Her Human His Lycan

Friends

Emma POV

Inara surged restlessly beneath my skin, her excitement impossible to contain—our mate was here, in our class. Deep down, I had expected it. Something had guided me to the human realm long before I understood why. It began with a dream that wouldn’t let me go, a dream that pulled me toward a city I’d never seen yet felt carved into my destiny. In that dream, a man always stood with his back to me. I never saw his face, but the certainty pulsing through me told me who he was: my mate.

When I told my father, he recognized the city instantly—one he had visited with my mother. He insisted I follow the dream, follow myself. It felt like the moon goddess herself was pushing me toward something inevitable. I didn’t know if my mate would be human, wolf, or something else entirely. But I knew I would find him.

Now Inara was urging me to run straight to him, to close the space between us. But I held her back. Humans didn’t feel the mate bond the way we did, and we couldn’t reveal our identity yet. The sting of hearing another girl call him her boyfriend didn’t help. Inara hated it, gnawed at the bond, pushing emotions through me that were new and overwhelming.

“We must be patient,” I reminded her. Humans had their own ways, their own timelines.

“Let’s hope his eyes find us,” I whispered, though it sounded more like a prayer.

Inara was already admiring our mate’s strong, muscular frame, swooning in a way that made me roll my eyes. “He’s human,” I reminded her. “And I’m a lycan.”

But the truth was, I didn’t mind. I only wondered if he could accept me. Our lifespan alone dwarfed a human’s. Would the goddess bless him with a longer life? And earlier, when he had looked at me—was it the bond pulling his attention, or did I genuinely intrigue him?

“We are beautiful,” Inara reminded me.

“Yes,” I said, twirling a strand of hair. “Just… not exactly human-looking.”

“None of the girls do. Did you see the one with the bright pink hair?” she countered. I couldn’t help laughing. Humans really were boldly expressive.

Settling onto a worn bench, I breathed in the scent of roasted coffee and watched students weave around each other like threads in a tapestry. The moment was peaceful—until my brother’s voice echoed in my mind.

“Getting homesick yet?”

“No,” I teased. “It’s a nice vacation from you.”

He laughed. “Dad’s having me lead a group of warriors today. A nearby pack is having trouble shifting—deaths reported. Could be hunters. Some might be posing as wolves.”

My stomach tightened. “If witches who won’t ally with us are involved, they could’ve given the hunters a way to mimic shifting,” I said, already analyzing.

“Exactly.”

“Be safe, Noah,” I urged. “And update me.”

“You too. Hunters roam your realm, Emma.”

“I know.” My heart tugged at the bitter history—old grudges, old hatred. “Things changed long ago. They’re the ones who refuse to let go.”

“I’ll link later. Hug Mom and Dad for you.”

The link dropped, leaving a familiar ache. Our twin bond stretched across realms, strong enough to share thoughts… and danger. Once, when I was trapped in a collapsed cave with a broken leg, Noah felt it and led our parents straight to me. I’d always been the troublesome one.

I made my way to Mythology class and took the first seat. Empty room. Humming lights. A moment of calm—until the door opened and a guy and girl stepped in.

The girl smiled warmly. “You look new,” she said. Melody. And the guy—Kris—offered a nod.

“So why this class?” Melody asked.

“It just seemed interesting,” I admitted. The walls were covered in gods, monsters, and legends—fitting.

“You’ll love it,” Melody promised. “The professor is basically a one-man show. Oh—want to join our group? We only have two members.”

“Yes,” I said quickly. “Thank you.”

Students trickled in, filling the room with noise and energy. Melody scanned the room. “We’re missing one—Clay.”

Kris scoffed. “He’s a jerk. Total sketch. Probably a dealer. Told us he doesn’t ‘associate with nerds.’”

“Nerd?” I echoed, amused.

Melody giggled. “We’re just early and prepared.”

“That isn’t nerdy,” I said. “It’s admirable.”

The professor entered, and silence swept the room. His passion pulled me in immediately. By the end, he came to my desk to explain the project—animated, excited, absolutely in his element.

When class ended, Melody turned to me. “Party tonight. We usually don’t go, but it’s at my place, so… you should come.”

“Okay,” I said, surprised at my own eagerness.

Kris offered to walk me. “There’ve been attacks near campus. Better in pairs.”

I nodded. “Thank you. I live in Apartment Building 3.”

We exchanged numbers before Melody invited me to eat with them. “We haven’t made many friends yet,” she admitted.

“No worries. My brother’s the same way,” I said.

“Is he here?”

“No, home. We’re twins. It’s weird being without him.”

“Well, we’ll fill the void,” Melody said brightly.

The dining hall smelled divine. After the lady scanned my ID, my stomach growled loudly enough to embarrass me. Melody laughed. “Hungry?”

“Just a little,” I muttered.

As I ate, the mean girls from class sneered in my direction. Melody leaned in. “Ignore them. They think they’re queen bees. This isn’t high school anymore.”

I smiled gratefully and enjoyed the meal, ready for whatever the night would bring.

---

Back in my apartment, I let the cool air from the window brush against my skin. I brushed my hair and slipped into the black sparkly dress Noah had gifted me. It shimmered beautifully, making my pale hair glow.

Kris was waiting outside. When he saw me, he froze. “Wow… Emma, you look… really good.”

“Careful,” Inara warned. “He looks at us like he wants us. And we only want our mate.”

Noted.

“So you and Melody,” I asked as we walked. “You’ve known each other long?”

He blushed. “Since kindergarten.”

“You looked like a couple.”

“I wish,” he muttered.

“So you do want that?” I asked gently.

He hesitated. “Yes. But she doesn’t feel the same. I’d rather not ruin what we have.”

“Sometimes love requires risk,” I said. “But I understand. Losing a friend can feel as devastating as losing a soulmate.”

He chuckled. “Deep. Please don’t tell her.”

“I won’t. Your secret’s safe.”

Music thumped through the streets as we neared the house. “First party?” he guessed.

“That obvious?” I asked.

“Don’t worry—we’ve got you.”

The door opened, spilling laughter, heat, and the scent of alcohol into the air. Melody spotted us instantly and handed us cups.

“Beer,” she clarified when I sniffed it.

“It’s her first party,” Kris teased.

Melody leaned closer. “Only take drinks from people you trust. Never strangers. Some guys slip disgusting things into them.”

I thanked her, warmed by her protectiveness.

“Stick with us,” she grinned. “Now chug that, we’ll grab shots, and then we dance.”

I laughed, a spark of excitement flickering through me.

I was ready for whatever the night—and fate—had in store.