, then reconsidered. "Actually, no—I just won't let you kill anyone ever again."
Cogman panicked. He scrambled up and hugged Jacob's leg in a dramatic display of desperation. "Don't, sir! I was just joking!"
Jacob looked down at him with utter disgust. "Let go of my leg." When Cogman didn't immediately comply, Jacob channeled a high-voltage charge of electricity directly into him.
"Yaaaaaagh!" Cogman let go and fell back, convulsing on the ground as sparks danced over his suit.
Jacob laughed, his mood partially restored. "That's for ruining my good mood, you stupid tin can."
After a moment, the convulsions subsided. Cogman sat up stiffly, smoothing out his suit. "Damn it. I will make Stiles pay for this."
Jacob raised a brow. "Stiles? What did he do?"
Cogman stood, meticulously dusting himself off. "He told me that if I ever wanted to mess with you, I should act coquettishly toward you."
"I see." Jacob said, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Then beat his ass for me."
"I will, sir." Cogman promised darkly.
"Let's go to the palace." Jacob said, turning his attention back to the distant building. "And you don't have to walk. You can teleport wherever you want inside this place. Alright, figure it out yourself. See you at the palace."
With that, Jacob vanished, reappearing beside the three girls, who were still sprinting toward the palace with incredible speed. "Girls! Stop for a second!"
They skidded to a halt, looking at him curiously.
"Actually, you don't need to run to the palace." Jacob said.
"But it's too far!" Lydia protested. "If we walk, it'll take us hours to reach it."
Jacob smiled. "You don't have to walk. You can teleport there. Actually, you can teleport wherever you want inside this place."
"Really?" Allison asked, her face lighting up.
"Yes. Just focus on that connection you have with this place and think of going to the palace. You'll appear there." After saying that, he vanished once more.
Lydia's eyes gleamed with understanding. "Is that so? See you girls, then!" She focused for a split second and vanished with a soft pop of displaced air.
Malia blinked. "How did she learn it so fast?"
"She already has a teleportation ability." Allison explained.
"Like Jay?"
Allison shook her head. "No, Jay can't teleport when he is outside this space."
Malia said. "But, earlier, when we were outside, he took me from his bedroom to the woods in a blink. He said it was a new ability he gained."
"Really?" Allison mused, not entirely surprised. "Well, I guess that's not shocking. Now, let's try to teleport, too!"
---
At the grand entrance to the palace, Jacob waited. The first to appear was Lydia, who materialized gracefully beside him. Next was Cogman, who appeared with significantly less grace—he stumbled forward and fell flat on his face. Jacob and Lydia burst out laughing.
A moment later, Allison appeared—but she materialized several meters in the air directly above Jacob. She let out a scream as she began to fall.
Jacob easily caught her in his arms. "You are too loud!" He scolded playfully. "Why are you screaming, anyway? Nothing would have happened to you from that height even if you'd hit the ground. You're not a weak human anymore."
Allison pouted, still clinging to him. "I know, but it's still scary!"
He set her down gently. Just as she walked over to join Lydia, Malia appeared right above his head from behind. Before he could react, she dropped directly onto him. The impact sent him crashing face-first onto the polished marble floor in front of the palace doors, with her landing squarely on his back.
Malia stood up, brushed herself off, and walked over to the other girls as if nothing had happened.
Jacob groaned, pushing himself up and rubbing his face—though he felt no pain. "You're welcome." He said dryly.
Malia, who was staring up at the huge palace, turned briefly. "Oh, thanks." Then she ignored him again.
Jacob's gaze shifted to Cogman, who stood nearby, struggling to suppress his laughter.
Catching his look, Cogman quickly raised his hands in innocence. "I saw nothing, sir." He then hurried over to stand with the girls.
Allison, finally tearing her eyes from the colossal building, looked back at Jacob. "Why are you sulking back there, you idiot? Come and open the doors of our new home for us!"
Jacob walked toward the massive doors, muttering under his breath. "You guys are so rude…"
Allison glanced at Malia. "What's wrong with him?"
Malia shrugged, utterly unconcerned. "I have no idea." Her attention was fully captured by the structure before them. "What a huge building."
"Yes," Allison agreed, her voice full of wonder. "I've never seen or imagined a building could be this big."
Jacob reached the towering double doors. The moment his fingers brushed the cool, ornate surface, they swung inward silently of their own accord, revealing a glimpse of the grandeur within.
He turned back to his family, a proud smile on his face, and gestured grandly inside. "Come on in, girls. Welcome home."
To be continued
Chapter 102: Harem Space pt. 2
Jacob, the girls, and Cogman entered the palace. Only then did they truly grasp its scale. They spent a full hour exploring—and barely scratched the surface. Streets turned into halls, halls into plazas, and plazas into entire neighborhoods filled with gardens, training courts, libraries, sanctuaries, and empty homes waiting for life.
Jacob, as the owner of the palace, knew its layout. He led them to the residential wing and into a bedroom that took their breath away. The ceiling was painted with drifting constellations that moved slowly as if alive. A massive bed carved from white stone and gold sat at the center, surrounded by flowing curtains of enchanted silk that responded to mood and warmth. Wide balconies opened to the island's forests and the distant lake far below, letting daylight and magical energy spill inside.
"What a beautiful bedroom." Lydia murmured, her voice filled with awe.
"Indeed." Allison agreed. "Look at that view. It's gorgeous."
After that, they moved to one of the living rooms—an elegant space designed for both comfort and grandeur. The couches formed a beautiful gathering place, while the fireplace burned with a soft, smokeless flame. Shelves lined with books gave the room a lived-in warmth, and enormous windows opened to sweeping views of the palace gardens and the distant hills.
They sat down, sinking into the luxurious cushions.
"This place is so beautiful." Lydia said, shaking her head slightly. "I can't find the right words to describe it."
"It's like a palace from a fantasy novel." Allison said, her eyes sparkling. "I love it."
Malia smiled. "Yeah. I wouldn't mind living here for the rest of my life without ever going back to the outside world."
"I'm surprised, too." Jacob admitted. "The palace isn't just huge—it's like a small city. It would take days to truly know it all."
Allison nodded, then narrowed her eyes at Jacob. "Just how many wives are you planning to have, you pervert? I mean, thousands of people could live here!"
"Hey!" Jacob protested. "It's not like I was the one who built it. I didn't even know about this place until today. I'm just as surprised as you girls. Besides, it's not like only my wives can live here. We'll have children in the future, and they'll have children, too. So the bigger the place, the better. Don't you think?"
"Kids?" Allison repeated. "I suppose you're right. But we're still too young for that."
Jacob, unable to help himself, blurted out. "Well, maybe you are young. But what if I got me an older woman? She might want kids…"
Seeing both Allison and Lydia glaring at him, Jacob's words died in his throat. He wisely shut his mouth, scooted closer to Malia, and hugged her like a shield.
Lydia suddenly stood up in a panic. "Guys! We've been here too long. I forgot about the formal!"
"Who cares about the stupid formal?" Jacob grumbled.
Lydia glared at him again. "I do! We probably don't have time to change and put on our makeup now!"
"Relax." Jacob said. "There's a time dilation in this space. Five hours here is equal to only one hour outside."
Allison and Lydia spoke in unison. "Really?"
Lydia pulled out her phone and checked the time, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Then shouldn't the time on my phone be slowed down? It shows we've been here for more than an hour. The last time I checked was before Allison told us to gather in the living room outside this place, and it was 4:30 p.m. Now it's 5:45."
Cogman said. "I believe your phone would run normally from your perspective, Lady Lydia. Seconds feel like seconds; minutes feel like minutes. If you spend five hours inside, your phone will show that full five hours passing. Nothing feels amiss while you are in here. However, when you leave, your phone will be four hours behind the outside clocks. To everyone outside, only one hour will have passed, but your device recorded five." He paused. "Though, there is something that has been perplexing me for a while now."
"What is it?" Jacob asked.
"I can still connect to the network outside this space." Cogman stated, sounding genuinely puzzled. "Can you explain why, sir? It should be impossible."
"Let me think." Jacob said. He focused internally. 'System, care to explain why Cogman is still connected to the outside network?'
A translucent system window appeared before his eyes.
[It is the entry-pass mark you granted to Cogman to access the Harem Space, Host. You may place a similar mark on your phone, and it will connect to the outside network and receive calls.]
"I think it's the mark I gave you to enter and exit this space." Jacob explained aloud. "Let me try it on my phone."
He took out his phone, focused on granting it the same entry-pass mark, and a soft light emanated from his palm. A faint dragon head mark shimmered briefly on the back of the phone before fading. The device immediately reconnected to the cellular network.
"It worked." Jacob said, grinning. "Girls, give me your phones."
He repeated the process with Allison's, Lydia's, and Malia's phones. Once done, he turned back to Cogman. "Cogman, can you create an app that tells us the exact time outside while we're in here? Also, one that tracks how much time we've spent inside compared to the real world."
Cogman said. "It is feasible, sir. I can create it and install it on your phones. It will function flawlessly regardless of dimensional transitions."
Jacob blinked. "How?"
Cogman replied smoothly, a hint of pride in his voice. "Creating the app would involve establishing temporal anchors, accounting for dilation constants, and implementing multi-layered chronal synchronization algorithms."
Jacob waved a hand dismissively. "Okay, my head already hurts. Forget I asked. I wouldn't understand even if you told me."
Cogman smirked and gave a slight bow. "An admirable level of self-awareness, sir. I shall have it ready shortly."
Jacob shrugged, already moving on to the next idea. "Also, buy a big TV and put it in this living room. Find a room and turn it into a home cinema, and turn another room into a gaming room."
Cogman nodded, then added. "We will require a cold storage room here as well."
"No need." Jacob said, shaking his head. "The main kitchen and all the other kitchens in this palace have a special food storage room. It's better than any fridge or cold room—it preserves food perfectly, preventing decay no matter how long it stays there." He paused, considering. "But you'll still need a regular fridge and freezer for things like ice cream, ice, and cold drinks. Those special rooms don't actively freeze or chill things; they just maintain the state the food is in when you put it there."
Cogman asked. "And if you place food that is already cold or frozen into those rooms, what will happen? Will it warm and melt?"
"No," Jacob clarified. "It will stay exactly as you left it."
"I see." Cogman replied, satisfied.
"Alright, let's go outside the palace." Jacob said, leading the way.
The group exited the palace, stepping back onto the lush grass. Jacob then retrieved two massive Sker Buffalo carcasses from his pocket dimension, their colossal forms landing on the ground with a heavy thump.
"Cogman, butcher these and put the meat in the storage room." Jacob instructed.
Malia's eyes lit up instantly. "How many of these delicious big cows do you have?"
Jacob said. "Minus these two and the one we're already eating from, I have seven others left."
Lydia and Allison walked slowly around the enormous carcasses.
"Jay," Allison asked, her voice full of curiosity, "what world are these cow monsters from?"
"They're from the world of Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah, and Kong." Jacob explained. "These creatures are considered Titans too. They're called Sker Buffalo."
Lydia asked. "Hey, Jay. Do you think King Ghidorah is related to you?"
Jacob raised a brow, looking at her with amusement. "How do you even know what King Ghidorah is?"
"I watched a few Godzilla movies." Lydia said with a shrug. "I even watched the Godzilla cartoon series when I was about eight. There wasn't much else to watch back then."
"I've seen a few of the movies and the cartoon, too." Allison chimed in.
"Well, to answer your question." Jacob said, turning back to Lydia. "Although King Ghidorah is a dragon, it isn't related to me."
Allison asked. "Who do you think is stronger? You or King Ghidorah?"
Jacob laughed, but it was a laugh without ego. "The me right now is like a bug to King Ghidorah. That thing can destroy a city with a single attack. Its wings can create hurricanes more powerful than humans can even measure. It can drain energy from external power sources or directly from other Titans through its bite to amplify its power. And it can't even be killed with a nuke."
"But you're immune to fire." Allison said. "So you could survive a nuke, right?"
Jacob said. "Even if I'm immune to fire at any temperature, I'm not sure if I'm immune to radiation. And my body couldn't withstand the kinetic force of the blast itself."
Cogman, who had already begun expertly butchering one of the Sker Buffalo with terrifying efficiency, called out without looking up. "He is correct. The kinetic energy of the blast could still disintegrate his body, and the radiation could disrupt him at the atomic level."
Jacob said. "But I will become stronger than King Ghidorah and Godzilla one day. I just hope there aren't any creatures like that in our world. I could escape, but… I hate losing."
Lydia said. "Are you going to become as big as Godzilla and King Ghidorah?"
"Maybe bigger." Jacob said with a confident smirk. "And definitely more handsome. Godzilla looks cool, but not as good as a majestic dragon like me. And unlike Ghidorah, I'm a proper dragon with four limbs. Ghidorah looks weird with only two legs and three heads."
Malia, who had been standing by and listening, finally spoke up. "I don't know what a Godzilla or this King Ghi-do-thing is that you guys are talking about. But if they're as delicious as this buffalo, then we should hunt them."
Lydia stared at her. "We're talking about giant lizards."
"So what?" Malia replied, completely unfazed. "I've eaten lizards before when I was hungry. They didn't taste good, but they were still edible."
Lydia made a face. "Gross. I'm not eating a lizard, or a giant lizard monster like Godzilla."
"Me neither." Allison agreed quickly. "And for Jacob, it might be considered cannibalism if he eat King Ghidorah and Godzilla."
"I'm not eating them either." Jacob said, laughing. "Besides, they're way stronger than us right now. But there are other delicious-looking monsters in their world. Giant crabs, all kinds of huge birds and fish, and probably other kinds of titan cows and titan sheep, too. Too bad they live in a different world. We can't hunt them even if we wanted to."
Malia tilted her head. "Can't you teleport to their world?"
"Not yet." Jacob admitted.
"What a bummer. You suck, Jay." Malia said, a mischievous glint entering her eyes. She nudged Lydia. "Let's boo him, girls!"
Lydia smiled, instantly picking up on the game. She joined Malia, pointing playfully at Jacob. "Boo! Boo, Jay, you suck! You're too weak! You should help me go to the Little Mermaid's world if it really exists!"
Malia nodded vigorously, adding her own complaint. "Boo, boo! You should provide me with all kinds of delicious meat, you creepy pervert!"
Jacob laughed, thoroughly amused. He turned to Allison, who was watching the scene with an amused smile. "Aren't you going to boo me, too?"
Allison's smile widened. "No. Maybe another time."
Pleased, Jacob hugged her and gave her a quick kiss. Then, he reached into his pocket dimension and pulled out a vibrant red scroll. "Since you're such a good girl, I'll give you this."
Allison took the scroll, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "What does it do?"
"It's an ability scroll. Open it and you'll learn it." Jacob explained.
Instantly, Lydia and Malia—who had been booing him moments before—rushed over.
"Where's mine?" Lydia demanded.
"Mine, too!" Malia added.
Jacob feigned innocence. "Weren't you both just booing me? I only had one. Since Allison was the good girl, I gave it to her."
Allison smiled triumphantly. Lydia glared at her, then made a sudden grab for the scroll.
"Hey!" Allison yelped, jumping back out of reach. She quickly opened the scroll. The parchment dissolved into a stream of crimson light that shot forward and vanished between her eyebrows. Her eyes fluttered closed as she absorbed the knowledge.
Lydia turned her glare on Malia. "This is your fault!"
Malia just smirked, ignoring Lydia, and hugged Jacob's arm. "Husband, I'm sorry for booing you. Can you give me what you just gave Allison, too? Or give it to me before Lydia when you get it next time?"
"You bitch!" Lydia hissed, then quickly hugged Jacob's other arm, adopting a sweet, pleading tone. "I'm sorry, too! She was the one who asked me to boo you! And I'm your second wife—you should give me what you gave Allison before Malia."
Jacob couldn't hold back his laughter. "I was just messing with you girls. Here." He reached back into his pocket dimension and retrieved two more identical red scrolls, handing one to Malia and one to Lydia.
Both girls gave him a grateful kiss before eagerly breaking the seals on their scrolls. The parchment dissolved into light, and they closed their eyes to receive the knowledge.
A moment later, Allison's eyes snapped open. She beamed, kissed Jacob deeply, and said. "I'm going to try it out!"
"Be careful." Jacob cautioned. "The more magical energy you channel into it, the more powerful the Firaga spell becomes."
"Firaga? Is that the fire spell's name?" Allison asked.
"Yes," Jacob said, surprised. "Didn't you learn its name when you absorbed the scroll?"
"No," Allison shook her head. "I just gained the ability and learned how to cast it."
"I see."
"Okay, I'm going!" Allison said, her excitement bubbling over. "I don't want to accidentally destroy the garden." She focused for a moment and then teleported away, reappearing in the distance near the rocky foothills and giant boulders behind the palace, a safe distance from anything delicate.
Soon after, Malia and Lydia finished absorbing their scrolls. They each gave Jacob a quick, thankful kiss, and he repeated his warning about controlling the Firaga spell's power.
"Where's Allison?" Lydia asked, looking around.
"She went to try out the ability." Jacob said.
Lydia and Malia closed their eyes, reaching for the unique connection they all shared through their bonds with Jacob. They sensed Allison's location, then vanished, teleporting to join her.
Jacob turned and walked over to where Cogman was still methodically butchering the two Sker Buffalo, rolled up his sleeves, and started helping him.
To be continued