Page 157 of A Broody Mate for the Human

The warriors shuffle in different directions. Some of them help Aryanna with getting Esme and Cameron and also lead Matthew towards her jeep. He claims he is alright, but Aryanna won’t have any of it. Meanwhile, Jun approaches me, smiling. “You did really well, Dave.”

“How do you know?” I ask, dumbfounded.

“The others already linked me and told me. I told you, you would really fit into a pack.”

His praise makes me happy and proud. I can’t deny it before I suddenly remember that both Esme and I were in this accident, and Raffy… “Oh god, does Raffy know? And Hayden?”

Dante, who has heard my question, turns to look at us. “I just linked Raphael,” he says. He is always a bit reserved, but I’m starting to realize that’s just the way he is. “He is very worried, Dave. Can you handle it?”

“Of course,” I say with conviction. “I will make sure to calm him down and then take him and Hayden to see Esme.”

While I climb into the jeep and sit down next to Jun, I can see Ella walking towards Dante. He takes her hands into his, his face suddenly way more earnest than before. He nuzzles his nose against her before pulling her into a hug.

It’s rare to see these two like that. They normally aren’t ones for public affection, but it makes me happy to see how loved Ella is. Seeing them makes me think of Raffy, who has to be worried sick now. I want to slap myself for not thinking about mind linking him myself. It’s just still so new to me that I tend to forget.

Raffy,I reach out to him.I am—

Goddess, Dave, are you alright!?

I’m on my way,I promise.I’m fine, Raffy. Where are you?

They told me to wait in front of the pack house,he explains.I couldn’t reach out to you until now!

I blink in confusion. “Say, Jun, Raffy just told me he couldn’t reach me through the mind link.”

“Oh, Ella probably kept the blockade up until you reached the pack grounds, just to be safe,” Jun explains.

I nod.That’s because of Ella’s gift. She tried to block everyone trying to reach us.

Oh shit, Dave, I should have come with you.

I don’t need to answer him as we reach the pack house right at that moment. I can easily make out Raffy amidst the others, his tall and bulky frame and long hair setting him apart from everyone else. The moment he spots me he comes running towards me, ripping the door open before I can do it and pulling me down into his arms. “Are you alright?” he blurts out. “Shit, Dave, did you get hurt?”

I grab his face between my hands. “Raphael, I’m fine. No one laid a finger on me.” I pause. “But listen to me now, okay? Will you listen?”

He nods.

“Esme got hurt. Troi’s men… they tried to abduct her, but Annie saved her.” I can see how Raffy’s eyes widen in horror and fear. “She is going to be okay. They weren’t able to take her,” I hurry to reassure him. “The alpha had her brought to the infirmary. Let’s get Hayden and check on her.”

“Hayden is already there,” Jun tells me quietly. “He probably felt it through the mate bond that she got hurt. Ari picked him up.”

I brush my thumbs over Raffy’s face. “Did you hear that? Hayden is with her. She will be fine in the blink of an eye. And we managed to capture some of the attackers. I’m sure Alpha Liam is going to make certain that it never happens again.”

Several emotions flash through Raffy’s eyes before he rests his forehead against mine. “I want to see her,” he says, voice hoarse.

I turn to look at Jun, who nods.

“We’ll head there immediately.”

Chapter fifty-one

Plans

*DAVE*

WhenwearriveatEsme’s hospital room, Hayden is already sitting at her side, his head buried in one hand while the other is holding hers. Raffy instantly pushes past the nurse towards his sister, kneeling next to her bed.

I turn to the nurse. “Is she alright?” I ask quietly.