Page 25 of My Broken Mate (Healing Bonds #1)

Chapter sixteen

A Matter Of Trust

*REMY*

K iki has brought me some cold water and something to eat, hoping it will help my nausea a bit. She was right, it did help, and I am feeling slightly better now. Though my headache is still torturing me, it’s not as blinding as before.

“What about Lyle?” I ask quietly.

“He is dancing with his mate,” she explains. “I met them briefly, and he introduced us. Her name is Cora.”

“I should say hello, too,” I say.

“Are you really up for it?”

“I have to. Lyle is my friend, but he is also our beta’s younger brother. I bet by now she has met Sean and Gabriel already.”

“Alright,” Kiki agrees. “Let’s go.”

This time, I don’t feel as suffocated when I step into the huge ballroom and follow her.

The air is a bit lighter, probably also the reason my nausea passed.

I still feel incredibly weak, though. But this is not the right time to give in to my usual bodily weakness.

I have to put up a brave face for my brothers, but also for my best friend.

“Remy!” Lyle calls out the moment he spots me. “Here he is, Cora. That’s my best friend.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I greet Cora, readily shaking her hand. “I am so happy you and Lyle found each other.”

Seeing her up close, I notice that she is around Lyle’s age. She has a soft and kind face, and looks happy. “Thank you so much,” she beams. “I am so happy everyone around Lyle accepts me so readily.”

“Cora is Alpha Rhodes' cousin,” Lyle explains.

“Alpha Rhodes,” I muse. Now I finally have a name for the face.

Interesting! I have heard that name before.

He is the alpha of a very secluded pack in the north, which doesn’t mingle a lot with other packs.

I also remember that Sean has reached out to them recently in hopes of forging bonds with them.

Now, if that’s not a sign of the goddess that she mates Lyle and Cora together, I don’t know what is.

“Yes, he is like a brother to me. Just looks scary, but I promise he is a good guy.”

I smile. Something about this rings a bell. It’s how Gabe and I describe Sean. “I am sure he is.”

“So, what’s the plan?” Kiki asks curiously.

“Rhodes and Alpha Sean are currently discussing the details,” Cora explains. “But…” She looks at Lyle expectantly.

“Exactly,” He smiles happily. “Cora will be attending college here. The plan is for her to move to our pack and stay with me for now. We will figure out the details later.”

“That’s amazing!” Kiki exclaims.

“We are happy to have you with us,” I say.

“Lyle and I will also travel to visit my pack,” she explains. “So, he gets to know everything. Rhodes told me I don’t need to make any big decisions yet, and he is going to support whatever I want.”

“I hope you will like my pack,” Lyle says.

“Well, it’s warmer here than in the north,” she giggles. “So that’s a plus.”

“How old are you, Cora? Lyle mentioned you just started college.” Kiki asks.

I am glad Kiki is asking the important questions. I’m equally curious. “I am eighteen,” Cora answers readily. “And yes, I just began my studies. I was planning on transferring to your college anyway.” She smiles when Lyle puts an arm around her shoulders. “It was fate.”

“Cora didn’t even plan on attending tonight,” Lyle explains. It’s obvious how excited he is to have met her, as he is barely able to keep a straight face. “But Alpha Rhodes’ sister couldn’t join him, so he took Cora as his cousin along.”

“I for one am incredibly happy,” Kiki exclaims. “More girl power in the pack.”

Typical for her, as the social butterfly she is, she immediately exchanges phone numbers with Cora, and they both promise to go on a coffee date next week.

“I have no idea how you do that,” I whisper after Kiki and I have left the new couple to give them some alone time.

“Do what?” she asks curiously.

“Get along with everyone.”

“I am not getting along with everyone,” she giggles. “Actually, I am quite picky with my friends. You should know that. But she seems to be really nice.”

“She really is. I am so happy for Lyle.”

“Me, too.”

It seems like it wasn’t a minute too early for me to have left the scene because I feel shaky again. Kiki catches on immediately and grabs my arm. “Remy, I know,” Kiki says, “that you don’t want to hear it, you never do, but you are pushing yourself way too hard. That’s not good.”

“I know, it’s pathetic.”

“That’s not what I said,” she says, a hint of frustration in her voice. “Why are you twisting my words?”

“Sorry, an old habit,” I admit.

“You trust no one, do you?” she asks quietly.

“I do trust you and Lyle.”

“But not enough to tell us everything that’s on your mind,” she says.

I can’t deny that, so I stay quiet.

“It’s okay, I don’t want to overstep,” she says. “Your secrets are yours, and I am not entitled to them, but maybe you should find someone to talk to?”

Again, I see her face in front of me for a split second, but I shake it off. I certainly ruined the opportunity to befriend Kata.

While Kiki and I are still talking, I see Sean approaching us. “Hello, you two,” he says. “Seeing how you just talked to Lyle and Cora, I assume you heard the good news already?”

Kiki chuckles. “Yes, finally one of us off the market!”

Sean looks mildly amused by her juvenile comment before his face turns serious again. “Remy,” he says. “I want you to go home.”

“Why?” I ask quietly. “Did I embarrass you? If yes, I apologize. It wasn’t my intention.”

“Not at all,” Sean says. “You have played your role perfectly, but it’s past midnight now, and the first guests are leaving.

Gabe and I have it covered. You look pale and exhausted.

” He reaches out his hand to touch my shoulder but then drops it as if he is unsure about what he is supposed to do.

“Why don’t you take Kiki and go home. Unless you want to stay, Kiki? ”

“Not at all. My mate isn’t here,” she says. “I am more than happy to go home with Remy. I am still hungry! We can eat something on the way, something with a name I can actually pronounce!”

I struggle with an answer, mainly because leaving now feels like failure.

I have to retreat because my body's giving in again, like usual, because nothing about me works like it should.

But by now, Kiki actually looks happy about the prospect of being able to leave, and Sean obviously has reason enough for his suggestion.

“Is it truly not weird if I leave now?”

“No, quite a few young family members of other alpha families have left, too. Soon it’s just going to be the working ones, and it’s going to be the usual cutthroat networking.

” He pauses. “No one noticed how sick you probably are,” he adds.

“I did because I am your brother. As I said, you were masking perfectly.”

At least a bit of relief. I didn’t bring shame upon my family. “If it’s honestly alright with you,” I say.

“It is,” Sean reassures me. “I have linked one of our warriors. He is going to make sure you get home safely.”

“Then let’s go,” Kiki encourages me. “I want to stop at a pizza place to grab something on the way.”

I have no reason to object anymore. “I hope you have a successful evening, Sean.”

He nods at me. “Thank you.”

*CORA*

My mate and I are ready to leave the gala, finally.

I can’t wait to spend some time alone with him.

He is just so yummy. A perfect gentleman, polished, polite, a bit serious, but he has that silly side to him that he already showed me when we were dancing, and he was twirling me around like we were in a cheesy movie.

I can’t wait to learn more about him. I briefly want to say goodbye to my cousin and the others.

Rhodes is a scary-looking man, tall and strong, and he tends to smirk when he is lost in his thoughts.

Seriously, he looks like a sociopath sometimes, though he doesn’t notice.

Others have a resting-bitch face, whereas he has a resting-sociopath one.

But he is a much better person than anyone gives him credit for.

Rhodes’ family took me in when I was just a kid and my parents passed.

He is more like my brother than anything else, and I am happy with how supportive he is of me being mated to someone who lives pretty far away.

“So, he comes from a good family?” Rhodes asks his beta, a very quiet and broody guy named Sky.

“Very well-established family,” Sky answers. “The guy himself seems to be very unproblematic. Good student, said to be respectful, friends with the alpha family and the youngest brother in particular, good warrior and comes from old money.”

“The parents won’t give her a hard time for not coming from old money?”

“He isn’t the oldest son, so they are said not to care much.

The older brother is the current beta and has a very good relationship with the boy.

Both of them are friends with commoners, so they have friends outside their ranks.

His father is a business partner of Alpha Sean’s middle brother.

Since Alpha Sean already gave his approval, the parents are certainly not going to cross him. ”

“That’s good enough for now, but if they give Peanut any issues, then—”

I clear my throat, finally drawing the attention to me. “I will pretend that I didn’t just hear that conversation,” I say. “And I was just gushing over you and how happy you are for me.”

“I only did a simple background check,” Rhodes says. “I am going to leave you here after all, and I want to know you’re safe.”

“I get it,” I say, patting his arm. “But don’t dare to be an asshole to him!”

“As long as he treats you well, I have no reason to object to him,” Rhodes says, a smirk curling his lips. “Also, he approached us without fear when he claimed you. I have to give him that. If you need something, call me.”

“I will,” I reassure him. “Oh, and I already met the alpha’s younger brother, Lyle’s best friend. Very nice guy, and he was super welcoming towards me. Their other friend, too.”

“The model, huh?” one of the warriors asks curiously. “She is a sight to behold, those legs.”

“Connor, keep it in your pants,” Sky warns. “We don’t need burnt bridges, just because you have to hit on a friend of the alpha family.”

“Something tells me she wouldn’t be interested anyway, Connor,” I say. “She seems to have class.”

Connor grumbles while Rhodes smirks once again. “Alright,” he concedes. “I wouldn’t let you go if you weren’t in good hands anyway. Alpha Sean is the only alpha on my list who I want to get acquainted with. Very interesting guy. Got some morals.”

“Is it true that he killed his father?” One of the warriors asks.

“Ah,” Rhodes makes a dismissive gesture with his hand. “Rumors. Besides, even if he did, that old geezer deserved it anyway.” He looks at Sky again. “Sky?”

“There is nothing to back up the rumor. I have my own theories about that, but nothing with substance, and the old alpha was said to be a brutal, abusive maniac. As for Alpha Sean, the pack likes him,” Sky answers promptly.

I don’t know much about him. He just appeared out of nowhere one day and saved Rhodes.

The rest is history. He is strong and broody, and his face and body are covered in scars, but he is loyal to my cousin.

He is also a formidable spy. “They respect him. No one has anything bad to say. Also, very kind to his brothers.”

“Really?” Rhodes sounds content. “You know a man’s worth if you see him with his family.”

“So?” I ask. “Did you hear everything you needed to hear, or do you want to poke around any longer, to ruin any chances of a good deal with Alpha Sean and his allies?”

“She isn’t wrong,” Sky backs me up, much to my surprise.

“Alright, you convinced me,” Rhodes says, hugging me. “Have fun, Peanut,” he whispers towards me. “But not too much.”

I smack his shoulder. “Gross,” I giggle.

Sky gazes past us, looking at Lyle, who is patiently waiting for me. He is holding my pink purse and equally pink coat in his hands. “A man who so confidently carries his mate’s pink purse definitely has some value.”

He doesn’t comment on others much, usually, unless Rhodes prompts him to, so now that he does, his words make me incredibly happy.

“Do you have a meeting scheduled tomorrow?” I ask.

“No, but for the day after,” Rhodes says. “One with Alpha Sean and two other alphas.”

“Good, give me a call and I will be there.”

“You don’t have to,” Rhodes argues. “You just met your mate.”

“I can’t possibly leave you alone,” I say, studying him. Rhodes is a good alpha, but he isn’t approachable, nor are Sky or any of his other men.

“Well,” Sky mutters. “She has a point.”

“I will give you a call,” Rhodes says.

“Good enough. Bye, guys.” I finally make my way back to my mate, my heart skipping a beat when he helps me into my jacket like the gentleman he is. “I still need to get used to this,” I say.

“Don’t expect too much,” he grins. “I am just all show. In reality, I am a pretty normal, boring guy.”

“Just like me,” I say.

“I doubt that’s true,” he says. I could swear he looks slightly bashful. Cute. “And even if so, then we will be boring together.”

Goddess, my ovaries! Thank you for sending me this heartthrob. He is tall, has dark hair, brown eyes, and is overall super handsome, with a good personality. What else can a girl ask for?

Well, some burgers and fries.

“Say, are you still hungry?” I ask him hopefully.

“To be honest, I didn’t eat much.”

“Because you were so distracted by me?” I ask with a grin.

“I wish I could say yes, but you will find out the truth anyway. I am a picky eater.”

“Me, too,” I laugh.

“Do you want to head somewhere to grab a bite?” he offers. “There is no pressure to go home straight away.”

I happily take his hand. “Make it fries, and a burger, and I am in.”

Lyle looks more than a little amused. “You were obviously made for me.”