Their Human Mate Stella

Stella–POV

Sitting in the chilly room after my husband Kellan's funeral, I struggled to accept his untimely death from a car accident. The news had left me reeling, unable to accept the loss.

"Stella," my mom's voice echoed, brimming with concern. She flicked on the bedroom light, revealing a room filled with memories of Kellan and me.

"Let's go home, sweetie. It might help you heal," she whispered. I nodded, wiping my tears. Taking a deep breath, I left our apartment, with Dad handling my bags. Mom had packed for me, ever the pillar of support. Soon, we got in a car with a chauffeur to take us to the airport. A private jet awaited us to fly us from New York to Alaska.

The draining journey intensified my yearning for my hometown, a stark contrast to the hollow vastness of our New York penthouse. Memories of Kellan enveloped me. Our dreams of starting a family, which we had hoped to realize this year, lay broken. With his startup now stable and him at the helm as CEO of Stella, the insurance firm he lovingly named after me, our future looked promising. Over our two-year marriage, while he thrived in business, I steered my path, managing my flourishing e-commerce fashion store.

But now, he was gone, leaving a billion-dollar empire in my hands. Being his only family, the weight of this sudden reality was crushing. My mother's gentle voice snapped me back to the present, offering me water to quench my thirst as I had been crying. Both she and my dad tried to comfort me throughout our eight-hour flight. The cold air contrasted with my sad emotions when we finally touched Alaska.

Assisted by my parents, I exited the jet and entered a waiting car. As we drove, I reflected on my rebellious past-leaving home at eighteen to chase a modeling dream that never panned out, which led me to work as a cashier in a cafe where I met Kellan. My parents disapproved of our union, given Kellan's financial standing back then. But my mother's recent battle with cancer mended our broken relationship. Returning to Alaska brought a whirlwind of emotions, especially for a place I had once turned my back on.

The house, once an old wooden structure from my childhood in Alaska, has been beautifully renovated. It still held traces of its rustic past, yet with a refreshed charm. "Stella, this is your room. Get some rest," my mom suggested, motioning to a spacious room adorned with my childhood photos. Among them was the wedding picture I had sent them.

"I prepared this room, hoping you'd return with Kellan," Mom expressed, her voice tinted with sorrow. We had planned to visit just next week, marking Kellan's first visit since our wedding.

"It's lovely," I replied, my voice raspy from emotion. My mom began unpacking my suitcase, suggesting I take a shower. Gratefully, I stepped into the hot bath, hoping the warm water might momentarily soothe the icy void in my heart.

After my shower, Mom served a warm meal, but I could only muster my appetite for soup. Exhausted, I sank into the soft embrace of my bed and quickly drifted off to sleep.

****

A week had passed, mostly confined to my room. The door opened, and my mother peeked in. "Sweetheart," she began, her face lighting up with a gentle smile. "Look who's here to see you." She stepped aside, revealing my childhood friend Julie West. The once braces-wearing, awkward teenager had transformed into an elegant woman. Her brown hair, once unruly, was now neatly pinned in a bun, and her eyes sparkled, complementing her fair complexion.

"Julie," I whispered, emotion choking my voice. I closed the gap between us with a few steps, pulling her into a warm embrace. Her arms wrapped around me, offering comfort and familiarity.

"I've missed you so much," Julie said, her voice thick with emotion.

"It's good to see you, Julie," I replied, gently breaking our embrace to look into her warm brown eyes.

"Let's go for coffee," she suggested.

I hesitated. "I'm not really in the mood, Julie. Maybe another time?" I said, attempting a reassuring smile.

But Julie had other plans. "Remember the book club you used to love? I thought we could go there. Please, just this once?" she pressed. Despite my desire to stay cocooned in my room, the pleading look in Julie's eyes melted my resolve. How could I say no?

"Give me five minutes to change, and then we can head out," I said. Both Julie and Mom smiled, clearly relieved that I was venturing out. I quickly slipped into blue jeans, a white sweatshirt, and boots, and grabbed a coat.

As I emerged from the house, Julie waited in her car. My parents waved from the doorstep, their faces mixed with worry and hope. Settling into the passenger seat, I turned to Julie and said, "After I left, I lost touch with everyone. What've you been up to?"

"I've become a real estate agent," Julie replied, eyes on the road. "Many of our friends moved to the city for work. I've lost contact with most of them, too."

"Are you upset with me for leaving without explaining my plans?" I inquired, the weight of the past pressing on my words. Julie glanced at me briefly before refocusing on the road.

"It hurt me, you know? You left without a word and never reached out," she admitted with a sigh.

"So you were angry, but not anymore?" I probed, seeking clarity. She nodded. "Yes, I was angry. But now I get it. If you'd told me your plans, I would've tried to convince you to stay, to finish graduation, and not drop out." Her voice carried a mix of understanding.