Beautiful Beasts: Protectors

“So how was school?” Alexa asked.

“Fine…” Cayla shrugged pushing the food around her plate with a fork.

“What’s ‘fine’ mean?” Alexa raised an eyebrow.

“I dunno…it was fine…!”

“Cayla…” Martha said warningly. She glanced at her grandmother then back to her plate.

“…A boy stood up for me today…”

“Really?!” Alexa began giving Martha a conspiratorial look.

“…Well, you are quite lovely, dear…” Martha nodded.

“Feh, as if I’d pay that foolish weakling any attention…” Cayla scoffed.

“…You say that now but…” Alexa began.

“The man I give myself to has to be fearless and strong. Nothing like the boys around here”

Both women shared an awkward glance.

“May I be excused?” Cayla asked already getting up from the table.

“Get started on your homework!” Alexa called.

“…Fine!”

“Perhaps this boy is what she needs to calm her down…” Alexa began.

“Well she should be going into heat sometime soon…” Martha nodded. Alexa gave her a look.

“You mustn’t forget, she is the child of a hunter. They live on their instincts and sooner or later she will feel the instinct to mate”

“Instincts? Is that what makes her beat the crap out of all the other kids and scare them shitless?” Alexa raised an eyebrow.

“She feels the need to dominate all those around her and prove she’s the alpha female. She’ll be calmer once she finds a mate…”

Alexa choked, “Mate?! She’s only 15!”

“On her home planet she would’ve already went through her first mating season…” Martha shrugged.

II

Cayla’s eyes snapped open, something wasn’t right. With the rising sun came an ever rising dread. Her instincts were screaming at her to run and yet she had no idea why. Never one to ignore such feelings, Cayla leapt out of bed, pulling on clothes.

In the distance she could hear the whine of police sirens, she knew from experience that they were for her. Tugging on her jeans, she shoved open the window, dashing out into the crisp morning air.

 

“I’m coming! Keep it down!” Alexa called drowsily as the pounding on the door only got louder. “Who the hell…”

The moment she opened the door a badge was shoved in her face.

“Ms. Woods”

“…Officer Jacobs…I’m almost afraid to ask…” she sighed.

“…It’s that girl of yours again, I’m afraid…” The Officer nodded.

“Alexa? Who’s out there at this time in the morning?” Martha called.

“It’s nothing, Martha, Cayla’s just in trouble again…”

“What has that child done now?” Martha began.

“It’s quite serious this time, ma’am. We believe your daughter assaulted a female student in the cafeteria. Said girl is still in the hospital…”

“A girl?” Alexa began.

“…Yes ma’am…”

“…Th…That’s impossible. Makaila would never harm another female…!” Martha began.

“Did this girl say that my daughter hurt her?” Alexa crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“Well…no…but the ferocity in which she was attacked matches your daughter’s M.O.” he began uncomfortably.

“So you’re saying if it looks like my daughter, hey, it has to be her…?” Alexa raised a dangerous eyebrow. Officer Jacobs began to lose his nerve.

“Well…you see Principal Schroder…”

“Is he the one who put you up to this?! He’s been trying to expel Cayla since day one and everyone knows it!”

“It’s not like that, ma’am…”

“Come back when you have some actual proof” she snapped slamming the door in his face. Sighing she plopped down into a chair.

“How presumptuous…” Martha shook her head.

“Knock it off, you know she did it…” Alexa sighed. Martha said nothing.

“You know, my guilt and gratitude over your master only goes so far!” Alexa began.

“…You’ll forsake her then?”

“…of course not…but you knew that already didn’t you…”