The Human Mate

Chapter 8

LOGAN

It was nearly close to a week since I had seen Riley. My week has been full of pack business. There had been some sightings of rogues not too far from here. I had sent guards to the borders to check, but nothing came. I didn't need rogues to come into the territory, not with my mate, not knowing what we were.

Max had been on edge, wanting to see Riley. I couldn't get free to do so, knowing she would be the only one to calm us down. I had to control him, which was hard to do.

Two days ago was my only chance to see Riley and my grandmother. Over the last few days, I have had to phone my grandmother to find out what is going on. I did this as a precaution in case the rogues came to town. I knew it would scare her, but I needed them both to be safe in the bookstore.

My grandmother and I put a plan in place. She and Riley would stay in her apartment and lock the door. She would have to come up with some sort of story or even tell her about our kind. She decided what to say since she would know what was best in that situation. If she said something about our kindness, I would do anything to win Riley's attention and show her what she meant to us.

When I saw my grandmother and Riley in the kitchen, it took everything in me not to kiss that damn woman with everything I had. I had a mind link from my grandmother to tell me to stop looking at her as if she was a piece of meat and talk to her.

I did and told her I would take her on our third date. She agreed. I only stayed briefly until I had a phone call from Mark to return to the pack house. I had sent out the guards to see what the rogues were doing and required them to report back. When I told Mark about going on a third date with Riley, he knew I had to deal with the rogue problem, or I wouldn't go on my date until I knew it was safe. It was all depending on the report.

Leaving Riley was the hardest. Max whined and begged to stay longer. Her scent calmed his anger and frustration. I asked her to walk me to the door. I knew she would have felt embarrassed if my grandmother saw us kissing. I pulled her to the side and kissed her softly.

That moment had me craving her. The need to devour her against the bookcase was strong, especially when her arousal hit. I didn't want to leave, but I knew I had to.

Once we left the bookstore and let Max shift to run back to the packhouse, we needed to know if we could see Riley.

We headed into the office, and Mark handed the report over with a grin. "You can take her. The rogues have moved on and are heading in another direction."

Hearing those words sent me into overdrive. I had to plan our third date. I wanted it to be special. This date needs to make her see what she means to me, and maybe she will stay with us.

Knowing I needed help, I asked the one person I knew who could help, and she came through for me—Brie, Mark's mate. She had booked us a table at the royal hall in the next town. We go there for food and then a walk by the lake until we arrive at the museum. While on our second date, I learned Riley loved everything history, and what better way to end the date than with a place she would love more?

Brie set up everything and organized for us, leaving me to finish my work.

******************

Saturday came in the blink of an eye and even seemed to be dragged slightly till it was time to get ready.

Max was excited to spend time with our mate and was eager to leave.

I was getting ready when my best friend, Mark, entered my room. My eyes met his in the mirror when he wolf-whistled. "You're looking good, man. If I were a woman, I would date you."

I laughed. "I would still say no."

Max chuckled.

Mark and I have been friends since high school, and he is my beta. He found Brie about four years ago, and she was perfect for him. She didn't take any of his bullshit and even made him work to claim her, which took a full two weeks for them to mate and mark each other.

This isn't what werewolves do, our wolves want to mate and mark as soon as they find their mates. I learned when Brie was part of the pack and even became like a sister to me. She made him work for it since other men burned her in her past. She didn't want to be rejected by her mate. Brie wanted Mark to win her over, but her wolf chimed in and helped the situation.

When I told Mark about Riley. He was pleased and found out when I did. I didn't want too many people to know about her initially. When he discovered she was human, Mark and Brie knew I had a long road ahead of me and had been helping me plan my dates. I haven't been on a date with a woman in years. I have been out with other women and even f****d them, but they have all found their mates now. I know I don't have any worries about any jealous she-wolves coming for my mate.

"Where are you going tonight?" Mark takes a sip of beer he brought in with him. I kept my eyes on him while I put my shirt down.

"Brie booked us a table at the royal hall in the next town. We go there for food and then for a walk by the lake."

"Every romantic," he said. I could sense a bit of hesitation in his voice. I turned and frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Mark sighed and continued. "I was wondering when Brie and I could meet her. You know, to tell her some embarrassing stories about you."

I frowned. I loved my friend, but he can be a tool.

Max chuckled and even agreed with me, which wasn't new.

My thoughts went to what he said. It might be a good idea for them to meet her. Come to think about it, they could meet her, and we all could go on a double date. It might help when I have to explain about our kind. Riley was all into supernatural beings, but I didn't have the heart to tell her they were all true.

I shook my head and looked at Mark.

"How about we set up a meeting in the store? Maybe after our third date?"

He smiled at me. "I will tell Brie. She will be happy. She has wanted to introduce herself since she got here and learned who she was to you but held back until you said it was fine."

"Yeah, we could meet at the bookstore. Gran mentioned Riley has a day off soon. We could do that then."

Mark nodded and turned to leave, only to stop. "When are you going to tell her about being a werewolf?" I could hear the concern in his voice.

I stared at him, wondering the same question.

When is it a good time?

"I don't know yet."

"Let me get through this date first, and I can go from there."

Mark said nothing but looked at me before he spoke. "You better do it soon. It will freak her out when she finds out. Not only that, but you also don't want her to find out when rogues are here. You may end up losing her."

Max growled. "Won't let no rogues hurt mate." He completely missed what Mark was saying, but I didn't. I knew I had to tell her soon. With the way she mentioned supernatural creatures, she may be okay with it and find it exciting to be with a wolf.

Max was hopeful, but a part of me feared this would all hit me in the face. There is a difference between believing in something and seeing it as real. It will all depend on how I tell her.

Getting back to Mark, I sighed when he spoke again.

"I will let you finish getting ready and have a good time."

Mark left, leaving me to my racing thoughts. I couldn't help feeling anxious, but it was hard to pinpoint what.

Shaking my thoughts away, I looked back toward the mirror and sighed.

"Riley will accept us. We must be patient." Max said, moving closer to see and taking in my appearance in the mirror. "You look good, and now we can leave to see her."

I rolled my eyes back and chuckled at what he had said.

Goddess, I have an impatient wolf.

Taking one last look at myself to make sure I looked good. I turned and grabbed my keys from my dresser on my way out.

Tonight, I was seeing my mate again, and I was feeling. I couldn't wait to see her and maybe kiss her again.

Max howled in agreement, making me grin while heading out of the pack house.