Page 40 of My Broken Mate (Healing Bonds #1)

Chapter twenty-eight

Family Friends

*REMY*

K ata and I spend almost every day with each other. Whether it be, just in between classes or hanging out at her place or mine. We even started going on proper dates. Most of the time we meet at her place, however. It’s just the coziest.

Sometimes our friends join, too. Kiki has hung out several times with us, so have Lyle and Ayden. I have also gotten to know Fi a bit better by now, and I am glad to hear that she has become really good friends with Cora.

Today, I am meeting both Kata and Ayden.

Ayden is stretching on the carpet in Kata’s bedroom while playing something on his handheld console, as I sit comfortably on her bed.

It smells like her, such a comforting scent.

The realization hits me out of the blue.

Her scent is becoming stronger to me. I am sure I am not imagining things.

Another proof that my wolf is still there!

“And you really don’t mind?” Ayden asks for the nth time. In a long and dramatic speech, he has just told me that he has somewhat befriended Gabriel.

“I don’t care.” I shrug. “As long as you keep my secrets, I don’t mind.” I pause, curiosity getting the better of me. “And he is really fun to hang out with?”

“You would be surprised,” Ayden snorts. “He can be such an idiot.”

“I know that,” I say.

“I don’t mean it like that,” he grins. “Someone can be an idiot or an idiot. And he is the latter.”

“I am not sure I follow.”

“He is clumsy and silly,” Ayden says. “But he means well.”

I stare at him. Clumsy and silly? Gabriel?

Is he truly describing my brother? He is nothing but dignified when I talk to him.

Granted that, recently, it seems that he has toned down his intense questioning and judging a little.

His presence is much less suffocating, and he hasn’t asked me any of his controlling questions in forever.

I don’t trust the situation, though, and am just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Ayden looks like he wants to say more but then turns back to his console. I don’t want to push him either. If it’s true that he is befriending Gabriel, I don’t want him to feel forced to tell me details. It’s not my business, although curiosity gnaws on me.

Fortunately, Kata interrupts us by bringing us something to eat. “You should have said something,” I tell her. “We could have helped.”

“Speak for yourself,” Ayden mutters. “I am too tired from training to do anything.”

“Did you have such harsh training today?”

“No, we didn’t,” Kata laughs. “We just had some cardio training. The mandatory one. Joel wants everyone above eighteen to do basic training in case we face an attack.”

I nod. “Smart decision.”

“I am just not made for physical work,” Ayden argues. “Are you training?” he asks me.

“Yes, I have a pretty strict schedule to follow. Sean put it up for me to highlight my strengths and to work on some weaknesses I have.” I swallow slightly. “I am not particularly strong. So, that’s my handicap.”

“But you like it? Or do you hate it?”

I frown. I have never thought about it. I just did it because it was expected of me.

That said, Sean really put a lot of thought into my schedule.

It’s doable and not over-exhausting to me.

In fact, it always leaves me a bit refreshed and takes my mind off the heavy thoughts. “I think, I do,” I admit.

Kata kneels on her bed and leans forward to kiss me. “Me, too,” she says. “Though I am not the best.”

I let my fingers brush through her hair and claim her lips. Only a groan from Ayden stops us. “If this goes any further, I am going to leave. Kata, you wanted to discuss a problem, if I may remind you!”

“Oh, right!” Kata slaps her forehead. “I almost forgot.”

“You have a problem?” I ask, worried.

“Problem is a stretch,” she says. “But I need help with something.” She furrows her brows, sighing slightly. “I need to accompany my brothers to a meeting again, and I don’t know what to wear. It’s like whatever I choose, I am always the odd one out. And you better believe I make an effort.”

“She really does,” Ayden backs her up. “We went shopping and had the shop owner giving us professional advice. Kata stocked up on brand clothes so no one would look down on her.”

“I couldn’t care less,” Kata explains. “But I don’t want to embarrass Joel. Still, despite all the Gucci and Prada, nothing works.”

“What exactly are you wearing?” I ask.

Kata and Ayden exchange a gaze. “Wait a moment, are you offering your help?”

“I am good with styling,” I say. “Maybe I can help.” I pause, realizing I might be overstepping. “Only if you—”

“Fuck, yes!” Kata exclaims, jumping off her bed, ripping her wardrobe open and tugging out half of her clothes, throwing them on the ground. Then, she goes through her best pieces, showing them to me. “I got Joel’s credit card. He told me to buy whatever I need, but I am hopeless.”

I take a proper look at her clothes. Everything looks fine. She clearly has taste, but— “Alright, don’t get me wrong,” I say, trying not to upset her. “None of this is bad stuff, and I am sure you look good in it.”

“But?” Ayden asks curiously.

“It’s obvious you wear them because you think it’s what you should wear. You went for the popular brands on social media, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I didn’t know where else to research,” Kata says. “Did I do it wrong?”

“It’s not wrong,” I say.

Kata giggles. “Goddess, just say it. I promise I won’t be mad.”

“These are show-off brands,” I tell her. “Your brother is now mingling with alpha families of old money.”

“Like your family,” Ayden adds.

“Yes, just that Sean couldn’t care less what someone else wears,” I explain. “He does know how to dress, however, to shut them up.”

“You mean, in a way, my clothes are nouveau riche?” she asks. “Too tacky?”

“Your clothes aren’t tacky,” I reassure her.

“It’s really just the brand. No one of old money would wear these obvious brands.

They are popular on social media for a reason.

They are not for rich people. They are for people to either show off their money, or for those who actually can’t afford it and barely scrape together the money to have a luxury item.

Real luxurious or high-end brands are different. ”

Ayden and Kata stare at me in shock.

“I am sorry. I overstepped, didn’t I?”

“Are you kidding?” Ayden mutters. “That was eye-opening!”

“Yeah, I had no idea!” Kata exclaims. “Can you help me find an outfit that won’t make me look like an idiot?” she asks. “Something that says: Bitch, shut up, I know what I am doing!”

“Yes,” I say. “I can definitely help you with that.”

Kata grabs her notebook and stretches down next to me on her bed. My gaze falls on her neck. She has pulled her hair into a ponytail, revealing her neck to me. There is a pull inside me, an urge that I can’t describe, and at the same time, I am terrified.

If my wolf won’t emerge, I will never be able to mark her.

I push my anxiety back for now and focus on helping her. Together, we find three to four outfits for her, which she can alternate and combine in different ways with things she already owns. That way, she is safe for the next couple of occasions she must accompany her brother to.

Meanwhile, Ayden has to leave for his part-time job, leaving Kata and me alone.

The moment he is gone, she puts her notebook away and snuggles closer to me, playfully kissing my neck.

I usually don’t like when people come too close to me or even hug me, but her warmth just pulls me in.

I could lie like that with her forever. I have been with girls who wanted to sleep with me, and I usually gave them what they wanted so they wouldn’t drop me immediately.

But I have never dated anyone. This is all new to me, and maybe I should feel stupid for acting so silly with a girl, but I couldn’t care less.

It’s Kata, and I don’t mind being silly with her.

Noise coming from the kitchen startles us both. Kata smooths her hair and sits up, while I make sure to leap away from the bed and take the place Ayden had before. Not one moment too early because there is a knock on the door, and Evander peeks in.

“I have brought leftovers from the business meeting Joel forced on me. Do you want some?”

“Yes, I am actually hungry,” Kata admits.

I am not, but then, I never truly am hungry. Still, I nod. “I wouldn’t mind either. Thank you, Beta E—”

“Goddess,” Evander gapes. “Don’t call me Beta! I am getting a panic attack.”

“But you are the beta,” Kata points out with a frown.

“I am Evander,” he says while we follow him out of Kata’s room and into the kitchen. “Just call me by my name, Remy. Formalities stress me out.”

This family is so unique and so weird, but they are also endearing and honest, and stand up for themselves. Kiki keeps saying that they don’t have a stick up their ass and that others should be more like them, and I am beginning to agree.

In the kitchen, Alpha Joel is waiting for us, beaming once we arrive.

“Joel,” Evander says seriously. “Tell Remy, immediately, to call you by your name and not some rank. He is not going to do it otherwise.”

“Don’t worry,” Joel laughs brightly. His grin is even broader than Kata’s, but hers is brighter to me. Always. “Remy is Kata’s friend. Just like Ayden, he would never address me by my title, especially not in private.”

Evander stares at him before turning to me. “What’s your opinion on that?”

“Actually,” I admit. “Protocol tells me to—”

“Fuck, you were right,” Joel groans. He makes puppy eyes at me. “Please, call me Joel.”

“Could you two stop being weird?” Kata chastises them. “Seriously, it’s not a competition to see who is the most embarrassing.”

Joel jumps off his chair and dashes towards her. My heart makes a stutter in fear, dread settling in. I can’t let her get hurt. Running on instinct, I step forward just to see that Joel hugs Kata and twirls her around, making her laugh and smack his shoulder. “Let me down, you brute!”

Goddess, I almost embarrassed myself. I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants, relieved that neither Kata nor Joel noticed what I was thinking. I was only one step away from attacking an alpha.

It’s impossible for me to let Kata get hurt.

I take a couple of shaky breaths, raising my gaze to look at Evander.

He has his head tilted slightly, his expression – usually either dreamy or absent-minded – is thoughtful now as he looks at me.

Swallowing thickly, I wonder what the fuck to do or say now, but he just smiles all of a sudden, handing me a plate, before turning around and smacking the back of Joel’s head.

“Hey, what was that for?” Joel complains, letting go of Kata.

Kata glares at him, her hair completely disheveled now. She redoes her ponytail before sitting down next to me.

“Kata is right. Behave!” Evander says shortly and shoves a plate full of food towards Joel before he can complain further.

“I am just saying that our families are friends,” Joel points out.

Evander blinks. “Are they?”

“Could you, for once, back me up, Sandwich!” Joel huffs.

Evander is completely unfazed by Joel. It amazes me how none of them are afraid of Joel at all. All his quirkiness and silly attitude aside, he is a strong, bulky man, standing tall over most others. He might be smiling, but he could easily hurt those around him. Yet, they aren’t scared.

“It’s just the first time I heard about our families being friends. We are business partners and allies, but—”

“Well, Kata is friends with Remy. You are friends with Gabriel. And obviously Sean is my buddy, so—”

“This means we as individuals are personal friends with one family member,” Evander argues. “But it doesn’t mean the whole family is friends. Kata has barely talked to Alpha Sean or Gabriel, and vice versa. And I don’t know Alpha Sean much either.”

“Time to change it then,” Joel says. “I just had a brilliant idea.”

“Oh no,” Kata mutters.

“Oh yes!” Joel smirks. “Let’s invite them over.”

Evander blinks. “With them, you mean—”

“The holy threesome of hot brothers,” Joel says, as if I am not here to hear him.

Evander frowns. “I guess it’s not the worst idea you ever had.” He turns to look at Kata and me. “What do you two think?”

I know Kata wouldn’t mind, but she knows my stance and my complicated feelings towards my brothers.

I can barely contain my chest from tightening painfully when I think about them.

I haven’t spent an evening out with them in what feels like…

I’m actually not sure we ever did that. We don’t hang out.

I am sure they both have better things to do than to spend their time with me, especially considering how much of a disappointment my existence is.

Seeing how Joel and Evander look at me, though, and Kata clearly doesn’t dare to say anything, I clear my throat. “I guess it is worth a try,” I mutter.

“Yeah,” Kata agrees, not sounding too happy either. “I mean, if you think it’s a good idea.”

“I think it is,” Joel says, grinning at me. “All three of you have to come, especially your hot brother.”

“Did you just really say that?” Evander mutters.

I stare at him, completely shocked. “My hot brother?”

“The one with the cute dimples when he smiles.”

“ Cute , which one of them is supposed to be cute?” Kata asks, stunned.

“Sean!”

“He has dimples?” Evander asks. “Never noticed.”

“He smiles?” I ask.

Joel takes a spoonful of his food, munching on it with a dorky grin. “Well, in my mind he does!”

“I would love to have your imagination,” Evander mutters. “And this coming from the artist here. Oh, talking about art—”

“Goddess, another one?” Joel mutters.

I can barely keep track of these chaotic siblings and the way they change the topic of their conversation so fast, but I admit, it’s fun to be around them.

Joel still frowns at his brother, looking highly skeptical when Evander pulls forward a canvas. It’s a black and white painting of a deer’s corpse with an ugly huge worm gnawing on it. While Joel is obviously still searching for words, and I am hoping no one will ask for my opinion, Kata squeals.

“Amazing!” Kata exclaims. “I love it.”

I look at her, flabbergasted. “You really do?”

Joel pats my shoulders with a bright grin. “Finally, someone here who feels my pain. See?” He beams. “We are made to be family friends!”