Page 170 of A Broody Mate for the Human

“Maybe we can spar a bit,” Ella offers as she comes closer. “You will be here with Raphael, and he can feel the closeness through your bond. Meanwhile, we can work on your stamina. Build up some appetite for lunch.”

I snort. “When did I ever need to build up an appetite?”

Ella grins. “They have blueberry muffins today.”

“Well then, let me burn some calories.” I grin, jumping up with newfound energy.

*RAFFY*

I thought the pull to Dave was strong already, but now that I shifted and my wolf is aware of his surroundings again, the mate bond snapped into place fully.

And fuck.

It drives me insane not to be with him.

Mate!Nero demands right after training.Go… mate!

He is still not back to talking fully, but he is getting there. After the excruciating training session with Dante, I had to meet the alpha for further training. This time a mental one, where he instructed me how to meditate and re-connect to Nero.

To say I’m drained is an understatement. Still, once the alpha dismisses me, all I can think of is Dave and how I long for his touch. It’s past the usual lunchtime, but Alpha Liam assured me there would be leftovers kept for me, and true to his words, the kitchen staff indeed handed me something.

“Here.” Marilou smiles brightly when she hands me a huge box in addition to the curry with rice she has packed for me. “These are for Dave.”

“Muffins?” I ask amusedly.

“I made some extras today, and I know he loves them.” The cute redhead beams at me.

“Yeah, he has a sweet tooth.” I chuckle. I will never forget our first breakfast together when he poured half a liter of acorn syrup over his pancakes. He loves his sweets. Well, sweet guy, sweet food. “Thanks, Marilou,” I say before finally making it back to my mate.

I love that our little house is not amidst the busiest area of the pack grounds. It gives us a bit of privacy, and it’s great to have Esme and Hayden close by. Esme linked me earlier, telling me she is fine and that they let her return home. I hope Dave and I can meet the both of them later tonight, maybe for a beer.

When I open the door to our garden, Sugar comes running towards me, his tail wagging. He stops shortly before me, putting his nose into the air and sniffing. “Yes, buddy,” I sigh. “You smell Nero stronger now.” I reach out my hands towards him, hoping he won’t turn on me and swallow me. “But I’m still the same old Raffy otherwise.”

Sugar tilts his head, almost looking thoughtful, then he moves his gigantic tongue over my arm, smearing slobber all over it. Why the fuck is this demon always drooling on me!? I groan, half annoyed, half amused, petting his head and finally making it into the house.

Dave is in the living room, eyeing me curiously. When he sees my disgusted expression, he laughs. He is up on his feet immediately and hurries to the bathroom to grab a towel for me. “Here.” He chuckles, throwing the towel at me.

“Why does he always drool on me?” I groan.

Dave grins. “Stella told me he is marking his territory that way.”

“I’m his territory?”

“You’re under his protection, and his slobber tells the other demons to fuck off,” Dave explains. “He makes sure they know you are part of his pack.”

“His pack,” I state blandly.

“Like wolves,” Dave explains. “They pee on everything. Demon pets use their slobber.”

“We do not pee on everything,” I say, not able to sound anything but horrified. I pause when I see the innocent look in Dave’s eyes. “You’re joking with me, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am.” Dave laughs. “I have no idea why he drools. That’s what he does all the time.”

My eyes darken at his teasing, a growl leaving my lips. Dave’s eyes widen, a flash of mischief in his eyes as he jumps over the sofa and runs upstairs. Nero urges me forward. Now that he is back with me, the chase Dave provides us with is a welcomed game. We make sure to run after him first, noticing how he runs downstairs from the other side and out into the garden. Nero and I take the shortcut, jumping out of the window of our bedroom. When Dave runs around the corner, looking back, expecting me to be behind him, I jump forward, grabbing him by his waist and throwing him over my shoulder.

Dave hammers with his hand against my back. “You were cheating!”

“It’s not cheating just because I outsmarted you,” I growl, enjoying how he wiggles and complains. My need for him was always intense, but now with Nero being here too, I just can’t keep my hands off him.