His Human Mate

Chapter Eleven

He was the first to wake as the sun peaked through the dark material of his curtains, its warm rays illuminating the dark room by a small fraction.

It's gentle glow rested on the sleeping beauty that lay on top of his chest, her hands resting on his chest while her leg had been thrown comfortably over his waist.

For once in his long miserable life he felt like he had a purpose. That purpose laid with him, her large kinky curls amass as each individual strand tickled his skin. He could smell the distinct scent of coconut from her dark locks, a scent that satisfied the beast within him.

He closed his eyes briefly, holding in the groan as she subconsciously pressed her body against his. His hands formed into a fist by his side before he lifted one up to wrap around her small waist.

She was perfect.

He inhaled deeply immediately feeling at ease, but it wouldn't last long. It started off light, it was just a faint throbbing sensation within his chest but it soon developed into a nagging pain.

He knew why.

Her once peaceful expression contorted into a look of distress. Her hands gripped onto his shirt in a fierce hold, as a feeble whimper passed her lips.

He could feel her fear to the point it was almost tangible.

He gently caressed her back, hoping it would ease her out from her nightmares but it didn't seem to work like it usually did.

"I-I sorry" she whimpered incoherently, pulling her knees into her chest. He sat up instantly, gently taking her into his arms once again.

"Imani.." he called carefully.

"Mateo-" her eyebrows bunched in anguish, her lips pulling into a saddened pout as she clinched in his arms. "Mateo no...please" her quiet whimpers grew louder and Kieran could feel every part of himself crumble at the sight of her.

His chest rumbled with a growl as his wolf clawed from within. That bastards name had resurfaced and he hated it. He wanted to find the man who instilled this fear into her and rip him to shreds.

"Imani it's just a dream-" he cooed gently, rocking her in his arms as tears slowly began to cascade down her puffy cheeks. "Wake up sweetheart..."

"I-I'll be a good girl-" he felt his heart shatter into a million pieces as she quivered against him.

"Imani I'm here..." her eyes snapped open as she abruptly sat up. She blindly fought against him as she sobbed, begging for him to let her go.

"Mateo!" She sobbed, shoving at Kieran's chest. He continued to hold onto her, taking her hits. Despite not hurting him physically he couldn't help but feel an emotional pain, it was unbearable.

"Imani it's me, it's Kieran" he said gently, holding her close.

He could feel his inner beast claw within him, begging to be released but he knew it was too soon. He caressed her face gently, wiping away her tears as her once blurry vision cleared up.

"Kieran?" She sniffled, the look of slight confusion that played on her features melted his heart. She looked down at his chest, seeing the fist she had formed against it.

"I'm here Imani" he could sense that she was beginning to slowly but surely calm down.

"I'm sorry..I'm so sorry" she shook her head sniffling. He gently caressed her cheeks, making her meet his softened gaze. "I did it again..."

"Don't be Imani, I'm here for you okay?" He assured her once again.

She lowered her head into the crook of his neck, the action alone had him clenching his jaw tightly. She found solace in him for now it seemed.

Imani

The nightmare felt so real, too real I thought it was all occurring in reality. I struggled to wake up, I found it difficult to distinguish between the two. Was it real or was it a dream?

My body still quivered in fright as I could feel the adrenaline pump through my veins and how my heart seemed to pound vigorously against my chest.

My grip tightened on Kieran's shirt, I couldn't will myself to let him go despite being awake and feeling safe, I just knew I truly wasn't safe.

This could still be a dream

That's what I wanted.

I wanted my situation to be all a fabric of my imagination. I wished that the past three years of my life had been conjured up in my mind and that I was just dreaming about it. I wanted to wake up.

But it was just wishful thinking...

"Imani..." the gentle hum of his voice stirred me awake. I slowly sat up, my eyes cast low as I pushed my body away from him.

I felt cold when I wasn't in his arms. I'd never felt such a warmth in my life when he wrapped his arms around my body and held me close. When I was with Mateo, his once warm hugs that I thought I couldn't live without before were now nothing in comparison to what Kieran could provide.

"Would you like another minute to lie down?" He asked.

"No, I'm fine now" I replied hoarsely.

He eyed me for a minute, taking in the way I avoided his gaze and how I still quivered from time to time. I couldn't help but slightly flinch when I felt his hand lift up my chin, his finger boldly tracing my bottom lip as his eyes bored into mine.

When his eyes lowered to my pouted lips, I could've sworn they'd changed colour and grown darker. It was like they had turned pitch black right before my eyes but when I blinked they returned to normal.

"When you're ready, I'll be downstairs in the kitchen. There are spare toiletries in the bathrooms. Take as much time as you need"