The Human Mate

Chapter 18

LOGAN

Being behind the door, I could feel her fear coming from her. It broke my heart.

Max was pacing in my head, wanting to come out and rip the door from the hinges to get to her. It was taking everything in my power to control him. I had to remind him she was human and had just seen six grown-ass men turn into wolves.

Being outside the door, I pleaded for her to let me explain, but she wanted to be left alone. Everyone from my gran to Brie and Mark wanted me to let her calm down; she needed time to process everything.

I knew they were right, but I was an alpha. All I wanted to do was to be with my mate, comfort, and be there for her. I needed to explain everything to her. From what she saw, for her to know I would never hurt her.

The emotions coming through her door were intense, and we could do nothing about it.

Max and I were feeling it. We could hear the pain in her voice when she told us to leave her alone. She was afraid and did not know what to think about what she saw. It was all too much, but there was one thing we could feel—she feared us. That part was all I knew was true, and it was getting to us more. The need to be inside her apartment to plead our case was extreme.

"I want mate," Max whined.

When my gran told me to cool off, I couldn't help but growl. I knew her heart was in the right place, but Riley was my mate. I needed to be told to do anything when it came to her.

My grandmother and Brie begged me to leave. After a few moments, I left. Knowing Riley would not let me in, I had to leave.

After fleeing the bookstore, I returned to the pack house, still reviewing everything that happened. I looked down at myself and realized I had to clean myself up. It dawned on me that I needed to freshen up, forgetting that I was covered in blood. Hopefully, once I was done, I could tell Riley everything. I need her, and she is my mate—mine to have.

Pack members stayed out of my way, and judging by the looks of sympathy I was getting, I realized there had to be something going on about my mate and me. Ignoring all the stares, I headed to my room, slammed the door behind me, and headed to the bathroom.

Switching on the shower, I stripped out of the clothes I got from gran when I got to the bookstore and got into the shower. I quickly washed but soon leaned against the wall, closing my eyes.

Max stared back, but then I was confronted by Riley's scared face, which made me shudder. Her eyes were enormous while watching the rogue shift, but it was when Max took over and shifted that she was gone.

Did she see us?

Max whined.

Letting the water flow over my shoulders, I let myself lose time and soon realized I had been in the shower a lot longer than I intended. I got out and dressed. I looked, and my eyes widened when I soon realized I had been in the shower for two hours.

Without thinking, I left my room and headed straight to the bookstore. It didn't take me long to get there. Before stepping in, I couldn't help but look at where Riley's apartment was—there were no lights on.

I looked towards the door to the bookstore and saw my Gran talking to Brie. Letting out a sigh, I entered the store, making them both look at me and give me a small smile, but I could still feel their concerns.

"You look a lot better now," Gran said. "You would have scared her more if she opened the door and she had seen you covered in blood. You looked awful."

I said nothing. She was right, and I remained silent. Rogue's blood was hard to get off at the best of times, but I needed to see Riley. I needed to make sure she was alright and see her to calm Max down.

"Has she come down?" I asked, glancing toward the staircase.

"No," Brie said, making me look back at her, shaking her head. "I knocked. I think she might have fallen asleep when you left. All I could hear was her crying."

My heart broke in two, hearing that she had been crying.

I looked towards the stairs again.

"I think you need to tread carefully, Logan," Gran said.

My gran knows more about this situation than most, so I take everything at value.

Max came closer but said nothing. He had been quiet the entire time we came over here.

I looked at her and nodded.

"I will. She needs to know everything," I said. "She can then make up her own mind about what she wants to do."

Gran nodded but said nothing. I told her at the beginning if Riley wanted nothing to do with me, I would let her walk away. But I know Max wouldn't, so that was a problem when we saw her as our mate. We have been waiting for so long for her. It would never be an option.

Looking at it now, I know I couldn't let her go. I strongly feel for her and don't think I can live without her. Our mate bond was strong for me since I was an alpha, but I knew I would have to let her go.

There was one thing Max and I did when we thought about it more clearly, and we even came up with a plan if she wanted to leave. My Gran didn't know that I would follow Riley and ensure she was safe. Occasionally, I would pop into her life to try again and win her over.

This whole dating thing has been challenging, but it makes me want Riley more, especially as a person. She is sweet and funny, has a gorgeous body, and has the most contagious laugh I have ever heard.

My heart beats for her.

Letting out a sigh, I walked toward the stairs. When I got to the top of the apartment, I could smell her scent. It woke Max up, making him step close. He needed to see her; it would calm down.

I knock, but the door creaks open.

That's odd.

Pushing the open the door and walked in. There was no sign of Riley.

Where the fuck did my mate go?

My eyes scanned the apartment, and realization set it. She was gone.

Her apartment had the furniture, but nothing of hers was there. The closet was open, and all her clothes were gone. She had little, and she only had the essentials. I remember her telling me about one of our dates, which saddened me. It was all because of her upbringing.

Max howled. "Mate!"

Riley has gone.

My heart breaks, and I fall to the floor.

All my emotions came to the surface, and I let out a roar. The pain was hard to bear. I needed my mate.

Tears come. Even though I was an alpha, the pain of my mate leaving had crippled me. I was destined to be with her only. Our moon goddess sent her, but now she is gone.

I heard footsteps coming from the stairs, and Brie entered and saw me on the ground. She said nothing but looks around. "Logan, what—"

"Riley, she's gone," I said, cutting her off as a tear slipped down my cheek.

Brie said nothing for a moment.

"We could—" she said. It was all too much, and I shook my head.

"No, we won't. She doesn't want to know."

Saying nothing, I got up and left. I ran past my Gran, who looked at me with sorrow as I spotted her, but I couldn't stay. I need to get out of here.

The pain was too much. I needed to be on my own. I run straight out of the bookstore and let Max take over. He shifted, not caring who saw us.

Max took off running while I stayed in his head. My mind raced over everything until an image of Riley flooded my mind. I wanted to find her, tell her everything, and even beg if I had to.

We were told all our lives, growing up, that our mates were destined for us by our parents, but no one tells you how hard it is when they leave or reject you.