The Big Bad Wolf

Chapter 1: To Grandfather's House

Swanky jazz music plays quietly in the dimly lit bar. It's Friday so everybody who's anybody is at Grandfather's Jazz Bar to celebrate the end of a tiring work week. Lawyers and their co-workers enjoy Martinis while discussing new cases, politicians sip cold beers and plot different ways to bend the city to their will, and the crime bosses converse about the tolls their trade is taking on them. All of these people are different but have one thing in common... they're all waiting for Little Red to get cookies from her grandpa.

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "What in the hell is a fairytale kid doing in a place like this?!". Well, here's a secret: Little Red isn't a kid anymore and fairytales don't exist in this world, not the way they were told to you.

The entrance of the bar opens and the bell above it chimes signaling the arrival of our well-awaited girl in red. The gentle buzz of chatter stills a moment before returning to its previous volume. The air is thick with the scent of expensive cigars and cologne, and it grows thicker with tension as she enters the room. On the outside, she looks like your average college student. Instead of wearing a designer outfit like the other patrons of the establishment, Little Red's dressed in a simple, white crop top and a blood-red skirt. She has the hood of a red jacket pulled over her head, keeping her face shrouded in shadows and away from watchful eyes. The soles of the beat-up Van's she's wearing squeak slightly as she crosses the room with a basket in hand. She's completely underdressed, but nobody cares.

A tall, brunette bartender smirks as she takes a seat in front of him, and he begins cleaning a glass just for her. "Good to see you back, love. The usual?", he inquires while holding up a crystal decanter filled with clear, fizzing liquid. She nods and removes her hood revealing thick, curly hair the color of midnight. "Thanks, Will.", she mutters as she takes the glass from the tall man. She takes a sip of the liquid before downing the entire glass. William chuckles at the sight and pours her another. "I'll never understand why you love Sprite this much.", he comments and notices hungry eyes on his regular customer. He leans down with his elbows resting on the counter and casually whispers, "Don't look now, but it appears Big Bad has his eyes on you.".

Little Red hums and looks up across the counter into a small mirror on a shelf. Behind her, she can see the city's most feared mafia leader eyeing her from his spot in a dark corner. Just like William, he's tall and intimidating. His hair is darker than hers, neatly framing his pale face. He's incredibly good-looking with intelligent hazel eyes hence the various women trying to catch his attention. Just barely visible, a pair of fluffy black ears sits atop his head swiveling occasionally as they pick up sounds around him.

Through the mirror, his eyes finally connect with hers. He offers a wink while leaning back in his seat causing Red to roll her eyes. She considers making a scene for a moment before someone taps her shoulder. Little Red looks up to find one of the gray-haired waitresses at her side wearing a polite smile. "Grandfather will see you now.", the woman informs and steps to the side allowing her to stand. Red stands and nods to William before following the woman to the back of the bar. They walk through a series of turns and obscenely long hallways before arriving at a large oak door. The woman bows before leaving Little Red at the door alone. She knocks once, then twice, then four times.

"Come in, (Y/N).", a gravely male voice calls calmly prompting Red to enter the room and shut the door. Behind a stately cherry wood desk sits a tall, thin old man. He's dressed in a deep red three-piece suit with a matching bowtie. His ghostly white hair has been smoothed back and his beard trimmed to give him an elegant and wise look. Although he looks unsuspecting, Red knows better. "Hello, Grandfather. I've brought the 'cookies' you asked for.", she says while sitting her basket on the old man's desk.

Grandfather smiles as she opens it to place five gold bars and ten large stacks of money in a neat row on his desk. He glances over them before taking three of the gold bars and six of the stacks of cash. He places them in a drawer and gestures for Red to have a seat. Once the two of them are seated, Grandfather speaks.

"You've done well, (Y/N). Grandmother would be proud if she were here.", he starts while putting the leftover goods back into her basket, "I wish we had time to talk like we normally do, but I fear this will be the shortest and possibly last chat of ours for a while.". Red frowns and leans forward catching a glimpse of distress on his face. "What's wrong? Why is this the last time we'll talk?", she asks with concern growing within her. Little Red has always been a stranger to emotions, but the old man always managed to make her feel at home. That was something no one on this earth had done in a while.

Grandfather says nothing and pushes a thin slip of paper toward her. Red takes the slip of paper and reads over it before looking back at him. "What does Midas have to do with any of this?", she asks causing the old man to sigh. "Someone has put a bounty on his head, and they want you to take him out. A lot of people have heard word about it, but none of them were sure until tonight. After you leave here, I'll be getting on a flight out of the city.", he explains and Red curses under her breath. "So, you're just leaving me here? King Midas is the most powerful man on this side of the country! You know he's already paid people to stop me from getting to him.", she whines not happy with the situation she's been put in.

"You're right. That's why I'm leaving you in the care of three of the most capable people I know.", Grandfather says while walking to his window and peering out of it. Red thinks over what she's learned for a few minutes before standing and making her way to the door. There's nothing she can do about the situation, but she knows waiting around only lessens her chances of getting the job done. "Listen, Red.", Grandfather calls right before Red turns the door nob, "There will be many skilled mercenaries and enemies after you by the night is through, but the most formidable of them will be Big Bad and his wolf pack. You stay alive long enough for us to celebrate your 23rd birthday, you understand me?".

Silence follows his words as Red tries to rid herself of the aching in her chest. She turns to the old man and offers him a soft smile. "Same to you, Grandfather.", she says before they trade goodbyes. As Little Red travels the hallways back to the front of the bar, a single tear falls from her eye. She wipes at it and stares at it in confusion. It wasn't like that was the last time she'd ever see Grandfather. "Then why does it feel like it...", her subconscious whispers as she stops at the door to the front counter area. (Y/N) heaves a sigh, squares her shoulders, and takes a deep breath before pushing the door open.

In the previously crowded bar, only 10-20 men are standing tall in the path from her to the exit. In the center of these men stands the man that had been staring her down earlier. He grins wolfishly at her flashing long, sharp fangs. His ears twitch as he tilts his head to look over her and at her basket.

"Hey there, Little Red! Long time no see~"

END OF FIRST CHAPTER

(A/N): HELLO EVERYONE!! I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter of this book!! I've been waiting a while to finally put this out, so I hope you did. The updates for this book are going to be a little weird since I'm in school and working on other things so bear with me. I'll try to update every Friday or Saturday but forgive me if I'm a day or two late lol. Remember to vote, comment your thoughts, share. Also remember to take care of yourselves, too. ILYSM <333

thesmolbean out.