Page 133 of A Broody Mate for the Human

Cool,I exclaim.

Soon I can see everyone shuffling around with newfound motivation. The guys who accompanied Ella arrive and tell us they brought the car to the house Annie has chosen for us. Meanwhile, Liam and Dante take Stella and Lady Portia to the screening they need to go through. Stella has nothing to hide, and all Portia has to hide are her BDSM techniques, which she doesn’t even make a secret of, so I assume it’s just going to be a technicality.

“I can’t believe we are safe,” Esme says, letting out a shaky breath.

“No one is going to hurt you anymore,” Annie tells her softly. “Once you’re settled in, and we have your ceremony to become part of the pack, Beta Aryanna will start training with you and see if fighting is truly something you’d want to do.”

Esme’s lips tremble slightly. “Thank you, Luna.”

Hayden nods. “It’s a great honor to meet you,” he says. “I… I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Being an omega is nothing to be ashamed of,” she says.

He smiles. “That’s what I try to live by ever since I heard what you achieved, Luna.”

Annie waits for Aryanna to accompany them to their new place, which is supposed to be right next to Raffy’s and mine, before hurrying towards me. She and Ella pull me into a group hug. “Finally, together again.” Annie beams. She moves back slightly. “Oh, Dave, I’m so happy for you.”

“Me too,” Ella exclaims.

Annie turns her attention to my mate. “So, you must be Raphael?”

Raffy looks like he wants the ground to open up and swallow him. “Yes, Luna.” When Annie reaches out her hand, he almost gingerly takes it and shakes it gently. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Dave is my best friend,” she says, and I almost think she’ll warn him not to hurt him. But Annie doesn’t disappoint me. She just smiles warmly at him. “And I’m happy he has found his mate in you.”

“I’m the one who got lucky, Luna,” Raffy says, his stance changing a bit and getting more comfortable. He’s also losing his grumbly tone. “Dave saved more than just my life. I owe him everything.”

My cheeks warm up at his words. He makes it sound like I’m some sort of saint who selflessly saved him from all dangers, while in reality, Raffy saved me too.

Annie fortunately saves me from further embarrassment by turning towards me and smiling brightly. “Do you want me to show you your new home?”

Chapter forty-three

Finally, Home!

*DAVE*

ThehouseAnniechosefor us is a bit further from the pack house, and I’m instantly relieved that I’m not living amidst a bunch of wolves. It’s comforting to know that Raffy and I will have some privacy. It’s a beautiful place with a ground floor and an additional second floor. Not too huge, though. She knows I don’t like to live too luxuriously. The interior is for me and Raffy to decide on, but the absolute highlight for me is the little hot tub. It’s small and probably just fits Raffy and me, but it’s hidden behind the house, so there will be no prying eyes.

“I hope you know what you’re getting into.” Ella breaks the silence. “Dave, I love to have you here, but pack life is different from what you know.”

“She’s right,” Raffy admits. “As a human, you will have a lot more freedom, but you’re still required to do something for the pack.”

“Yeah, like a huge community, I got it.” I shrug.

“More like a huge family,” Ella corrects me. “Us wolves, we grow up with pack hierarchies and pack life. We know about it, and even if we go rogue like Raphael, there is an instinct in us that will always push us towards a pack, towards pack life. The bond with our pack members keeps us sane. Wolves are pack animals.”

I nod, listening intently to what she says. “What about other beings that live in packs? Like witches?”

Annie tilts her head, a smile curling her lip. “That’s a good question, Dave, because while they’re not outsiders, they have a special place in a pack too. Ella is right, though, there will be a lot to learn for you and adapt to.”

“What’s the alpha thinking?” Ella wants to know.

“Liam thinks it’s going to be beneficial that Dave has a career at university. A lot of our young wolves will attend this university, and it’s good for us to have a connection there.”

I feel relief washing over me. “So, I won’t be useless?”

“Oh no,” Annie takes my hand. “You thought you would be useless? Dave, no one is useless in a pack. We have pack members who will only work inside the pack… like most warriors or your friend Hayden. But we also have a bunch of pack members who have work to do outside. They’re an important connection too. Liam and his family have a lot of investments and businesses in the human world. We’re not living absolutely secluded.”