His Human Mate

It's Kept Getting Down

Rayla gasped, spinning around so quickly that she nearly knocked the photo off the dresser. Her heart raced, her pulse thundering in her ears as she stared at the figure in the doorway. Standing there, his arms crossed and a smirk playing on his lips, was Asher.

The sunlight streaming through the windows caught the sharp angles of his face, highlighting the faint stubble along his jaw and the glint of amusement in his eyes. He looked effortlessly casual, as if he hadn’t just startled her half to death.

“You scared the heck out of me!” Rayla exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and irritation as she pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm her racing heart.

Asher’s smirk widened, and he took a step into the room, his movements slow and deliberate. “Did I?” he said, his voice low and teasing. “You’re the one snooping around my room, Kitten. I think I have the right to be a little surprised.”

Rayla’s cheeks flushed with a mix of irritation and embarrassment as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “Stop calling me that,” she said, her voice firm but with a slight tremor that betrayed her nerves. “And how was I supposed to know this is your room? I didn’t even know you were Scarlet’s relative.”

Asher leaned casually against the doorframe, his arms still crossed, his grin widening as if her frustration amused him. “Cousins… Kitten,” he said, drawing out the last word with a teasing lilt that made her stomach flip.

Rayla’s eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line as she tried to ignore the way her heart skipped at the sound of that stupid nickname. “Cousins?” she repeated, her tone skeptical. “Since when?”

Asher shrugged, his expression relaxed but his eyes glinting with mischief. “Since forever. Scarlet’s mom and my dad are siblings. Didn’t she mention that?”

“No, she didn’t,” Rayla said, her voice sharper than she intended. “But then again, Scarlet doesn’t exactly go around sharing her family tree with me.”

Asher chuckled, the sound low and warm, and it only made Rayla more flustered. “Well, now you know,” he said, pushing off the doorframe and taking a step closer. “And just so we’re clear, you’re welcome to snoop around my room anytime. I’ve got nothing to hide.”

Rayla’s breath hitched as he closed the distance between them, his presence overwhelming in the small, sunlit room. She took a step back, her shoulders brushing against the dresser behind her. “I wasn’t snooping,” she insisted, her voice quieter now. “I was just… looking around. Scarlet said I could.”

Asher tilted his head, his gaze sweeping over her face as if he were trying to read her thoughts. “Uh-huh,” he said, his tone dripping with mock seriousness. “And I’m sure the fact that you ended up in *my* room was just a coincidence.”

Rayla’s cheeks burned, and she looked away, her eyes landing on the photo she’d been admiring earlier. The baby in the picture—his chubby cheeks and bright smile—was unmistakably Asher. And the woman holding him… she looked so familiar, but Rayla couldn’t quite place why.

“Is that you?” she asked softly, nodding toward the photo.

Asher followed her gaze, his expression softening as he looked at the picture. “Yeah,” he said, his voice quieter now, almost nostalgic. “That’s me and my mom.”

Rayla’s chest tightened at the mention of his mom, and she glanced back at him, curiosity getting the better of her. “She’s beautiful.”

Asher’s lips curved into a small, bittersweet smile. “Yeah, she was.”

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of his words hanging in the air. Rayla didn’t know what to say, her earlier frustration replaced by an unexpected ache in her chest. She hadn’t expected this—this glimpse of vulnerability from someone who always seemed so untouchable.

Before she could think of a response, the sound of Scarlet’s voice echoed from downstairs, breaking the tension. “Asher! Rayla! Get down here—dinner is ready!”

Asher straightened, his usual smirk returning as he gestured toward the door. “After you, Kitten.”

Rayla let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, her mind still reeling from the intensity of the moment. She moved past him, careful not to brush against him, but the heat of his gaze followed her all the way to the door.

As they made their way downstairs, Rayla couldn’t resist giving Scarlet a light but pointed smack on the arm. “You could’ve told me you and Asher are cousins,” she hissed under her breath, her voice a mix of irritation and disbelief.

Scarlet rubbed her arm, feigning hurt but grinning nonetheless. “What? I thought it was obvious! You didn’t notice the family resemblance?” she teased, gesturing dramatically to her own face. “Besides, it’s more fun to let you figure these things out on your own.”

Rayla rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. “You’re the worst,” she muttered, though there was no real heat behind her words.

When they reached the dining room, Scarlet immediately launched into introductions. “Grannies, this is Rayla, my best friend. Rayla, meet Grandma Rose and Nana Lily.”

The two women beamed at Rayla, their faces lighting up with warmth and curiosity. Grandma Rose, the taller of the two with silver hair pulled into a neat bun, stepped forward first, pulling Rayla into a hug that smelled faintly of lavender. “Oh, it’s so lovely to finally meet you, dear! Scarlet’s told us so much about you.”

Nana Lily, shorter and rounder with a head of curly gray hair, was quick to follow, squeezing Rayla’s hands in hers. “Yes, yes, we’ve been dying to meet the famous Rayla! Come, sit, sit! You must be starving.”

Before Rayla could protest, she was gently but firmly guided to the dining table, which was already laden with an impressive spread of dishes. The aroma of roasted chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, and freshly baked bread filled the air, making her stomach growl despite her lingering nerves.

As she took her seat at the round table, she found herself sandwiched between Scarlet and Asher. Scarlet shot her a mischievous grin, clearly enjoying the situation, while Asher leaned back in his chair, his arm casually draped over the back of hers. Rayla tried to ignore the way her heart skipped at his proximity, focusing instead on the grannies, who were already piling food onto her plate.

“Try the chicken, dear,” Grandma Rose insisted, placing a generous portion on Rayla’s plate. “It’s my secret recipe.”

“And the potatoes!” Nana Lily added, scooping a heaping spoonful onto the plate. “You’ll never taste anything like them, I promise.”

Rayla blinked at the mountain of food in front of her, her eyes wide. “Oh, wow, this is… a lot. Thank you, but I don’t think I can eat all of this.”

“Nonsense!” Grandma Rose said with a wave of her hand. “You’re too thin, dear. You need to eat more.”

“Yeah, Ray,” Scarlet chimed in, her tone dripping with mock seriousness. “You wouldn’t want to offend the grannies, would you?”

Rayla shot her a glare but couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her. “Fine, fine. But if I explode, it’s on you.”

As the meal began, the grannies kept up a steady stream of questions and stories, their enthusiasm infectious. Rayla found herself relaxing, the warmth of the room and the delicious food easing the tension she’d been carrying all day. Even Asher seemed more at ease, his usual smirk replaced by a genuine smile as he listened to his grandmothers’ tales.

At one point, Nana Lily leaned forward, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “So, Rayla, tell us. Do you have a boyfriend?”

Rayla nearly choked on her potatoes, her cheeks flushing as she glanced at Scarlet for help. Scarlet, however, was too busy laughing to be of any use.

“Nana!” Asher interjected, his tone half-amused, half-exasperated. “Don’t scare her off. We just got her here.”

Nana Lily waved him off. “Oh, hush. I’m just making conversation.” She turned back to Rayla, her expression softening. “But really, dear, you’re such a lovely girl. You must have someone special in your life.”

Rayla hesitated, her gaze flickering to Asher for the briefest of moments before she looked back at Nana Lily. “I, uh… I do. His name is Zack.”

The grannies exchanged a look, their smiles knowing but kind. “Well, he’s a lucky young man,” Grandma Rose said, patting Rayla’s hand. “But if he ever gives you any trouble, you let us know. We’ll set him straight.”

Rayla laughed, the sound genuine and carefree. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

As the meal continued, Rayla found herself enjoying the lively atmosphere and the easy camaraderie. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt like she belonged somewhere—like she was part of something bigger than herself. The grannies’ laughter, Scarlet’s teasing, and even Asher’s occasional dry remarks created a warmth that seeped into her chest, easing the tension she’d been carrying for weeks.

But as she glanced at Asher out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a slight frown on his face. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was there—a shadow crossing his otherwise relaxed expression. She couldn’t quite explain why it bothered her so much, but before she could fully turn to look at him, her phone buzzed loudly on the table, shattering the moment.

Rayla froze, her stomach sinking as she saw Zack’s name flashing on the screen. She’d been ignoring his calls and messages all day, and she knew she couldn’t keep avoiding him. With a reluctant sigh, she excused herself from the table, offering the grannies an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry, I need to take this. I’ll be right back.”

Scarlet gave her a knowing look but didn’t say anything, while the grannies waved her off with cheerful reassurances. “Take your time, dear! We’ll save you some dessert,” Grandma Rose called after her.

Rayla stepped out onto the porch, the cool evening air hitting her face as she answered the call. “Hey, Zack,” she said, her voice quieter than she intended.

“Rayla,” Zack’s voice came through, sharp and strained. “Finally. I’ve been calling you all day. Where the hell are you?”

Rayla winced at the edge in his tone, gripping the porch railing tightly. “I’m at Scarlet’s grannies’ place. I texted you I was spending the day with her.”

“Scarlet again?” Zack’s voice rose, his frustration boiling over. “Rayla, I told you to stay away from her. She’s trouble, and you know it. Why do you keep hanging out with her?”

Rayla’s chest tightened, her patience wearing thin. “Zack, Scarlet is my best friend. She’s not trouble. You don’t even know her.”

“I know enough,” Zack shot back, his tone bitter. “She’s reckless, and she’s dragging you down with her. I don’t want you around her anymore.”

Rayla’s jaw clenched, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “You don’t get to tell me who I can and can’t be friends with, Zack. That’s not your call.”

There was a pause on the other end, and when Zack spoke again, his voice was colder, more threatening. “If you don’t leave her place right now, I’m calling your dad. He needs to know what’s going on.”

Rayla’s breath caught, her anger flaring at the mention of her dad. “Are you serious? You’re going to run to my dad *again*? Every time something doesn’t go your way, you drag him into it. I’m not a child, Zack. I don’t need you or my dad controlling my life.”

Zack’s voice was firm, almost harsh. “I’m not trying to control you, Rayla. I’m trying to protect you. But if you won’t listen to me, then maybe your dad can talk some sense into you.”

Rayla’s hands trembled as she gripped the phone tighter, her voice rising. “You don’t get it, do you? I’m not some project you need to fix or protect. I’m your girlfriend, and I deserve to be treated like an equal. But all you do is run to my dad every time you don’t like what I’m doing. It’s exhausting, Zack. I can’t keep doing this.”

Silence...

"Are you breaking up with me?" Zack’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and raw, sending a shiver down Rayla’s spine. The question hung in the air, heavy and suffocating, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe. Her mind raced, her heart pounding as she tried to find the right words—words that wouldn’t hurt him, words that wouldn’t make this real.

“No, I’m not, Zack,” she said finally, her voice trembling. “But…” She paused, the weight of everything she’d been feeling pressing down on her chest. She couldn’t finish the sentence. She couldn’t break up with him. She *couldn’t*.

Zack had been a part of her life for as long as she could remember. They’d grown up together, their lives intertwined in a way that felt inevitable. He was her first love, her best friend, her safe place. She loved him, and she knew he loved her. But lately, that love had started to feel… different. It wasn’t the same as it used to be, and she didn’t know how to fix it.

“But what, Rayla?” Zack’s voice was softer now, but there was an edge to it, a desperation that made her chest ache. “What’s going on with you? You’ve been distant, you’ve been avoiding me, and now you’re out there with *her*—with Scarlet. I don’t understand.”

Rayla didn’t know what to say. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions, her heart torn between the love she felt for Zack and the growing uncertainty that had been gnawing at her for weeks. His voice, soft and filled with longing, echoed in her ears, breaking through the walls she’d built around herself.

“I missed you, Sunray,” Zack said, his tone gentle but laced with a sadness that made her chest ache. “I missed *us*.”

The nickname—*Sunray*—hit her like a punch to the gut. It was something he’d called her since they were kids, a reminder of the bond they’d shared for so long. Hearing it now, after everything that had happened, felt like a bittersweet echo of a time when things were simpler, when their love felt unshakable.

Rayla opened her mouth to respond, but Zack didn’t wait to hear her answer. His voice, firm and resolute, cut through the silence before she could form the words. “We’ve been apart for too long, Rayla. I’ll come to see you tomorrow, okay?”

The statement wasn’t a question—it was a declaration, and it left Rayla momentarily speechless. Her chest tightened, a mix of relief and dread swirling inside her. On one hand, the thought of seeing Zack, of being close to him again, brought a flicker of comfort. On the other, the idea of facing him, of having to confront everything she’d been avoiding, filled her with anxiety.

“Zack, I—” she started, her voice faltering as she tried to find the right words. But he interrupted her again, his tone softening slightly.

“Please, Rayla,” he said, his voice tinged with a vulnerability that made her heart ache. “I need to see you. We need to talk—really talk. I can’t keep doing this over the phone.”

Rayla’s fingers tightened around the phone, her mind racing. She wanted to say no, to tell him she needed more time, but the pleading in his voice made it impossible. “Okay,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “Tomorrow.”

There was a pause on the other end, and when Zack spoke again, his voice was quieter, almost relieved. “Alrigh, baby. I’ll see you then.”

As the call ended, Rayla let out a shaky breath, her shoulders slumping under the weight of her emotions. She stayed on the porch for a moment longer, staring out at the darkening woods as the first stars began to appear in the sky.

Upstairs, Scarlet approached Asher, her voice low but firm. “It’s rude to use your werewolf hearing to eavesdrop on her call.”

Asher’s eyes glowed faintly red, his jaw clenched as he struggled to control his wolf. “He’s coming to see her tomorrow,” he growled, his voice trembling with anger. “She’s my mate, Scarlet. *Mine.*”

Scarlet’s eyes widened, but her tone remained steady. “You need to calm down. If Rayla finds out the truth, it’ll ruin everything. You can’t risk it.”

Asher’s fists clenched, his breathing uneven. “I can’t just stand by and watch him take her. You don’t understand—”

“I do,” Scarlet interrupted, her voice sharp. “But you have to be patient. If you push her, you’ll scare her away. Let her figure things out.”

Asher’s shoulders slumped, the red in his eyes fading. “And if she chooses him?”

Scarlet hesitated, then sighed. “Then you’ll have to let her go. But I don’t think she will.”

Asher nodded, though his worry didn’t fade. Scarlet gave him a reassuring smile. “Come on. Let’s get back downstairs.”

As they descended the stairs, Asher’s gaze lingered on Rayla, her laughter filling the room. His chest ached with longing.

*She’s my mate,* he thought. *And I’ll have her, no matter what.*

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