Human Novel 37

Chapter 37 “There is no such thing as fun for the whole family.” Jerry Seinfeld
I told mom and Steve everything ~ how I got roped into attending a diplomatic meeting in Canada,
meeting Griffin, deciding to run, and then leaving with Alessia.
By the time I was done recounting the story, they were both staring at me in disbelief. I couldn’t
really blame them. The past week of my life had been crazy, like the plot of some romance novel
you found thrown in the clearance section at Barnes & Noble.
Except this wasn’t fiction. Werewolves, royalty, and possessive mates ~ this was my actual life.
“Oh my,” my mother muttered, and she exchanged glances with Steve. “Clark, I…don’t even know
what to say.”
Steve looked just as shaken.
“L know it’s a lot,” I said, “And if you don’t want me here, I would understand. It’s a risk asking
you guys to get involved. I could find somewhere else to go.” “What? No,” Steve’s voice boomed
across the room, “No way we’re letting you fend for yourself, kid.” He turned to my mom, and she
nodded in agreement.
“Steve is right, Clark,” she said, “I know firsthand how dangerous the world of werewolves can be,
and it sounds like you’ve got one of the most dangerous at your heels. Our home is always open to
you, and you’re welcome to stay here as long as you like.” \*
A wave of relief flooded through me. Whatever anticipation and fear that I’d had about coming here
— like my mom not wanting to see me or throwing me out once she heard about the trouble I was in
— was rapidly disappearing.
In fact, I felt the most relaxed I had in the past week. Not only was I surrounded by other humans
for the first time in years, but there were no possessive mates anywhere to be found. No werewolf
politics to
worry about. (1)
It was just me, my mom, and Steve – the way it was meant to be all
those years ago.
e I won’t be a burden. I just want to lay low for long e
My mom reached over and squeezed my hand. “Honey,” she smiled at me, “You’re my daughter.
You would never be a burden to me. And it’s good that you’re here. It’ll give us time to actually
catch up.” “and maybe you can sample some of my cooking,” Steve piped in, “Your mother is on
this vegetarian diet, and I’ve got nobody to tell me if my ribs are any good.”
Uncle Steve,
o a routine. Life with them was simple and predictable. My mother worked at the hospital during the
It was an easy routine, but it was a welcome one. In Yorba Linda with my mom, there were no pack
functions to worry about, no patrols, and most importantly, no possessive mate hanging around.
I stayed cooped up in the house the first four days I was there. I was too paranoid that if I left,
someone might be waiting to drag me back – maybe Griffin, maybe my dad, maybe even one of my
siblings.
It didn’t help that I started getting texts and calls from my family around day three. My dad left me
several urgent voicemails. Apparently, Griffin and several of his guards had come to the packhouse,
inquiring to know where I was.
u’re being right now,” he spat through the line, “You’ve been given an honor that most female
wolves can only dream of, and what do you do? You run away
I’d be lying if I said his words didn’t sting. Having my dad say he was ashamed me wasn’t a great
feeling, but I also had no desire to talk to him either. Not after learning the way he had willingly
kept me from my mother for seven years. (*)
Besides, if I go back to the pack, he’ll just hand me over to Griffin. This isn’t about him being
worried about my safety…it’s about me embarrassing him. 2)
d. I didn’t have the heart to call him back, but I did text him
real venom in her voice. “Oh, yeah, I’ve met Alessia. She arrived yesterday, and she already knew
who I was ~ she said you were the one who told her. While I’m glad you got to meet m
Teven had a voicemail from Luna Grace by day three. No doubt my dad had pressured her into
calling and trying to guilt-trip me into coming home, but it wasn’t very effective.
“I know you’re scared right now, Clark,” her gentle voice had spoken through the phone, “But
there’s no reason to be. Having a mate is a wonderful experience, and you should’ve seen how
worried the King was when he came to the pack — especially when he discovered you weren’t here.
If you come home, we can talk about all of this. We’re here to support you, honey, no matter what
you want.”
th my dad long enough to know that his support came with terms and conditions. If you weren’t
doing things his