Chapter 21: Changing The Future

KIX:

Anger flowed out of me uncontrollably like rain. I had to remind myself that I was speaking to a frail human here rather than a werewolf so that I could get a hold of my emotions and pace myself accordingly.

“You started everything, didn’t you? You made Jade’s life a living hell, and you dare blame me for making her feel miserable back then,” I said in controlled fury.

She backed out a bit. She was shaking like a leaf under my alpha gaze, and I don’t blame her. Even my subordinates would sh*t their pants sometimes when I was this angry.

“W-what? What did I do,” she cowered. Despite her fear, her mouth was still spilling a lot of pathetic nonsense.

“Don’t ‘what’ me,” I growled. “Those stupid pictures that started it all, you knew where they came from, didn’t you? Don’t lie to me! I can smell your filthy lie even a mile away from here, you know!”

Dianna’s eyes widened, and she began to cry.

Humans can really be funny sometimes. They think their cries could cover for their lies as soon as they get exposed…

“Save your tears,” I said bitterly. “They cannot move me even a bit! You know that the only time tears can move me is if they come from Jade… Now, quit showing your face in front of her and making her life miserable! If you don’t, you’ll be sorry.”

Perhaps due to fear, her knees gave way, and she fell to the ground. Feeling satisfied that she looked terrified enough to leave my Jade alone, I turned my back from Dianna and walked away.

Despite knowing that this girl was behind the cause of Jade’s pain in high school, she does have a point… I was also part of Jade’s misery back then…

If I had only been powerful enough to protect her, she wouldn’t have had to suffer… If I defied my parents from the start, Jade would never have to go through that hell… She wouldn’t have felt so fearful of me now if I was only there beside her…

But what can I do? I can only work on the present and on our future together. I could never change our past. Right now, I should only focus on that.

My first mission - removing that vile parasite named ‘Diana Gray,’ was complete. Now, let’s go on our next mission – crushing that rat Liam and killing that damned guy who is after my Jade’s throat.

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JADE:

“Jade Sy… I really like you. Would you consider being with me for real?”

Did I really hear Liam say those words out loud?...

I breathed forcefully in. I didn’t even know I was holding my breath since he asked me those questions.

“W-What?... Why,” I asked stupidly.

“I… I like you a lot. I hope the feeling is mutual, but if it isn’t, I’d understand… Only please think about it more thoroughly. I’ll be a good boyfriend… I’ll surely protect you.”

“You’d protect me?...”

“Yes. Maybe I’m not really your type, but please consider it… I won’t rush you… Just please think it over, Jade.”

I looked at Liam’s eyes. Was he really concerned for me? Did he really say that he like me?

“Why, Liam,” I breathed towards him, “why would you like someone like me?”

“What’s there not to like? You’re beautiful, and you’re kind. You always go out of your way to help others. You’re pure and considerate even though you suffer… Really, what is there not to like?”

My chest was hurting… I didn’t know if his words moved me or hurt me. Perhaps it was a mixture of both…

If he knew what kind of past I had, would Liam still tell me he like me? Would he still think of me as someone pure, kind, and considerate?

He reached out towards my hand, and clasped just the ends of my fingers like they were the most delicate things in the world…

“Look, I don’t want to force anything between us, Jade. I really wanted to help you out back there, and even if you end up dumping me, I’ll still help you out as long as you need it. However, please tell me that you’d at least consider it. Don’t reject me just yet, Jade.”

I fell speechless. All I could do was look at him and nod my head in agreement.

“Alright then, let’s head into the cafeteria so that you could at least get a sandwich. After that, let’s go back to class.”

Again I just nodded silently. We started walking towards the school canteen without uttering a single word.

What’s wrong with me? The boy that I like a lot since I’ve met him – he finally confessed to me!

He said he like me too, and he wanted to be my boyfriend. Why couldn’t I just say ‘yes’ right then and there?

‘Is it possible you still like him?’ I quietly asked myself.

I shook that thought away. No, of course I don’t like him anymore…

‘Well, you did not even have to utter his name, and yet you were too quick to react… Perhaps you really still like that werewolf boy…’

I imagine clenching a fist inside my head. Why would I still like Kix after all these years?

‘Or maybe because Liam said those exact same words you’ve heard from Kix before…’

No, of course he didn’t… He said something different…

“I love you, Jade… I don’t think I can go on pretending anymore that you’re just some friend to me. You’re not a friend…. Not even a best friend… You are the girl I really liked from the start…”

Yeah, right… That was how Kix said it back then… I was the girl that he really liked…

Then where did all those promises lead me? Just down in the drain, right? It felt like I was just some trash that was discarded in the dumpster after being used.

If I say yes to Liam now, would it be the same too?

Would I be thrown away after he got tired of me? Would he also reveal the intimate moments we’d spend together in front of the class and the whole school?...

Would I have to restart my life over again someplace else?