Page 181 of A Broody Mate for the Human

*DAVE*

Everything happens so fast, as usual. Raffy is gone for a few hours, then he suddenly calls me and tells me the short version of what happened and that he is now going to retrieve all of his and Esme’s stuff.

Hayden will help him.

I’ve barely digested the news and inwardly celebrated that we can all finally return to a sense of normality when Stella barges into my living room, her eyes gleaming in relief. She and Portia also heard the news and will be able to retrieve their belongings. Just that Stella can easily make a portal, making it so much easier to move her stuff.

“I’m going to help.” I beam. “Raffy is going to his old pack, but I can make myself useful here with you.”

“I was hoping you’d offer.” Stella chuckles. “Portia has to go to her club later.”

“I can help too.” Esme’s strained voice comes from behind us.

I turn around to look at her. There are mixed emotions on her face. She looks relieved and sad at the same time. Before I can even figure out what to say or do, she rushes to me and into my arms. I hug her to my chest, patting her head softly. “It’s okay now, Esme.” I rub my thumb over her shoulder. “The threat is dealt with. No one will hurt you anymore.”

“I feel so bad that Raphael and Hayden have to do everything on their own, but I can’t bring myself to…” Her voice trails off.

“You don’t need to,” I soothe her. “Stella and I are happy to have some help.”

“He’s right.” Stella comes closer, patting Esme’s head.

Esme looks up at us through her tears. “Really?”

“Yes, the more the merrier.” I beam.

Esme looks relieved, and soon her somber expression makes place for a joyful one. We make it to Stella’s suite in the pack house, where she lives with Portia. On our way we meet Ella and Annie who offer their help too. With Stella setting up a portal it’s effortless to move her stuff. For the heavier things, such as furniture, Annie calls for a few of the warriors. After a few hours of work, we’re finished and enjoy a glass of wine at Stella’s place.

“Finally, you can live in peace,” Ella says to Esme.

“For the first time in my life, I’m truly free,” she admits. “Raphael too.”

“Now it’s on you to live the best life possible,” Annie tells her warmly. “You have all the options you want to.”

Esme smiles. “I want to continue training and become a warrior.”

“So you’re set on that?” Ella asks.

She nods. “I’ve never been able to even defend myself, let alone defend someone who needs it. It was always my dream. I know I’ll never be good enough to be an elite, though.”

“Not everyone needs to be an elite warrior,” Ella explains. “We need lots of warriors for smaller tasks too. And we need guards.”

“Did you think about continuing your education?” I ask her.

She nods. “Hayden and I both want to take an online class. That is if the alpha and luna allow it.” She looks shyly at Annie.

Annie chuckles. “Everyone here who wants to study or learn something will get our support. Liam has always been a supporter of any education, and I am too.”

Esme beams. “Hayden wants to take a nutrition class. And I was thinking about an accountancy class. I know it’s not the most spectacular thing to learn, but I thought an accountant is always needed in a pack.”

“If this is what you want, go for it,” Stella tells her.

Annie nods. “I will tell Liam about your plans later.”

“Thank you, Luna.”

While the others chat about Esme’s and Hayden’s future plans, my thoughts drift back to Raffy. Now that the threat has been dealt with, I can also continue my studies and start my part-time job at the university. But that’s not what keeps my mind occupied. Raffy suggested tying our fates together, and the thought of him cutting his life short for me… it makes my stomach churn with guilt.

I have no idea what to do about that.