Page 7 of A Broody Mate for the Human

“Yeah, Alpha Jace is a good guy,” Jun explains. “Fun, but strong and very fair. So, if Matthew does anything stupid, tell me, and I’ll make sure to pass on the message to Alpha Jace. I doubt he will be happy.”

I chuckle, suddenly feeling like my whole reaction was a bit too overdramatic. Okay, Matthew probably just stepped into the bar and saw this random human with another guy. Maybe he thought I’m sleeping around with like everyone… and then the shock that I’m just a human. He probably needed a moment to grasp the reality.

If I understood Annie right, then mates were made for each other.

No one has ever loved me that way, unconditionally… well, aside from my friends. But everyone wants this kind of love, don’t they? This is my chance, and I won’t just give up on it.

When Jun hung up to go to his early morning training, I scroll through my phone until I find Matthew’s number. At least he gave me his number… he wouldn’t have done it if he didn’t want to meet me again, right?

I ponder for a moment what to do before just going with my first instincts.

Good morning, Matthew. Hope you have a nice start to the day. If you want to, we could meet for coffee sometime this week. I’m off on Monday.

I’m not sure if I truly expected an answer, but to my utmost surprise, I receive an answer an hour later.

Monday. Sunny Day coffee shop. 11 a.m.

*JUN*

It’s funny. Ever since Dave and I started dating, we both knew it wouldn’t last. We knew the mate bond would intervene eventually. I really liked him, and I think I still do. Despite everything, I feel like my crush on him was a bit bigger than his on me.

But we both knew it wasn’t leading us anywhere, so we eventually called our arrangement off and remained friends. I didn’t want to hurt Dave by dropping him once I found my mate. I know the mate bond is fucking strong, and I didn’t want him to feel like I’d toss him aside.

Never did any of us expect that it’s him who meets his mate… not me.

I chuckle dryly, wiping off my sweat. Alpha Liam has been training me today, and he sent me flying to the ground more than once. “We should call it off for today,” Alpha Liam states calmly. “You’re not concentrating enough, and it’s a waste of time that way.”

I contemplate offering him an excuse or telling him I haven’t slept well, but he is right… and there is no excuse for slacking off. “I apologize,” I say, feeling disappointed in myself. “I… I just can’t seem to focus my mind.”

“You can’t allow yourself to slack off during training,” he tells me sternly. “If you feel like you need to vent, use the punching bag. Let it out, and then we can proceed!”

I feel a bit flustered. Liam is like a big brother to me, and I hate when he scolds me. Well, who likes to be reprimanded, anyway? I do what he told me, though, and target the punching bag now while still trying to keep my form. My thoughts still spiral a bit, especially when I think about the phone call I had with Dave. I can’t believe Matthew left him standing in a park in the middle of the night. He is a human, for Goddess’ sake! And he made such a big show of dominance when he saw me with Dave… just for him to leave five minutes later.

My gut feeling tells me that something feels off, but Dave was adamant to reassure me it’s probably nothing.

He is a hopeless romantic, always has been, despite hiding it well. I just hope he is going to tell me in case something is off.

Hitting the punching bag at least helps to get my emotions in check again. I stop with a sigh, only to notice Liam smirking at me. “Who told you you should stop?” he snorts. “I can finally see you focusing again. Now we can work on your form.”

I nod, this time focusing on my training for real. As the gamma, I’m one of my luna’s main protectors. Alpha Liam is right; I can’t just slack off. He makes sure to let me punch the bag plenty of times while mercilessly commenting on my form and trying to have me improve it. When we are done, I can’t feel my arms anymore.

“I think next time we can spar again,” Alpha Liam comments while he helps me up from the floor.

“Remind me not to piss you off anytime again, Alpha.” I sigh, stretching my muscles a bit.

“I’m not angry.” Alpha Liam shrugs. “I just felt you needed to exhaust yourself today.”

“And you wanted to punish me a little.” I smile.

Alpha Liam chuckles. “Maybe.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Come, let’s freshen up and then grab some breakfast. We’ve earned it.”

I nod, taking off the gloves I use for joint protection and my shirt, happily jumping under the warm shower. The alpha might have tormented me a little today, but I do feel a lot better after the training. When I’m done with showering, I switch into fresh clothes and then meet Liam outside the training grounds. It’s still relatively early, and the alpha table in the dining hall is still quite vacant, aside from Aryanna, Liam’s second beta. But when we are about to sit down, Luna Annalise appears with the twins in her arms.

I used to enjoy being alone when I was a teen, but now I love it so much more to be surrounded by my friends and chosen family. Liam is up on his feet immediately, hurrying towards the luna, kissing her, and taking one of the babies from her.

Annie’s beta, Ella, is trailing right behind them. “They are a handful,” she comments with a soft smile while sitting down.

“Where is Dante?” I ask her. Dante is Liam’s first beta and also Ella’s mate.