Human Novel 39

Chapter 39 Chapter 39
“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life” (2
Mark Twain
It had been nearly two weeks since I’d arrived in Yorba Linda, and each day that passed without
incident allowed me to slowly relax. I felt like I was slowly sinking into the easy routine that came
with living here.
Neither my dad nor Griffin had shown up, banging on the door and ready to drag me back. Even if
my dad had known I was visiting mom, he still wouldn’t have found me ~ not unless he’d been
keeping close
tabs on her whereabouts for the past seven years.) There’s no way Luna Grace would’ve been cool
with that.
And if Griffin hadn’t been able to find me yet, maybe he’d already given up. I knew he’d gone to
Blacktooth Pack a week ago – that’s how my dad knew I was even missing at all — but I hadn’t
heard anything more about him since.
He’s probably already moved on. Maybe he’s taking applications for his new Queen. |!
Somehow, that thought didn’t feel comforting to me. By the time Friday, the day I had agreed to see
the movie with Aiden, rolled around, I was more relaxed than ever. It no longer felt like Griffin was
going to be waiting to abduct me every time I left the house.“
Steve and mom seemed to pick up on my relaxed mood too. “So, tell me about this boy,” mom said
teasingly.
She was chopping up an onion for dinner while I washed dishes. 1 couldn’t deny that her cooking
skills had vastly improved in the past seven years.
“There’s nothing to tell,” I told her, “He’s just an old friend. We dated for, like, a couple of months
two years ago but it never went anywhere. We ran into each other at that little cafe and he asked me
to catch up ~ as friends.”
I left out the part about how Aiden and I had been frequently texting since our reunion at the coffee
shop. Most of it was casual, but there was some light flirting too. 7
“Hm, okay,” mom said, hiding a smile, “I’m just glad you’re settling in and making friends here. I
was a little worried about you those first few days. You were very jumpy and nervous.”
“Yeah, well, I am on the run,” I told her, “Coming here was a risk. Part of me was terrified that
Griffin was going to just show up and drag me back to the castle, but it looks like laying low has
paid off. I’m in the clear.” “Griffin,” she tested his name out like she was sampling a new dish,
“That’s your mate? And he’s the King?”
I nodded. It felt weird to discuss Griffin with my mom. Truthfully, thinking or talking about Griffin
left an odd, uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. It also inevitably led me to think about things I
shouldn’t — like how expressive his dark eyes were, how lean and tall he was, or his infuriating
nickname for me.
I wanted to leave Griffin in the past. That’s where he belonged now.
“What was he like?” she asked.
Despite how uncomfortable I was with the subject, my mom didn’t seem to pick up on any of my
unease.
It took me a moment but I managed to answer her. “Well, I didn’t know him that well,” I said, “I
only spent a day with him before I left. But he was definitely domineering…but still affectionate. He
always had his hands on me.” I hadn’t meant to say that last part out loud, but
somehow, it still slipped out.
with an eye roll, “Your father was that way
can be hard
ie theater that Aiden wanted us to meet at was within
. Since this was definitely not a date, I’d kept my outfit casual: a light dress and a cardigan from my
mom’s closet. Since I’d
makeup but nothing too time-consuming. Minim
As I turned the comer to see the tiny movie theater and its bright lights, I smiled – Aiden was already
here. He was leaning against one of the pillars, staring at the bright screen of his phone.
in a hoodie and jeans. He gave me a bright smile as soon as he saw me and I
“Hey,” he said, “You, uh, look good.” As soon as I reached him, he leaned over to give me a quick
hug. I barely had time to think about
was before he w
years and most of our original time together had been making out in his cramped Honda. And now
we w
ractically preened at my praise, and I was struck again at just
Why are you thinking about Griffin right now? You’re hanging out with Aiden.
“You wanna grab our tickets?” Aiden asked. I nodded and he directed me to the booth.
We both paid separately and I almost let out a sigh of relief when Aiden didn’t offer to pay for mine.
e chatted about how pricey the concession stand was. None of it was very deep, but by the time we
were seated in our cha
even som
the previews played. We tried to stay quiet given how full the theater was. I was surprised to see so
many
, “It was ten. We watched, like, three
Aiden chuckled but the title credits began to play so he didn’t reply. )
ay Aiden’s hand kept brushing against mine or how he shifted in
se d
To silently make my point, I moved my arm from the armrest to my lap. He stopped fidgeting after
that and I let out a silent breath, fixing my eyes on the black-and-white screen.
But it was halfway through the movie when I felt it.
tire body tensed. | felt exposed and vulnerable, like prey si
Something is off
paying attention to me. Everyone, including Aiden, was completely engaged in the movie. I peer
Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different. Every bit of relaxation I’d felt before
had been sucked from my body. All I
could feel now was the twisting of my gut and the beating of my heart.
t being paranoid and anxious f
predator had stepped into the room and
mach d
I recognized that power, that tangible tension that came from a certain someone’s presence. I had
felt it before