Page 173 of A Broody Mate for the Human

Finally, someone who doesn’t tell me it’s alright. “I’ll try to make it up to Esme for the rest of my life,” I promise.

“Good.” Dante gives me an approving look. “To return to what you said first… yes, this pack and many others accept all mates. Actually, there is quite the age gap between Ella and me.”

“Figured.”

“You knew?” He eyes me curiously.

“No, I just… it was a feeling.” I wonder what to say not to tick him off. He is a polite man, but he is the beta of the pack and easily the second-strongest wolf. “The way you talk to her sometimes, it’s just… you come off as more mature than other wolves.”

“She is my second chance,” Dante explains quietly. “My first mate got killed during a rogue attack. I know I’m probably coming off as patronizing sometimes to Ella… which is probably what you were trying to say.”

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way,” I try to argue.

“I know,” he says. “I still have a lot to learn, but don’t worry.” He shows me a lopsided smile. “Ella tells me when I annoy her too much.” He chuckles. “She is the best. Everything I want and need.”

“Dave too,” I admit. “It’s scary to imagine that one or two years ago I would have probably rejected him without any hesitation.”

Dante stays quiet for a moment, then he shrugs. “We don’t know that. Who knows? Maybe the mate bond would have forced you to act in one way or another.”

“Maybe,” I admit. “But I’m glad I met Dave when I did.”

We don’t have more time to chat as Dave, Annie, and Ella come into our view. They are sitting on a blanket in the park, playing with Annie’s twins. Dave is currently holding up the smaller one of the girls and coos at her.

“Aurora, say hello to Uncle Dave,” he says softly.

Aurora giggles and babbles something inaudible to which Dave gushes. A smile curls my lips when I watch them. Maybe one day, Dave and I can adopt a child too. I don’t know Dave’s stance on children, as we haven’t had time to talk about it yet, and I certainly don’t want to push him into anything now. We have a lot of time to discuss this topic.

Annie nudges Dave when she sees us, making him turn towards us and wave. “Here comes Uncle Raffy,” he says to Aurora.

Dante and I approach the little group, and I make sure to sit down next to Dave and kiss him softly. “Looks good on you,” I tease.

“What the baby?” Dave grins. “Wow, Raffy, that was such a dad comment. I hope you are aware.”

“I’d say it’s rather a mom comment.” Annie chuckles.

I can’t help but laugh at the teasing. While the other two joke and chat a bit, I glance at Dante and Ella, noticing how Ella’s initial greeting of him is a bit frosty.

Patronizing, huh?

The words had to come from somewhere.

Dante sits down, nuzzling his nose into Ella’s hair, his eyes glossing over as he squeezes her hand. To my relief Ella smiles slightly and nods.

“Do you want to hold Asteria?” Annie asks me with a smile, successfully stopping me from stalking Dante further.

“Yes, come on, Raffy, practice a bit,” Dave jokes.

His words stir Nero awake instantly.Wants us to practice…

Yes, I heard that.I smile.One day we can adopt our own pup, maybe. But we need to be patient.

Patient…he mutters. Much to my surprise he seems to understand and nods.

It’s good to have you back, Nero.

Being without my wolf spirit for so long has truly put a toll on me and my mental health. I know that Nero will never return to his full strength again, not to what he was before we went rogue, but I don’t need him to return to being this powerful beta. I am just so glad to have him back with me, and we will gradually work on becoming stronger. He shifts around and lies down, his dark eyes looking right into my soul.Me too.

I shift my attention back to my mate and friends. “Your twin girls are precious, Luna,” I tell her.