Page 195 of A Broody Mate for the Human

Raffy and I exchange a curious gaze, and Liam explains it to us. “Lucas is a fellow alpha. He took over a really difficult pack from his father.” He pauses. “A bit like the challenge Ezra will face with taking over from Troi,” he adds.

Raffy nods, instantly understanding what it means.

“Some of the hardliners who followed Lucas’ father stepped out of line and attacked a group of innocent girls, friends of my sister. Alpha Lucas here didn’t hesitate to bring justice to them,” Liam emphasizes.

“I see things are looking up for you?” Annie asks.

“They are.” Maya nods. “Thanks to your help, Annie, and thanks to Alpha Liam and his father. Lucas had to hide me first before he took over because his father would have killed me for being of lesser rank.”

Raffy looks at her sadly. “Unfortunately, I know what you’re talking about.”

“Are you from Troi’s former pack?” Lucas wants to know.

“No, from Everett’s,” Raffy explains.

Lucas nods. “I will be helping both packs. Alpha Liam here asked me to do it because I already have experience with a pack that needs serious reforming.”

“I’m glad Callista will receive some support,” Raffy says. “How is she holding up?”

“Actually, she is doing pretty well,” Lucas says. “She is an alpha wolf by birth after all. Her only problem is that she was never allowed to learn how to fight, but she is working hard.”

“In an ideal world her father would have prepared her to take over the pack,” Liam says.

“Exactly,” Lucas agrees. “I think she can still become a strong leader but will probably need a co-leader at her side. I promised to help her until she finds her mate.”

“Thank you,” Liam says. “I’m glad there are reliable packs out there who step in when needed.”

“You helped us when we needed it,” Lucas says. “And now it’s my turn to help another pack. What goes around comes around.”

Liam smiles. “I’m very relieved that things worked out well for you and Luna Maya,” he says. He turns around shortly to wave at a tall, bulky man with long hair. That’s his father, the famous Alpha Elden, future king of the lycans. He looks impressive, always a bit intimidating, yet… hot. Sorry, Raffy, but credit where credit is due.

Alpha Elden joins us, greeting us all politely, even me, although I know he dislikes humans. I also know that during the vote in the Council about me becoming an advisor, he voted for me. It surprised me when I heard about it, and I think Liam himself was surprised too. The only one unfazed was Annie. She claims that Elden would never vote against anything that was so important to one of his children.

“What’s going on?” Elden asks.

“We were talking about the changes Lucas brought to his pack,” Liam informs him.

Elden nods. “I’m glad to hear it worked so well for you. Your pack is beginning to thrive, and it’s your and Luna Maya’s doing.”

“It took a while for the pack to accept the both of us and follow us, but it was worth the struggle,” Lucas says with pride. He gestures towards a muscular man to come closer, a bunch of fitness studio guys following him. “This is my beta, Thomas, and some of my warriors. Thomas was very loyal from the beginning on.”

I stare at the men approaching us. I know them… they are… “Oh fuck!” I blurt out, instantly covering my mouth.

Raffy stares at me.

Don’t you recognize them?

Raffy looks confused at first before checking the guys over again, then his eyes widen. He looks incredibly flustered and for once I can’t blame him.

The others look at us curiously, but there is no time to explain. Maybe Beta Thomas and the warriors won’t remember. We don’t have that much luck, though. Thomas greets everyone politely before his eyes rest on us.

“Aren’t you that guy… Jeremy?” he asks curiously.

It had to have been a really scarring experience for him to remember our made-up names. Liam stares at us in confusion. “Jeremy?”

Raffy looks like he wishes the ground would open itself and swallow him. He grumbles and mutters something, slipping back into his broody tendencies, before he finally answers. “Dave thought it would be a good idea to drive through pack territory… back then… when we were looking for Esme.”

“Excuse me.” I glare at him. “How come I take all the blame!? As far as I’m concerned, our only alternative would have been a seven-hour detour with a pursuer hot on our heels.”