Mated with a human

chapter 19

Sofia’s Side

After breakfast, Sofia and her mother decided to go shopping together.

At the mall, they moved from one boutique to another, buying clothes, laughing, and teasing each other. For a moment, Sofia almost forgot everything that had been troubling her. When they were finally done, they went to a restaurant and ordered their favourite meals.

They ate happily—until her mother suddenly stopped.

Sofia noticed the stare and frowned.

“Mommy… why are you looking at me like that?”

Her mother sighed deeply before speaking.

“Sofia… we need to talk about something important.”

Sofia continued eating, nodding casually.

“Okay, Mom. You sound serious. Is something wrong?”

Her mother folded her hands together.

“Sofia, you know you’re my only daughter, right? And I love you more than anything. I would do anything to make sure you’re happy and never lacking in life.”

Sofia nodded.

“Yes, Mom. I know that.”

Her mother continued, her voice gentle but firm.

“Your father and I want to make sure your future is secure—that you won’t suffer when we’re no longer around. We want peace of mind knowing your life will be simple and protected.”

Sofia slowed her eating, confused.

“Mom… what do you mean?”

Her mother hesitated for a moment, then said,

“We made an agreement with a family very close to us.”

Sofia paused.

“An agreement for what?”

Her mother met her eyes.

“As we speak… you have a fiancé.”

Sofia froze.

“What… did you just say?”

“Your father and I arranged a marriage for you.”

Sofia almost choked on her food. She burst into laughter, grabbing her juice.

“Mom! Don’t joke like that—you almost made me choke!”

She drank quickly, still laughing.

But her mother didn’t smile.

Sofia slowly stopped laughing, swallowing hard.

“Mom… why aren’t you saying anything?”

“It’s not a joke, Sofia.”

Sofia raised her hand.

“Wait. You’re telling me you and Dad want to tie me to someone I don’t love—someone I don’t even know?”

“You know him,” her mother replied calmly.

“And even if you don’t love him now, you’ll learn to. Living together changes everything.”

Sofia held her breath.

“Who is it?”

Her mother began,

“Bri—”

“BRIAN?!” Sofia shouted. “No! You can’t be serious! Him? Of all people? I see him as my brother!”

Her mother sighed.

“Sofia—”

Before she could continue, she smiled suddenly, looking past Sofia.

Sofia sensed something and turned around.

Brian was walking toward their table.

She leaned toward her mother and whispered sharply,

“Mom… did you invite him, or is this a coincidence?”

“I invited him,” her mother replied calmly.

Sofia stared at her in disbelief.

Brian reached the table, smiling warmly.

“Aunty, it’s so good to see you again.”

They hugged and sat down. Brian turned to Sofia, his smile wide.

“Hi, Sofia. Long time no see. You’ve grown up.”

Sofia forced a weak smile.

“Hey… yeah. You’ve grown too.”

She looked away, sipping her juice.

Her mother said something to Brian, and they both laughed. Suddenly, her mother’s phone rang.

“I need to take this call,” she said, standing up.

“Brian, order something to eat. I’ll be back.”

Then she left.

Sofia stared after her, stunned.

The silence between her and Brian was heavy.

Brian ordered food, then turned to her.

“So… how have you been, Sofia? You look really good.”

Sofia stared at him coldly.

“Brian, stop smiling like that. Please don’t tell me you agree with this nonsense our parents decided.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“What nonsense?”

“The nonsense of me being your fiancée.”

Brian chuckled lightly.

“It’s not nonsense. It won’t be bad. Imagine if it were someone else—a total stranger. At least we know each other.”

Sofia’s eyes widened.

“Brian, we grew up together. You always called me your little sister! How can you marry your sister?”

He sighed.

“It’s better than marrying someone I don’t know.”

That was it.

Sofia grabbed her handbag and stood up.

“Whoa—where are you going?” Brian asked.

“Where do you think?” she snapped. “I’m leaving.”

“You can’t. Your mother said she’d be back.”

She turned to him sharply.

“And what will you do? Stop me?”

Without waiting for an answer, she walked away.

---

Later That Evening

Sofia left the mall and called a cab. She texted her friends, asking them to meet her at a club.

Inside the club, music blasted loudly. They ordered shots, laughed, and danced wildly. Sofia danced like there was no tomorrow, trying to drown out the anger and pain.

She didn’t want to go home.

She didn’t want to think about Brian.

She didn’t even want to think about Jayson.

They danced until Zoe checked the time.

“Guys—it’s already half past seven.”

Zoe dragged Sofia and Molly out of the club. Outside, Molly complained drunkenly, and Sofia laughed it off.

Their ride arrived.

Just as they were about to get in, a voice called out,

“Sofia.”

She turned.

Jayson.

She rolled her eyes, ready to ignore him, but he grabbed her arm.

“Not so fast.”

He looked at Zoe and Molly.

“You two can go. I need to talk to Sofia.”

Zoe hesitated.

“Jay, it’s late. Her parents—”

“I’ll take her home,” Jayson said firmly.

He pulled Sofia toward his car.

---

Inside the Car

Sofia sat silently as Jayson buckled her seatbelt, his face too close. She turned away, smelling alcohol on herself and frustration in her chest.

He drove off in the wrong direction.

“What’s going on with us?” Jayson asked angrily.

“You don’t answer my calls. You don’t reply to my texts. Did you fall for another guy?”

Sofia just stared out the window.

He grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him.

“Ouch!” she gasped. “Jayson, what the hell are you doing?”

“Oh, now I have your attention,” he smirked.

“Are you going to talk, or should I make you?”

She snapped.

“Who do you think you are? I’m sick of you. Leave me alone!”

He slammed the brakes.

“Get out,” he shouted. “Get the hell out of my car!”

“With pleasure,” she replied coldly.

She stepped out, slamming the door.

Jayson sped off.

Sofia threw a rock after the car, shouting angrily. Then silence.

Cold air wrapped around her.

She realized she was alone—in the middle of dark trees.

No phone.

No bag.

Only a dress and heels.

She hugged herself tightly.

“So nice… just perfect.”

She began walking, fear crawling up her spine.

---

Luke’s Side

Luke was finishing the last chapter of his book when he looked up.

The library was empty.

He checked the time—19:40.

“Time really flies,” he murmured.

He texted his grandmother and left the library, hoodie pulled over his head.

As he turned a corner, he saw something that made him stop.

A girl.

Two older men.

She was scared.

He was about to walk away—then he heard her voice.

That familiar voice.

Something inside him shifted.

He walked toward them.

“Hey,” he said. “Let go of her.”

His voice sounded deeper than usual—even to him.

The men laughed.

“Go home, little boy.”

They grabbed her.

She struggled.

Then they hit her.

And shoved her into the backseat of their car.

Luke stood still, unable to move, just staring at them.

Suddenly, his body began to heat up. It felt as if fire was burning through his veins. Fury took over him before he could even understand what was happening.

Without realising it, he lunged forward.

In one swift motion, he grabbed one of the men and threw him aside. The man landed several meters away with a hard thud. Luke didn’t even look back. His attention was already on the second man.

He yanked the man’s hand away from the girl and clutched it tightly—too tightly. The man tried to fight back, but it was useless. Luke’s grip only grew stronger as his anger intensified.

Then—

Crack.

The sound of bone breaking echoed through the night.

The man screamed in agony, sweat pouring down his face, eyes wide with fear as he stared at the hooded figure standing before him. He couldn’t see Luke’s face, only darkness beneath the hoodie.

Terrified, the man turned and ran without looking back. The other man quickly got up and fled as well. They were shaken—terrified beyond words.

The girl lay unconscious in the backseat of the car.

Luke’s fury slowly faded, replaced by frustration and confusion.

What do I do now?

I don’t even know her address… should I wait until she wakes up?

He sighed deeply and took out his phone, scrolling through his contacts. There weren’t many—he barely had friends. His finger stopped when he saw a name.

June.

She really did save her number…

After hesitating for a moment, he pressed call.

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