Page 52 of A Broody Mate for the Human

I feel relieved. It’s pretty much what I researched beforehand. “Thank you so much, Doc.”

Sugar and I make our way back to my car, and I finally take him home. We go for a walk first, where I go through my first test… as in gathering his poop in a plastic bag. But well, sacrifices have to be made, it seems.

Once in my apartment, Sugar sniffs around the whole place before claiming the huge dog bed I bought. I might or might not have gone overboard with buying him stuff. Unfortunately Annie and Ella accompanied me, and while they hate shopping for clothes, they were fully into buying gifts and toys for my new pup.

When I switch on the TV to binge-watch one of my series, I feel my anxiety kick in again.

I’ll end up alone and lonely.

No one wants me, it seems. Not even my mate wanted me.

It’s always the same… something seems to be wrong with me.

I’ll die alone.

Sugar joins me on the sofa suddenly, and I snuggle him in my arms, feeling his steady heartbeat. He wags his tail when I pet him and licks my face. My anxiety attack dies down before it even starts, and for the first time in a few weeks, I feel a hint of peace.

*JUN*

I stare at the monstrosity in front of me. It has a huge head, a massive body, and four large paws. He is bigger than a few omega wolves I know… and his fur is all black aside from his paws, his chest, and the tip of his tail that are colored white.

Luca squeals. “Goddess, he is so cute! Can I touch him?”

“Of course, he is very gentle.” Dave beams and Luca shuffles past me and towards the huge dog, immediately petting it and brushing through its fur.

The massive furball turns his attention towards me now, leaving Luca and trotting towards me while leaving a trail of drool behind it. “Guys,” I mutter. “Take him away from me.”

Dave and Luca exchange a gaze. “You’re scared of dogs?” Dave asks, dumbfounded.

I feel my cheeks flush slightly. “I wouldn’t call it scared… just a slight uncomfortable feeling.”

“Jun, you’re a wolf.” Dave laughs.

I furrow my brows, trying to signal Dave that he should prevent me from digging my grave further, or I will look like an idiot in front of Luca. To my surprise, though, Luca laughs all of a sudden. He grabs the fur monster by its collar and carefully leads it to me. “Look how harmless he is,” he coos, while the fur-monster nuzzles my hand.

I’m still not convinced, but with Luca looking at me expectantly, I decide to man up and pat the dog’s massive head.

“Couldn’t have gotten anything smaller, huh?” I ask.

“You know me.” Dave grins. “Size matters.”

I roll my eyes at his silly joke while Luca looks confused first. He catches on fast, though, and looks both flustered and amused at the same time.

“Come, Sugar.” Dave takes pity on me, calling his dog back who obediently pads towards him and drops down on the ground with a loud umph.

“No, seriously,” I chuckle. “Didn’t they have any smaller dogs?”

“I wanted him,” Dave says in a matter-of-fact tone. “I saw his pic online and knew he was meant for me.”

My heart aches a bit at the way he looks sad for a moment. If a huge pup helps Dave heal a bit, then I certainly won’t complain.

“How are your studies going?” Dave asks Luca.

Luca beams at him. “My gamma signed me up for a class to become an electrician, and I’m now helping with our construction company.” He smiles. “I always liked working with my hands.”

I can almost see how the wheels in Dave’s mind turn. Before he can say anything dirty, I glare at him, and he just grins.

“So how are things between the both of you?” Dave asks, eyeing us curiously. He shuffles around a bit to fetch us something to drink. “I’m hungry for gossip.”