His Human Mate

The atmosphere around the dining table was surprisingly comfortable and warm. Erick knew that Amber hardly sees her father since he was always busy in the army. But he was a bit touched that her father managed to find the time to join them for dinner too. Then again, he probably wanted to see what kind of guy his daughter fell for.

He was sitting next to Remi with Amber sitting across him. Her father sat at the head of the table with Remi on his left and Syden on his right. There was quite a spread on the dining table; a whole chicken, a couple of steaks that were cut in strips, gravy, mashed potatoes and fresh salad. It was then he was glad that his mother had brought him some food to school. If he didn't, he probably would get hungry again.

Amber took his plate and began to spoon two huge scoops of mashed potatoes, a couple of steak strips and a couple of chicken drumsticks. She then looked at him and asked whether he wanted some salad since she wasn't sure he would want that. She never saw him eat them before.

Thus, she was a bit surprised when she saw him nod. What Amber didn't realize was that Erick wasn't a picky eater. He can just eat about anything as long as it's tasty.

After she passed him his plate, coincidentally she managed to lock eyes with her father who raised his eyebrows at her sweet gesture. She began to flush red and ignore his stare, serving herself some food.

Her mother had just finished serving Remi and her husband when she started the conversation, asking Erick about his family. In reality, it's the start of interrogation.

Erick was chewing on a piece of steak strips when Syden had asked him the question. He finished chewing and gulped it down with a drink and said, "I'm the only child in the family. My father is the Police Chief in town while my mother is a housewife."

Eren nodded as he added, "I've met your father before. Quite a good man. Pleasant to work with," referring to the time where they worked together in regards to the elections.

Erick grinned. "I'll be sure to mention that to him," he said. "Bet he would be happy to know your thoughts on him."

Amber's father nodded again, smiling as he ate his mashed potatoes.

"So, your mother doesn't work?" Syden asked, looking curious.

Erick shook his head. "No. She has her hands full with the charities and the community services that she headed in town," he answered simply.

"You don't have any other siblings or anything?" she further asked.

He shook his head. "Nah. I mean, as much as I want to, I guess my mother wasn't blessed with another kid. The Moon-- I mean, she's probably fated to have only one child," he answered as he began to eat his mashed potatoes.

"Aren't you lonely?" Remi asked, looking at him with sympathy. He would feel lonely if his sister wasn't with him, so he was glad to have a sister.

Erick smiled down at him and shrugged. "Not really. I've always been surrounded with great people. In fact, even though I don't have any siblings, other than Hamish, my best friend, there are other three guys whom I look up to as my older brothers."

"Three guys?" Eren enquired before he drank his water.

Erick nodded. "Yes. My parents kinda adopted them before I was born. They are Latham, Noaz and Roel. They're triplets."

Remi's eyes widened in awe. "Wow! Triplets! Are they identical?" he asked excitedly.

Erick chuckled. "Nah, those three are really different, not just in looks but personality as well."

His eyebrows furrowed, Amber's father tapped a finger against his chin, looking as if he was trying to remember something. "Is Latham the one who owns a workshop in town?" he asked.

Erick nodded. "Yes sir," he answered. "Noaz works as a lecturer in a local school and Roel is a chef at one of the restaurants here."

At the mention of Roel, Amber recalled the cold-looking guy she had met a couple of months and inwardly shivered. She was still a bit scared of that guy, who emit such scary aura, making one freeze in fear.

Sensing her mood, Erick looked over and tilted his head as if to ask whether there was something wrong.

Amber just smiled and shook her head.

The atmosphere around the dining table continued its warm feeling, making everyone at the table fall into a comfortable conversation; even Remi laughed at some point. Though, before dinner was done, Syden excused herself and Remi because she didn't want to over excite the boy and that he needed rest.

Erick held out his fist towards Remi, who gave a fist bump in return. The former then promised that he will stop by to visit him when his sister invites him again. This made Remi's eyes shone more bright, excited for Erick's next visit.

So there were only three of them left at the dining table; Eren, Amber and Erick.

At first, it was awkward as the three of them fell into silence.

Just then, Amber's father broke the silence by turning to Erick with a serious look on his face. "So, Erick, my boy," he began. "What's your intention with my daughter?"

During that time, Erick was about to drink when Eren asked him the question. It was fortunate that he didn't manage to drink yet or he will spurt out the drink. He did jump in surprise as he did not expect that kind of question from her father. At the same time, he controlled his chuckle as he thought it was quite funny.

Unfortunately, Amber doesn't share the same thoughts as him. Instead, she feels shocked and embarrassed that she immediately turned to her father and hissed, "Daddy!"

Eren frowned at her and asked innocently, "What? Isn't that a common question for every father to ask the boys that their daughters are dating?"

Amber narrowed her eyes and said, "No!"

The two males just laughed while Amber silently fumed, her cheeks flushed from embarrassment.

After they stopped laughing, Erick turned to Eren with a serious look on his face and said, "I'm very serious about Amber, sir. She's the only one for me."

Amber began to flushes more, the tips of her ears turned red too. Even Eren looked a bit red in the cheeks after he heard Erick's serious confession. "But you are still in highschool, how can you be sure that you're serious with Amber?" her father further asked, ignoring Amber staring daggers at him.

"I'm very certain," Erick continued, still looking very sincere with his words. "Even if the Moon Goddess did not put us together, I will still lo-- like her."

The two Keene family members went silent at Erick's unexpected confession. Though, they did wonder why he mentioned 'Moon Goddess' and think nothing much about it.

Shortly after, Syden came down and walked into the kitchen. She looked puzzled as to why the three of them were suddenly quiet. She looked at the dishes on the dining table and asked out loud, "So, are you all done with dinner?"

The three of them raised their head and answered,

"Ah, yes, ma'am."

"Yes, mother."

"I'm done."

Amber got up from her seat and said, "I'll help you clean up, mother."

Syden nodded. The two of them began to clean up with Syden washing the dishes and Amber bringing the dirty dishes to the sink.

Before she started on the washing, she had told Eren to entertain Erick in the living room. So, a few minutes later, the two men found themselves sitting across each other in the living room. There was a bit of an awkward silence between them as they do not know what to talk about anymore.

Fed up with the awkward silence, Eren started the conversation once again. This time, he asked about his club. Apparently, they did not touch much on what Erick was doing in school, other than studying. He knew her daughter wasn't interested in joining any clubs but he did remember her staying back because her boyfriend aka Erick was still practicing in his club.

"What kind of club did you join?"

"I'm the captain of the football club in school, sir."

"Oh, how remarkable," Eren said, a bit impressed.

"Yes sir."

The two continued to talk. Apparently, when Amber's father was young, he used to be the football captain too in his highschool. He nearly went pro until he decided to enter the army instead. Hence, the two exchanged talks with Eren giving him tips and advice and the young shifter listened with avid interest.

They were still talking about the sports when the two women joined them in the living room.

Looking around her, Amber thought that this was such a nice feeling as she smiled at her loved ones.

Sensing the happy vibes from her, Erick slipped a hand around hers and gave it a little squeeze.

Her smile brightened more.