Her Human His Lycan

Class

Emma POV

"Why are we going to bed when our mate wanted to spend time with us?" Inara complained in my mind. I could hear the frustration in her voice as she spoke. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts.

"He is human, Inara. We have to tread cautiously," I warned her, my voice laced with concern.

"He has the scent of more than one girl on him," I continued, my words tinged with a hint of sadness. "I don't want us to get hurt." The sound of distant laughter floated in from the street below. The feeling of cool silk against my skin brought a sense of comfort as I changed into my night clothes.

"He can sense something about us, the way he looked at us, Emma showed that," Inara replied, her voice filled with hope. I closed my eyes, trying to recall the way Clay's eyes had lingered on us earlier.

"Yes, but it's clear he is not the relationship type of person," I warned Inara, my voice tinged with caution. "Right now, we must keep our distance. You know well that the closer we get to him, the more it will hurt if he hooks up with another. And right now, I think he is someone completely capable of that."

"Maybe if we get closer, he will stop being with others," Inara suggested, her voice filled with longing. I opened my eyes, staring out onto my small balcony. The cool breeze brushed against my skin.

"Yes, but let's get to know him first, okay?" I insisted, my voice filled with determination. "I'm not keeping you from our mate, but humans, well, the ones that want a relationship, take time getting to know a person. Unlike us, they can't sense their soulmates. So let's do it the human way for now."

"Fine," she muttered. I took another deep breath, trying to ease the tension that had settled in my chest. I glanced back at Clay, who was still sitting on the bench with a new beer open.

"He is stressed," Inara said to me, her voice filled with empathy.

"Yes, I know. I could sense that as well," I admitted, my voice tinged with sadness. I watched Clay from my patio.

I wanted to comfort him, but he had no idea I was his mate.

Humans, oblivious to the sacredness of mate bonds, couldn't comprehend the turmoil it caused when with another. Unlike some shifters who indulged in casual flings, I was one who held on, patiently waiting for my destined mate. So discovering that Clay had been with others, their scents still clinging to him, was a harsh blow.

As I tried to push away the intrusive thoughts, Inara's voice echoed in my mind. "You know, just one night with us would replace their scent with ours," she suggested. I quickly dismissed the idea, knowing the consequences it could bring. Being too close, even just a kiss, could trigger our heat, a situation we desperately wanted to avoid.

Clay glanced towards the balcony, and I instinctively retreated into the shadows, hoping he hadn't noticed my watchful gaze. Hastily, I made my way back inside, shutting off the lights. The darkness enveloped me as I climbed into bed, determined to figure out this complicated situation. However, my focus was not solely on Clay; I needed to prioritize myself as well. After all, self-discovery was one of the reasons I embarked on this journey in the first place.

_______

My alarm softly beeped, its gentle tone breaking the silence of the room. I reached out to turn it off, the sound dissipating into the air. A small speck of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow in the room.

Ready for a new day, I swung my legs over the side of the bed. Absentmindedly, I ran my fingers through my hair, feeling the strands between my fingertips. The absence of my brother's usual intrusion made the room feel strangely empty. I sat there for a moment, reaching out to him through our mind link. "Already missing me," he joked, his voice echoing in my mind.

I smiled and replied, "It's strange not having you as my second alarm."

"Sorry, Emma, I'm a bit busy at the moment," he said to me. "Link me in a little, okay?"

"No problem," I replied, our conversation ending abruptly. Stretching my limbs, I made my way to the small, sunlit kitchen. I grabbed a box of cereal and tore it open, the crisp sound of the cardboard being ripped filling the quiet room. As I devoured a handful of cereal straight from the box, the crunching sound echoed in my ears.

After finishing my impromptu breakfast, I headed towards the bathroom to get ready for the day. I quickly brushed my teeth, the minty freshness awakening my senses. As I applied a light layer of moisturizer to my face, I felt the smooth, silky texture glide across my skin.

Once I was fully prepared, I stepped out of my cozy unit. The cacophony of car horns, footsteps, and distant conversations filled the air, creating a symphony of urban sounds. Amidst the chaos, I immediately caught a whiff of Clay's distinct scent.

Spotting Clay leaning against the building, I approached him. He stood there in his perfectly fitting jeans, paired with a sleek black shirt that accentuated his muscular frame. His slightly disheveled hair gave him an effortlessly cool look, as if he had just rolled out of bed. The sight of him was enough to quicken my pulse, making my heart hammer in my chest. I had to resist the urge to keep stealing glances, fearful that he might sense the intensity of my infatuation.

The sound of his voice greeted me, his words carrying a hint of playfulness. "Morning," he said, his voice warm and inviting. I hadn't expected him to follow through on his offer of coffee.

"How long have you been waiting?" I inquired, curiosity lacing my words.

"Not long, but maybe if I get your number, I'll know exactly when you're coming out," he responded with a mischievous smirk.

"Keep your promise, and maybe after classes today, I'll give it to you," I replied, matching his playful tone. He handed me a cup of coffee, the warmth seeping through the paper cup and into my hands. I took a sip, feeling the invigorating liquid awaken my taste buds. It was just what I needed to fully wake up.

"So, you're in two of my classes, huh?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine interest. I noticed the slight crinkle at the corner of his eyes as he spoke.

"Seems that way," I responded, my voice tinged with amusement.

"What else are you taking?" he inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.

"Just two classes this semester," I admitted, a sense of contentment washing over me. "I'm just taking them for fun." The words felt light on my tongue, carrying a hint of freedom.

"Thanks for the coffee," I added, taking another sip. The rich, velvety taste enveloped my senses, further awakening my mind.

"I've never really heard anyone say they're going to school for fun," Clay remarked, his tone filled with intrigue.

"I take it you don't like school," I asked, genuinely curious.

"No, not one bit. It's a waste of time," Clay confessed, his voice tinged with frustration. "But the man that raised me insisted.”

I was hopeful I would find something we had in common, but other than coffee, there wasn't much to connect us.

"Maybe he made you so you could experience new things," I suggested, trying to break the silence. He chuckled, his laughter blending with the background noise.

"More like a punishment, but hey, I'm making the best of it," he replied. I watched as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. A sigh escaped his lips, carrying a hint of frustration.

"Looks like I'll be late for class this morning. I'll see you there," he said, his voice carrying a sense of resignation. With that he left.

"Mate acts weird," Inara commented, breaking my train of thought. I nodded in agreement, realizing that Kris and Melody had warned us about him. As I picked up my own phone, the sleek device felt unfamiliar in my hands.

I had a few missed messages. One from Melody asking if I had made it back safe last night. Another message appeared, the sound of the notification breaking the silence, asking if I wanted to meet for lunch before our Mythology class.

I quickly typed a response.. Before I could even finish, my phone buzzed again, a sharp vibration against my fingertips.

"Be careful with Clay," the message warned. I felt a pang of gratitude for the concern, my fingers dancing across the screen to express my thanks. As I continued walking towards the class, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, mingling with the distant chatter of students.

Entering the building, the cool air enveloped me, carrying the faint scent of old books and polished wood. I took a seat in the front, the smooth texture of the desk beneath my palms. Opening the class book, I immersed myself in its pages, absorbing the knowledge it held. The silence of the room was broken by the creaking of the door as other students filed in, their footsteps creating a symphony of shuffling sounds.

Friendly nods were exchanged, the warmth of connection filling the air, until a group of girls entered. One of Liz's friends strode in front of me, her presence demanding attention. Her voice carried a hint of warning as she spoke, the words laced with a mix of authority and disdain.

"Stay clear of Clay, he belongs to Liz," she cautioned, her words hanging in the air. I shook my head.

"Didn't know one could claim ownership," I replied, the words laced with a touch of defiance. The girl hissed in response, her breath heavy with frustration.

"I can't control who Clay is with," I continued, my voice steady. "If he wants to be my friend, I won't decline the opportunity." Her eyes widened in disbelief, her brows furrowing.

"You're making a huge mistake," she sneered, her tone dripping with superiority. I couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement at her reaction.

"Are you sure you should be in a college class if you're acting like a child?" I asked. She retreated to her group of friends, their whispers filling the room.

As the professor entered the classroom, all attention shifted towards him. The room grew quiet, the sound of shuffling papers and murmurs fading away. A few minutes into the lecture, the door creaked open, and a strong, musky scent hit my nose. It was the unmistakable scent of a werewolf. I glanced towards the door and recognized the guy from the party. He had not been in class yesterday, but now he took an empty seat right next to me. His eyes quickly scanned the room, and I couldn't help but wonder if he could see through my disguise. I had taken precautions to hide my scent and wore contacts to conceal my purple eyes, but I knew that another shifter like myself would still be able to detect the truth. I hoped he wouldn't blow my cover.

The professor handed out an assignment, and I took the papers in my hands, feeling the crispness of the sheets. "Feel free to pair up and work on this," the professor instructed, giving us the period to complete the task. The guy sitting beside me leaned in and asked, "Want to work together?"

I nodded, and he introduced himself as Ryan. I told him my name was Emma. "I'm happy to have another like me in the class," he said. We got to work on the assignment, and I was pleasantly surprised by Ryan's intelligence. He effortlessly answered questions that had left me stumped, patiently explaining each answer to me. The scratching of our pencils on the paper filled the air as we worked together.

"I still have a lot to learn," I commented, realizing my knowledge was lacking. Ryan offered to share some books he had read before the class started. "That would be great," I said gratefully. We continued working, but our focus was interrupted when the classroom door opened once again. Clay walked in, his presence instantly noticeable. The remaining ten minutes of the class seemed unnecessary for him to attend, yet he made his way towards me, wearing a look of annoyance. When Clay's gaze shifted to Ryan, it turned into a hostile glare, the kind one would reserve for an enemy. Without saying a word, he walked past the professor and joined the girl who had been unpleasant to me earlier. It was clear that Clay despised the class.

"Mate's jealous," Inara whispered in my mind.

"I don't think that's all," I replied. Clay must have had some issues with Ryan. Shaking off the distraction, I refocused on the assignment. Once we finished, I thanked Ryan for his help. He suggested exchanging numbers so that he could share the books with me. I gladly gave him my number, and he texted me immediately, allowing me to save his contact information. "I'll catch up with you soon," he said as the class came to an end, standing up to leave.

I slipped my phone into the depths of my pocket and gathered my things.

"So you give your number easily to another guy who you have known less time than me," Clay exclaimed, his words laced with a mixture of surprise and mild irritation, as he approached me.

I turned to face him, my heart pounding in my chest.

"He is helping me out with some reading material," I explained.

"What is it to you anyways?" I asked him, the words coated with a hint of annoyance.

“Nothing,” he muttered.

"I'm meeting Melody and Kris from Mythology for lunch," I continued, my voice carrying above the surrounding noise. "How about you come as well, and I'll catch you up on what you missed today?" His eyes met mine, a flicker of surprise dancing within them.

"I have to work for a little," he replied, his words accompanied by a small smirk. The sound of his voice, laced with playful undertones, resonated in my ears. "But how about after Mythology, you catch me up? We can go to my place or the library."

Inara's voice echoed in my mind, her words tinged with amusement. "Told you he already feels the bond.”

“Library,” I said, and he nodded as he ran off again. I wondered what he did for work that had him running off so fast as I prepared to head to lunch. I would get to know him slowly, and I knew meeting up with him after our class later today would also keep Inara calm.