"I'm a Lycan." he blurted out. His body tensed.
Rose blinked repeatedly at Jim and chuckled.
"Seems like somebody reads too many science fictions."
Jim pulled away and stared at her. His face was serious.
"I'm telling you the truth. I am a prince of a werewolf and lycan race."
"Sure you are." Rose said in sarcasm.
Jim looked a bit frustrated.
"Do you want proof?"
Rose nodded, folding her arms.
Jim took a step back, making sure nobody saw.
With that, he transformed into a lycan. Fur on his once smooth, toned skin. Fangs of about an inch long, his claws two inches long.
It was a fascinating sight to behold. Rose gaped in shock and slowly took a step towards him. She leaned close...very close and touched his furry arms.
"You really are a..."
"A Lycan." he cut in smiling.
He turned back into his human form.
Rose grinned in amazement.
"Wait. Of everybody in this school, why did you tell someone you just met?"
Jim looked into the sky as though searching for an answer.
"It's something I'll need to be sure of." he said slowly, looking at her.
Rose heard the bell and was about to leave, when he held her wrist gently, but firmly.
"Don't tell anyone about it. Not even Jen."
Rose nodded, sincerely promising to keep his secret.
With that, the bell rung for another class period.
"I have to get to class." Rose said hurriedly and walked briskly to class. Jim's eyes lingered on her retreading figure.
Later that day, school was over and Rose was outside the school gates, talking to Jen. They gossiped about certain class mates that they found particularly annoying. All said, Rose walked home.
"Hey!" shouted a masculine voice from behind.
Rose turned around with a frown that quickly disappeared when she saw Jim.
Jim walked majestically and took her hand in his. Then, he escorted her to her house. She admired the warmth of his strong palms on hers.
Her father stood at the doorway, casting a glare at both of them.
"Who the f**k is this?" her father, August spat out rudely.
"He is just a friend I met in school, dad."
"Likely story. You are starting to grow wings, I see." August said after giving her a heavy slap across the face.
Rose winced in pain and embarrassment.
Jim stared in shock and stood defensively in front of Rose.
"Don't you dare lay your nasty fingers on her ever again." Jim's voice was firm and deep.
August laughed defiantly and moved closer to Jim.
Jim grabbed the collar of August's shirt and said angrily,
"I do not give a damn who you are. I will not stand here in silence and watch you harm her."
August was silent. He darted his eyes to Rose who fixed her eyes to the floor.
"Rose!" August shouted, bringing back Rose from her cloud of thoughts.
"Tell this unsolicited ruffian to let go of me...now!"
"Jim, please. Let him go. I will be fine."
Jim reluctantly let go of the angry man. He looked at Rose with a soft expression.
Rose looked into his concerned eyes and reassured,
"I will be alright. I promise."
Jim sighed deeply and walked away.
As soon as Jim was out of sight, August dragged Rose into the house and slammed the door behind them. Pushing her to the floor, he shouted furiously,
"I see that you have started going around with boys, huh. Are you still a virgin?! Answer me!"
His tone was harsh as always. His eyes brooked no lies. Rose wanted to speak, but out of fear, she only nodded.
August grabbed her hair, pulling her up and dragged her to his room, pushing her to his bed.
He was a tall man of thirty eight that looked younger than his age.
"Show me!"
Rose looked at him, confused and perplexed.
"H...huh? W...what do you mean?" she stammered.
August moved closer and snarled,
"I want to see your hymen. Now."
Rose reluctantly took off her underwear and spread out her legs.
August bent down and looked at her vulva and nodded satisfied.
"Good." he muttered, "Get out of my sight."
Hurriedly, Rose left his room and went to her room. She collapsed on her bed, crying.
The next day...
Rose goes to the cafeteria in silence and sits down. She starts eating a sandwich, sulking as she remembers the reoccurrence of yesterday.
Jim sits next to her.
"What is wrong with you?"
he asked. His tone was more of accusing and pissed than concerned.
Rose ignored his question and made to get up. Jim placed his hand on her knee firmly.
"Answer me at once. I am not a fool."
he demanded.
"Jim, I hate my father. I'm sure he hates me too. He..." she hesitated.
Jim looked at her with softened eyes, urging her to speak. She told him exactly what had happened yesterday without further hesitation.
Jim's brow furrowed in anger.
"What?!" he said, slamming his fist hard on the table. The other students stared at him.
"Who the f**k does he think he is?"
he asked rhetorically.
Rose shared her idea of running away on several occasions. He listened to her every word with rapt attention. Grasping everything she said tightly.
Jim leaned in and whispered,
"I can help you. Do you trust me?"
"I trust you, Jim." she responded.
"You can live with me. Far away in my werewolf kingdom, named Eisler. You will be safe from his evil clutches."
Rose thought long and hard about it and reluctantly nodded.
He grinned,
"Good. You should however know some things first."
Rose faced him and nodded for him to continue.
He began,
"You will no longer be attending school. You'll have to drop out."
This statement struck into Rose like a stone cold hammer. She looked at him in disbelief.
He took her hand and continued,
"It's a lot to take in. I know. We will figure it out. Also, you are my mate. That is why I told you of my secret earlier."
"What? Wait, how? Isn't your mate supposed to be a werewolf or Lycan like you?" she asked naively.
Jim smirked.
"It is confusing to me too. Either way, we will sort it out. I promise."
Jim got up and held out his hand for her. She took his hand and got up, following him to the school gates.
"Are you ready to start a new life, Rose?"
Rose took a deep breath and nodded.
Jim smirked at her, visibly content.
"One last thing before we leave." said Jim.
Rose raised her brow and looked at him.
"You will have to destroy your virginity." he said, confidentially.