Mated with a human

chapter 24

Back at school…

Lunch time finally arrived, and the bell sent learners flooding out of their classrooms toward the canteen. Voices overlapped, chairs scraped, and laughter echoed through the corridors.

Luke and June got their food quietly and, without saying much, headed straight for the rooftop. It was their usual spot—peaceful, away from noise and unnecessary attention. They sat side by side, eating in comfortable silence, the breeze brushing past them. Luke stared into the distance, his thoughts drifting again, though he tried to stay present.

Down in the canteen, things were unusually calm.

No whispers turning into drama.

No raised voices.

No chaos.

The beauty queen kept to herself, eating quietly with her friends. Everyone seemed to mind their own business, almost as if the school had collectively decided to breathe for once.

After a while, plates were cleared and students began making their way back into the hallways.

Then the bell rang.

Moments later, the speakers crackled to life.

“Attention learners,” the announcement echoed through the corridors. “All students who registered to participate in the swimming contest are required to report to the pool area for practice sessions.”

The speaker clicked off.

Those who had registered exchanged excited looks, smiles spreading across their faces. Some cheered softly, others rushed to grab their bags, already imagining the cool water and the competition ahead.

The energy in the school shifted—anticipation buzzing in the air as the swimmers prepared for what was coming next.

They all returned to their respective classes as the lessons resumed. Books were opened, chairs scraped softly across the floor, and teachers settled back into their routines, unaware of the silent storms some of their students were carrying inside.

On the other side… at the mansion in the woods.

Cillian was seated in the living room, a cup of tea cradled in her hands, staring into nothing in particular. The quiet was interrupted when footsteps echoed through the hall.

Dyran walked in.

Cillian looked up, clearly surprised.

“Shouldn’t you be at work by now?” she asked, setting her cup down slightly.

Dyran shrugged, his tone casual. “I wasn’t feeling well, so I didn’t go.”

She studied him for a moment, then simply nodded and lifted her tea again, taking a slow sip. Dyran moved closer and sat down across from her.

After a brief silence, he spoke, his voice lower. “What really happened between you and Dad?”

Cillian paused, her fingers tightening slightly around the cup. Then she relaxed and gave him a small, controlled smile.

“We talked,” she said. “We made up. Everything is fine between us.”

Dyran searched her face, clearly unconvinced, but he didn’t push further. He leaned back into the couch, eyes drifting elsewhere.

The mansion fell quiet again—too quiet—each of them lost in thoughts they weren’t ready to share.

Back at school, the final bell rang, signaling the end of lessons. Some learners who hadn’t registered for any activities packed their bags and went home, their laughter echoing down the corridors.

Luke stayed behind. June had registered for swimming as well, so she didn’t leave either.

They all made their way to the swimming area. The air smelled of chlorine, and the echo of splashing water filled the space. The girls were directed to the changing rooms where swimsuits were provided. After changing, they walked back out toward the poolside, hair tied up, towels draped over shoulders.

Soon, the pool area was lively. Learners stretched, laughed, and slipped into the water, warming up. Not long after, another group walked in.

Sofia.

Of course.

She arrived with Zoe and Molly by her side, confidence written all over her face. The moment people noticed her, quiet murmurs followed, but she paid no attention. She changed quickly and joined the others as if she owned the place.

Practice began.

As time passed, it became clear—Sofia wasn’t just good. She was exceptional. Her movements were smooth, powerful, and effortless. When she cut through the water, it was like she belonged there. Even the instructor nodded in approval.

Some learners competed against each other while others warmed up at the edge of the pool. Laughter mixed with splashes, and the atmosphere was energetic.

Then it was Luke’s turn.

He stepped forward, ready to take his place at the line. Just as he was about to step onto the platform, the practical teacher raised a hand.

“You,” the teacher said firmly. “Take off that necklace.”

Luke froze.

His hand instinctively went to his neck. That necklace—the one thing he was never supposed to remove. His fingers tightened around it, hesitation flashing across his face.

“I—” he started, then stopped.

The teacher waited, arms folded.

Luke swallowed. He didn’t have a choice.

Slowly, he unclasped the necklace and let it fall into his palm. He stared at it for a moment, his expression unreadable, then walked over to the bench and placed it carefully with his clothes, as if afraid it might disappear.

Unnoticed by him, Sofia’s eyes followed the movement.

She saw the hesitation. The care. The way his fingers lingered on the necklace longer than necessary.

That thing means a lot to him, she thought.

Luke returned to the poolside, shaking off the strange heaviness in his chest. He stepped back into position, ready to compete.

From across the pool, Sofia’s gaze flicked once more to the bench where the necklace lay—quiet, unguarded.

And for reasons she didn’t yet understand, she remembered exactly where he’d put it.

They took some time practicing, going back and forth in the pool until the instructor finally dismissed them. One by one, learners headed to the changing rooms. The noise slowly died down as showers started running and lockers slammed shut.

Luke went to his side of the changing area, reaching for his clothes so he could shower and leave.

Instinctively, the first thing he checked for was his necklace.

It wasn’t there.

He frowned, checking again—more carefully this time. He searched the bench. His clothes. Under the bench. His heart began to pound harder with every second that passed.

No… no…

He checked again, faster now, panic creeping into his chest. His breathing became uneven.

Then a voice came from behind him.

“Looking for this?”

Luke froze.

Turning around sharply, his eyes landed on Sofia.

She was standing there casually, one hip leaned against the lockers, a familiar smirk playing on her lips. In her hand—dangling between her fingers—was his necklace.

Without thinking, Luke took long, fast strides toward her and snatched it from her hand.

“Don’t touch my things,” he snapped.

Sofia simply folded her arms, completely unbothered, watching him with amusement.

Luke turned away from her, about to clasp the necklace back around his neck—then he heard her chuckle.

Something in that sound made him stop.

His hands trembled slightly as his thoughts began to race. Slowly, dread settling in, he held the necklace in his palm and opened it.

Empty.

For a moment, his heart almost stopped beating.

The world seemed to go silent.

He turned back to Sofia—slowly.

She was still smirking.

Luke walked back toward her, his steps measured now, his voice low and cold when he spoke.

“What did you do to my ashes?”

His eyes darkened. “Where are they?”

Sofia placed a hand on her chest dramatically and laughed softly.

“Oh my gosh, Luke. What—are you crazy?” she said lightly. “It’s just ashes. You can’t be serious. They’re useless anyway.”

That word shattered something inside him.

Luke closed his eyes, clenching his fists, forcing himself to breathe. When he opened them again, his gaze burned with something far more dangerous than anger.

He took a deep breath and asked again, each word deliberate.

“Sofia… where did you take my ashes?”

Her smirk widened.

“Well,” she shrugged, “I didn’t know the necklace had ashes inside. I opened it, and unfortunately, I was standing next to the sink.” She tilted her head. “They spilled. All of them. I’m sorry.”

That was it.

Luke’s restraint snapped.

“What did you just say?” he growled, his voice coming out rough—almost animalistic.

Heat surged through him. His eyes burned red, veins standing out as something wild pushed against his control. His hands clenched, fingers trembling as his wolf strained beneath his skin, nails sharpening, the urge to shift screaming inside him.

“How dare you?” he roared, his voice echoing through the changing room.

“You spilled my mother’s ashes—my mother—in a sink?”

His chest rose and fell violently. “That was all I had left of her. And you decided to take it away from me.”

He took another step closer, towering over her now.

“Who the hell do you think you are?”

Sofia’s back hit the lockers behind her.

For the first time, she couldn’t move.

And for the first time, the smirk on her face began to fade.