His Human Mate

Chapter Ten

Sorry for the long wait x

Imani

I sat up abruptly, clasping my hands over my mouth as I held in the scream that so badly wanted to rip through my throat. My chest burned as I sobbed, my heart hammered within me as I continued to cry, feeling a sense of anxiety wash over me.

I was scared out of my mind.

I knew Mateo was close, I knew he would find me and I knew damn well what he was capable of.

He would kill me.

I couldn't stop crying, I couldn't control my breathing, I couldn't take it anymore, yet despite all this something deep inside of me told me to do the unthinkable.

Go to him

The thought of the man who slept next door immediately calmed me down. I didn't understand why I felt this way, I didn't know why the thought of him or even the idea of uttering his name made me feel whole and relieved.

I wiped my tears harshly, my hands clutching to the shirt he had given me as I subconsciously took in his strong scent. It calmed me.

Without realising it, I had thrown my leg from underneath the duvet, my feet touching the cold wooden floor.

I made my towards the door blindly, padding quietly as I thought of ways to explain why I was doing this. It didn't take long before I realised where I stood.

His door loomed over me like a tall dark shadow. Behind that door was the man I seeked comfort in, the man who would calm the storm of turmoil brewing in my mind, sending me safely to shore.

I took in a much needed breath before exhaling as my hands formed into a fist. I knocked twice for good measure, the first time with hesitation and the second with a burst of need.

It was silent.

I worried he had fallen asleep. I was jealous that he had found solace in such a dire situation but it was not his situation. It was mine.

My breath hitched in my throat when the door creaked open. His blue eyes seemed to glow in the dark of the night like fluorescent minerals. His intense stare through the crack of the door rendered me speechless.

"I-" I was at a loss for words.

His eyes lowered down my quivering body, stopping at my bare legs. I failed to wear the sweats he had provided as they kept sliding off. Tugging down at the hem of the shirt nervously, I glanced up at him once more.

"I'm sorry I.." I took a breath. "I couldn't sleep" I mumbled softly.

How pathetic..

I screwed my eyes shut as I looked down, holding in the tears as memories of the nightmare resurfaced.

The door creaked wider, allowing me enough space to enter. I leaned back instinctively at the sudden sound, surprised by it all.

"Come inside.." his low gruff voice sounded.

I meekly entered, mumbling a thank you. Taking in the large room, I noticed it was much similar to the one I had slept in. However, there was something cold about it.

It lacked the warmth my room had.

I found myself aimlessly wandering towards the centre of the room, my hands running mindlessly over the dark furnishings.

He watched me silently, taking careful steps towards me after I had taken a seat on the large bed. I pushed my body backwards, leaning my back against the headboard as I brought my knees to my chest.

For once I felt strangely at ease. His strong cologne helped to relax my mind which seemed to run wild with negative thoughts.

Glancing momentarily at him from the corner of my eye, I couldn't help but think about what I'd brought him into.

If something were to happen to him because of me, I knew I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

I felt the bed dip beside me, the weight of him balancing everything out.

"I'm sorry for waking you up" I said lowly.

"It's quite alright-" he paused. "I couldn't sleep much anyway"

"Night terrors?" I questioned, glancing at him.

"Something like that" he hummed. "What about you?" He asked.

I nibbled nervously at my bottom lip. Why was I surprised that he'd question me, why was I reluctant to answer?

"Something like that..." I murmured. I couldn't find it in me to tell him about what I'd dreamt, it was just a stupid nightmare after all. It wouldn't happen.

"Would you like to talk about it?" An offer I hated. An offer I detested with every fibre in my body because it was something I knew I didn't have the courage to answer.

Yes, wholeheartedly!

"N-No" I buried my face deeper into my knees as I let out a light sigh. "I'd rather not right now.."

"Would you like to talk about it Miss. Kent?"

"Talk about what?"

"Your bruises ma'am"

I pushed the memories away to the back of my mind, praying silently that they'd remain locked away for eternity.

It was just a stupid dream Imani.

"Do you ever feel lonely in this big house?" I managed to mumble out.

I turned to face him, my head titled slightly as I rested it on my knees.

He continued to stare into my eyes with a look so distant it made me wonder what he was thinking.

How could a man be so mysterious?

"All the time" his voice sent shivers down my spine. Just the simplest of answers had me reacting in a way I'd never reacted before, I didn't understand it.

"Then why don't you go out to the others?"

"Would you associate yourself with a society that isn't willing to accept you as you are?" He questioned.

I shook my head wordlessly in response.

"Me neither. Why bother? I'd rather live a life in solitude then live amongst those who pray for your downfall"

I felt my body relax further as we continued to converse into the early hours of the morning. Hours had passed and yet I didn't feel the effects of fatigue wash over me, however I knew I was fooling myself.

My eyes grew heavy and my head looked to the side as Kieran continued to speak. Every word that passed his lips I held onto, it was like I was listening to him speak for the first time each and every time a new topic had been drawn up.

I didn't want to sleep.

"You need to sleep"

"N-No" I mumbled sleepily, resting my head against his shoulder. He tended beside me but later relaxed.

I felt him shift beside me before he laid me down and covered me with the duvet. Once I was fully covered, I could feel the tiredness take its toll over me.

In my tired state I could feel his warmth slip away slowly, a warmth I knew I needed, a warmth only he could provide.

My hands shot out and latched onto his wrist, my eyes remaining closed as I felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment.

"Please don't go..."

"I won't"