Fated to a human

Chapter 20: Chapter 20



Melody POV 

The day hadn't gone as I'd planned at all. I could've kicked myself for slipping up. As I approached the house, I noticed my brother, JC, sitting on the porch. Just what I needed—my brothers, ready to comment on my mood. 

The cold wind was enough of a reminder of what had gone wrong. "You don't look like a girl who's happy to be back in high school," JC commented with a smirk. 

I rolled my eyes. Of course, it was that obvious I'd had a bad day. I walked over, sinking down next to him. "Half of happy," I muttered, dropping my school bag beside me. "I tried to be his fated mate, but instead, he chose her over me." 

JC chuckled, and I frowned, irritated. "Really? You think this is funny?" 

He shook his head, folding his arms as he looked at me. "No, not funny—just that maybe you need to give it a little time." 

My frown deepened. "How? I was *this close* to kissing him, and he walked away." 

I buried my face in my hands, feeling the frustration and disappointment of the day settling heavy on me. "Melody, give it time," JC said gently. "He just found out you're his mate." 

I lifted my head to look at him, searching his face for any wisdom in his words. "Things like this take time," he continued. "As wolves, trust doesn't come instantly. He has to earn yours, and you have to earn his. It's a bond that grows." 

The whole wolf thing was strange to me. I didn't understand it, not fully. I took a deep breath and looked over at my brother, who seemed so calm, like he had it all figured out. "But I wanted him to kiss me... and forget about that redhead," I muttered. 

A small smile crossed JC's face. "That's going to take time, Mel. Remember, you came here out of nowhere, claiming to be his mate—it's a shock to him," he explained gently. 

I sighed, rising from where I'd been sitting. 

 So this was going to be a lesson in patience. Waiting wasn't exactly my strong suit, but it seemed like I didn't have much choice. 

"I'll try," I said, glancing at JC, who gave me an encouraging nod. "But right now, I think I need a hot shower before the storm hits." 

The wind was already picking up, and the sky looked ready to open up any minute. Grabbing my school bag, I headed inside, determined to shake off the day and try again tomorrow. 

Haylie POV 

Everything around me seemed to freeze, and in that moment, it felt like Liam, and I were the only two people in the world. 

 It was like something out of a movie—the fluttering in my stomach, my legs going numb, the warmth of his lips that I couldn't get enough of. 

His words, *I love you,* played over and over in my head, like a melody I wanted to hold onto forever. I'd never heard anyone say they loved me the way he did; his voice was filled with so much honesty and warmth, I knew he meant every word. 

As we kissed, I felt the first drops of rain falling on us, and soon we were soaked, causing us to break apart and laugh. I looked at Liam, his face glistening with raindrops, and he chuckled, "Well, I guess this is just our luck." 

I couldn't help but laugh with him. The rain was cool and gentle on my skin, and in that moment, I didn't care about getting wet. 

Liam took my hand, his smile warm and inviting. "Since we're already out here, would you like to dance with me in the rain?" 

His words were so soft, so sweet, I couldn't possibly say no. I took his hand, smiling back. "I'd love to." 

My aunt would probably be furious if she saw me like this—drenched, my hair plastered to my face—but none of that mattered right now. Liam pulled me closer, his chest pressed against mine, his hand resting gently on my waist. 

We began to sway slowly in the rain, every movement soft and effortless. 

Then he whispered into my ear, "How about I sing us an old song?" 

I chuckled, leaning my head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "If you know one, then go ahead," I said, cheering him on. 

And then he began to hum softly, his voice low and soothing, like a lullaby wrapping around us as we danced. 

The world around us had disappeared, leaving only the gentle rhythm of his voice and the patter of rain as we danced. 

 It was like a scene from a romantic movie—magical, unforgettable. After a while, we were soaked, and we both laughed as we ran up to the porch for shelter, water dripping from our hair and clothes. 

 

"Let me grab us some towels," I whispered, taking his warm, wet hand and leading him inside as quietly as possible. 

I could already imagine Aunt Camelia's disapproving look if she caught us, soaked from head to toe, and her inevitable warning that I'd catch a cold. 

 We tiptoed through the house, hoping not to draw any attention. But as we reached the stairs, I froze at the sound of Aunt Camelia's voice. 

"Haylie, I hope you're busy doing your homework," she called out from the other room. 

I glanced at Liam, who gave me a mischievous grin. I tried to sound casual as I called back, "I am, don't worry!" 

Liam stifled a laugh, and I had to bite back my own smile. Not that I was really doing homework at that moment—I was too caught up in the thrill of sneaking him upstairs, of the rain still clinging to our clothes, and of this perfect, unforgettable evening. 

I quietly led Liam into my room, praying my aunt hadn't spotted his bike outside. "Stay here," I whispered, and hurried to the bathroom to grab two large towels. Returning to my room, I closed the door gently and handed one to him. 

I took off my soaked shoes and hoodie, starting to dry my hair and arms. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Liam removing his shoes and socks, then his jacket—and finally, his shirt. 

I froze, eyes widening as I caught sight of his toned chest and the water dripping down his skin. My breath hitched, my lips parting involuntarily. I quickly looked away when he noticed, feeling my cheeks burn with a deep blush. I tried to focus on drying my hair, but my heart pounded, betraying my efforts to stay calm. 

Liam chuckled softly, clearly amused. "See something you like?" he teased, his voice warm. 

I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my embarrassment. "Just hurry up and dry off before we both get in trouble," I muttered, though my voice came out a bit too flustered. His laughter filled the room, easing the tension, and soon enough, we were both grinning like kids with a secret. 

As soon as I realized that Liam and I have laughed, a burst of laughter escaped my lips, causing me to hastily cover my mouth with my hand. 

 My Aunt Camelia's unexpected arrival startled me, causing my eyes to widen in surprise. A sense of urgency washed over me, as if an invisible force was compelling me to hide Liam. I tightly grasp his hand and whisper urgently, "You must hide, my aunt will be here soon." 

A worried frown creases Liam's face as he questions, "Where should I go?" I quickly survey the room, my eyes darting around, until I spot the closet. "Go into the closet," I instruct him, my voice barely above a whisper. 

Moving swiftly, I reach the closet and gently push Liam inside, closing the door quietly behind him. 

The sound of his muffled breathing fills the air, mingling with the anticipation pulsing through my veins. My heart races, pounding in my chest, and I can hear the stairs creaking under the weight of my aunt's footsteps as she ascends. 

Driven by a surge of adrenaline, I rush to hide Liam's wet clothes. Panic surges through me, intensifying the scent of fear that hangs in the air. 

I open my cupboard drawer and grab a fresh nightdress, the fabric feeling cool and soft against my fingertips. With haste, I strip off my wet shirt, jeans, and bra, tossing them into the laundry basket. I hastily slip into the dry nightdress, the fabric brushing against my skin as I pull it over my head. 

Frantically, I grab a stack of books from my school bag and scatter them across the bed, pretending to be engrossed in my homework. 

 Just in time, the door swings open, and Aunt Camelia stands in the doorway. Surprise registers on my face as I greet her, my attempt to appear normal. 

Aunt Camelia's eyes furrow in suspicion as she scans the room. "I thought I heard voices," she remarks, her tone filled with doubt. I glance around nervously, my heart pounding in my chest, and reply with a forced smile, "Oh, that must have been me, doing my homework." I avert my gaze downward and notice that I have accidentally opened my mythology books. 

"Alright then, you better be ready in an hour, dinner will be served," Aunt Camelia says, her voice tinged with suspicion. 

 I nod in response and offer a small smile. "I'm almost done, then I'll come," I assure her. Inside, my heart is racing wildly, but I muster all my strength to maintain a calm facade. I watch as Aunt Camelia closes the door behind her and exhale a sigh of relief. 

Quietly, I tiptoe to the door and press my ear against it, straining to hear if she is truly gone. Once I am certain that it is safe, I return to the closet and open the door for Liam. 

I opened the closet door slowly, my breath catching in my throat as I looked at Liam, still hidden inside. 

He looked a little disheveled, but when he saw me, his face broke into a small grin, as if the situation had only made him more amused. 

"That was too close," I whispered urgently, stepping back to let him out. "Aunt Camelia almost caught us." 

 

Liam stretched as he stepped out of the cramped space, his body slightly stiff from being hidden in the small closet. "I think I might have lost a few years off my life in there," he joked, but there was a soft intensity in his eyes. 

His gaze lingered on me for a moment before he glanced around the room. 

"Don't make a sound. I need to make sure the coast is clear," I said quickly, pressing my ear to the door again. I didn't hear any movement from the hallway, so I tiptoed back to the window and peeked outside. There was no sign of Aunt Camelia, which meant I had a few moments to breathe. 

Liam chuckled softly behind me. "I can't believe we're actually doing this," he whispered, his voice full of disbelief and excitement. "Hiding out like we're in some spy movie." 

I turned to face him, managing a small laugh. "Yeah, except I don't think spies usually get caught sneaking around in their own house." 

He stepped closer, a teasing glint in his eyes. "I think you're handling it pretty well. I'm impressed." 

I couldn't help but smile at his words. Despite the chaos and the danger of getting caught, it felt oddly thrilling. 

 My heart was still racing, but I was glad that Liam was here, sharing this strange and fun moment with me. 

I took a deep breath, feeling relieved that we hadn't been caught by my aunt. 

"We should probably dry you off," I said, watching as Liam stepped closer to me. He took my hand in his, and the warmth of his touch sent a shiver down my spine. 

 As he moved even closer, my heart skipped a beat; I could feel his breath against mine as he leaned in, our lips brushing softly. 

A nervous excitement filled me as Liam's lips met mine, and I felt like I was melting into his embrace as he pulled me close, his damp body pressing against mine. Our kiss deepened, his tongue dancing gently with mine, and I couldn't get enough. 

My stomach fluttered with butterflies, and in that moment, everything around us seemed to fade away. It was as if the entire world disappeared, leaving just the two of us, lost in a kiss that felt timeless. 

Our kiss deepened, and I felt Liam's lips leave mine, trailing softly down my jawline until he reached my neck. 

 His gentle, tickling kisses made me chuckle. His hands were strong as they traveled down my waist, lingering until they found my hips. My breath hitched as his hand slipped under my nightdress, cupping my buttock, and I couldn't help but let out a soft, breathy moan. 

But then reality set in—we could still be caught by my aunt. 

Even though his kisses sent a thrill through me, I whispered, "Liam, wait…" My voice was soft, torn between wanting him and the risk of being caught. "My aunt could still come back." 

He paused, lifting his gaze to meet mine, his eyes filled with playful mischief. "What if you locked the door?" he suggested with a teasing grin. 

I couldn't help but laugh, caught between a smile and a frown. "You make me feel both guilty and… so tempted," I teased, taking a small step back. "Besides," I reminded him, "she'll come looking for me if I don't show up for supper in an hour." 

I walked up to the door, leaning against it with a playful pout. "And my door doesn't have a lock," I said, pretending to be disappointed. 

 My eyes fell on Liam as he moved closer, standing so close that I could feel his warm, damp body pressing against mine. He leaned in, his voice soft and warm as he whispered, "How about a date night on Friday?" His lips brushed against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. "Just you and me… movies and pizza." 

His words were so enticing that I felt myself melt under his gaze. "I'll ask my aunt if I can come over for a date night at your place," I replied, grinning. "We don't have a TV here." 

Liam's smile grew wider. "Then it's settled," he said, his eyes sparkling as he looked at me. 

My heart raced as we shared a quiet, tender moment, but before I could say anything more, I heard the creaking of the stairs. 

"Oh no, my aunt!" I gasped, springing into action. I grabbed a big, worn hoodie from my basket and shoved it into his hands. "Put this on, and you've got to go before we get caught!" 

Liam quickly pulled on the hoodie. It was a little short on his arms, but it fit well enough. Before I could even catch my breath, he leaned in and stole a quick, intense kiss, then headed straight for my window. 

 My eyes went wide as I realized what he was planning. 

"Liam, you're not seriously going to—" But before I could finish, he was climbing out, bracing himself for the jump. I ran to the window, my heart pounding, and watched as he landed safely on the ground below. 

 He turned, flashed me a reassuring grin, and waved before heading off on his bike. 

With a sigh of relief, I waved back, hoping my aunt hadn't heard a thing. 

JC POV 

I lay on the roof of the old house, my usual escape when I needed a break from everything. The place was worn and weathered, but it felt like a secret sanctuary. My thoughts were racing, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the image of that girl. 

The redhead with those beautiful green eyes—eyes that seemed to capture your soul in an instant. It was no wonder people noticed her; there was something about her, an undeniable beauty and a kindness that radiated from within. 

 She was a true human, with a big heart and a purity that was rare. 

I glanced up at the night sky, letting the cool breeze after the rain clear my head. The stars were scattered brightly across the dark horizon, and for a moment, they pulled me away from all my worries. 

 But then, I wasn't alone anymore—a voice beside me broke the silence. 

"Are you thinking of her?" the voice asked. 

I turned my head to the left, where Melody sat, watching me with a knowing smile. "No," I lied, trying to shift my gaze back to the night sky. 

She let out a small laugh. "You're a terrible liar." 

With a sigh, I sat up, abandoning my attempt to hide my thoughts. "So what if I am?" I muttered. "There are people out there who want her dead." 

This poor girl was paying for her parents' sins, and I knew that no matter what I thought or said, it wouldn't change anything. Even if I spoke up, nobody would listen. 

"It's okay," Melody said gently. "I think she's not as bad as people say. I saw her today, and she seemed... kind, like she has a good heart." 

Hearing Melody say that gave me a strange sense of relief. Maybe, just maybe, I wasn't the only one who saw the truth about her. 

I looked at her and smirked. "I thought you were just like them," I said. "They all want revenge, want her dead, all because of sins that aren't even hers—they're her parents' mistakes." 

Running a hand through my hair, I sighed, feeling the weight of it all. 

 Melody's voice softened as she replied, "Maybe they don't see her the way you do. If they could, maybe our brothers would have a change of heart." 

I let out a rough laugh, shaking my head. "Melody, they're rogue wolves. Our kind is known for being vicious, heartless. That's why we don't have fated mates and are cursed to kill and live wild." I paused, glancing at the stars. "Our wolves aren't like the others—we're free, without an Alpha or a pack, and that life is in our blood." 

"I know, JC," Melody said, a small smile playing on her lips. "I grew up with all of you, remember? Everything we own is broken because some of you can't control your tempers." 

Her words brought a reluctant smile to my face. She wasn't wrong. This life we led—lawless, wild, and unbound—was the only one we knew. But maybe, just maybe, there was something more. 

Meeting Haylie today felt different, and I couldn't shake it. 

 I'd dated plenty of women before, even turned a few humans into wolves with the curse bite, but I'd never felt this way about anyone. 

 There was something about her—something I couldn't put into words—that stayed with me long after she'd left. 

I glanced over at my sister, letting a small smile cross my face, then lay back down to stare into the dark, star-filled sky. Maybe it was just a feeling, or maybe it was something more. 

Only time would tell. But one thing was clear: I wanted to see her again, to spend more time with her and figure out what this was. 

A coffee date, I thought, smiling to myself. I'd give it a day or two, then make the call. Just imagining seeing her again made my chest feel lighter. I could hardly wait. 


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