My Mate's Touch

As if Aspen and I weren't making Elias nervous already, the sudden question put the timid boy more on edge. He backed away with wide eyes, obviously caught off guard and trying to calm the situation before it escalated. I wasn't sure about Aspen, but I personally just wanted to know if he was human. I hadn't ever met a human before, so I was a bit nervous for his answer.

"I c-can explain," Elias muttered.

"I don't think you can," Aspen retorted. "I've heard enough."

"Please! At least come inside and hear me out. I promised you that I would let you stay the night, so please..."

I wasn't sure why I trusted Elias so much. Maybe it was because he was so kind from the start, but I wanted to hear his story. On the practical side, we did need a place to crash for the night.

I gave Aspen a knowing look and she huffed. "No, Luca! He's human, this isn't something that can be negotiated."

Elias looked as if he was on the verge of tears. "P-please come inside, I'll explain everything."

Aspen and I finally came to an agreement and once Elias could see that we would hear him out, he climbed into his window. Once he was in, he immediately turned around to make sure that Aspen and I didn't run off. He helped me in and then we both helped Aspen inside, closing the window afterwards to prevent any more of the cool, evening air from flowing into Elias' room.

"Wait one moment, please," Elias said quietly, leaving his room and shutting the door right behind him.

When he came back, his arms were filled with extra blankets and pillows. He shut his door with his foot and dumped the pillows and blankets on the middle of the floor. Once we spread everything out, he sat on the floor with us, his legs criss-crossed. He looked down at his lap and fiddled with the corner of one of the blankets.

"I know it's not exactly c-common for humans to be in a werewolf society," He started. "There aren't very many of us here, but there are enough. About one third of the population in Timbers Cross is made up of humans."

Aspen and I were paying deeper attention at this point. I wasn't very good at utilizing my werewolf abilities, but even a Shadowclaw warrior like Aspen didn't even seem to recognize that a good number of humans inhabited this place.

Elias continued. "I-I guess the Shadowclaw pack isn't doing the same thing. Our leader here is trying to promote human and werewolf cohabitation. It's been this way for about ten years now."

"Why wouldn't anyone be skeptical of this?" Aspen, questioned, mainly directed to herself.

Once Aspen's brow unfurrowed, Elias found it safe to speak again. "L-Like I said, I know it's uncommon for humans to live in werewolf territory. I'm sorry for not explaining everything sooner. I guess I just thought that the Shadowclaw pack knew already since we're technically a part of their territory."

"It's ok," I smiled softly at Elias. "To be honest, I've never met a human before. You don't seem that different, or as bad as I've heard you could be."

"B-Bad?"

"Many werewolves are weary of humans because most of the ones who interact with us are hunters," Aspen said, cracking a small smile herself. "Sorry if I was rude earlier. Humans haven't really been a good omen in the werewolf world."

"Elias," a woman's voice called. "It's time for dinner!"

The three of us looked at each other as if we'd been caught red-handed. Elias looked especially panicked, getting up quickly and chewing his lip nervously.

"C-Coming, mom!" He looked back at Aspen and I before he opened his door. "Don't leave this room. I'll try to bring back some food if I can. I usually don't eat it all, so my parents might be skeptical."

Elias left, shutting the door softly behind him while Aspen and I sat a bit bewildered, surrounded by the pillows and blankets on his bedroom floor. I could hear some of Elias' conversation with his parents, and I looked to see if Aspen could, too. It was awkward and mostly smalltalk, similar to conversations that I would have with my parents when we didn't ignore each other.

"Did you finish organizing papers at the clinic today?" A man asked, taking a bite of food afterwards. I assumed it was Elias' father.

"Um, yes."

There was a noticeable moment of pause before his mother spoke. "Is that all you plan on doing for the rest of your life? Just doing basic chores for barely any money? Anyone could do that," She spat.

Aspen and I looked at each other, both wondering why their relationship seemed so strained and why Elias' parents talked to him that way.

"I-It's a good job," Elias stuttered. "I like it, and I think I'm getting paid enough for my work."

I heard a scoff before Elias could even get the last word out of his mouth. "Are you talking back to me?" His mother exaggerated. "You know I won't tolerate that."

Even from his room, I could tell the boy was nervous in trying to come up with a response to that assertion. "I-I wasn't, I just—"

"You know not to talk back to your mother," His father scolded.

"I—"

"Just go to your room," She said coldly. "I'm tired of this conversation."

I heard the sound of a plate and fork being placed in the sink, followed by quiet footsteps. When Elias opened his door, he looked at Aspen and I with disappointment in his expression.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't able to get any food for you..."

"Why do they treat you like that?" Aspen said in a straightforward manner. "Those are your parents, right? Why are they so rude to you?"

Elias' eyes widened and he averted his gaze. "Y-You heard all of that? Oh, I guess it isn't that surprising since you're werewolves," he smiled sadly.

He looked back at us. "They adopted me when I was younger," He explained. "They aren't always pleasant but they gave me the opportunity for a better life, so I'm thankful."

The three of us talked about many things and it was dark outside now. I guess Elias noticed the darkness, too.

"I'm getting tired," He admitted, yawning a bit. "You both should get some sleep too if you're planning on leaving early."

Elias got up and snuggled under the covers of his bed while Aspen and I adjusted on the floor. After a moment of silence, Elias spoke sleepily.

"Goodnight, Luca."

"Goodnight," I responded.

"Goodnight, Aspen."

"Night, Elias."

To the sound of Aspen and Elias softly snoring, I too fell into a deep sleep.

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How do you guys like Elias so far? Honestly, he's just a little bean that needs some love ♡ if you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a vote and comment what you thought! - D