CHAPTER 2: THE JAMES FAMILY
838 Words
“Get them, Kim!” Jade screamed at the top of her lungs.
Kim glanced up from the court and grinned. She was the school’s volleyball captain, and her team—The Beasts—was feared across colleges. As the middle blocker, no opponent’s attack ever slipped past her. Towering at 6 feet 5 inches, she possessed a menacing aura and was famously known as The Pinnacle Giantess. Pinnacle College bore her title proudly, and she stood taller than almost everyone on campus.
Her arch-enemy, Ann, captain of the opposing team The Falcons, stood at 6 feet 3 inches. Nexa College was notorious for its brutal playstyle, but today, their aggression met an immovable force. Kim blocked their attacks effortlessly, flashing Ann a smug, wicked grin each time.
At halftime, both teams retreated to their coaches. Coach Sandra—short in height but legendary in presence—stood on a seat and tapped each girl on the back before pressing her forehead against Kim’s in a dramatic show of unity. The team laughed, already used to their coach’s fiery antics.
“Gather up, girls!” Coach Sandra barked.
They circled her instantly.
“Go out there and be the beasts!” she thundered. “That court is yours. You rule it. Nothing gets past you. That championship title belongs to us! We are not cowards—we are The Beasts!”
“ARRRRRHHHH!” the girls roared.
The crowd erupted, chants echoing through the stadium.
Jade sat in the stands with her mother and siblings. Their father, Mr. James, couldn’t attend the championship match—he was away on an important business trip. Still, his absence didn’t dampen their spirits.
Jason, her immediate brother sat beside her, while the identical twins, Judy and Judith, waved banners enthusiastically. Little Jasper bounced in his seat, barely containing his excitement. Mrs. James smiled warmly, her eyes fixed on the court.
“Oh yeah! They’re fired up!” Jasper yelled. “Kim’s gonna crush them all!”
Kim wasn’t just a family friend—she was family. An only child raised by wealthy but often-absent parents, she had found a home with the James family. She spent holidays with them, bought Jasper gifts, and taught him self-defense with the patience of a true big sister. With a black belt in judo, she was both protector and role model.
No one dared mess with the James family—not with The Pinnacle Giantess standing beside them.
“One! Two! Three! Go!” Jasper shouted.
“Crush them, Kim! Crush them, Kim!” the James family screamed, waving their banner wildly.
Kim glanced up, saluted proudly, blew Jasper a kiss, and sprinted back onto the court.
As the second half began, both teams played fiercely, neither willing to lose an inch. Sweat dripped, muscles strained, and the tension in the arena thickened with every rally.
Minutes before the final whistle, the score stood neck and neck.
Then it happened.
Kim leapt into the air, blocking a devastating spike with brutal precision. She redirected the ball cleanly, bouncing it toward the outside hitter.
“Amy!” someone shouted.
Amy lunged forward and smashed the ball ferociously over the net—so fast that none of the opposing girls could react before it hit their court.
The bell rang.
The stadium exploded.
The Beasts had won the championship.
Jade rushed onto the court and threw herself into Kim’s arms. Kim lifted her effortlessly, spinning her around as the crowd cheered.
Jasper ran toward them, excitement blinding him. His foot caught on the staircase, and he stumbled forward—
—but never fell.
A massive hand grabbed him mid-air.
Jasper found himself lifted high, staring into intense golden eyes behind a pair of glasses.
“Be careful,” Zane said sharply.
What Jasper didn’t see was the faint ripple of shadow that flickered around Zane’s hand—or how time itself seemed to slow for a split second. His reflexes were far from human.
“You’re a giant!” Jasper exclaimed, awe lighting up his face.
Zane blinked, startled. Most children feared him. This one smiled like he’d found a hero.
“Can I sit on your shoulders? Pretty please?” Jasper begged.
Moments later, Kim and Jade turned to see Zane walking toward them—Jasper perched happily on his shoulders.
“Kim! I found your brother!” Jasper laughed. “His name is Zane!”
The James family gathered around him, curious and impressed. Jason sized Zane up and whistled appreciatively. The twins begged to be lifted, and Zane silently complied, one after the other.
Mrs. James soon ushered the children away for ice cream.
Jade lingered.
“Thank you, Zane,” she said softly. “For everything.”
Zane stepped closer. Too close.
“You’re welcome.”
Jade’s breath caught. Heat bloomed across her cheeks. She fled before her knees gave out.
Zane watched her go, his head pounding.
His demon stirred. His wolf growled.
"Who is she? he wondered.
"What's wrong with me?"
- Writer
