Page 62 of A Broody Mate for the Human

“But that’s amazing!” Dave exclaims. “I know you werewolves and lycans are really close with your beasts. It has to be lonely not to hear them anymore.”

Again, I’m shocked. How does he know so much about our world? “Yes,” I admit, eyeing him over with a frown. “You know a lot.”

“Yes,” he says simply. “I know a lot.” He doesn’t specify further, so I let it go again and hand him the bracelet instead.

“Nice material,” Dave comments. “It’s gold, real one. We should have a professional look at it. Maybe there is a signature somewhere, and we know where it was produced. Or we could have a witch look at it.”

I stare at him once more. I’ve been looking at this piece of jewelry for months, and nothing came to my mind, yet he knows what to do with it while looking at it for a minute.

“You’re quiet,” Dave mutters, sudden uncertainty flashing in his eyes. “I don’t mean to pry too much. I know sometimes I’m too much for… certain people.”

I wonder who he is talking about. Was it the person who hurt him? “You’re not prying,” I tell him shortly. “I don’t know who the fuck I am, and you’re the only nice person I met in months.”

A careful smile curls his lips. “Really?”

I shrug.

“Maybe this bracelet belongs to your mate…” Dave muses.

“No,” I say.

“Why are you so certain?”

It’s the second time he has asked me about my mate.

“My wolf wasn’t silent from the first moment on. First, he still talked. We don’t have a mate. It’s not something we can just forget,” I explain, wondering if my short explanation even makes sense, but after living months in silence, talking just feels so weird.

“Oh!” Dave nods. “You mean your wolf certainly would remember the bond, even if you couldn’t?”

I nod, surprised that he understood. For a while we both look at each other, and once again I can feel myself getting lost in his beautiful brown eyes. Then there is a knock at the door. “Your dinner, Mr. Ford,” a voice tells us politely.

Dave clears his throat. “Come on in.” He stands up, greeting the hotel employee and approving of the dinner they brought us. I watch him carefully, noting how he smiles and how warm and friendly he is to this staff member. I feel weirdly possessive all of a sudden like I don’t want Dave to smile at anyone but me. At the same time, though, I like that even though he has money, he is still respectful to others.

The hotel-food-guy leaves, and Dave turns to look at me, halting in his step when he eyes me. I don’t know what he sees in me right now, but he seems to hesitate once again. I know I’m not the most approachable person, but I wonder what it is about me that triggers these reactions. It’s every time my wolf senses come forward.

“Your mate,” I hear myself say because it’s the only thing that makes sense now.

“What…” Dave stutters.

“The person who did this to you.” I pause, pointing at his arms. “That was your mate, wasn’t it?”

Dave’s cheeks flush, and for a split second he looks embarrassed; however, the look on his face gets replaced by sadness. He doesn’t need to answer for me to know it’s true. In a flash, Nero comes forward again and takes over. “That fucker,” he growls, getting up from the bed and approaching Dave.

The latter is rooted to his spot, apparently not daring to do or say anything.

Nero looks at Dave, his feelings all over the place. I’m instantly scared that Dave will feel triggered by his reaction, but to my surprise, Dave seems to relax a bit. “I…” Nero rumbles, smacking his chest and pointing at it. “Save.”

Chapter twenty-two

Missing

*LUCA*

I’vestartedmyclassesto become an electrician, and I love it. There is so much to learn, but the teacher is nice and helpful, and he commended me for my patience and fine motor skills. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard this type of praise. I was a bit hesitant at first to go to a class, thinking I would never be able to catch up with the other students, but I’m so glad that Jun and Garret convinced me to give it a shot.

I’m in such a good mood when I make it out of my class, and my mood only rises when I see Jun waiting for me with two cups in his hands.

I approach him, not quite able to wipe the smile off my face. Sometimes I’m scared he will find me too dependent, but so far he hasn’t complained at all. Jun smiles at me in return, my heart skipping a beat at seeing his perfectly chiseled face lit up by a smile. He looks so strong and manly, and the shirt he is wearing is showing the outlines of his abs.