To my surprise, the human woman musters up a response, leaving me impressed.
Finally, after all this time, the human woman speaks to me for the first time.
Sure, it's still frustrating that the human doesn't meet my gaze, but her nervous tapping on the table speaks volumes.
The way they avoid eye contact ignites a fiery anger within me, as if I'm the lesser creature in their presence. Nevertheless, I make the choice to disregard it.
This isn't really about me anymore; this is about the young Alpha's mate.
"So, it's not a dream, huh?"
Leaning forward, I finally conclude, resting my elbows on top of the table.
In a split second, I find myself deeply interested. Rarely do I have the opportunity to listen to such tantalizing gossip. Perhaps waking up this early in the morning has its silver lining after all.
The human woman's gaze flickers towards me briefly, but then returns to the bowl of soup in front of her. Sighing, Haven absentmindedly swirls her spoon around in the bowl once more.
"I can't speak for everyone, but I've always found it comforting to confide in others about my problems."
That is a complete and utter lie.
I know that I would rather face death than utter a plea for help.
It's just a feeling inside me.
Deep down, the wolf in me grapples with the notion of seeking help, feeling a tinge of embarrassment despite the desperate need. I manage to survive on my own, silently shouldering the weight of every burden. I remain silent as I watch the human woman, her nose crinkling and her eyes distant, lost in profound reflection.
Time seems to stretch endlessly, with seconds morphing into long, dragging minutes. I feel my weariness grow, knowing that it could potentially evolve into a complete hour before the human utters another word. With a heavy heart, I let out a sigh.
The chair scrapes loudly against the flooring as I push myself backward to reach for my bowl.
"I had this crazy nightmare, Lydia."
I come to a sudden halt, my hand suspended in mid-air, inches away from the bowl.
Surprised, I blink, and my hand instinctively drops, my elbows resting on the table.
My lips curl into a smirk, and a wave of joy washes over me as my wish is about to come true, granting me access to the thoughts of humans. Despite not wanting to show it, a glimmer of brightness betrays my true emotions on my face.
I know what I'm doing is incredibly rude and needs to stop. I can't help it; the urge to smile uncontrollably overwhelms me.
"Oh?"
I know you all think I'm lying, but I really do know Evan.
I furrow my brow and purse my lips.
I don't doubt the human's words, although it seemed unlikely at first.
I mean, I'm a freakin' werewolf. From a mile away, I can detect the stench of deceit.
Honesty radiates from the woman, leaving no room for doubt. I would feel a sense of embarrassment and incompetence if I had missed it.
The thing is, it's a forbidden topic to even bring up, especially considering all that has unfolded since Evan's arrival.
It's clear to Haven that I have no intention of responding, and I understand that she prefers it that way.
The only thing she wants is for someone to lend an ear. I weigh my options and conclude that I can, indeed, do that.
With a stiff nod, the human woman continues, her fingers curling into a tight fist as she pushes her bowl away from her. Her appetite has completely vanished. A twinge of irritation courses through my veins as I reflect on the fact that I woke up early in the morning to make breakfast, only for it to go to waste.
Oh well, no point in crying over spilled milk at the moment.
"This might sound silly, but my life had no purpose until I met him. I can't believe I said that out loud. I want to slap myself for being so embarrassing."
She blushes, her cheeks growing warm as she brushes them with a knuckle, lost in a dreamy sigh.
Her eyes are fixed in my direction, but I can sense her gaze is distant and unfocused. Well, not completely, but to some extent. Physically, she is present, but mentally, her thoughts are elsewhere.
Despite everything, I remain silent and focus on the sounds around me.
"I never once thought that I would be in some weird co-dependent relationship, but years ago that had been my relationship with Evan."
"You loved him."
I surmise, nonchalantly shrugging and tilting my head to the side.
Haven, to my surprise, lifts her head and beams at me with a wide smile.
I blink, surprised by the uncharacteristic behavior of the human woman. I scrunch my nose, trying to block out the overpowering scent. The human woman's intense happiness emits intoxicating pheromones, leaving me feeling lightheaded.
I have never experienced such a potent and joyful scent, except when the wolves discover they will be receiving an extra portion during meal times. It is completely unfamiliar, leaving me unsure of how to respond.
"I still love him. I never lost that feeling."
Haven responds, her entire body pulsating with vitality.
It is a stark contrast from the typical behavior of humans.
During her stay under Kieran's watchful eye in the small sheriff station, she is constantly aware of being guarded. She smiles every now and then, but this particular smile is filled with pure joy, lighting up her face.
"I love him with all my heart. He was my fiancé, you know? We were meant to be married, until he had an accident. I had this tiny vacation in Westfall, and I gotta say, I really bonded with the place. I instantly knew I'd come back and have our honeymoon here."
The statement leaves a peculiar tickling sensation in my mind.
The peculiar choice of words from the human woman makes my skin break out in goosebumps. The town is undeniably beautiful, with its charming architecture and picturesque landscapes, but it remains devoid of human presence. Their brain seems to ring warning bells, alerting them to the imminent danger.
That's why we don't really have a problem asking humans to leave once darkness descends.
It is troubling to hear such a statement come out of the human woman's mouth. It makes me squirm uncomfortably in my chair.
Haven remains oblivious to the shift in my facial expression.
I'm pondering whether that's a beneficial thing or not.
"And, you know, he had an accident. And then everything just went to shit."
"That's why you're here."
"That's why I'm here."
Haven continues, acknowledging with a nod.
"I thought coming here would bring me some peace. Maybe I can just move on. I got more than I was bargaining for. Not only did I see Evan, but you guys are here too. Uhm, well…"
A smile spreads across my face as I delight in every second.
"Go ahead and say the word, sweetheart."
"I don't think it's a good idea."
Haven whispers, her voice barely audible, as she averts her gaze again and fixates on the table.
"It's still pretty weird. I still can't wrap my head around it, honestly."
"Say it."
Sighing, Haven turns sideways, her gaze shifting to the side. I almost think she wouldn't say it out loud, but then her voice breaks the silence.
Saying it out loud is like acknowledging the undeniable truth.
To say it, one has to truly believe it.
The human woman never fails to surprise me, and once again, she does so.
If it had been someone ordinary, the faint sound would have gone unnoticed. However, that is not the situation. It is me.
With my advanced hearing, I easily pick up on a barely audible whisper.
"Werewolves."