Page 17 of The Jorogumo

Haruto was different from anyone I'd ever dated, and not just because he was supernatural. It wasn't even that he was ace, though I was sure it played a role in the way he treated me.

Harutolistenedto me. He wanted to know me, and he liked what he knew. He was geeky like me, and didn't mind spending an hour talking about comics. He was sweet, gentle, and kind. He wasn't intimidated by me, and he was strong too. Strong enough that he might be willing to take care of me for a change.

I'd never felt as deeply for someone in such a short time before, and I wondered if all this time I'd been going about dating wrong. I should've been looking for an emotional connection instead of a physical one. Or maybe I'd just been waiting for Haruto.

My phone pinged, and I picked it up, smiling when I saw the text from Haruto.

Haruto: Your shop is closed on Mondays, right?

After the first few weeks of running the store, I'd realized closing on Sundays wasn't good for business, since a lot of our customers only had time to shop on the weekends.

New issues came out on Tuesday or Wednesday, so I'd figured Monday would be the best day to close the shop. Years down the line, I was glad of my decision.

Me: Yep. Why?

Haruto: Would you like to visit the Sanctuary this Monday?

I blinked, then grinned widely at my phone as excitement whizzed through me. I'd half-expected Haruto to change his mind about it, or for the 'headmaster' to say no.

Me: I'd love that!

Haruto: Great! I'm looking forward to showing you around. My friends are also excited to meet you.

Me: Really?

I wondered if his friends would accept me, or if they'd find me intimidating. Then I rolled my eyes at myself.

Haruto's friends were supes like him, which meant they were likely much stronger than me. They'd have no reason to be scared of a measly—in their eyes—human.

Suddenly, I was even more excited.

Haruto: Yes. I'm not exactly a social guy, so they're really curious about the human who makes me leave my house so often.

I'd known Haruto was a bit of an introvert, but he always seemed to enjoy my company. Or at least, I hoped he did.

Me: Well, I feel honored you did that for me.

Haruto: You're worth it.

My stomach fizzed with happy bubbles as I read his text, and I hoped no one came into the shop just then because my wide grin probably made me look downright demented.

Haruto: See you Monday?

Me: Yes!

I couldn't wait to see Haruto's home and meet his friends. I hoped they liked me. Fuck, I felt like a teenager with his first crush. What was Haruto doing to me?

Seven

Haruto

I'd told everyone notto speak about fated mates in front of Liam, and after being faced with everyone's confusion about why I'd decided to hide it from him, I was starting to wonder if maybe it was wrong of me. Liam deserved to know the whole truth, right?

What if I told him later, and he decided he couldn't trust me? The last thing I wanted to do was break his trust.

I liked Liam, and he seemed to like me. I didn't think he'd push my limits, or demand more from me than I could give. Fate wouldn't have paired us up otherwise.

Now that he knew what I was—and didn't seem to mind—there was nothing stopping me from telling him the whole truth. Well, except my own insecurities.

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