Page 129 of A Broody Mate for the Human

He nods. “But it’s only a matter of time until they know where we got off. Hopefully, our plan works.”

“If it doesn’t, it means I led us all to our doom,” I whisper.

Raffy kisses the top of my head. “I have full faith in you. You’re the brightest light I’ve ever known. Don’t doubt yourself.”

I’m speechless for a moment. Raffy is always sweet towards me, but this is the first time he said something so romantic. “I’ve never had someone like you in my life,” I admit. “Never someone I loved. Now I’m scared to lose you.”

Raffy tightens his grip around me a bit. “It’s the same for me, Dave. But believe me, I’ll fight for a future with you.”

I nod, feeling my anxiety lessen. I grab my phone. “How about you check on the others, and I give one of my friends from the pack a call?”

“The gamma?” Raffy frowns.

Right, I already told him about Jun. “Yes, Jun.”

I can see Raffy’s frown growing and his eyes darkening. He looks annoyed, and it takes a while for me to realize why he is getting pissed. “Jun is a friend,” I tell him patiently. “One of my best friends. It’s true that we had a relationship, but it’s been over for a long while. He is mated now, and I am, too, if I may remind you. I know wolves are territorial, but even if I might be mated to one, I’m still a human. You need to accept this.”

Raffy lets out the most dramatic sigh I’ve ever heard from him. “And you absolutely have to be friends with him?” he grumbles.

I look at my fingers. “He has been a great friend,” I explain. “I was really lonely at times because my best friends all hold high ranks in packs, although they tried really hard to involve me. Jun’s been there for me a lot.” I pause. “I don’t love him, Raphael, I never did. I had a crush on him, but we ended it mutually. He has found his mate now, and his mate is a friend of mine too and a very sweet person. Jun would never betray the mate bond in any way, and I wouldn’t either.”

“Okay,” Raffy still looks a bit pouty and gruffly, but he nods. “I trust you. And it’s your right to have friends.”

My eyes widen. The last talk I had similar to this was with Matthew, and he definitely didn’t take my friendship with anyone kindly. Thinking of Matthew doesn’t make my stomach twist anymore. I’m not angry or sad anymore at how things went down between us. I learned a valuable lesson during my time with him… how I’m allowed to be my own person, and it’s okay to be me, and how I should never bend myself for another person again. And it further led me to Raffy, who accepts me the way I am and loves me for me.

I stretch out my arms to wrap them around his neck and pull him down into a kiss. For a moment we just gaze into each other’s eyes like we’re the stars of the sappiest Hollywood movie to date.

“You should talk to Esme,” I break the silence. “Really talk to her, with no one around.”

Raffy instantly furrows his brows, giving me his broody signature look of worry. “Did something happen?”

“No,” I say quietly. “But I think she’d need this. She really looks up to you.”

“Undeservingly so.”

I shrug. “Does it matter? Fact is, she does, and you need to make the best out of it.”

“Alright, my mate.” He chuckles softly, his voice rumbling slightly. “I will head back inside so you can have your phone call.”

“I don’t mind you listening.” I shrug.

“Feels like violating your privacy,” he says. “And I’d hate to do that.”

“Alright.” I smile, watching him return to our cabin before I call Jun. He answers immediately, making me wonder if he was expecting my call.

“Is it true?” he says without a greeting. “You’re coming to the pack grounds?”

“Hello, Jun,” I say. “Yes, I’m fine. Oh, you’re well too, such a relief to hear that.”

“Sorry,” he snorts. “I just couldn’t believe the news. Luna Annalise told me today, and the alpha said he expects all ranked members to be around for today.”

“I hope it goes well,” I mutter.

“If there’s a vote between the ranked members, I won’t leave you hanging,” Jun promises. “Man, I was so worried.” He sighs. “I wanted to call you for days, but you told us to leave you alone.”

“Thank you for respecting my boundaries,” I tell him, and mean it. “It means a lot to me. Not everyone is able to do that.”

“So, what happened?” Jun asks curiously.