Page 23 of My Broken Mate (Healing Bonds #1)

“We did it for Joel,” I say.

“True, that made it worth it.”

The next twenty minutes seem to stretch endlessly.

I don’t know most of these alphas and their families, and I doubt it will ever truly be my world.

It’s intriguing to watch the fuss and the way the audience reacts to certain names, but I am hoping for the official part to be over soon so that we can finally let loose a little and eat.

I gaze through the crowd, noticing once more that one person is missing.

I am sure Remy is going to attend. He has to.

I battle the wish to just ask Eve when he thinks Remy will appear.

I just don’t trust my voice not to give away how nervous I am.

The harder I try not to think about him, the more difficult it gets.

At this gala, I can meet him in a different surrounding.

No books, no schedule, no tests, instead a hopefully fun atmosphere – at least I hope it will be fun once this official part is over.

I am just hoping I will be able to talk to him and get to know him better.

Thinking about him just makes my heart stutter nervously.

Why the fuck am I so nervous?

I shouldn’t be nervous.

I keep telling myself that I don’t even know if he is truly my mate.

But whatever mental gymnastics I try to do, I know he is.

His scent fills the room, and I can feel the pull again.

No matter how much I try to tell myself that he might not be fated to me, I know it’s not true.

I don’t know the reason why I can’t feel the mate bond the way I should.

I don’t know what’s blocking me, but I know it’s there.

“There is Alpha Sean,” Fi whispers. “And Gabriel, and Remy. They are here.”

“One of the last families to enter,” Eve mutters. “No surprise Gabe was nervous.”

I feel my chest tightening. I knew Remy was the next, as I was able to smell him before he even walked through the entrance.

“This family,” Ayden mutters. “I don’t even know what to say. Fascinating, but also a bit scary.”

He isn’t wrong. Alpha Sean is tall, strong and has a serious expression.

He looks stoic, but it feels like he could send a whole room full of alphas packing if they pissed him off.

Behind him must be Gabriel, the middle brother.

He is a bit smaller in height, actually also a tad smaller than Remy.

They are all tall, though, so it doesn’t really matter.

But he looks equally serious and guarded, a bit tense even.

Next to him is Remy, tall, handsome, dressed perfectly.

His full lips, his deep, dark eyes, his beautiful features – everything makes him look so alluring.

Just like the other two, he looks serious, but I can swear there is something else about him.

“He really knows how to dress,” Ayden says. “How does he do that?”

“He has always been like that,” Fi whispers. “In the pack, the younger guys try to copy his style to impress the girls. He really looks fine. Pity he barely talks to anyone.”

“He really doesn’t, huh?” Ayden asks.

“No, keeps to himself most of the time. The girls like him, but he never reciprocates. It just adds to his popularity. It’s his whole stoic attitude and air of distance.”

“Women are weird sometimes,” Eve mutters.

By now, the three of them are down the stairs, and Sean mingles with the crowd. Gabriel and Remy talk briefly before walking their separate ways. A young man and woman greet Remy. “Who are they?” I ask.

“His two best friends. Lyle and Kiki,” Fi explains. “Lyle’s brother is the current beta. Kiki is the gamma’s sister.”

“Both from a high rank,” I mutter.

The girl looks like a model. Perfect body, long legs, edgy features, yet feminine and charismatic. With someone like her at his side, why would he even look in my direction?

“Is she his girlfriend?” Ayden asks.

I will forever be thankful for his existence! Asking the important questions, so that I don’t have to.

“Kiki? No,” Fi giggles. “They are childhood friends. I told you, both Kiki and Lyle are related to high-ranking pack members. She has had boyfriends, but none of them were Remy. She also never dated Lyle. The alpha brothers and the beta brothers have vehemently set their stance on never dating within the pack.”

“Smart decision,” Eve says. “Joel is doing the same. But for the Temple brothers, it’s even more dangerous to date, especially within their pack. They are too popular.”

“Man, if every one of my steps were constantly being watched and analyzed, I would be exhausted as fuck,” Ayden says, gazing at a group of young men and women who eye Remy with interest.

“He probably is so distanced not to get taken advantage of,” Eve says. “He comes from an important family and is the youngest brother. They probably think he is the easiest to approach.”

I study the group that is watching Remy again, feeling annoyed. “Unbelievable,” I mutter.

Kiki must have thought the same, because she takes Remy’s arm and pulls him away. Lyle follows them, nodding briefly towards Ayden when he looks in our direction. “You know each other?” I ask curiously.

“Not really, but we had a group project together recently,” Ayden says. “He probably remembered. Nice enough guy, really.”

Eve takes a deep breath. “Well, the official part is over, now the awful networking begins. I wish I could just leave.” He sighs. “But it’s not possible. I will join Joel for a while. You three just have fun.”

“We will,” I reassure him. “If you need something, just give me a sign.”

Eve smiles. “Thank you.”

Once he is gone, we turn around, deciding to slowly walk through the crowd and check the several halls.

It’s my first time at such an event. And as anxious as I am, I am also curious.

Curious and full of hope. I want to finally talk with Remy today.

I want to seize the chance and try to take a step closer to him.

If he won’t take that first step, maybe I need to.

I am done playing it safe!

Mission: Claim My Mate starts today!