He is Human

I gasp awake, breathing heavily. I look around and see that I'm inside the room they assigned me when I stayed over a few days when we got here.

The door opens, and Adrien Sage walks in. He takes the stool from the corner and places it beside the bed, sitting down. "We saved you just in time, Chosen One. Nothing is damaged in your body." He leans in. "But I have a question. Didn't you know it was a full moon? Why did you stay outside?"

It skipped my mind.

"I didn't tell your mother. And with some sleep, you'll be fine."

"You told me to blend in with humans, and that's what I did. I found out about ice hockey for the first time. A brutal game. It stirred Annie awake."

"You'll get used to it. I told you last week that things about the human world will fascinate you more than you think." He stands up. "Don't be reckless the way you were today." He starts to walk away when I call out to get his attention.

"And where are you going?"

He stops by the door without looking back at me. "I'll be right back. I have something for you." He leaves.

I step out of bed and walk to the window. As I stare into the woods, the door opens. I turn to see the head of the council walking toward me with a big book.

“This is the Book of the Supernatural. I’m not supposed to give it to you just yet, but I want you to start reading early. We can’t predict the Wolf King’s next move, and this book contains every creature that has ever lived. Only people with powers can read its language.”

He hands it to me.

“And it’s magical,” he adds. “It glows.”

“Really?” I look down at the book. “What should I name you?” It begins to glow. “Bookie. How does that sound?” It wiggles in my hands. I look up at Adrien. “She likes it.”

“It’s not a she. It’s a book.”

“That responds to me,” I point out, walking toward the bed to set Bookie down, then turn to face him. "So, when do I go home?"

"You're free to go. Jamie will drive you. But tomorrow your real training starts after school, so you'd better not miss it."

~~~

I walk out of the council chamber and close the door behind me. Jamie is waiting. I walk to him.

"Thanks for taking me back."

"It's my job. For now." He shrugs. "But if you want to relieve me of the stress, you should learn to drive faster."

"I'm not promising that. The thing terrifies me."

"It's called a car."

“Whatever.”

I walk to the passenger side and climb in. On the way home, I stare up at the sky through the window. I still haven’t completed my first transformation. Last night, Annie tried to break free, and my body began to shift. If the Council hadn’t injected me in time, I don’t even want to imagine what would have happened. The pain was unbearable, and I don’t want to experience it again anytime soon.

When Jamie parks in front of the house, I climb out, holding Bookie against my chest. "Goodnight, mundane."

"Night, wolf."

I don't look back as I walk to the door, open it, and step inside.

Mom shoots up from the couch the second she sees me. "And where have you been, young lady? I called you."

Behind her, the television murmurs. Tommen and Dad are watching football again, but they turn too when Mom's voice rises.

"I'm sorry. I'm still not used to human stuff.” A pause. “I was at the council. I'm fine. Annie is fine too."

"And what is that?" She points at Bookie.

"Adrien Sage said it's the book of the supernatural. It glows."

"Alright." She nods. "I'm glad you're fine. But call home if you're going to be late. We're not used to this world, and humans are dangerous. We can't trust people."

"The council too?"

Mom goes quiet. Then, "They're humans."

"I'll be in my room."

I pass Dad and Tommen, greet them with a smile, then climb the stairs and shut my bedroom door behind me. I set Bookie on the table, pull off my clothes, and drop them in the corner. In the bathroom, I turn the shower as hot as it will go and stand under the water until the ache in my bones fades slowly.

The next morning, I'm barely through the school entrance when I hear my name being yelled. I turn and see Lynn running towards me. Fuck. I forgot about her.

She catches up and links her arm through mine like we've been friends for years. It startles me, but I don't pull away. I don't want things to be weird—she's the only one who's been kind to me.

"Okay, I have been worried sick since last night," she says. "You just ran. You stood up, said nothing, bolted. I looked everywhere. I even tried finding your name in the school group chat."

"Group chat?"

"Never mind." She waves it off. "Are you okay? What happened?"

I search for something she can relate to. "It was too brutal." Her brows lift. "The game.” 

“Oh.” 

“I'm not used to that kind of violence, and the noise was too much. I got a headache, felt sick, and had to get out. I'm sorry I just left."

Lynn studies my face, and I can't tell if she believes me. Then she smiles. "Okay. I get it. The first hockey game is always like that. My first time, I almost threw up."

I nod slowly, hoping that's the end of the conversation. But she doesn't look finished.

"We have a problem. If you ever disappear like that again, I won't know how to reach you. I can't even find you on social media. Who doesn't use social media?" I blink at her. "You—got it." She takes a breath. "So, what I mean is, there's only one way to make sure I can reach you."

"What's that?"

She holds out her palm. "Phone."

My stomach tightens. "Why?"

"Your number. Rory Anne, we're friends now. Friends have each other's numbers."

Humans are not your friends. Mom's voice rings in my head.

I stand there staring at her, thinking about my Council-issued phone, which has exactly four contacts. Mom, Dad, Tommen, and Jamie.

I should say no. I could make an excuse, pretend I don’t have a phone, and walk away. But Lynn is still waiting, her hand out and her face hopeful. It’s been so long since someone looked at me like I was a friend.

Two weeks ago, Kira, Liana, and Moreen visited me the night before I left. I wonder what they’re doing now. Liana and Moreen are werewolves like me, while Kira is a witch whose spells rarely go the way she intends.

Lynn reminds me of Moreen. They’re both smart.

I sigh and then dip into my bag, turn the phone on, and hand it to her.

She types quickly, then hands it back with a smile. I look at the screen. She's saved herself as Lynn with a little heart beside it. I save her number, and after a pause, I add a heart beside hers too.

"There," she says. "Now you can't escape me."

"I'll try not to."

“Good.” She hooks her arm through mine again. The bell rings, and I find myself looking up at the wall, frowning at it. The sound irritates me. “Come on. First period.”

As we walk toward class, our steps slow when we hear someone calling Lynn’s name. She stops and turns around.

Then I see him. Chase Parker.

He’s smiling at Lynn like they’re friends.

“Hey, Chase,” she says. “Good game last night.”

“Thanks for coming to cheer.” His gaze shifts to me, and his smile softens. “I saw you yesterday, but you left early.”

“The game was a lot for her. First time,” Lynn explains.

He nods, that little smile still playing on his lips. Then he extends his hand toward me. “I’m Chase Parker. We didn’t really get to do this properly in class.”

I scoff quietly. “You wanted me to change seats with you.”

“That’s so manly of me, don’t you think?”

“I’m not easily impressed, mister.”

“Just Chase. And I’m not trying to impress you.” His eyes drop briefly to his outstretched hand.

I don’t want to be rude and walk away, but I also don’t want to take his hand. He’s human, and there’s something strange about him. Besides, I think he’s flirting with me.

How disgusting can he be? He belongs to Brianne.

“What are you scared of? I don’t bite.”

“I’m not scared of anything.”

“Then shake my hand. Don’t worry. You won’t fall in love with me from one handshake.”

Of course not. I groan inwardly.

Let me just get this over with before they start staring.

I take his hand. “There. Satisfied?”

He smiles, but he doesn’t release me immediately. Instead, his fingers remain wrapped around mine for a second longer.

A strange jolt shoots through my palm, and I jerk my hand away. 

“What the—”

“You okay?”

I can’t answer. My heart pounds as I stare at my hand, wondering what the hell just happened. Then recognition slowly sinks in. I’ve heard the professors describe this feeling at the supernatural academy.

The spark.

I slowly look up at him. 

No. Not him. Not the human boy.

It can’t be the mate bond. He’s human.

Is the prophecy playing with me?

“Rory Anne?” Lynn’s voice pulls me back.

I force my hand to my side and turn toward her. “I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. Of course.”

I turn away and walk to my seat, trying to convince myself that the spark meant nothing.

But what if it didn’t?

Chase Parker is human, and I’m forbidden from bonding with one. If the Council discovers what happened, they’ll know I’ve put the prophecy and both worlds at risk.

I can’t let them find out. 

I can't let anyone find out.