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Chapter 19
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Mated To A Human Chapter 20
"We begin this evening's broadcast with breaking news: a local resident of Black Lake has been reported missing for over two days now. Town resident Philip McNamara was last seen Sunday morning walking his dog Scout in the lower lake park as he does every morning, but this time neighbors reported he never made it home. Scout, his gold retriever, was found lying on the doorstep of McNamara's residence still wearing his leash, waiting to be let inside. Philip McNamara has worked at Seymour Hardware store on Main Street for over nine years after retiring from the Air Force where he—"The TV screen goes black. I peer over my shoulder and see my mom with the remote in her hand. "Come on, time to sit down for dinner."Harper — who's stretched across the adjacent couch texting — gets up without looking from her phone screen."Texting Delsin?"She side-eyes me on her way to the dining room, warning, "Stop."Perry's footsteps thunder down the stairs, and he goes right into the dining room wher
Mated To A Human Chapter 21
Harvey's visited me before bed three nights this week, and I can feel myself growing more comfortable around him. It helps that he's patient — he never asks me for more than I give him and always makes me feel safe, beautiful, and cared for. He's easy to want and yearn for when he isn't here, and when he is, I don't want him to ever leave.Becoming so attached to someone so quickly would typically turn me away, but I know we're soulmates. Every man is his family leading back to Dr. Norwood and his wife has stayed with their human mate, lived in Norwood House, and had at least one child together. Harvey is only becoming more perfect the more I see and talk to him, so if anything were to drive us apart suddenly, it would have to be because of him — if he were to change his mind about me.Yet everything he tells me sounds like a promise that he won't.As I lean against the counter in the kitchen drinking tea, I watch the trees move in the wind, growing more naked by the day. It's Saturda
Mated To A Human Chapter 22
I head down the stairs as Mom is waving goodbye to a group of kids at the door. She holds the candy bowl against her stomach, and once the door latches closed, she picks out a small chocolate for herself."Oh, Mia," she says, placing the bowl on the small table next to the door, one she carried in from the living room. "Want a candy? I've already lost count of how many I've had. Oh well."She rips open the wrapping and eats the chocolate whole.I ask, "Where's Dad?""He just left to take Perry to Erin's house. They're coming back here after trick-or-treating to dump out their candy and watch movies. He said you and Harper showed him Halloween, and now he wants Erin to watch it, but Erin might be a little delicate for that, so I'm thinking I'll put on something else." She pauses. "Something up? You need a painkiller?""No, I just... Harvey is coming over.""Harvey? When? Now?"I nod."Oh. Well, okay. Does this mean something or...?"I hang onto the railing post. "We're hanging out.""A
Mated To A Human Chapter 23
Blue Moon doesn't look too busy as I park on the street and walk inside — a short detour on my way to the lab. Brooks is behind the counter alone. When he sees me, I ask, "Isn't Kiki working today?""Uh, yeah. She hasn't shown up to her last two shifts. Taryn's been trying to get a hold of her," he says while manning the espresso machine."Well, my sister Harper is really good friends with her sister," I say as I grab my scarf from the back room; I forgot it after my shift last night. I resurface and lean against the doorframe. "I'll ask Harper to ask her sister what's up.""If you find out, tell her to call Taryn before she loses her job.""Sure thing." I hold up my scarf. "I just came for this, but we're both on the schedule for tomorrow, so I'll see you then.""Sounds good. See you later."I leave the café hoping everything is alright with Kiki. The last few times we've worked together, she kept ranting about her ex-boyfriend, seeming unsure of what to do next with her life. I thin
Mated To A Human Chapter 24
I head downstairs minutes before our dinner guests are due to arrive. Dad isn't in the kitchen — he must still be getting ready in the master bedroom — but Mom is there piecing together her latest charcuterie masterpiece.She peers up at me as she works. "Harvey messaged me and said he couldn't make it. Do you know what's going on?""Oh, no, but he's probably busy with something at Norwood House."Harvey actually told me they picked up a scent and are tracking it through the woods. He didn't confirm anything regarding what it is, though I can't help but assume it's whatever toyed with me past our back gate."Gosh, that place sure is a lot of work," Mom mutters.I lean against the opposite side of the counter island. "It's a big, old mansion — I'm sure it is.""I wonder what his house insurance is like. This house already costs too much, I can't imagine the damage Norwood House must do to him.""Yeah, it's probably expensive.""That boy must be sitting on a hefty fortune to keep it up
Mated To A Human Chapter 25
I cover a baking sheet with frozen chicken strips and French fries as Perry and Harper search for a movie to watch on the TV. Perry wants to put on Saw while Harper deems it too horrific."I watched Halloween," he argues."It's worse than Halloween."I agree, calling from the kitchen, "No Saw."Perry groans."Look, there's Paranormal Activity." Harper points out. "You haven't seen that; it's about ghosts. You love ghosts, right?"Perry mumbles, arms crossed, pouting on the couch, "I guess.""Do you want to start it now or when the food's done?""Now," he decides.I slide the baking sheet of fried goods into the oven and set the timer while Harper starts the movie. Perry gets up to shut off all the lights, leaving only the back porch light on to illuminate the room through the windows.Harper stubs her toe on the coffee table. "Damn it! Do all the lights have to be off?""Shh," Perry demands, "I can't hear the movie.""Hear what? It's the studio titles.""Guys," I mediate, coming aroun
Mated To A Human Chapter 26
Pack meeting tonight. Harvey wants you there. Pick you up at 8:00.I reread Abby's text throughout my shift at the café, over dinner at home, and in my bedroom, as I lie on my bed. I wanted to work on some upcoming assignments that are due at the start of next week, but I can't focus, not when I'm too concerned with the sudden pack meeting; I'm sure it's about the vampire Perry saw last night.By the grace of God, Perry didn't let the truth slip — or, at least, his truth — when Mom worriedly examined his bandaged hand and while Dad fired off every question that could possibly come to mind: Where did you fall? What were you doing — jumping off the porch rail like I said not to? Are you sure he shouldn't see a doctor? Why were you playing outside in the dark?Perry's a more seasoned liar than I thought he was — and all to protect his future ghost-hunting internet career. I stood by as he shot out answers: Outside. Yes. It doesn't hurt anymore. It wasn't even that dark.Mom huffed and sh
Mated To A Human Chapter 27
Abby and Liam leave in her car while Harvey and I get in his grey truck. I'm supposed to run into my house and grab some things to stay the night at Norwood House, but I can hardly think of what to pack while Harvey is being playful.He opens the passenger door for me, helps me step up into the truck, pulls my seatbelt over me, and clicks it in. I can't resist the small laughs on the tip of my tongue."What are you doing?" I ask as he's still leaned over me.He draws back and holds onto the frame of the truck. "I thought you liked this?" He questions with an obvious awareness — he knows the last time he helped me into my seat, I insisted I could handle it myself."That's how you remember my last reaction — that I liked it?" I play along, smiling.Harvey checks the heating and cooling vents to ensure they're pointed at me, and then he lifts my seat's reclining lever, and I drop a couple of inches backward."Okay! I'm comfortable!" I shout and try to shoo him away. "You're being the per
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Mated To A Human Chapter 37
Harvey jerks my driver's door open. I never liked crying in front of other people — I always try to avoid such an uncomfortable situation — but I didn't really expect him to let me run off unchased. Wiping my tears away with my fingers, I watch as he crouches next to me.He places a hand on my leg. "Thank you for not driving away."I wipe my eyes one last time and then let my head rest against my seat. "I can't handle this. Not after last night.""I want to help you," he says, speaking carefully."There's no way for me to know what happened in Maine, so I'm going to ask you — and I want the God-honest truth — did anything happen?""No."I turn to him. "You promise?"He takes my hand and squeezes it. "I promise. Nothing happened. Jane is just trying to get to you.""It's her fault her sister's dead; they chose to go near the wolves in Maine," I rant. "Now what? She just gonna...kill me?""Hey, nothing's going to happen to you.""You think she's going to give up once she finds out that
Mated To A Human Chapter 36
A hand rubs my upper arm as I lie in the plush, warm bed of one of Norwood House's many guest rooms. My body which ached and cramped and cried so tumultuously last night is in no hurry to wake up and get going, but my brain leaps ahead. I turn onto my back and see Harvey bent over me, standing on the side of the bed; his stroking hand pauses. My head just as quickly snaps to the opposite side where Harper is supposed to be sleeping, but she's no longer there."Where—""She's alright," Harvey says, stepping back as I push to sit up.Sunlight comes scarcely through the curtains which haven't been closed all the way. The room is bare of any personal belongings or decorations; all that fills it is the same vintage, heavy-looking furniture that seems to frequent every other room of the house.I rest against the thick wood headboard. "Where is she?""Downstairs."I comb my hair back with my fingers and look around myself, knowing something else is missing. "I-I need my phone."Harvey reache
Mated To A Human Chapter 35
Harvey and I sit together on the staircase as we wait for Marianne, Liam, Kieran, and Alo. I sit on Harvey's lap and write everything I need to say on a pad of paper, starting with Jane's vengeful ambush, leading to my encounter with the shapeshifter, and finally concluding with our run-in.I then explain in more detail how I know the vampire, Jane — who's also the Society's newest member. Harvey promptly recalls Dianne mentioning Jane earlier when we went out for dinner."Gladstone's pack assumed there was only one vampire," he mutters, sounding disappointed in himself. He's been a bundle of sighs, curses, and headaches since I began recounting the night's events. "I should have investigated it myself instead of blindly trusting them. Damn it."You can't blame yourself for—Harvey grabs my right hand, causing my pen to streak off the line and halt. After a tense moment, he lets go. "I'm sorry."Both Marianne and the boys take longer to arrive than I hoped, so I ask questions to distr
Mated To A Human Chapter 34
The door clamors shut, and Jane grabs me by the throat, her nails cutting into my skin before I can realize my lack of breath. My hands spring to hers, instantly clawing to pry her off, but her grip is like stone. I sputter, panic compounding and crushing my chest."Mia!"Harper's voice sounds from upstairs. "Can you put fries in the oven?" She calls.The sound of the shower is loud — the bathroom door open — but she isn't visible, she can't see Jane choking me. Tears well in my eyes.Jane brings her emotionless face an inch from mine. The whites of her eyes start to bruise, the blacks like endless tunnels. "Say okay," she commands quietly."Okay!" I call in the short reprieve of her strangle, feeling no control over the matter.She clips off any cry for help by squeezing my throat again. Harper does not respond, but I hear the bathroom door close and the beating water of her shower lessen. I push against Jane as my adrenaline spikes higher and higher — reaching a peak I've never expe
Mated To A Human Chapter 33
It takes all my effort to hold still as we roll along the stretch of gravel road leading to Norwood House. Both excitement and anxiety surge in my chest, dinging against my heart and throttling into my stomach, more powerful when combined. I know there's no need to feel this way — I want to be alone with Harvey and to take the next step in our relationship like any typical couple — but my body thinks otherwise.Sometimes I understand my sense of unease; anxiety is something I've dealt with for as long as I can remember. But tonight I do not understand. Really, it's making me quite frustrated.I wish I could feel excited without the added panic.We park in front of the house next to my car. Harvey kills the engine, smiles at me, and proceeds to get out of his truck. The second his door shuts, I use my brief seclusion to breathe in deeply, desperate to calm myself. Harvey peers at me through the windshield from the front of the truck once he notices I haven't moved. He comes to my side
Mated To A Human Chapter 32
I spend the majority of my day at work training a new barista to replace Kiki who is presumably staying in Rochester. Mom and Dad have gone to the lodge for the night to spend their anniversary alone, dropping Perry off at Erin's and giving me free rein to stay at Norwood House without admitting where I am. Harper — who has the house to herself — says she'll be leaving soon to meet Delsin.I remind her to lock up before she leaves, and then I'm off to see Harvey.I park out front, grab my night bag from the passenger seat, and trek up to the front door. Curious, I try the door handle, and it gives way, welcoming me inside."Harvey?" I call."In the study with Kieran," he shouts.Not wanting to interrupt whatever pack-related issue they're discussing — there seems to be plenty to choose from these days — I head upstairs and place my bag in the master bedroom. I set my tote on the end of the bed and dawdle a bit, placing my hand on the duvet and thinking up all kinds of positions Harvey
Mated To A Human Chapter 31
I let myself in the house with Harvey's goodbye kiss lingering on my lips. Before I shut the front door, I wave to him as he waits in his truck against the curb. He lifts a hand, and I hear him drive off once the door shuts.We just spent more time together than we ever have in one sitting, yet I still can't wait to see him later tonight when he climbs through my window as he promised he would. And although we can't be as intimate as we could be at Norwood House, I am perfectly fulfilled lying in his arms and having a quiet conversation in my bed, at least, that's enough for now. I can imagine what might happen the next time I spend the night at Harvey's — the mere idea of it makes me feel like a giddy thirteen-year-old."Mia, is that you?" My mom's voice calls from the kitchen.I secure my overnight bag on my shoulder and walk towards her. "Yeah."I enter the main room and find her and Harper at the kitchen counter. Mom stands against the side of the counter island while Harper sits
Mated To A Human Chapter 30
I wake up gradually to the movement of the duvet and the sound of footsteps, not yet disposed to opening my eyes. I pull the blanket higher, further pressing my face into my pillow. The room is wonderfully dark, and the bed is warm but not too hot; I could easily slip back into sleep. However, the realization that I'm still at Norwood House in Harvey's bed stops me from indulging. I start listening to the sink running in the bathroom instead.Harvey's footsteps eventually carry into the bedroom, and the bed moves again as he gets back under the covers. I keep my eyes closed and my body still even though I swear I can feel him looking at me.A deep breath floods my lungs, so I stretch a little and advantageously turn away from Harvey. This is the first time we're waking up together — usually he leaves after I fall asleep — and I'm sure I look how I do every morning with messy hair and a puffy face. It takes me at least an hour to feel normal again."Good morning," Harvey says, his voic
Mated To A Human Chapter 29
I wake up in Harvey's bed, not remembering when I fell asleep. The movie is over, and the TV screen has gone idle. There's no clock in the bedroom, so I get up and pad to the bathroom where I left my overnight bag and my phone inside of it. I rummage around until I feel the sleek device at the bottom under my clothes and toiletries.1:02 am. The house is quiet — I wonder if Jalen is still here.As though triggered by my acknowledgment of it, the silence in the house interrupts with a distant clamor and then a flurry of voices that sounds like no more than grunts and mumbles from upstairs. Is Harvey back?I tuck my hair behind my ears and contemplate quickly if I should go down to see him because he definitely isn't alone. Would it be awkward if I showed up on the staircase in front of his pack, or would they think nothing of it because we're soulmates? I bite my lip and drop my phone back into my bag as I decide to see him. Since others are here, pajamas aren't my ideal outfit to gree
