Page 112 of A Broody Mate for the Human

“It’s more like we’re chosen mates,” Raffy continues to explain, his eyes clouded with anxiety and fear of rejection. “Maybe my wolf will return to me one day, but if it happens, it might take months or years, and for this time you will be stuck with a werewolf that lost most of his powers and—”

“Oh, shut up.” I smile brightly. “You are all I want, you idiot.”

Raffy stares at me, eyes wide. “Is that true?”

“I don’t think I was too subtle about my feelings,” I snort.

Raffy touches my cheek softly. “I’ll always cherish you, my beautiful mate.” His thumb brushes over my lips. “Before we jump into anything, though, I want to regain my memory. I want you to know everything I am, to know what you’re getting into.”

“Raffy, I don’t—”

“I know what you want to say,” he interrupts me. “But you don’t even know my name. I just want to make sure we’re going into this with all the facts. I want you to want me while fully aware of all the baggage I bring along.”

I sigh. I want to tell him once more that I don’t care who he is or what he did. The last couple of days and weeks with him have proven to me what kind of man he is, but I know this is important to him, so I just nod. “If this is what you want, Raffy, we’ll do it your way. But rest assured, you won’t scare me away. And if I know everything and tell you that I still want you, I want you to believe me.”

“Alright.” Raffy takes my hand and places a soft kiss on my knuckles. “Time for breakfast then?” he asks hopefully. As if on cue, his stomach rumbles.

I laugh. “Right, how could I forget you didn’t have anything to eat for like five hours? You must be starving.” I stretch my tired body, pretending not to notice how Raffy stares at my waist when my shirt slips up. Let him get a bit hungry for the real snack here!

Reluctantly, I make my way to the tiny bathroom to freshen up and get ready for the day. Meanwhile, Raffy rummages through the room and packs our stuff.

There is a little diner adjacent to the motel, which Raffy and I visit for breakfast. They don’t have much on their menu, but I get some waffles and Raffy his signature ham and eggs, and Sugar receives some leftovers from the previous day.

I look at my phone and at the map Raffy brought along. The connection isn’t always good here in this area, so I need to do things old-school. “We should make it to Stella today,” I muse.

Raffy nods and stuffs some bacon into his mouth. Then he reaches out his hand, taking mine into his, and moves my wrist gingerly. I keep looking at the map while he curls my hand. “Hurt?” he asks.

“No, I’m fine.”

“If it starts hurting again, tell me.”

I smirk. “Forget it, I’ll drive.”

Raffy looks at me, amused. “You’re aware that you’re a control freak when it’s about your driving?”

“I’m absolutely aware,” I say dryly, wiggling my fingers. Raffy obliges and hands me the keys.

The waitress approaches us with another pot of coffee, refilling everyone’s cups on her way. “What about you guys?” she asks politely.

“Yes, please.” I nod. When I turn to look at Raffy, I notice that he has furrowed his brows again and grumbles. “He is just shy,” I tell the waitress bluntly.

Raffy glares. “I’m not shy,” he grumbles. He turns to face the waitress awkwardly. “Yes… please.”

I wait for her to be further away before I burst into giggles. “I don’t get it, Raffy. You’re so strong and confident when it’s just the both of us. You’re hot as fuck, but whenever someone else is close by… you turn completely awkward.”

He tilts his head. “So, I’m hot?” he asks.

“And awkward,” I point out to save my dignity.

“I’m okay with being awkward as long as you find me hot,” he mutters.

“See?” I furrow my brows. “That’s what I’m talking about. How can you say something like this yet turn into a gruffy caveman a moment later?”

“It’s part of my charm?” he offers, but he doesn’t sound too convinced either.

I take pity on him. “Youarehot.”

“I am?” He perks up.