Page 192 of A Broody Mate for the Human

Finn’s eyes shine, and he smiles gently at the woman at his side. He puts an arm around her shoulders. “May I introduce my best friend to you?” he asks her. She nods eagerly. “This is Dave. He is a human.”

“Oh.” She smiles brightly. “I’m so happy to meet you, Dave. Finn talked about you a lot!”

“And this is Freya,” Finn introduces her to me officially. “The other half of my soul. My luna, my love.”

I smile at her, feeling beyond happy that my best friend found his mate. I know Finn was looking for her ever since he turned eighteen, never even looking at another woman. I shake her hand. “I’m pleased to finally meet you,” I tell her. “I’ve heard so much about you. You seem to make it in the top three of the coolest women on the planet.”

Freya chuckles, her green eyes sparkling slightly in mischief. I love how much of a fiery personality she has; she is a perfect match for Finn.

I pull Raffy to my side, who looks like he wants to run, so he won’t need to be introduced. Like I’ll let him get out of this. “This is my mate, Raphael,” I introduce him.

He and Finn shake hands. “It’s nice to finally meet you,” Finn says.

“It’s an honor, Alpha Finn,” Raffy mutters awkwardly. Aw, he and his grumbly self are the cutest.

“It was a long path for the both of us,” Finn says to me.

I nod. “But it was worth it.”

“True.” He chuckles. He takes Freya’s hand and looks at Raffy and me. “Let’s go inside and meet the others.”

I nod eagerly, feeling how Raffy takes my hand, too, before we follow Finn and Freya inside. The place is buzzing as expected. There are pack members shuffling around and having some starters and aperitifs. Freya and I grab a Garibaldi cocktail while our two bulky dudes go for wine.

I’ve never been to such a huge werewolf celebration… well… I was at Annie’s and Liam’s inauguration ceremony, but I couldn’t mingle with anyone, and I was only there for a short amount of time since technically my presence was forbidden. Now I delve into the atmosphere of it all. I can see pack members from other packs, and some bulky fitness studio guys who I assume are ranked members of neighbor packs and allies.

Finn’s and Liam’s dad is here, so are Celine and her mate Marius, and Finn and Freya excuse themselves to greet their family.

“Wow, there are a lot of different packs,” I muse.

“From what I’ve heard it’s always one of the big packs hosting this celebration. Last year it was in Silverlake,” Raffy explains. “This year it’s Red Claw’s turn.”

“That’s pretty cool,” I say breathlessly.

Hayden and Esme are joining us, both of them equally in awe. “We’re used to celebrating winter solstice,” Esme explains. “But it’s different when the lycans and their allies celebrate. This is amazing.”

“We’re truly lucky to be part of such a great pack,” Hayden mutters.

We all nod. I don’t have the chance to answer though as Celine and Marius suddenly approach us. Celine gives me a swift hug and smiles at me. “Good to see you, Dave!”

“Finally part of the creepy side of the world,” Marius says. I don’t know him well… frankly, I’ve only seen the bad side of him, but I’ve heard enough to know that he really turned a leaf. The way he has his hand in Celine’s and looks at her like she is pooping rainbows and diamonds is enough for me to let the past be the past.

“I don’t think we were ever introduced properly,” I tell him, reaching out my hand towards him.

Marius looks surprised before relief makes place in his eyes. He shakes it. “We’ve met on the wrong foot back then,” he says. “I’m glad to finally meet you officially, Dave.”

Celine smiles brightly at our interaction, forming a thank you with her lips. She turns to look at Raffy and Hayden. “You must be the lucky men at Dave’s and Esme’s sides.”

“I am.” Hayden beams. Whenever someone mentions Esme and how he is her mate, he bursts with confidence and joy. “Esme is my everything. I’m Hayden by the way.” He flushes slightly. “I’m sorry for being impolite, Alpha Celine.”

“Not at all.” She smiles. “I’m glad Esme has such a dedicated mate.”

She looks at Raffy expectantly, who seems to be even more nervous eye to eye with her than he was with Finn. “Raphael,” he mutters.

I roll my eyes, elbowing him a bit.

Marius just laughs though. “I feel you, man.” He chuckles. “I hate social gatherings.”

Raffy looks at him relieved, apparently glad he found a comrade in his suffering.