Page 161 of A Broody Mate for the Human

“He doesn’t look like a gamma,” Liam points out. “Jun is a gamma, and the difference between those two is astounding. How come a wolf with regular strength made it as a gamma?”

“Troi is an elitist,” Raffy grumbles. “Tom comes from an important bloodline. Also, I’m sure Troi did other deals with different packs that secured him his position. Why train his own men?”

“Does that pathetic excuse of an alpha have any useful members in his ranks?” Liam demands to know.

Raffy shrugs. “Not all of them are weak,” he explains. “I have to give him that.”

“Does he have children?”

“Two sons.” Raffy sighs. “The one with his chosen mate is the second-born and his heir. His name is Callum. But he has an illegitimate son, too, Ezra. He is from his fated mate. Troi pays for them, but they are not allowed close to him. I saw Ezra once, and it’s obvious he has true alpha blood in him.”

“Of course,” Liam exclaims in anger. “It’s the child he had with his fated mate. It’s always going to be stronger. What an idiot!”

Dante frowns. “Can you vouch for the boys?”

“No, I don’t know them well enough.” Raffy pauses. “But one time, I saw Callum and Ezra together. They met in a cottage, sparred with each other, and had a beer. I never said anything, as they probably met in secret. Troi would have beaten them both bloody if he knew. He never allowed Ezra close to anyone in the pack, especially not his chosen family and ranked members.”

Liam and Dante exchange a gaze. “I think I know enough,” Liam says. “One thing though, do you think your previous Alpha…” He pauses. “Everett was his name?”

When Raffy nods, he continues. “Do you believe Everett was in on Troi’s plan to kidnap Esme?”

Raffy takes a while to answer, his bushy brows furrowed. “I don’t know, Alpha. I don’t have proof, but I wouldn’t put it past him.”

“Does he have an heir?”

“He has a daughter, Callista,” Raffy says. “His mate didn’t give him any more children. He tried it with other women in the pack.” Raffy’s lips tug into a devilish smirk. “But I guess the Goddess didn’t want him to reproduce anymore.”

“And Callista, is she okay?” Dante asks.

“She got along well with Esme,” Raffy explains. “She never was allowed to do much, though, just like my sister.”

Liam nods thoughtfully. “Thank you, Raphael. I think I have enough information to act on.”

Raffy nods, taking a deep breath. “Alpha,” he mutters. “I don’t mean any disrespect or to undermine your authority. I just want to ask something.”

“Go ahead,” Liam tells him.

“In case you react to the threat in any way, I’d like to respectfully ask to join you. Even if my wolf is still weakened. This was a threat to my family and mate, and ultimately I am responsible for them even hunting us.”

Liam leans back in his seat, folding his fingers and looking at Raffy for a long while, then he nods. Raffy sighs in relief, but I’m instantly worried. “Are you going to war?” I whisper.

Liam smirks. “No, I have a better idea. Don’t worry, Dave.” He stands up. “And now, I believe it’s time to call this meeting off. It’s been a long day and a long evening. Let’s go home.”

Liam and Dante wait for Raffy and me to leave before Liam closes the door to his office, and the both of them disappear towards the staircase leading them to the higher floors. I turn to my mate. “He is right, let’s go home.”

Raffy takes my hand and nods. We walk the whole path home in silence. The first thing we do at home is play with Sugar and make sure we take him on a walk. It’s late at night, and the air is getting really chilly, but Raffy hands me his sweater, making sure I’m warm.

Once Stella provides us with a protection spell for Sugar, I hope I can let him roam around freely. From what I learned, he has adopted me as his master and won’t leave me. Unlike an actual dog, he doesn’t need the borders of a fence to stay with me.

The walk with Sugar has made us both relax, and the shower afterwards helps us freshen up and relax even more, but one look at Raffy tells me he is still beating himself up over everything. I know these feelings won’t go away magically, especially since he sees himself responsible for the whole situation. Even if I hadn’t studied psychology, it would be obvious. He thinks if he didn’t help make the deal back then, then Esme would be safe.

But I doubt it. I think they would have tried to get Esme either way. And if Raffy were in their way, they would have killed him. Who would protect her then?

“Hey, babe.” I turn towards my mate the moment we step back into our bedroom, sneaking my arms around his waist.

Raffy brushes over my back, his tension subsiding slightly. He draws back, tilting my chin up, and kisses me. His kiss soon becomes more demanding, which sparks a new idea in me. The perfect way for both of us to release some stress!

Man, I’m a genius!