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Chapter 36
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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 1
The summer before eighth grade, Abby and I had been playing pretend fairies outside for the past week, fluttering and skipping in the humidity of the woods. I liked the idea of fantastical things — fairies, dragons, wizards, vampires, and the rest of them — but Abby seemed to believe it. She came to me with love spells, and we performed them with our whole hearts. She smeared us with red clay so we would live forever, and when she told me not to go into the woods alone because of preying beasts, she didn't stammer or flinch.Our schoolmates made fun of us for playing like little kids when we were officially teenagers, but as long as we had each other, we didn't mind their teasing.Moody Pond was our favorite spot to play pretend. Something about it was magical; the way the water ripples under skater bugs, the maple seedlings that twirl on the breeze, and the reeds that curve like bridges for real fairies. Abby's house was next door, and her mother let us wander out without a mere peek
Mated To A Human Chapter 2
The last time I saw Abby was over the summer. She was very tan as though she'd been on vacation, and she was with a guy I may have seen around town over the years. They were holding hands walking along the lake, and I was standing on the waterfront deck of the Lodge.She laughed and smooshed her cheek into his shoulder. They stopped at the lapping edge and stared out and the water for a few minutes before Abby peered over her shoulder, and I ducked fast. I searched for the glint of an engagement ring on her finger but didn't see one."So, are you two excited for school tomorrow? What are you going to wear?"Perry pokes his fork at his plate. "Clothes.""Well, that's a relief," Dad says."What about you?" My mom asks Harper. "Do you have a special outfit planned? Maybe that cute sweater with the stripes?"She shrugs. "Probably my black jeans and a black shirt.""I do miss the days I got to dress you two myself. Oh, the tiny overalls and jackets and rain boots. How all three of you woul
Mated To A Human Chapter 3
Perry rode his bike into the garage door, and the wheel scuffed the bottom of it, leaving a streak of black. The other night, I heard Mom scolding him about it across the hall while I was on my computer in my bedroom; it was background noise, but I see it now — the scuff — along with so many little things. The number of smudges and marks on my windshield. The spiderweb tucked in the white gable of the garage roof. I see the speckles of dust and crumbs in my cupholders, the fifty-five cents and hair tie in another small compartment, and the slight droop of the mirror cover on my sun visor.Every time I close my eyes, I see those bright, animal-like ones in the black of the woods, beaming at me.Time doesn't seem to pass as I sit in my car, but the sun rises, making me rouse. My phone died while I was at work — I never called home to tell anyone I'm stuck in the driveway.My eyes are dry from my sleeplessness, and my body moves sluggishly. I pop open my door and shiver when fresh air bl
Mated To A Human Chapter 4
Last night I had a nightmare about the thing I saw. Most memories of the dream faded in the few seconds it took me to open my eyes, but the instance of its piercing stare remains as clear as day; I can still see it.The thing's gaze is so lively — it must be alive, but somehow that seems more terrifying than the beast being dead."Mia? Honey? The laminator sucking you in?"I look up from the white tabletop machine. "Oh, no, just concentrating."Mom smiles. "Alrighty. That the last bulletin photo coming out now?"I nod and take the picture, stacking it with the others once the laminator spits it out. "I just have to trim them.""Why don't I do that, and you take that box downstairs for me?" She points to the brown box Harvey dropped off the other day. "Walking down the steps with that big thing at my age makes me nervous.""Your age? Mom, you're not old."She pets my head as I pass her. "Aren't you just my favorite thing ever? Thanks, Babe. Careful on the last step — remember it's shor
Mated To A Human Chapter 5
I drive home from the café after work and stare for a minute at the tree line from the driveway. At seven o'clock, everyone is home. I enter the house and find Perry watching a baseball game on TV with Mom while Dad sautés at the stove behind them. Mom doesn't seem to be paying much attention to the game; her attention is fixated on her pink-covered tablet.She looks as I appear in the archway and then reverts. "Mia. Hi, Love. How was work?""Fine. We were pretty busy.""Well, that's Friday for you."I place my bag on a counter island stool and sit on the seat beside it. "What's for dinner?""Got a cottage pie in the oven and green beans on the stove," Dad says. "Should be ready in about five minutes.""Speaking of dinner." Mom announces, "It turns out Cathy can't do the Society dinner at her house next week, so I told everyone we would do it here tomorrow."I swivel the stool, first facing Dad and then Mom. He asks, "Are we expecting the whole Society?""Not Louanne, but Marianne, Ca
Mated To A Human Chapter 6
"Whipped cream?"I grab a new bag of expresso beans and begin pouring it into the top compartment of the hefty expresso machine that sits on the counter behind the pastry display and register."Excuse me, I asked for whipped cream."I turn and see the young woman I just handed a drink to. She gives me an apologetic smile. I gasp a little and pause to say, "Oh, sorry, my bad. Let me get that for you."I set the expresso beans down and take the pumpkin latte from her, popping off the lid and foaming a large dollop of whipped cream on the top even though I know she requested no such thing. I switch the lid for a domed lid and give it back. She inspects the latte quickly before taking a straw and saying, "Thanks."She walks out of the café doors, and the room is calm again. Two people sit near the fireplace while a guy works on his laptop at one of the small tables against the windows. Weekday afternoons have much-needed lulls, but some days it feels like everyone in town gets their coffe
Mated To A Human Chapter 7
The sun reaches into the sky over the lower lake, shimmering in the water and chasing the morning fog away. Harvey and I walk down the main street sidewalk in the direction of the laboratory. My mom sent us on a task to retrieve three cases of water bottles, but luckily, the laboratory is only two blocks away.I know my mom has been shoving Harvey and me together whenever she can — maybe she's worried I'll end up a spinster — but when she assigned this particular favor, it didn't seem to be about my love life. I think she knew I wouldn't be able to carry all three cases by myself. Her head is scrambled by the Festival, and these waters are for working volunteers, so I'm happy to help. Besides, Harvey being here isn't a bad thing either. The awkwardness I felt at the Society dinner is clearing the more we talk.Thankfully, Harvey is easy to talk to."Did you go to Black Lake High, then?""No, the charter school."Where Abby went. "My mom looked into it for my younger siblings, but she
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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
