Warrior's human mate

Chapter 11

James

"You’re not 'nobody,' and you’re here now," I said seriously.

She clicked her tongue, clearly frustrated.

When she said the word "not interested," it hit me hard. I thought we were making progress, but she crushed all my hopes with all her answers. She was still pushing me away, and it hurt more than I expected.

I had always prided myself on being a good person. So why am I being punished so harshly?

"But I like this role as your cousin," she chirped. Well, I hated it.

"It made me relax around you," she added, her tone light and casual.

I raised an eyebrow, tilting my head in question.

"Well, no one beds their relatives, right?" she teased, a playful grin on her face.

"But you’re not my cousin," I deadpanned.

"But I could be!" she sang with a bright smile.

"No, you’re not!" I said, keeping my tone serious as I tried to keep my focus.

She waved dismissively at me, clearly unbothered. One day, I’ll bed you wildly, and you’ll never forget it. I inwardly promised myself. The bond between us would eventually pull her to me, sooner rather than later.

She always had that feisty attitude. Conversations with her felt like a game of dodgeball — trying to avoid every question she threw at me, only to have her bounce one right back. She was bold and direct, not giving an inch. It was different from what I was used to. People around me usually tread more carefully, but Laila? She didn’t hold back.

We finished our food and headed out, but she kept yawning in the car. She said she’d head home to nap first.

Saying goodbye was always tough for me. Every time she left, I felt the urge to be near her again. The restlessness I felt without her nearby was almost unbearable. So, I asked her to have lunch with me tomorrow as well. She agreed, and I felt a sense of relief. At least we were getting into a steady routine. Spending two hours together each day felt like a step in the right direction, way better than once a week.

My wolf was growing more restless. He wanted more — but I knew I needed to take it slow. I had lowered my expectations a bit. I just wanted to be close to her, to hold her at night and wake up with her in the morning. But even that dream felt like it was still far off.

I could tell I had a long way to go with her. But I was willing to wait.

***

The next day, I was excited to pick her up.

"I found this really nice vegetarian and vegan place nearby. Would you like to check it out?"

I asked, feeling a little proud of myself. After some research yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised by the options available.

"Sure," she replied, shrugging casually.

"But what will you be eating?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.

It was such a sweet gesture. I liked how she seemed to care, even about the smallest things. Maybe I was reading too much into it, but it made me wonder if she felt the mate bond, too.

"I’m sure I’ll find something tasty," I reassured her, brushing off her worry.

"Well, yeah, but you said you liked meat..." she pressed, looking at me with genuine concern.

Her insistence was so thoughtful. I could see how much she cared, and it made me smile.

"Ah, don’t worry, I can skip."

I gave her a reassuring smile. As we entered the restaurant, I led her to a quiet corner where we could have some privacy. I glanced around quickly, hoping no one would recognize me. After a brief look at the menu, she ordered a wrap and suggested I go for the burger. I agreed, happy to let her choose.

As we waited for our food, I was content—until Suzy from my pack appeared. My heart sank. Oh f***k my life, not again.

"James!"

She called my name, and I didn’t look up.

"Suzy, this is my girlfriend. Please, leave us alone," I said, my voice firm but polite.

Laila's eyes widened at my words.

"James, Alpha is looking for you," Suzy said, sounding a little annoyed.

"He said he can't..." Suzy glanced at Laila briefly before continuing, "reach you. So he asked if anyone had seen you. I saw you, so I’m letting you know that he’s looking for you."

She finished, and I turned to Laila, whose expression had shifted. Nothing escaped those curious and observant eyes, I bet she will ask me questions later.

"Okay, thank you for letting me know, Suzy. I’ll contact him shortly," I replied, keeping my tone calm.

Suzy glanced Laila’s way, a worried expression on her face.

"Oh, don’t worry! I’m not his girlfriend!"

Laila raised her hands in mock surrender, looking directly into my eyes as she said the last sentence. I shot her a glare in response.

"But James is a rude dude to pursue him, don’t you think?"

She glanced back at Suzy with a teasing smile, clearly enjoying herself. It was strange how at ease she seemed with me in the last days. Maybe it was the mate bond, or maybe she was just that kind of person. Either way, it didn’t bother me. I didn’t mind her teasing; it felt... comfortable, even if it made my chest tighten a little.

Suzy wasn’t having it, though. She shot a serious look at Laila.

"Well, he’s not my… soulmate. So I’m not interested in him."

Her deadpan delivery made total sense to me as I wasn’t her mate, but I wondered what Laila would think.

"Good for you! He’s such a womanizer. Who wants that, right?"

Laila winked at me with a playful grin still on her lips.

I frowned at Laila’s words, unsure what to make of the accusations. Suzy, though, looked between us with furrowed brows, her gaze flicking back and forth like she was trying to make sense of what was going on.

"Yeah, whatever," Suzy muttered under her breath.

"James, I’m informing Alpha," she said, turning her attention back to me.

"Okay, thanks, Suzy," I replied with a tight smile, trying to keep the situation from spiraling.

Suzy left, and Laila’s gaze was still fixed on me. She didn’t say anything, and her usual teasing smile was not there. She liked to tease me, to push me away—yet, she’d just winked at me a moment ago.

"So… Alpha?"

Her voice broke through the silence, clearly waiting for some kind of answer.

"I’ll make a quick phone call. Sorry."

I stepped out of the booth, heading toward the toilets. I wasn’t actually planning to call him—I just needed to mind link quickly. I was still relatively close to the pack, so I should be able to reach him. I didn’t want Laila to see my eyes glaze over while I communicated with Alpha.

"Alpha, you were looking for me," I said once I was out of earshot.

"Yes, James! Where are you?" Alpha’s voice was urgent.

"I’m having lunch with my mate," I replied, my tone flat.

"The human?" He pressed further, clearly not thrilled.

"Yes," I answered shortly.

"Alright, I’ll keep this brief. We’ve got intel on where the rogues are located. We’re planning to move out tonight. If they’re the traffickers, we can’t afford to wait—we need to act fast," Alpha explained.

"I understand, Alpha." I nodded, though he couldn’t see it.

"Good. Get to my office soon. We’re having a meeting to finalize the plan," he ordered.

"Yes, Alpha. After lunch, I’ll head straight to the pack house," I confirmed.

"Good." He cut the mind link, and I walked back to the booth.

The food had arrived. Laila had already started eating. My burger looked delicious, and I couldn’t wait to dig in. She glanced up at me, waiting for an answer.

"All good?" she asked, her tone casual.

"Yes." I gave a clipped reply, not wanting to explain the conversation.

"So… Alpha?" she said, raising an eyebrow, clearly expecting me to elaborate.

"Yes." I wasn’t quite ready to explain everything to her.

"So, is it like a code name?" She clearly wasn’t planning to let go the subject. I could tell she wasn’t going to let it go easily. Stupid us—why hadn't we just called him by name instead of using the title?

"Yes," I answered shortly, not giving her much to work with.

She seemed to pick up on it, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Do you have a code name?" she asked, her curiosity growing.

"Umm, yes."

Shit. If she asks me what it is, what do I say? I was a lead warrior, but I wasn’t a ranked member. Why the hell did I lie just now? I was confused by my own behavior.

"Can I know what it is?" she asked cautiously, her voice soft but eager.

"Umm, usually it’s… Delta."

It was a lie, but it was close enough. She didn’t need to know the truth. Not yet, anyway.

"Hmm… so you go by the Greek alphabet?" she asked, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

I shrugged, trying to keep it light.

"So, do you have Beta, Gamma, and others as well?" she kept pressing, her eyes sparkling with interest.

"Yeah, we do," I answered, smiling back.

She was clever. I liked that. I was sure she’d pick up on the hierarchy quickly—if she stuck around long enough to learn it all. I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in my gut. I dreaded explaining this world to her. I didn’t think she’d accept it as easily as I wanted her to.

"Okay, start eating. It’s getting cold," she said, her tone teasing as she nudged me gently.

I picked up the burger, which was surprisingly big. I took a big bite, and as I chewed, the taste was delicious—satisfying in a way I didn’t expect. I could definitely taste meat.

"So, they have meat burgers here too?" I asked, looking at Laila.

She smiled at me, that teasing little grin she had.

"No. It’s a veggie burger," she replied, still smiling.

"No way! I can taste the meat," I said, unable to believe it. My senses were sharp, especially my taste buds.

"Nope, it’s just soy mixed with beans," she said, her smile widening.

I stared at her, my eyes going wide. "No way!"

"Yes way!" she said, chuckling.

I took another bite, still skeptical, but it tasted pretty good. After finishing it, I didn’t feel full—I was still a hungry werewolf. But since I was eating with her, I kept it light. If I ordered three different dishes, she’d definitely start asking questions.

We continued talking, mostly about my work. She wanted to know about my training—what kind of workouts I did and for how long. I enjoyed talking about it, so I explained everything in detail. Well, mostly everything. I skipped over the pack stuff and, of course, anything related to my wolf side.

After we finished eating, I glanced at her, my thoughts a little more serious. She noticed my gaze and met it with a question.

"So, I’ve noticed that you’ve relaxed around me," I started, my voice soft but tentative.

"Yeah, that’s true," she said, sounding thoughtful.

"I like having lunches with you," I said sincerely, looking at her.

"Okay?" she replied, clearly unsure where this was going.

"But…" My courage faltered slightly, but I had to say it. I couldn’t let the opportunity slip away.

"I would like to go on a real date with you," I blurted out in one breath. Tomorrow was Friday. I could take her to a nice restaurant, somewhere she’d enjoy.

She looked at me for a long moment, and I could see a flicker of disappointment in her eyes. My heart sank. I could feel her pulling away already. The more I pushed for a date, the more she seemed to back off. But I couldn’t stop. I had to try again. I couldn’t just walk away from this—from her.

Why did she have to be human? If she were a werewolf, things would’ve been so much simpler. We would’ve locked eyes, and I’d have known she was the one. We’d be living our happily ever after already... probably by now, in my bed.

The thought of her there, pinned under me, my hands above her head, sent a rush of heat through me. I quickly shook it off. Not the time for that.

But damn, the physical tension was building, and my mind was anything but clear. The Moon Goddess really knew how to make me suffer, didn’t she? I’d never gone for easy, though. I’d always chosen the toughest challenge, the one that pushed me. And this... this was exactly that.

Here we go again…

"So many girls are ready to throw themselves at your feet. I saw them. But you’re stuck on me?"

I let out a quiet sigh, trying to keep my composure.

"I don’t care about those girls. I’m interested in my special one."

He said it with such sincerity, but there was something in his tone that made me wonder—was he swooning over more girls right now? I had my suspicions.

"Shall I assume things, or will you elaborate on who 'the special one' is?"

I raised an eyebrow, my voice annoyed and cautious.

"I told you this already. You are the special one."

He said it with desperation, as if the answer should’ve been obvious. My heart fluttered—d.amn it. I couldn’t help it. But I squinted my eyes at him, trying not to be too swayed by his words.

"Is this your primal brain taking over? The part of you that loves the hunt, loves the chase?"

I asked, hoping to provoke some honesty.

He looked at me, clearly puzzled.

"Well, I do love a good hunt and chase…"

He started, and I couldn’t help but smirk inwardly. Ah, I thought so.

"But when it comes to you, I would rather call you my girlfriend and cuddle up with you every night."

What? A girlfriend? Suddenly, my stomach did somersaults. I’d barely trying to stomach an idea of going on a date with him, and now he was talking about relationships? Was he serious? Or was this just part of some act to get me into his bed? And if I fell for it, would he forget all about this sweet talk the moment he had me?

I was suspicious—no, I was extremely suspicious. I didn’t want to be the i***t who slept with him and then woke up to a cold, distant version of James the next day.

"Are you sure?" I asked, my voice flat. "You told me you had only two relationships, both of which lasted six months. People’s behavior tends to follow patterns. And from what I know of you, it’s likely you’ll do the same thing again in the future."

I stared him down, my tone deadpan.

"You’re wrong. I’ve never been in a relationship because I was waiting for the special one," he snapped, a little annoyed.

"Yeah, I’m the special one suddenly?" I said, sarcasm lacing my words.

He looked frustrated now, but I wasn’t ready to let go of my doubts.

"You met me two weeks ago. You barely know me."

I didn’t want to sound harsh, but I had to be realistic.

"And how long will I stay 'the special one'?" I continued, my voice more serious now. "You know that after a couple of years, the honeymoon phase ends. The rose-colored glasses come off, and you start to see each other for who you really are—the good and the bad. The problems start to surface, the arguments begin, and then... well, a lot of couples split up. You’ve never been in a real relationship, so one day, you might wake up and think, 'Meh, this isn't my special one. I was wrong.'"

I said it all in one breath, frowning.

"No!" He shook his head fiercely, his voice rising. "You’re wrong. I don’t care what issues come up. I’ve waited over ten years for the special one, for my soulmate, for the only one."

His words hit me like a wave, warm and sincere. They pleased my ears and made my heart feel like it was floating. No one had ever said those things to me—even after years in relationships. But we’d only known each other for two weeks, so my brain was still full of doubts.

"Come on! You can’t be this naïve in your thirties," I said, my annoyance creeping in. "It’s nice to think that there’s one perfect soulmate out there, that you just click and can’t live without them, all that fairytale stuff. But the reality? It’s a lot harsher. At the end of the day, it’s not about finding the perfect one—it’s about finding the good enough one."

I wasn’t bitter, just practical.

"I’m not naïve," he said, his voice full of frustration now. "That’s how my parents met! That’s how most of the couples I know—my friends, my relatives—waited for their special one. And when they met, they were happy together. For years. Decades, even. You just don’t understand it."

James said it with a whining edge in his voice, and it made me pause. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand. I just didn’t believe it, especially coming from him.

“You know how you sound to me?” I began. “In India, there are two types of marriages: arranged and so-called ‘love marriages,’ where a couple meets and falls in love. When people meet, they often ask, ‘Was it an arranged marriage or a love marriage?’ I have this friend who was so proud that his parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts had all been in love marriages. He was convinced, absolutely determined, that he would have a love marriage, too. Do you know how it ended for him? With an arranged marriage.”

I glanced at him. Though he listened attentively, his expression remained puzzled.

“How is this even relevant?” he asked, frowning.

I raised an eyebrow. “Let me state this in capital letters for the especially smart ones.” I added with a touch of sarcasm before continuing.

“My point is: you might not end up like everyone around you. You might end up single, with a different girl every other week.”

I said it seriously, shaking my head as I looked down at the table.

“No!” he barked, his voice tinged with anger. I looked up again, meeting his gaze. For a minute, we locked eyes in complete silence.

“Okay. It’s your belief. Good luck. I hope it comes true,” I finally backed off.

“So, does that mean you’re going on a date with me?” he asked hopefully.

What? After everything I just said?

“Dude!” I exclaimed, my frustration rising. “Why are you so stuck on me? Relationships are two-sided. You can’t talk about ‘the special one’ when the other person isn’t interested.”

“You’re just stubborn, making up stupid reasons not to indulge me,” he shot back, annoyance clear in his voice.

I’m stubborn? He was the most stubborn person I had ever met.

“I think it’s time I go back to work,” I said, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.

“Fine. I’ll drive you to your place,” he said, his teeth gritted.

“It’s fine. I’ve got my laptop with me. I’ll go to Starbucks and work there.”

I liked working outside of the house, especially with an upcoming project. I couldn’t focus with that laid-back home atmosphere.

“Okay, I’ll take you there. I know the closest one to here.”

I hesitated, wondering if accepting his offer would send mixed signals. Should I allow him to take me places?

“Don’t think too much about it,” he said, as though reading my thoughts. “You’re still our guest, and you don’t have a car. Just come.”

Well, clearly, I wasn’t good at hiding what was on my face.

“Fine,” I caved in.

The drive was quiet, so he turned on the radio. At one point, Imagine Dragons’ Thunder started playing. Despite my bad mood, the song somehow lifted my spirits. I couldn’t help but move my shoulders and upper body to the rhythm, singing along. By the second chorus, I was completely lost in the song, not caring that James was in the car. My body was in sync with the music.

James glanced at me.

“Would you like to go dancing?” he asked.

I hummed as I considered it. It had been a while since I’d danced. It could be fun.

“Yes. I’d actually love that,” I said with a smile.

“Great. We could go on Friday night. Would that work for you?” he asked cautiously.

“Yeah, sure. I’m off on Saturday, so...” I shrugged.

He smiled at last. “Great!”

We arrived at Starbucks, and he parked the car.

“Sorry,” he said, his tone apologetic. “It looks like I’ll have to work tomorrow, so I won’t be able to have lunch with you.”

“No worries,” I replied, waving him off—there was no need to apologize for that. But, surprisingly, there was a tiny pang in my heart. I had already gotten used to having lunch with him, even though it had only been a few days. I winced inwardly. Am I growing attached to him? Oh, please, no, no, no. This is bad.

“I’ll pick you up on Friday night... around 8 p.m.?” he asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Sure. Thanks! See you!”

I hurriedly got out of the car, as though doing so could somehow distance myself from the feeling of him getting under my skin. Could it really be true? I wondered as I walked inside the café. Well, I didn’t have time to ponder over it longer—there was plenty of work to do.