Sorry about my hiatus, I'm back though!
-author
The aftermath of Leona's overblot still lingered in the air like the scent of burnt sand and magic gone awry. The once-proud Savanaclaw dorm was eerily silent, its students still shaken from the chaos that had unfolded. And amidst it all, Jack Howl stood guard over you—Y/N, the Prefect of Ramshackle Dorm.
Jack had always admired your strength. You, the only magicless student in a school full of powerful mages, had stood against Leona's wrath and survived. But that battle had also made him realize something unsettling.
You were too vulnerable. Too exposed. Too reckless.
The way Leona had nearly crushed you with his magic sent something dark coiling inside Jack's chest, something primal and possessive. He should have been the one by your side, protecting you. He should have been the one to keep you safe from harm. From that moment on, he made a silent vow—he wouldn't let anyone get close enough to hurt you again.
At first, his protectiveness was subtle. He walked you to class, claiming it was just because he was headed in the same direction. He growled at students who bumped into you too roughly, ears twitching with irritation whenever someone got too close.
But as the days passed, Jack's instincts only grew stronger.
One evening, you caught him waiting outside Ramshackle, arms crossed, tail swishing impatiently.
"Jack? What are you doing here?" you asked, tilting your head in confusion.
He looked away, ears flicking. "Just making sure no one's messing with you on your way home."
It became a routine—Jack shadowing you, always close, always watching. But soon, his protectiveness turned into something far more obsessive.
If another student tried to get your attention, Jack would insert himself between you, fangs bared in a warning snarl. If Ace or Deuce got too friendly, he'd grip your wrist and pull you away, muttering something about "bad influences."
But the worst was when Leona approached you again.
The lion beastman had recovered from his overblot, but when he sauntered toward you one afternoon, Jack's fur bristled.
"Oi, Herbivore," Leona drawled, smirking lazily. "Wanna come to my spelldrive practice?"
Before you could respond, a low, menacing growl erupted from Jack's throat. He stepped in front of you, muscles tensed, golden eyes flashing with something dangerous.
"Stay away from Y/N," he snapped, claws digging into his palm.
Leona raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Relax, pup. I ain't gonna eat 'em."
Jack's ears flattened. "You already almost killed them once. I won't let it happen again."
Leona's eyes widen and he grits his teeth, his ears folding down on his head sadly. He gave you a pointed look before walking away, muttering something about "overprotective mutts."
You turned to Jack, placing a hand on his arm. "Jack, you don't have to—"
"Yes, I do," he cut you off, voice firm. "You don't get it, Y/N. You're... important to me. I won't let anyone—anyone—hurt you again."
His grip on your wrist tightened, just for a second, before he released it. His tail wrapped protectively around your ankle as he stared at you, unwavering and intense.
You felt your heart race—not just from his words, but from the way he looked at you. Like you were his.
And in Jack Howl's mind, you already were.
