Her Human His Lycan

Hunter

Emma POV

I lay in my bed, the soft sheets caressing my skin as I brushed my fingers against my lips, feeling the warmth lingering from his touch. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the moon filtering through the curtains, casting shadows on the walls.

Outside, the night was alive with sounds. The distant hoot of an owl echoed through the stillness, accompanied by the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze.

Not being with our mate will weaken us, even make us sick over time. I needed Clay, but he was human. As a shifter, I could sense the bond between us, but for humans, it's different. They can feel the pull, but they don't truly understand it. It was clear that Clay felt it too, but there was something about him that made me uneasy. The way he acted around Liz, claiming it was just family matters, felt off. Did he really have to kiss her and be intimate with her in public? That's not something all couples do, right?

And now, I was in trouble. He kissed me, and I should have stopped him, but it was too late. The damn kiss may have triggered my heat. I couldn't just tell him right now what may happen. I was a fool to think that my first time with my mate would be special. If anything, it would be a disaster. He didn't even know what I was, and I couldn't just reveal my true self to him. I didn't know him well enough.

Inara pushed me, urging me to trust him more. She believed that the goddess wouldn't have chosen a mate who would reject us. We had to put more trust in him. But right now, I didn't think that was a good idea. I wanted to trust him and give him a chance, but something about him worried me. The way he acted around Ryan, the looks he gave him. It made me think that he might actually know about our kind.

"He can't be what you're thinking, Emma," Inara said, her voice filled with hurt.

"He may be, Inara," I replied. "We've been trained well. I've personally interrogated a hunter with my father. I know how they act. They are drawn into the life they lead. Family is not just blood to them; it's more like a cult that brainwashes them. My mate, the man laying on my couch, may also be my enemy. And if he were to learn what I am, would he really stand by me, or would he try to kill me? Ironically, some of my fate now rests in his hands. If he rejects me, rejects this bond, I may not survive. Sure, I'm strong, but even the most powerful have weaknesses. And Clay, he is not only my strength, but also my weakness.”

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I slept very little, tossing and turning all night, and by the time the sun started to leak in my room, I doubted I had drifted off for more than an hour of sleep. Inara was silent within me, something I was not used to, and I did not feel her awake, perhaps due to lack of sleep. As I groggily got out of bed, the fatigue weighed heavily on me, making my movements sluggish. The room seemed hazy, as if a thin fog had settled in.

I stumbled towards the kitchen, clad only in my underwear and a tank top, my bare feet cold against the hardwood floor. The silence was broken by the sound of a familiar voice, "morning." Startled, I jumped, my heart racing, and turned to find Clay standing behind me. As his words reached my ears. Embarrassment flushed my cheeks as his eyes roamed over my body. I nodded, unable to form words, and attempted to leave, but a sudden wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me to clutch onto the kitchen counter for support.

"s**t, are you okay?" Clay's voice filled with concern.

"Dizzy," I murmured, my words barely audible. Before I could say anything more, he swiftly moved closer, lifting me effortlessly into his arms. Confusion and vulnerability flooded my senses as he cradled me. "What are you doing?" I managed to ask, my voice trembling.

"Getting you back in bed. What was it you were getting? I'll grab it for you," he replied.

“Juice” I said.

He gently placed me on my bed, tucking the blanket around me, understanding my discomfort at being exposed in such a state. My heart fluttered uncontrollably, a mix of embarrassment and something else I couldn't quite decipher. He left the room briefly, returning with a glass of juice, which he handed to me.

"Thanks," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"No problem," he replied, his fingers brushing against my forehead.

"No fever, but you're a little pale. Do you have a headache?" he inquired.

"No, just a little dizzy," I replied.

"Hmm, sounds like you may just need some food. I mean, you did empty your stomach last night. Where are your keys?" he asked gently.

"In my pant pocket from last night, why?" I asked.

"Stay in bed, I’ll get food" he said. He swiftly picked up my pants and got my keys.

"You really don't have to," I murmured.

"I want to," he replied as he left.

I struggled to sit up, the room spinning around me like a whirlwind. My head throbbed, the sensation intensifying with every movement. Desperately seeking comfort, I reached out to my nightstand, my fingers grazing against its cool surface. I found my phone.

I had several missed calls, three from Ryan and one from my brother. I dialed Ryan's number. Finally, he picked up, his voice filled with relief and concern. The worry in his tone was almost tangible. "Emma, thank the goddess," he exclaimed. I could sense his unease through the phone.

"What's up?" I asked him.

"The beer we were drinking... it was laced with wolfsbane," he explained.

"The hunters are becoming more cunning. This new form of wolfsbane is undetectable to our wolves and acts differently," he explained. "I can send a car to get you and bring you onto pack lands. The hunters are onto us," he warned.

"How is everyone? That was out last night," I asked, my voice laced with worry.

"Weak," he replied. "My wolf is silent, but everyone survived. Two of our pack members are hospitalized."

"You must not show any signs of sickness around the humans. It's clear they are trying to confirm what we are or make it impossible for us to fight back," he advised, his voice laced with urgency.

"For now, it may be best if I don't travel to your pack lands. If I'm picked up and taken to the rest of you, that may be seen as suspicious if we are being watched," I suggested, my voice tinged with caution.

"I understand. I will make sure some of my pack warriors, who were not affected, closely monitor your area without being detected. Extra security," he assured me.

"I appreciate that," I replied, a sense of relief washing over me like a cool breeze. The call ended, and I quickly dialed my brother's number, my fingers trembling slightly. The phone rang once, then twice, before his voice filled my ear.

"You're hurt," he exclaimed, panic evident in his voice. I closed my eyes, trying to steady my racing heart.

"Wolfsbane. I'll survive," I reassured him. A low growl rumbled through the phone.

"Emma, the hunters... they got into our territory and attacked. The weapons they're using are unlike anything we've seen before," he warned, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and helplessness. My grip on the phone tightened, the plastic digging into my palm.

"Noah, I'm okay and can handle myself. We have a pack nearby that is allied with the kingdom. They're helping me," I said.

"How did you get poisoned?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

"At a bar... but it didn't hit me until this morning. It's some sort of altered form," I admitted.

"Be safe, Emma. I trust you and your strength," my brother said, his voice filled with a mix of pride and worry. I closed my eyes, feeling a surge of determination fill me.

"I will, Noah. For now, I need to lay low. Leaving may only result in me being tracked. I will stay in touch. Please tell Mom and Dad I am okay," I said.

I heard the creak of my apartment door, causing me to turn my head. "I have to go, Noah," I said, the urgency evident in my voice.

"Emma, what's going on? Are you not alone?" he asked.

"No, a friend is helping me," I replied, trying to reassure him.

"Who, Emma, you really need to be careful," he demanded, his voice filled with concern.

"I will, Noah, please trust in my judgment. I love you and will keep checking in," I said.

Clay came to my bedroom door. I hung up my phone. Clay had an unreadable expression on his face, his eyes searching mine for answers. "Boyfriend?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity, as he glanced at the phone now securely in my hand.

"Brother," I replied, trying to alleviate any concerns he might have had.

"Oh," he responded, his shoulders visibly relaxing as he carried a bag into the room. He opened it, and the smell of a delicious omelet wafted through the air, stimulating my senses. Clay handed me a container and plastic silverware. My nostrils filled with the aroma of eggs and spices, making my mouth water. But a nagging doubt lingered in my mind: What if Clay, like I suspected, was a hunter and had added something to the food? I couldn't afford to let my guard down. However, I knew that refusing to eat would raise suspicions, so I had to play it cool.

"Are you going to eat?" I asked Clay, trying to gauge his reaction.

"I'm good for right now," he admitted, his hand nervously fumbling in his pocket for his phone. He sighed, clearly frustrated by something.

"Of all times," he grumbled, his words trailed off as he messaged someone on his phone before pocketing it.

"If you have to go, I understand. I really do appreciate all you have done for me," I said, my voice tinged with gratitude.

"It's all good. I can stay for a little while. I have some work later today, but right now, let's hang out, watch a movie or something if you're up to it," he suggested.

"A movie sounds good," I said, setting the food container down. I took a moment to gather myself, maneuvering out of the bed, feeling a slight soreness in my muscles.

"Maybe put some pants on before the movie," he teased, causing a blush to creep up my cheeks. I couldn't believe I had forgotten for a second time.

"Hell, I mean if you prefer to be that way, it's fine, but your red face says otherwise," he chuckled, his amusement evident.

Embarrassed, I quickly made my way to the dresser, and grabbed a pair of pajama shorts. I put them on, feeling a sense of relief. Then, I picked up the food container, the warmth seeping through the plastic, and joined Clay in the living room. "I don't typically watch TV, so how about you pick something out," I suggested, as we settled on the couch. This gave me the perfect opportunity to observe him, to catch any subtle hints or signs.

"I'll be honest, I'm not good at any of this, so hopefully I don't mess up too bad," he confessed, confusing me.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Friends," he said, catching me off guard. "To be honest, I don't have any," he continued, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

"Do you have siblings?" I asked. "My brother, I consider him my best friend," I added. His gaze softened, as if a flicker of understanding passed between us.

"No, I don't," he replied, his voice carrying a trace of anger. "My family is gone."

"Gone," I repeated, my voice barely a whisper.

"Dead," he finally said.

"I'm sorry," I murmured, my voice barely reaching his ears.

"It's okay," he replied, his voice steady. "It was a long time ago."

As I started to eat the food he got me, the taste exploded on my tongue, a perfect blend of flavors.

"You have an appetite," he remarked, his voice laced with amusement. I nodded, a contented smile tugging at my lips.

"It was good, thanks. I'm already feeling better," I admitted, the warmth of the food spreading through my body.

"What do you do for work?" I asked.

He hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Private security," he finally replied, his voice tinged with mystery.

"That has to be fun," I commented, trying to break the tension.

"Keeps me busy," he replied.

As we spent more time together, the casual talk turned into laughter and genuine enjoyment. The room seemed to come alive, the air filled with warmth and comfort. "So tell me, what do you do for fun?" I asked, genuinely interested.

"fun hmm I guess hiking," he explained.

He looked at his phone again. A heavy sigh escaped his lips.

"I've got to go," he said, his voice tinged with disappointment. "But I want to see you again later, if that's okay."

"I'll be around," I assured him, my heart fluttering in my chest.

As he reached the door, he turned to face me, his gaze filled with a mixture of concern and affection.

"Stay in today," he said.

It was clear that he wanted to say more, his eyes filled with unspoken words. But he held back, leaving the room filled with a sense of unfulfilled longing.

As he left, the weight of his absence settled heavily on my shoulders. I hoped that by tomorrow morning, I would feel better. I couldn't bear the thought of Clay possibly being my enemy, especially since his small gestures today only deepened my desire for him.

He was right. The rumors surrounding him might not be true. He showed kindness and care. Maybe, just maybe, I could show him that we, supernatural beings, were not the evil creatures many believed us to be.

I needed him. I needed my mate.