Page 191 of A Broody Mate for the Human

“You could also have a lawyer accompany the process,” Jun suggests. “Luna Annalise studied law, and I think she has quite a few contacts in that field.”

Ye-Joon sits up a bit straighter; it seems like the wheels in his head are turning. He is a businessman through and through and an artist. Sometimes I wonder how he manages to juggle these two worlds, but it seems to work for him. “I can’t decide this on the spot,” he says. “But it’s worth a proper meeting. I do want to keep this place, though. Branching out however… I’ve been waiting for an opportunity.”

“So have I.” Portia looks like she just hit the jackpot.

The rest of us watch completely flabbergasted as the two of them exchange contacts and set up a date for their first meeting.

“Well,” Stella interrupts our thoughts. “That came unexpectedly.”

I can only agree. But then everything about the last months was unexpected. This is just another unexpected chapter of an unexpected journey.

Chapter sixty-two

Meeting Old Friends

*DAVE*

RaffyandIwalkto the pack house together, our fingers intertwined. The past few weeks have been truly crazy. I might not have encountered everything firsthand, but I know that by now Troi is imprisoned and won’t hurt anyone anymore. Also, Finn finally overthrew that pack he was spying on with the help of his family. It happened around the same time that Troi and his minions got busted. Alpha Liam and a few of his top warriors went to his father’s pack, and then further to the pack Finn investigated. There was a huge attack happening on the night of the blue moon.

Raffy wasn’t part of it, as Liam only took his stealthiest men with him. He felt a bit crushed at not being chosen, but Dante reassured him that he is doing well in training and told him to rather focus on what he can do now. He still needs to learn to connect to Nero more.

Furthermore, Portia and Ye-Joon really seem to have started a business together, and I have begun my work as an advisor. The Council officially opened its branch here in town. It will be like a daughter company to the main branch in Paris. I went there with Liam and Annie and was introduced to some of the members already, and I’ve been officially made a member. The ceremony was very similar to when I pledged loyalty to the pack.

I’ve not been blessed yet, but it will happen soon.

After these tumultuous weeks, the pack seems to be eager to celebrate the winter solstice in peace, especially now that all threats have been dealt with.

“So today is something special for your kind?” I ask him.

He nods. “It’s the winter solstice,” he explains. “For many humans the date isn’t anything spectacular, aside from being the shortest day in the northern hemisphere. But for the supernatural world, it’s actually a day full of magic.”

“I thought it might only be that way for witches,” I muse.

“Witches celebrate it even more than we do, but for all supernatural beings it’s a very special day. Our senses are heightened then. Packs normally celebrate it big,” he explains. “We have a huge party, and then all go on a run together.”

“That’s why Stella and Portia will celebrate with the coven in town first before joining us?” I wonder.

He nods.

“Wolves don’t celebrate Christmas?” I ask quietly. I love Christmas. I love cheesy Christmas decorations, the food, Christmas sweaters, the snow… everything about this day is magic to me.

“We do,” he says tentatively. “Just not as much as humans. I’ve heard Alpha Liam will have a Christmas tree at the pack’s center, and it will be beautifully illuminated. There will probably also be a party.” He pauses. “Does Christmas mean a lot to you?”

I take a deep breath. “It’s not that important,” I mutter.

Raffy gazes at me shortly but doesn’t say anything else. Instead, he leads me further towards the pack house. It’s afternoon, but days are short during this time, and it’s already dark. However, the pack house is illuminated and beautifully decorated. There are tents everywhere with radiant heaters to keep everyone warm, and inside the pack house there will be a huge buffet. We expect quite a few guests from other packs. Raffy halts all of a sudden.

“Why are you stopping?”

“A surprise,” he says.

I blink, squinting my eyes to see through the darkness. Right in front of us, standing in front of one of the tents is a tall, muscular man and a rather tall, slender woman next to him. Her hair sparkles reddish under the light of the lamp. I let go of Raffy’s hand. “Finn!” I blurt out.

I’m not even embarrassed by my overjoyed reaction. I rush towards him and give him the biggest hug I can possibly deliver. Behind me I can hear Raffy grumble slightly. I let go of Finn, smacking his shoulder. “You,” I scold. “You could have called me a few times, you know? Just those short WhatsApp messages in our group chat aren’t enough.”

“I’m sorry, Dave.” Finn’s kind eyes hold a new spark to them. He looks content, and his whole stance is so much more confident. “It was some really busy weeks, but that’s no excuse.”

“I’m so glad it worked out well in the end,” I say with emphasis, unable to hide my bright smile. “And I’m even more glad you found what you were looking for.”