Dominic's POV:
swear to God, if that Vampire ever sets my alarm wrong again, I'm going to rip his pretty little vampire head off and wear it like a damn hat.
I miss the bus.
Of course I do. Because he decided to put up a volcano in my kitchen and then end up sobbing and dozing off on me! I was fucking tired!
And then started throwing tantrums to feed him like some baby and I managed to get out just 15 minutes before my college actually started!
By the time I get to college-sweaty, disheveled, and out of breath-I'm already late for Miss Grimstone's History class. And, of course, she's standing by the door like a vulture waiting for a carcass.
"Mr. Quinn," she says, venom dripping from her voice. "How generous of you to finally join us."
I mutter an apology and take my seat, trying to shrink into the chair. But the damage is done. Eyes are on me, whispers trailing behind. And not the good kind like before.
Before.
Back when I ruled this place.
Once upon a time, Dominic Quinn was the name at this college. The guy everyone wanted to sit next to. Hookups every weekend. Football MVP. Hell, even the professors used to cut me slack just because I could throw a damn ball like a god.
And now?
Now I can barely focus without feeling like I'm about to rip out of my skin.
It started with a bite.
A walk in the woods. Just me and my headphones, trying to cool off after a fight with a girl I don't even remember anymore. Something lunged at me from behind the trees. Big. Fast. All teeth and shadows. I fought. Barely. Ended up with a deep gash on my shoulder and the most intense fever I've ever had in my life for three days straight.
Then the signs started.
Super hearing. Hunger that wouldn't end. My muscles feeling like they were constantly stretching. I broke my fridge door just trying to open it. Punched a hole through my locker without meaning to. Worst of all-I could smell everything. Sweat, fear, lust, rage. People's emotions, like perfume on their skin. And have to run away from my home to this cramped apartment so I don't hurt anyone!
And then came the full moon.
I lost myself. Literally.
One second I was locking my bedroom door, the next I was waking up in the woods, naked, covered in blood, surrounded by dead cows from the nearby cattle farm. People were screaming. Dogs barking. Guns fired. I ran. Fast. Faster than anything I've ever done on the field.
Ever since then, my life's been... off.
Hookups? Gone. Tried once. Got too excited. Girls screamed because I growled at her mid-kiss. Clawed the headboard clean off the bed. Or went to fast than any human female could handle, none haven't tried to try again with me, and have to find a new one every time and get dumped in the mid way every time, 1 year , a fucking one year has passed now!
Not that I don't want to.
God, I miss touching. Being touched.
But I'm dangerous now.
And the only that touch me now is that oversized Bat with ADHD and tantrum! Wait did that animal have rabies? Like Bats do spread rabies! Should I get him checked? Like where should I take him, good old human doctors or a veterinarian, like he is a bat afterall! Wait I am a wolf too, so does that mean I will also have to go to those animal nurses! Well fuck it, fuck me!!!
The next class is English. Mr. Howard Woods, tall and stiff like a broomstick, starts droning on about Shakespeare and metaphors and sonnets or something.
I'm gone within five minutes.
My head drops, my eyes close, and in my dreams, I'm back on my couch, Lean poking at me with one of his long cold fingers, trying to get me to wake up for his "morning hugs" ritual.
"Get the fuck off, bat," I grumble in my sleep. "Let me sleep or I'll munch you down."
But something touches my shoulder again, firmer this time. My instincts snap.
I swing.
Hard.
Right into Mr. Woods's chest.
The gasp that follows is collective. I jolt awake, blinking stupidly at his stunned face as he stumbles back.
Shit.
"Mr. Quinn. My office. Now."
Great.
Ten minutes later, I'm sitting across from the principal, Mr. Larch, who looks like his tie is choking him. After a long speech about "discipline" and "manners" and "respect for authority figures," he signs a paper and hands it to me.
Suspended. Two days. Yup now I am stucked with that insomniac Monster at home for two days, God save me!
Awesome.
I think, maybe, football practice will be my saving grace. But that, too, goes straight to hell.
I can't focus. Every shout from the crowd, every thump of the ball, every grunt from a player-it all drills into my skull. My claws want to push out. My teeth ache. I miss passes. Drop the ball. Fumble plays.
We lose.
Coach screams at me like I've betrayed the entire nation.
By the end of the day, I'm done.
I walk home slowly, dragging my backpack along like it weighs a hundred pounds. Music blasts in my ears-some old country song I forgot the name of. The sky above is stained red, twilight bleeding into the clouds. It looks like fire. Or spilled wine.
That's when I see it.
A small clothing store with a SALE sign taped to the window.
I pause. Think of the Vampire. His weird gothic vibe, the oversized sweaters he keeps stealing from me, and walks around naked complaining he dont have anything to wear.
He doesn't own anything new.
And I don't know what gets into me-but I walk in.
I end up staying for almost an hour.
I pick out two pairs of trousers, a few fitted shirts, and then I see it-a ripped pair of black jeans, slim fit, the kind that would look like they were custom-made for his frame. I match it with a jet-black t-shirt, a sleek leather jacket with silver zips, and, just because I feel extra, a tiger-claw pendant on a bronze chain. Yup I am pretty sure mom's gonna call me tomorrow and howl why I overused the credit card! Why I care I am already too doomed!
Perfect.
He'll look like a Gen Z Blond vampire who just stepped out of a high-budget music video. I smiled imagining him wearing this! Why? The fuck I don't know! It's weird!
I pay for everything, feel strangely proud of myself, and head out with the bag swinging in my hand. The music shifts to a slow country ballad, something about heartbreak and sunsets.
And as I walk under the bleeding sky, for the first time all day, I feel okay.
Tired. Angry. Feral. But okay.
Because I have someone to come home to, and Yup maybe go another round of playing nursemaid and cleaning the mess that stupid ass must have made.
And damn it, Vampy better love that leather jacket.
Or I'm returning it and making him wear pink glitter next time.
Wait Vampy? Why did I called him that? Well I don't know his name as that jackass never told me! And Bat seems to me so unspecific! And it sound good too. Whatever, it is what it is!