Page 158 of A Broody Mate for the Human

“She’s sleeping,” she explains, her kind eyes looking from me to Hayden and Raffy. “It’s more the shock than the bodily harm that knocked her out. The doctor said all her wounds healed, and she should wake up tomorrow morning.”

I smile thankfully at her before making my way towards Raffy. “Did you hear that?” I ask softly.

He nods, but he looks crestfallen. “The only two people in my life, who truly matter, were hurt today, and I wasn’t there to protect them. Now Esme is hurt again because I failed her.”

“But I was there,” I say softly. “I would have never let them kidnap her.”

With his free hand, Raffy squeezes my hand. He looks at me, the look in his eyes conflicted. “I know, Dave. And that’s what worries me. They could have killed you.”

“But they didn’t,” I point out. “And it will never happen again. I’m certain Alpha Liam will make sure of that.”

“You didn’t fail her, Raphael,” Hayden interrupts us, his voice hoarse. “I did. She is my mate, and now…” His voice breaks slightly.

“Alright, you need to get it together,” I point out. “Both of you. Tomorrow Esme will wake up, and she will need someone to be there for her! If she sees the two of you so broken, it will just further raise her guilt. And she doesn’t need that. She already thinks she is baggage to you.”

Hayden wipes over his eyes with the back of his hands. “You’re right,” he mutters.

They should really start paying me for being the pack’s therapist.

“Does she really think that?” Raffy asks quietly. “That she is baggage for us?”

I sigh. “She didn’t say it that clearly, but I know she does. I can sympathize because sometimes I think the same. But then I remember that I have other things going for me.” I pause. “Esme doesn’t have the same support system I had while growing up. You know that better than anyone else. It will take some time.”

“She truly wants to become a warrior,” Hayden says while he kisses Esme’s hand. “Beta Aryanna told her that she has the potential, but due to the fact that she has never trained, it will be a hard path. However, she wants to do it.”

“Awesome, it will further empower her,” I point out. “She will learn to defend herself and others and do something she wasn’t allowed to do. It will boost her confidence tremendously.”

“Yeah.” Hayden smiles softly. “I think so too.”

My heart jumps in relief when I realize he is going to fully support her. For now, I allow the guys to wallow in their thoughts while sitting down next to Raffy. He immediately takes my hand again and pulls me closer.

I don’t know how long we’ve been sitting there, but eventually, there is a knock at the door. When the door opens, Dante steps through. “Is she alright?”

Hayden nods. “She’s just sleeping.”

Dante sighs. “Make sure she isn’t alone tomorrow. Almost being kidnapped probably was a trigger for her.” He pauses. “The alpha sent me to tell you to take the rest of the week off and stay with her.”

Hayden’s eyes widen. “Really?”

“The kitchen staff expects you back for work on Monday.” Dante smiles slightly. “Make sure to look after your mate.”

“I will.” Hayden beams with relief in his eyes that he can stay with Esme for a few days.

“David.” Dante turns to me. “Alpha Liam wishes to talk to you, as you were witness to the whole incident. We don’t have a lot of time, as we need to deal with the threat fast, but if you don’t feel ready for this talk today, we can do it tomorrow.”

“No,” I say. I’m ready to stop these fuckers who attacked my adoptive wolf family, who attacked my sister-in-law, and my best friend. “I’m perfectly fine. I’ll meet the alpha today whenever he has time for me.”

Raffy looks at me worried. “Are you sure? You have to be shaken.”

“Yes, I’m shaking… out of anger,” I say. “I’ll do anything that helps to make this pack a safe place for everyone.”

Dante looks surprised and pleased at my words. He smiles shortly at Raffy. “The alpha asked you to join too. You might not have been there today, but we have two prisoners.”

“I’m allowed to see them?” Raffy says, and something in his eyes glints dangerously, like he is out for blood.

“That’s the plan,” Dante says calmly. For a moment his eyes gloss over, then he nods. “Alpha Liam expects you in an hour.”

Raffy nods. “Thank you, Beta Dante. Dave and I will be there.”