Page 21 of A Broody Mate for the Human

“Dave is the human kid who helped you with your schoolwork, right?”

I nod. “He is very nice. He was out with a friend, and the guy didn’t like me.” I lower my eyes. “I think he thought I was flirting with Dave.”

Marcel wiggles his brows. “And were you?”

“What!? No!” I exclaim.

“I could play your wingman if you want to.” Marcel grins. “I’m just a few years older than you.”

“You feel older.” I chuckle. “You’re like the bothersome meddling older brother.”

He narrows his eyes at me, but I know he isn’t mad. He tousles my hair. “Better set the table so that we can have dinner!”

I smile while I set the table and then help Marcel with preparing dinner. He makes rice with diced meat and veggies. Marcel’s cooking isn’t extravagant, but I like it, even more so when he shows me some tricks here and there. He thinks it’s important that I know the basics in the kitchen.

Throughout the light-hearted evening, I almost forgot what else we need to do today. I need to help him pack because he’ll be away for a few weeks for work. I try to take it like a man and accept that he has to leave for his mission with one of the lycan princes, but it’s still making me sad. “Don’t give me that look.” Marcel smiles while I help him put his backpack together with the essentials. He probably wouldn’t need any help, but it’s nice that he pretends like he does. “In a few weeks I’ll be back.”

“Will it be dangerous?” I ask nervously.

There is a long pause before Marcel sighs. “Listen, I won’t lie to you. Every mission is dangerous, but I have no intention of dying out there. I have you here after all, and my sister and friends. I won’t just put myself in danger.”

“You’re a great warrior,” I muse, both to cheer him and me up. “You’ll do great.”

Marcel smiles at me. “Here.” he hands me the keys. “I trust you to look after our place while I’m gone.”

I blink in surprise that he entrusts me with all his belongings and the whole place.

“I expect you to look after everything,” he tells me sternly. “Make sure everything is clean, don’t forget to use the washing machine. I don’t want to return to a mess.”

“Yes, sir!” I beam. I can’t believe it! I’m going to be on my own for the first time, and he entrusts me with keeping this place together.

“And don’t call me sir,” he snorts. “This reminds me of my old man. I also talked to the alpha. While I’m away, Gamma Garret will continue to train you.”

“Do you think I can work a bit around the pack?” I ask curiously. I hate relying on their kindness, although I really appreciate their help. “I’d love to make myself useful.”

“You could help renovate some of the older buildings,” Marcel suggests. “But only if you want to and—”

“I do!” I beam. “I love to work outside anyway, and this pack has given so much to me. I’d love to give something back.”

“Alright.” Marcel smiles. “I’ll talk to Gamma Garret.” He sits down on the floor next to me, his face earnest now. “You know the basics in terms of an emergency.”

I swallow thickly. “I do.”

“I don’t want you to play the hero,” he urges. “If you feel like a panic attack is approaching, ask for help instantly. You know Garret already. He is a nice guy. Link him whenever you feel off. You know your exercises?”

I nod.

“Luca, when I’m out there I don’t want to worry too much about you, so please promise me you’ll look out for yourself. In the past you didn’t always manage to do that,” he points out.

I feel a bit flustered, mainly because he is right. I feel so weak for relying on someone else’s help, and I hate the nightmares and the anxiety attacks. Sometimes I don’t even expect something to trigger me, only to realize it’s a trigger when it ticks me off. However, Marcel is on a dangerous mission, and if it helps him to know that I’ll watch out for myself, then I’ll try my hardest. “I promise I’ll try my best to watch out for myself.”

“That’s all I wanted to hear.” He smiles.

*JUN*

I stare at Dave for more than a few minutes. He has circles under his eyes, and there is a pallor to his skin I don’t like. He looks incredibly tired and spent. When the waitress comes for us to order something, and Dave doesn’t seem to want to order anything, I decide to step up.

I never intervene with his food choices, but today he needs something to eat, or I’m scared he will drop unconscious any moment.