9. Tobias

CHAPTER NINE

TOBIAS

By the time I returned to where I left Draven and Tom, I was relieved to see that the two hadn't traded blows, only glaring at each other.

"Draven, let's go? Tom, I'll see you at the trailer?" I asked, trying to diffuse the tension.

"Fine," Tom said grudgingly. "Just so you know, I disapprove of you dating this guy."

"Noted, but I'm an adult, remember? I make my own choices," I reminded my brother firmly.

Tom eventually stomped off, and Draven and I left the library, heading towards where he parked his motorcycle.

"Your brother seems... interesting," Draven remarked, handing me my helmet.

Ever since I started riding with him, he bought an additional one for me. He was thoughtful that way.

"I don't know what's gotten into him lately. He usually never cared about who I was seeing...then again, it's not like I've been on a lot of dates," I said.

"Yeah, I get what you mean," Draven replied. "Family can be complicated sometimes."

"Thanks for driving me around, by the way. It's been a huge help,” I told him.

“Not a problem,” he said.

I got behind Draven, and he drove us to Feline Fix Automotive, the car repair shop owned by the local leopard pard.

Although Draven's offer to drive me everywhere was kind, I couldn’t rely on him forever. I was relieved to have my car back.

As we pulled up to the auto repair shop, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at me.

My eyes caught sight of a black Subaru nearby, instantly recognizing it as Bruce Mayers'.

As the lead alpha of the pard, it wasn't uncommon for him to check on the business, but something about his presence felt off.

Maybe it was just my imagination running wild, but deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his visit than met the eye.

"Something wrong?" Draven's voice broke through my thoughts.

"Bruce, the pard's leader, is here," I informed him, trying to keep my tone steady despite the unease creeping in.

"Is that a bad thing?" Draven asked, searching my eyes.

"No, nothing like that," I replied quickly, eager to dismiss any suspicion. "Let's just get my car."

Draven nodded in understanding, and we headed into the repair shop. Spotting my car up front, relief washed over me.

But then, I noticed Tim and Bruce engaged in conversation nearby.

My stomach knotted when Bruce turned his attention toward us, his gaze lingering on Draven with an intensity that set me on edge.

It dawned on me that Bruce's presence wasn't a coincidence.

Tim must have informed him about my plans to come by tonight with Draven, and Bruce saw it as an opportunity to size up the newcomer in town.

While I understood Bruce's need to protect his pard and territory, I couldn't help feeling irritated by the scrutiny Draven was under.

After all, he hadn’t done anything illegal and he’d followed all the rules so far.

Bruce stepped forward, extending his hand in greeting.

"Bruce Mayers, leader of the Red Vine Leopard Pard and owner of this shop," he introduced himself.

Draven regarded him for a moment before accepting the handshake, and I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my back.

This encounter had the potential to turn sour. I held my breath but only Draven reciprocated the gesture.

"Draven," he replied simply, offering nothing more.

"How long are you planning to stay in Red Vine, Draven?" Bruce inquired.

Before Draven could respond, I interjected, shooting a pointed look at Tim.

"I thought we were just here to pick up my car,” I stated firmly.

Tim shot me an apologetic look, but I couldn't help but feel a pang of betrayal. I generally liked Tim.

He was one of the few people in town who treated me with respect, unlike many others who treated me as if I were invisible.

Yet, this little arrangement still felt like a betrayal.

"As long as it's needed. I'm serious about Tobias," Draven said.

Draven's words caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth spread through me.

I had expected him to downplay our relationship, perhaps mentioning that he was only here temporarily.

Instead, he made it clear that he was fully committed to me and had no intention of backing off.

Bruce nodded thoughtfully, his expression unreadable.

"I see," Bruce said simply, nodding as if Draven’s answer satisfied him.

"Speaking of which, Red Vine is hosting its annual Wheelbarrow Festival next week," Bruce said. "It's a tradition here, full of fun contests and competitions. You should definitely check it out. It's always a good time."

I wondered if Bruce changed the topic to lighten the mood. Probably but at the very least, he didn’t seem to consider Draven a threat.

Tim stepped up and explained the repairs done on my car. When he presented the bill, I felt a knot form in my stomach.

The numbers were higher than I had anticipated, and I knew it would take me some time to pay off the entire amount.

Beside me, I could sense Draven's frustration, his jaw clenched tightly.

"I... It would take me a while to pay the whole amount," I admitted to Tim, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me.

Tim nodded understandingly.

"That's fine, Tobias. We have an installment plan that can help spread the cost over time,” he said.

Before I could respond, the bell above the shop door chimed, and a familiar scent filled the air, making my heart sink.

I turned to see Justin strolling into the shop with a swagger, like he owned the place.

I exchanged a wary glance at Draven, knowing Justin's presence could set him off.

Justin approached us, wearing a smug smirk , and I immediately knew he was going to stir up some trouble.

"Hey, Tim, crashed my new Lamborghini again last night," Justin announced loudly.

I had hoped he would ignore Draven and me altogether, but it seemed my hopes were in vain. My heart sank as Justin's gaze landed on me.

"Tobias Anderson," he drawled. "I heard you made a police report. Didn't you know my dad has the sheriff on his payroll?"

I stiffened. He glanced dismissively at my car, chuckling as if reveling in some private joke.

"Looks like Tim managed to fix your junk of a car," Justin remarked, his tone dripping with disdain. "A pity that it might get ruined again...soon."

I clenched my fists, struggling to maintain my composure in the face of Justin's taunts. It was clear that he was here to antagonize me.

Before I could even formulate a response, Draven acted with a speed and force that left me utterly stunned.

In the blink of an eye, Draven had Justin pinned against the nearest car, his hands wrapped tightly around Justin's throat.

The pressure was so intense that the car window shattered under the strain.

I could only watch in shock as Draven's normally calm demeanor was replaced by a fierce intensity.

Justin struggled and gasped for breath, futilely pounding at Draven's arms in an attempt to break free.

"Tim, help me!" I called out.

Tim rushed forward, but Draven effortlessly shoved him aside as if he were nothing more than a mere obstacle.

Desperate to diffuse the situation, I reached out and grabbed Draven's arm, but it felt like I was gripping steel.

"Draven, stop!" I pleaded.

Despite my efforts, Draven's grip remained unyielding.

Draven's growl reverberated through the space, sending Bruce scurrying out of his office to investigate.

Sensing Draven's rising anger, I leaned in close, whispering urgently in his ear, hoping to calm the storm brewing within him.

"Draven, don't let your anger get the best of you. You were doing so well," I whispered in his ear.

Draven's gaze finally shifted to meet mine, and I could see the struggle in his eyes as he fought to rein in his emotions.

Meanwhile, Tim was assuring Bruce that everything was under control.

With each deep breath Draven took, the wild glint in his eyes began to fade, replaced by a haunted look that saddened me.

He backed away from Justin, who was nursing his bruised throat, his anger still evident in his defiant glare.

"You're okay," I said.

As I reached out to comfort him, Draven's clenched jaw softened slightly, and he nodded in acknowledgment.

"My father is going to sue you, you insolent beast," Justin yelled.

"Shut up, boy," Tim warned Justin.

I was halfway out of the shop, still holding Draven's arm.

He pulled away from me, and I took a step back, seeing his face twisted in rage. I swallowed hard.

Sensing the volatile aura coming off Draven, I took a step back. Draven’s face contorted with fury, and I barely recognized him.

"No, you're not going to do anything, not to Tobias," Draven said, his words accompanied by a growl.

For once in his life, Justin learned to shut up. Draven opened his mouth, and terrifying elongated fangs peeked out.

I stood there frozen in shock, watching fire flicker from Draven's mouth.

For a brief second, I was certain Draven would unleash his fury on Justin.

But instead, the fireball soared through the shop windows, shattering them, and crashed into Justin's Lamborghini with a deafening explosion.

I jumped back, startled, but Draven immediately stepped forward, using his body as a shield.

I stared up at him, noticing the black scales that appeared on his neck and arms.

"Holy shit," Tim whispered behind me.

Draven's gaze remained fixed on Justin. "Threaten Tobias again, and you and your father will end up just like your ugly car,” Draven said.

I struggled to make sense of what just happened. What exactly was Draven? A mage-shifter hybrid?

Despite the confusion, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusement as Justin visibly wet himself.

He took a few hesitant steps toward the door, then bolted outside.

"I thought your kind died out," Bruce said in a shaky voice.

I gazed up at Draven, who met Bruce's stare evenly.

"No," Draven finally said.

"Your kind?" I whispered. "You're not an alligator shifter, are you?"

Draven finally looked at me and cupped my cheek.

He let out a tired sigh, and I noticed the scales on his neck and arms had disappeared.

"No, I have plenty to tell you, Tobias," Draven said.

He looked at Bruce. "I have nothing against your pard or this town, but know this, I have no intention of leaving either,” Draven said.

"Understood," Bruce said.

Bruce was sweating heavily, and so was Tim and myself, I noticed. The temperature in the shop had risen, it felt like we were in a sauna.

"Tobias, let's get your car," Draven said.

He held out his hand to Tim, who swallowed nervously.

"Give him Tobias' car key," Bruce said.

Tim did just that, but I noticed him keeping a respectful distance from Draven.

"Make sure that human stays away from Tobias," Draven told Bruce, his words carrying a lingering 'or else.'

"But... the mayor's boy—" Tim ventured, but Bruce clasped his shoulder, silencing him.

"We'll do what we can," Bruce said.

Even though he was the top dog in the paranormal hierarchy in town, he was still willing to go along with Draven's orders. That said plenty.

Draven turned to me, handing me my car key.

"Let's take a drive,” he said.

“Okay,” I whispered.

I got into my car, and Draven mounted his motorcycle. I was guessing I should follow him.

Numbness enveloped me, followed by confusion and anger.

Just what the heck was going on? And what had I gotten myself involved in?