The Human Mate

Chapter 24

LOGAN

My mate has accepted me. Well, she seems to be okay with the idea of me being a werewolf.

Max was over the moon. I knew he didn't understand why I made him stay in his form, but we needed Riley to realize we were not threatening her. We would be there for her. What form did that even mean for him being there?

The way she stared at him, I knew her head must have been going overtime with everything with today's events, but I was willing to bet she would listen to what I had to say. I regret not handling it as Mark had requested at the start, but that couldn't be helped now.

I will always stand by my decision, and I may have had a better outcome if the rogues had not come when they did.

Shaking my thoughts away, I moved my hand from Riley's cheek and placed it on her arm. I guided her back to the bus and got on.

Riley got on before me, and as I stepped inside, the warmth rippled over my damp, wet skin. I saw a smiling Gran and the bus driver looking back.

We all sat closer to the bus driver as he closed the door and turned the bus around until we headed back into town.

Riley returned a few seats and sat beside me, holding my hand while I placed my arm around her. I knew she was trying her hardest not to look down.

My cock hardened, having her in my arms.

I looked up and met my gran's eyes. She opened a mind link to me and spoke. "She'll be okay. Just explain everything clearly to her and go at her pace."

No words were spoken since she closed the link and turned her attention to Ray, Betty's mate.

Max was close by, humming in my head.

I leaned back, letting everything over me.

No sign of what my gran would do or say to Riley. Max and I were in the dark. The only time we heard from my gran was when they were getting close, and I had to be in a position for her to see me. Even seeing Ray driving the bus made me feel at ease. Knowing Betty and Gran had made the plan and judging what he told Riley before she came off the bus, made me realize he was helping, too.

It was my idea for Max to show himself, not hers, but when she noticed us and the bus stopped, I listened to what was being said. The way Riley looked at Max, she knew he wasn't there to harm her.

I snapped out of my thoughts when the bus abruptly stopped outside the bookstore. I looked around and soon realized that no one was there inside or outside.

Where was everyone?

Looking toward my mate, Riley smiled and motioned for us to leave, to which I nodded. Riley led the way and held my hand tighter like she didn't want to let me go soon.

Once we were outside, Gran handed me Riley's bag and smiled at me. "I'm staying with Betty and Ray tonight. We are playing bridge."

I nodded and said goodbye. They both headed away, leaving me with Riley, who pulled on my hand, which made me look back. She led the way into the bookstore and towards her apartment.

The silence between us was deafening, but I knew she was waiting till we got inside to start interrogating me about things. But once we were inside, Riley said little. She looked at me and gave me a small smile. "I'm going to have a quick shower."

Her hand lets go of mine, leaving me to feel the ache of her not being there with me. I watched her move around, grabbed what she needed, and headed to the bathroom.