Page 23 of A Broody Mate for the Human

“Luna, do you have a minute to spare?” I ask her quietly.

Annie exchanges a surprised look with Liam but nods. Liam scoots the twins up in his arms, ignoring their protests. “It’s time to clean up anyway.” He chuckles while he shuffles out of the room, not even minding that they smear color all over his face and hair.

Annie gets up and approaches me. She looks at me warmly. “What’s wrong, Jun? Did something happen?”

“It might be nothing,” I admit. “Please don’t think less of me now.”

“I would never think less of you,” she says earnestly.

“It’s just… I’m sharing private matters now, and they are not mine. I… this is so bad. I’m sorry, Luna, but I don’t know what else to do.”

“Jun, I know that you would only breach someone’s trust if absolutely necessary,” she says, looking at me. “This is about Dave, isn’t it?”

I sigh. “He told me he had a few panic attacks the last two weeks, just that they aren’t like usual panic attacks. He’s gotten them ever since he met his mate, and always at night. I don’t know… I might be imagining things, and I don’t want it to look like I’m jealous or that I want to create a rift between Dave and his mate. And I certainly am not an expert in terms of mates, but…”

“You think he is cheating on Dave?” Annie says, deadly serious now. There is a glint in her eyes, and for a moment, she looks furious.

“I cannot tell for sure,” I say quietly. “I just know that something is off.” I pause. “I don’t want to be the reason for Dave’s unhappiness, though.”

Annie looks at me for a long while before her gaze softens and her face lights up with a smile. “Everyone knows you’d never act out of spite, and you’d never hurt Dave or any of your other friends. Jun, the truth hurts sometimes, and I agree we need to make certain that Dave’s mate is cheating on him before jumping into action, but if it’s true… Dave deserves to know.”

“He avoids any questions about him,” I say quietly. “Dave, I mean. I tried to ask him about Matthew… but he never answers directly.”

“You think cheating isn’t the only problem?” Annie asks.

I shrug, a sudden wave of helplessness overcoming me. Fuck, Dave is my best friend. I owe him so much, yet here I am, and I can’t even help him. I’m such a loser. Dave is one of the kindest people I know. His friends’ happiness means so much to him, yet here he is… smiling although he is so sad.

I’ll be damned if I allow anyone to hurt him!

Chapter nine

Control

*DAVE*

IalmostbelieveI’llnever hear from Matthew again, but to my surprise, he texts me at the end of the week. It’s his usual short message. He doesn’t seem to waste many words in general.

I’m going to the mall on Saturday. Care to join me?

Sometimes I’m not sure if he genuinely wants to meet me or if it’s some sort of weird obligation he feels. Maybe he feels pressured because of the bond? However, part of me, as silly as it might be, feels happy to hear from him.

The only issue is that I actually had plans to meet Annie and Ella that day. I don’t waste any time and reply swiftly, telling him I have other plans, but ask him if he wants to do something else later that day or choose another date.

I’m only free on Saturday. Can’t you cancel?

He seems to be busy. I sigh slightly. Well, I’m sure Annie and Ella will understand.

Alright, I’ll cancel my other plans.

Matthew seems to be happy and sends me the place and date where we’ll meet on Saturday.

Maybe he isn’t so bad altogether. He is dominant and possessive, but perhaps he just doesn’t know how to handle his feelings? Maybe he is just bad at saying what he wants and feels? Everyone deserves a chance.

I’m glad that the week is rather dull. I have a new contract with my university. They offered me a job which I’ll start in a few months, and I will actually work with one of the professors then. When I began to study, I never thought that was the career I wanted, but I realized I love studying and researching. This opportunity is just fantastic.

For now, it means I also have a lot of free time, as my work will start with the new term. Gives me a chance to prepare properly and finish tutoring the kids I’m currently helping.

My date with Matthew falls on a warm Saturday. I love these nice autumn days. As much as I adore the cozy sweaters and hot beverages, there is just something about fall that draws me in. The change of season, seeing how the leaves turn yellow and red before dropping entirely. It’s magical.