His Human Mate

It has been a couple of days since Erick had sent her a text message, saying that he will be out of town for a whole week or so. Hence, it has been quiet on her part. She was still coming into terms about her feelings towards him and that was the reason why she didn't text him again soon after that.

Amber was inside a bakery, looking around as her nose began to tingle from the delicious smell of freshly baked pastries and sweets. The bakery was a small shop yet it was bustling with happy chatters and laughters. There seems to be many kinds of groups patroning in the bakery; couples, families and friends.

She had heard from Jeayan that Hamish's mother owned this local bakery. Although there were other bakeries in the town, his mother's bakery boasted as one of the most popular bakeries. There were many best-seller pastries too, which usually sold-out early in the morning. However, they usually top-up the pastries, even if it's not often. It showed how popular the bakery was and Amber was eager to try one of the pastries.

That day, she was with Dana, who was examining the pastries displayed in the bread and pastry cases. They had just left the local library after studying together. And since they were craving for a light snack, they decided to go to the bakery before going home. Dana too had recommended Hamish's mother's bakery. Even though she was not a regular patron, every now and then she would still go there whenever she had a craving for some pastries.

The pastries smelled so good that both girls were nearly drooling as they walked around.

Just then as Amber was about to grab a doughnut, she felt someone nudging her on the side.

Frowning, she looked over and asked, "What's up?"

"Look!" Dana hissed softly. She then gestured to a couple who was standing in front of loaves of bread. They were a good looking couple, who looked like they were in their early or mid-thirties. The woman was beautiful with her glossy brown hair tied up in a ponytail and strands of hair framing her face. She was wearing a t-shirt and jeans, making her look younger. She was laughing with the man, who was standing close next to her. He was a good looking man with sun kissed skin and a deep cleft chin. His jet black hair was combed to a side, giving a glimpse of a strong face. He was wearing a belt holster which holds a handgun, implying that he was a police officer.

"Who are they?" Amber asked, confused.

"That's Erick's parents!"

Amber's mouth dropped open in surprise. But they looked so young!

As if they heard the name, 'Erick', both the man and the woman turned and looked at them. The man was frowning, his brows furrowed in suspicion, whereas the woman was looking at them curiously.

Then as if realization dawned on her, the woman, whom Dana had said was Erick's mother, looked at them with wide eyes, with her mouth dropped in an 'o'. She quickly pushed her husband aside and walked over to them.

Both Amber and Dana were surprised as they watched Erick's mother walking towards them. And before they could say anything, she was in front of them.

With an attractive smile on her face, she greeted them. "Hello girls. Are you two friends of my son, Erick?" she asked pleasantly.

The two friends were still surprised that they did not reply immediately. They did not expect that they were too loud that she could overhear them. Then again, they did not know that Erick's mother was a werewolf who has amazing hearing, even if they whisper or talk in a soft voice.

"Uh, hello Mrs. Kendall. And uh, yes, we are," Dana finally answered. "I'm Dana Olney." She then introduced Amber who was still surprised that she could not say anything at all. "This is Amber Keene. Both of us are in Erick's homeroom."

When Dana had introduced Amber, Mrs. Kendall immediately turned to the latter with an excited gleam in her eyes. She then turned and called over her husband, who was still standing in front of the loaves of bread, "Sweetheart, come over here quick!"

Her husband looked up and walked over. Putting his arm around his wife's shoulder, he looked at her and asked, "What's wrong, honey?"

"I've just run into some of Erick's friends," she said, smiling.

Mr. Kendall turned to look at the two girls in front of him and nodded. "P.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to meet you girls," he said, not smiling. "Hope that my son didn't cause too much of a problem in school."

The two girls quickly shook their heads, feeling a bit frightened. They didn't know why but they have this feeling that they shouldn't mess with this man. He looked kind of strict and angry as if he was about to snap at them.

Mrs. Kendall suddenly smacked him on the arm. "Stop scaring the girls," she scolded.

Her husband frowned even more. "I wasn't," he said, his brows furrowed in confusion. He was studying the two girls that he did not realized that his brows creased in a tight frown, making him looked scary.

Mrs. Kendall just laughed and then said, "This is Dana and Amber."

Mr. Kendall c.o.c.ked an eyebrow in surprise. "I see," he said slowly, his eyes on Amber, who began to fidget nervously.

Then suddenly, Mrs. Kendall turned to the two girls. "What are your plans today, girls?" she asked, still smiling.

Both Dana and Amber looked at each other before answering. "We just finished studying at the library. So, we're planning to go home after buying a few snacks," Amber replied politely.

With her smile widened, she clapped her hands together gleefully as if she had thought of something exciting. "How about coming over to our place?" Mrs. Kendall invited.

"Uh, I think I'd better go home," Amber said slowly. She wasn't sure that she wanted to go to Erick's house. True that he has been to her house… uninvited. But she doesn't even know his mother that well to go visit their house.

Stumped, she looked at Dana, who was also looking at her. Apparently, she too did not know how to reject this kind woman's invitation.

Noticing the awkwardness, Mr. Kendall patted his wife on the arm. "Honey, I think you're a bit too rushed on this," he said carefully.

Mrs. Kendall began to pout. "But I want to talk with these two girls!" she w.h.i.n.ed.

Mr. Kendall sighed inwardly. Sometimes his wife can be too willful that she did not think of the other's thoughts and feelings. Yet, he can also be blamed for that since he usually indulged her every whims.

Mrs. Kendall sighed sadly. "It's just that… I don't really have a daughter of my own," she said, looking dejected. "Jeayan hardly visits us anymore and it's been awhile since I had any girl talk!"

Looking at his wife's expression, he knew that she was lying since it was a couple of days ago, she had lunch with Mary, having their 'girl talk'. And there was a little mischievous gleam in her eyes as she waited what the two girls were about to do next.

Not wanting to make the nice woman sad, Amber was hesitating before she said 'yes'.

Thinking that Dana was going to say 'yes' too, she was shocked when she said 'no', instead. Amber felt so wronged and betrayed.

Looking a bit regretful, Dana continued, "I'm sorry but I promised my mother that I was going to help her make dinner tonight."

Mrs. Kendall smiled ruefully. "It's alright, dear." she then turned to Amber with a huge smile on her face. "You'll be coming, right? You did say 'yes', didn't you?" her tone hinted that she can't reject now.

Amber scratched her cheek awkwardly and said, "Well… I guess so. Though, I would need to call my parents first."

Both the Kendalls nodded. "Why don't you let me talk to your parents to tell them about this?" Mr. Kendall suggested.

Amber nodded and began to call her parents. After she called them that she will be having dinner at a friend's place and that the father would like to talk with them, she handed her phone to Mr. Kendall.

He accepted it and began to move away, talking in soft voices on the phone, reassuring Amber's parents that they will take good care of her.

After Dana had bought her snacks, she waved goodbye at the Kendalls and Amber. "See you on Wednesday," Dana said to Amber. "And I'm sorry," she mouthed.

Amber just glared and pouted at her.

Shortly after, Mrs. Kendall looked down at the paperbag that Amber was holding in her arms. "Is that all?" she asked, looking confused.

Amber blinked her eyes, also confused. "Uh, yes, Mrs. Kendall."

Mrs. Kendall shook her head. "No, no, that's not enough," she said. She then grabbed Amber's arm and continued, "Let's go in and buy more food."

Amber could only let Erick's mother dragged her back inside the bakery, followed by Mr. Kendall, who was watching the whole scene with an amused smile on his face.