Page 87 of A Broody Mate for the Human

Nothing is safe from them!

I turn to look at Aurora’s twin sister. “Does my sweet Asteria want a ride too?”

Sweet little Asteria looks at me like I lost my mind, then gracefully turns away from me, rolls on her back, and continues to play with her toy.

“Yeah, well, I’ve never been popular with the ladies,” I deadpan.

Luca giggles. He sits down next to Asteria and tickles her belly a bit. She seems to like him more than me, judging by the way her lips tug into a graceful smile, and her tiny hand reaches to grip his finger. This baby is something. I have never seen a child like her, so quiet… and so expressive.

“She is so cute.” Luca beams.

Something about seeing him with a baby makes my heart swell with love. I know we won’t be able to conceive any children in our relationship, but maybe one day we can adopt? There are lots of little pups that lost their parents, and maybe once we are settled in our relationship and Luca healed properly and found out what he wants to do in life… maybe then we could consider it.

Akio seems to like the idea because he nods his approval.

“Did they give you a hard time?” Annie asks when she returns from her phone call.

I swing Aurora around, smiling when she laughs. “Not at all.”

Annie beams at Luca. “Oh, seems like Asteria finally took a liking to someone. Liam and I are the only ones she feels comfortable with normally, and sometimes Ella.”

Luca’s eyes widen. “Really?” He tickles Asteria’s cheek. “Maybe because I was a big brother once and had a little sister. Maybe she feels it.”

Something about his words makes my chest tighten. He said it in such a light yet hopeful tone. “Maybe,” Annie says softly. “Asteria is the first-born, so she won’t ever have a bigger brother or a bigger sister. I bet she would be happy if someone volunteered.”

“Can I be her big brother?” Luca asks hopefully. “I failed my own sister, but I won’t fail Asteria.”

“It would be lovely if you could be her older brother,” Annie says warmly, her eyes looking at Luca in sympathy. “And you didn’t fail Ciara. You did all you could to help her.”

“Luna Annalise is right.” I hand Aurora back to my luna and wrap my arms around Luca from behind. “She would be so proud of you.”

Luca doesn’t say anything, but his fingers cling to my arm.You didn’t fail your sister either,he suddenly links me, and I wonder how the heck he knows.

Mai… she killed herself,I explain quietly,Because my old alpha raped her.

I can feel the sadness through our mate bond.It’s not your fault,he whispers.That man was sick. I’m sure you tried to protect her and be there for her.

Mai and I grew up as orphans. I’m not sure what my parents would have wanted for us, but I always imagined they would have asked me to watch over her. During Alpha Marcus’ reign, I tried to keep her out of his grasp. I even joined his ranks to make sure I could keep an eye on what was going on… and later to sabotage them from inside. It’s how Liam and Annie managed to win over him in the end. But for Mai… any help came too late.

I’m trying to find my peace with what happened,I admit.But it’s hard.

I know.Luca brushes over my arms.I know exactly how you feel.

Mai and Ciara are the sisters we both lost, the sisters we couldn’t protect. Fortunately, baby Aurora uses this heavy moment to knock over a vase, bursting into tears of panic instantly. Luca and I get pulled out of our haze and scramble to help remove the shards while Annie calms her down.

*MATTHEW*

“Mattie.” One of the nurses comes running after me, stopping right in front of me. She shifts around, making puppy eyes at me.

“What’s the problem, Tiff?” I grumble.

She looks flustered. “It’s just… the elite warriors trained today, and we had quite some work to do with patching them up.”

“I know,” I state. “I work here too.”

“Right.” She blushes. “You know how bad I am with writing reports,” she blurts out. “And I have a date…”

I groan. “Are you serious?”