The date, as Jacob had promised, was not romantic. It was a simple, pleasant evening designed to lift Melissa's spirits. They shared a comfortable dinner at a quiet restaurant, then saw a lighthearted comedy at the cinema. The shared laughter seemed to wash away her lingering frustration from earlier.
After the movie, they took a stroll through the softly lit town square. The night air was cool, and a comfortable silence settled between them before Jacob spoke.
"You know, I envy Scott for having an amazing mom like you." Jacob said.
Melissa smiled. "Well, I'm not that amazing. I'm just trying to give him the best life I can and hoping he won't blame me for the things I couldn't provide."
"Don't sell yourself short, Melissa." Jacob replied. "You are an amazing parent, and I know Scott loves you more than anything. You should know he's a grown man now, so don't push yourself too hard. If you have any problems, tell him—he might be able to help."
Melissa sighed. "I can't tell him about my problems; that will just distract him from school, and I don't want that. And he's not grown; to me, he's still a baby."
Jacob smiled gently. "Like I said, you're a good mom, but you should trust him more. Even if you don't tell him all your problems, at least talk to him and go out with him from time to time. It might help with your loneliness."
"Maybe." Melissa conceded. "Now, tell me about your parents. I think I want to meet the mother who raised an amazing kid like you."
"Then I have to disappoint you." He said, his gaze fixed on the distant lights. "My parents died in an accident eight years ago."
Melissa's step faltered slightly. "I'm so sorry, Jacob. I didn't know."
He gave a small, wistful smile. "It's okay. I miss them. Every day, I really do. But... life has to go on, right? I can't just stop living because they died."
Melissa looked at him with deep sympathy. "Who are you living with now?"
Jacob chuckled. "Don't give me that sad look, Melissa. Although I miss my parents, I'm really happy. I live with an old butler; he's a bit crazy, but he's fun to be around. And I'm kind of already married."
Melissa was shocked. "What? Married?"
Jacob smirked. "Yes, kind of."
Melissa sighed. "Do you even know what marriage is, kid? That's not something you should rush into, and you're still way too young for that."
Before Jacob could say anything, his phone rang for what felt like the thousandth time. He pulled it out, looked at the screen, and said. "Let's go back. It's your son. If we ignore him any longer, he might lose control and go crazy."
With that, they walked back to Jacob's car and drove to Scott's house.
When Jacob's Camaro pulled up, Scott was pacing on the front lawn like a caged animal, with Stiles leaning against the Jeep, watching the scene with an amused smirk.
The moment Melissa stepped out of the car, Scott stormed over. "Mom! You're finally back! What did you two do..."
"I just took her to dinner, Scott. And that's it." Jacob stated calmly, cutting him off as he got out of the driver's side.
Before Scott could say anything, Melissa reached out, caught her son's ear, and gave it a sharp, motherly twist.
"Ow! Mom!"
"Let's not talk about you ruining my date tonight." She said, her voice low and firm. "But are you seriously thinking I would date Jacob? He's sixteen, Scott! What kind of person do you think I am?"
Scott's anger instantly deflated into shame. "I... I didn't mean you're a bad person, but Jacob is a playboy."
Melissa released his now-red ear. "What do you mean?"
Scott rubbed his ear. "He's dating two girls at the same time, and all the girls in school want to date him."
"What?" Melissa said, then looked at Jacob. "You told me you were married."
Jacob shrugged. "I didn't lie. I just didn't tell you I'm married to two girls. Or maybe three, if I count Malia."
This time, Melissa caught Jacob's ear. "Are you playing with other people's daughters? I thought you were a good kid."
Jacob just smiled, unfazed by her twisting his ear. "I'm not playing with them. I can't help myself; it's what I am, and they already know. They're okay with it. I even told the parents of one of them. Well, her parents tried to kill me a few nights ago, but we're all good now."
Melissa let go of his ear, her expression a mix of shock and concern. "What do you mean, 'it is what you are'? And did someone really try to kill you? Did you tell the cops?"
"There's no need to tell the cops." Jacob said. "Like I said, we're all good now. They even came to my house yesterday, although they had to drag Allison's father away when they were leaving. It was hilarious."
Stiles piped up. "What did you do to him?"
"Nothing." Jacob replied. "Allison moved in with me, and he didn't like that. He was crying and wanted to take his little girl with him, but Victoria and Kate dragged him away."
"Did the Argents really try to kill you? Why didn't you tell us?" Stiles asked.
Jacob shrugged. "It's a family thing, Stiles. I can't tell you everything that happens in my family."
Melissa cleared her throat, fixing a stern gaze on all three of them. "Boys, you have some explaining to do."
Scott froze and started panicking. Jacob sighed and patted his shoulder. "It's time to tell her."
He then gently took Melissa's hand and guided her inside the house. "You need to be sitting down for what we're about to tell you."
In the living room, they all sat. Melissa looked at them expectantly. "Okay, I'm listening."
Scott was too nervous to speak, and Stiles began stuttering and scratching the back of his head.
She focused on Jacob. "It seems these two idiots don't want to tell me. You speak. Tell me what's going on."
"Alright." Jacob said. "Have you watched movies with werewolves, vampires, and other supernatural creatures?"
Melissa nodded slowly. "Yes, I have. So, what are you trying to tell me?"
Suddenly, Stiles blurted out. "Werewolves are real!"
Melissa looked at him and raised a brow. "What?"
Stiles stood up and almost shouted. "Werewolves are real, and Scott is a werewolf!"
"Very subtle, Stiles." Jacob said dryly.
Stiles sat back down, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I panicked."
Melissa looked between them, skeptical. "Are you three making fun of me?"
"No." Jacob said calmly. "Although he jumped the gun, what he said is the truth. Werewolves and other supernatural creatures from mythology are real. And magic is real, too."
"You're joking, right?" Melissa asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"No. Look..." Jacob held out his hand. A ball of fire appeared in his palm, then morphed into a small bird that flew around the room several times before vanishing.
Melissa's eyes went wide, and she stared in stunned silence.
She then turned to Scott, her voice a whisper. "Scott... a-are you really a... werewolf?"
Scott nodded, his expression pained. "Yes. I didn't choose to be. I was bitten a month ago when I was in the woods with Stiles, and Jacob. The werewolf who bit me was the man who came to pick you up for a date. His real name is Peter Hale, and he's definitely not a medical rep. He's a crazy alpha werewolf."
Melissa didn't seem to care about Peter; she was more concerned about Scott. "So what now? Are you going to lose control and hurt people on the full moon?"
"No, I'm not like the werewolves in the movies. I can control myself. Jacob taught me how. And you... you are my anchor."
"What's an anchor?" Melissa asked, looking at Jacob for explanation.
"An anchor to a werewolf is a person, emotion, or memory that the werewolf focuses on to maintain control. By concentrating on this anchor, they are reminded of their humanity, which helps them resist their violent impulses and control their transformation, especially during a full moon. and you are Scott's anchor wich means he loves you very much." Jacob explained.
Melissa smiled softly, then she asked. "Are all werewolves like Scott? I mean, do they all have control?"
"They all can learn to control themselves, but it's not easy for everyone." Jacob said. "And of course, there are psychos who can control themselves but choose not to, and give in to the beast."
She nodded, then looked directly at Scott. "Show me."
Scott hesitated, then finally shifted. His eyes glowed yellow, fur grew on the sides of his cheeks, his fangs elongated, and his claws emerged.
Melissa was shocked at first. Then, she moved beside him, touching his fur and looking into his eyes. She gently opened his mouth to look at his fangs, then took his hand to examine his claws. "Fascinating." She said.
She looked at him, her expression a mix of wonder and concern. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Scott shifted back to normal. "Because I was afraid you would think I'm a monster and hate me."
"Never." Melissa said, pulling him into a hug. "I would never hate you."
Jacob said. "You guys tell her everything else about the supernatural world. And Scott, your boss is a druid. Ask him to help you set a mountain ash barrier around your house. Maybe buy some bear spray and ask him to add wolfsbane to it, and give it to Melissa for protection."
"Wait, how did you know he's a druid?" Scott asked.
Jacob said. "I felt it when I met him tonight. He probably already knows what you are, so you can trust him." Then he stood up and said. "Alright, see you guys tomorr... no, not tomorrow. I'll be out of town and probably won't be back until Sunday."
"Leaving town?" Stiles asked.
"Yeah, me and the girls are going on a trip." Jacob said.
"You didn't tell me what you are yet." Melissa pointed out. "You're definitely different from Scott. Werewolves can't use fire magic."
"Maybe another time." Jacob said. He then kissed her on the cheek, which made Scott's eyes glow as he let out a low growl.
Jacob just smiled and said. "Goodnight, Melissa."
Melissa smiled back. "Goodnight, Jacob."
"Goodnight, man." Scott grumbled.
Jacob ignored Scott and started walking out of the room, calling over his shoulder. "Goodnight, Melissa. See you soon."
Scott jumped up and began pushing Jacob toward the door. "No, you will not see her soon. And hopefully never!"
Scott opened the door, shoved Jacob out, and slammed it shut behind him.
Jacob shook his head with a smirk. "Rude." He then got into his car and drove away.
Scott came back to the living room, and Melissa looked at him disapprovingly. "That was rude, Scott."
Scott sat down heavily. "No, it wasn't. You should never see him again. He's very dangerous to women."
"What is he?" Melissa asked.
"We don't know." Stiles admitted. "He won't tell us. He said he's something people would do anything to get their hands on, and us knowing would put us in danger. But we know he's very strong. He can use fire and lightning magic, and he probably has some kind of charm ability to attract women."
"Yes! Exactly!" Scott agreed. "So stay away from him. And by the way... do you feel anything toward him?"
Melissa smiled thoughtfully. "He's handsome, and if he were older, I wouldn't mind dating him. But unfortunately, he's not. And I do feel he's charming—the magical, unexplainable type of charm. I caught myself staring at him absentmindedly a few times tonight. But he's not charming to the point that I can't control myself or anything like that."
"Okay, that doesn't sound too good." Scott said, his worry evident. "Please, just stay away from him."
"Don't worry about Jacob, Scott." Melissa reassured him. "He's too young for me."
Stiles smirked. "For now."
Scott growled at him, and Stiles raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, I'll shut up."
Melissa laughed. "Alright, boys. Now, tell me everything you know about the supernatural."
---
Jacob arrived back home and found Allison watching TV while stroking the fur of a deeply sleeping Malia, who was curled up beside her.
Jacob kissed Allison and whispered, not wanting to wake Malia. "Where's Lydia?"
"She went back to her house." Allison whispered back. "She said since we're leaving for Vegas tomorrow, she wanted to spend the night with her mom."
"I see." Jacob said.
"Where have you been?" Allison asked.
"I was at Scott's house. Did you have dinner yet?"
"No, we were waiting for you."
Just then, Cogman called them for dinner. After gently waking Malia, the three of them went to the kitchen to eat.
Afterward, they went upstairs to Jacob's bedroom. Allison and Jacob slipped into the bathroom, where they had some 'fun,' before joining Malia in the large bed, where the three of them soon fell asleep.
To be continued... 😊