Page 6 of My Broken Mate (Healing Bonds #1)

“Am I?” Joel raises his eyebrows, the tone of his voice sounds mischievous, but I can see a dangerous glint in his eyes. Interesting. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m sitting right where I belong.” He turns away from the completely spellbound alpha and back towards me. “Next to you.”

Behind me, I can hear Levi snort, covering it with a cough.

“Well, you made quite the show here,” I say calmly, not ready to let my guard down yet. “Is it your plan to make as many enemies as possible?”

“No, it’s my plan to make allies I deem worthy.”

“Hm,” I hum. “I’m Sean.”

“I know,” he says. “You have the best ass—” He coughs violently. “I mean, you are easily one of the strongest alphas.”

Did he just mention your ass? Levi hollers through the mind link.

I ignore him. “Must be a Freudian slip,” I say. “You meant to say I’m the biggest ass.”

“Oh no,” Joel flashes me a grin, but the tips of his ears have turned red. “Please don’t tell my siblings I mentioned your ass,” he whispers.

What is it with this guy? I’ve never met someone like him before… ever. And I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. I’m not sure if I find him annoying or insulting or funny, but at least he isn’t boring.

Soon, however, I realize Joel isn’t all silly talk, and he is actually much smarter than he lets on.

And he is definitely one to stand up for his values.

The others at the table soon notice that I’m talking to him.

They also notice that he isn’t the doormat they thought he would be…

it spikes their interest, but Joel ignores most of them aside from two older alphas who are known to be good leaders and have similar ideals to the ones I have.

Joel involves them in our talk, and soon we talk about our plans concerning the upcoming year.

He has some good ideas about how to improve the security of his pack, and he is smart enough not to give away too many details, just enough to make everyone know his pack isn’t one to run over.

He also mentions that she-wolves are training in his pack and can become warriors, a thought I find really intriguing.

I tell him I have similar plans, and he backs me up.

In return, I give him some advice on how he can fund his educational plans for orphans and omegas.

As the evening progresses and the others start to mingle, he nudges me. “Let’s grab a drink at the bar?”

“Sure,” I say. “My treat.”

“It was my idea; I need to pay.”

“No, you are new here,” I say. “It’s common courtesy that I pay for our first round.”

He beams. “So, there will be a second round?”

This man… really. He has slightly messy blonde hair and the deepest blue eyes I have ever seen on anyone.

I’ve known I wasn’t into girls since I was a teen, I just hid it very well, aware that my father would have killed me had he known.

I’m not mate material, though, and I have no plans looking for a fated or chosen mate.

Out of reasons that have nothing to do with my sexuality.

But Joel is attractive. There is no denying that.

“Why me?” I say, when we settle at the bar.

“Huh?” He blinks.

“There are so many alphas here, some of them are quite powerful, and there are certainly many who are nicer and more approachable than I am.”

He rubs his temples. “I don’t know about that,” he says. “You might not remember it, but I saw you once a few years ago. Your father visited our pack with you, and everyone was on alert. He was known for being…” he seems to search for words.

“Brutal?” I help. “Manipulative? Aggressive?”

“Not quite what I was going for,” Joel admits. “But… yes. I thought his son must be like him. I still remember the look in your eyes when you left the office,” he says.

I try to remember that meeting. It was one of many where my father used to show his superiority and his elitist views.

No one knows better than my brothers and I what kind of man he was.

First, I tried to voice my opinion, but it would normally lead to me getting beaten by him, so I learned to shut my mouth and keep my thoughts to myself.

The only good thing is that I learned to keep my expression in check, my feelings and the look in my eyes.

Everyone keeps saying how emotionless I look.

I learned how to tread on difficult political terrain and be sly and cunning. “How did I look?” I want to know.

He shrugs. “The others said you looked cold. But… I’m not sure you are aware of it,” he stares right into my eyes. “But your eyes can change their color.”

“Yes,” I chuckle. “When my wolf is on the surface.”

“No, not like that. They change with your mood. They are lighter when you are happy, and darker when you are angry or sad.” He pauses.

“They were clouded that day. But then you went outside, and some of the pups were playing football. They kicked the ball in your direction, and it hit you. For a moment, I was terrified you would lash out at them, and I was ready to defend them, but you just picked up the ball and handed it back to them, then you even showed them how to kick properly. You said you have two younger brothers and that they learned that from you, too.”

I’m not sure what to say, speechless at his description of me. Coming from someone else, it might sound creepy to a point, but this guy is so sincere and open, he just sounds genuine.

“I just found that really inspiring,” Joel admits. “And at that moment, I thought you must be a really good person.”

“I don’t deserve your praise,” I say quietly. “I’m not a good person.”

“Well, I disagree,” he grins. “Because I heard a lot about you in advance, and your pack seems to really respect you… in a healthy way, not in a ‘wah-he-is-scary’ way.”

I chuckle. “You are one of a kind.”

“I’m hearing that a lot,” he says. “So, since we are working together more in the future—”

“We are?” I ask.

“Aren’t we?” He returns the question. “Our talk during lunch pretty much covered a lot of topics already.”

He isn’t wrong. I’m just not used to having business talk in such a casual manner. “My brother Gabriel and I will have a few business meetings this week. But I do have a few free hours. Why don’t you and your beta officially come over, and we actually work on a treaty and a contract?”

“Sounds good,” he says. “My brother is my beta at the moment. Is that a problem?”

“Not at all,” I smile.

“Okay,” he grins. “Enough business talks. Let’s change the topic.”

“Alright. So, tell me more about yourself,” I offer.

“Oh, where do I start?” Joel grins. “I have the two cutest siblings ever,” he says.

“Can’t be cuter than mine,” I say.

Joel elbows me. “I knew you had a soft side to you. But I have the cutest little sister and the cutest little brother.”

“My brothers are the sweetest,” I argue. There are many things that are uncertain, but my love for my siblings isn’t.

We both chuckle before Joel continues to tell me more about his siblings.

Just like my brothers and I, they are orphaned, but they seem to be doing well.

Much better than my brothers and I do. I can’t help the little sting of envy at that, but I will it down.

Maybe I can learn something from Joel instead.

He also talks about Katalina, his younger sister and the girl Remy is supposed to tutor.

Seems like she is a lively, kind girl, almost a bit too kind.

I think it will be great for Remy to get to know her and Joel’s family.

Having talked to him puts my mind more at ease, and it makes me double down on my decision that this is indeed good for my little brother.

I tell him a bit about my siblings, but keep it more about their character, not going too deep.

I don’t trust him enough yet, and to my relief, he doesn’t push me either.

“Here you guys are!” Alexander, one of the older alphas who was clicking well with Joel, approaches us. “Care to invite an old man to your little private gathering?”

I don’t usually hang out with a lot of other alphas, but Alexander is an exception. He has been very supportive of me since I can remember. “Of course, sit down.”

“Good to see the young generation getting along,” Alexander says, before turning towards Joel. “We only briefly met before and didn’t have the chance to chat properly. I am the alpha of Mountain Valley pack.”

“I have heard about you,” Joel says, shaking his hand. “My uncle hated you, which means you are probably worth hanging out with.”

Alexander grins. “You don’t take any prisoners, do you?”

“Never,” Joel says.

“I like that.” He elbows me. “Something you two share, Sean.

“Are you two close?” Joel asks.

“We go back a long time,” I explain. “I have known Alexander since I was a kid. My father hated him, too, just like your uncle did.”

Joel chuckles. “How come he let you close to his pack and son then, Alpha Alexander?”

“I have influence and money,” Alexander says in his usual dry manner.

Joel just grins. “Makes sense.”

It’s a new experience for me to be that casual and to actually let loose a bit. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not, but I can’t help but feel more relaxed than I usually am.

It’s getting very late, and since we had a few drinks, most of us decide to stay in the nearby hotel.

There are normally a few rooms booked for us for such meetings, just in case.

We say our goodnights before we retire to our rooms. Alexander and I happen to be on the same floor.

“It’s good to see you like that,” he says.

“Like what?” I ask.

“Smiling.” A smile curls his lips. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you happy.”

“I’m not sure if that’s good,” I admit. “Alex. Smiling is a weakness.”

“Your father said that,” he mutters. “And I disagree. He was an idiot. Just be yourself. If you set such an example, your brothers and your pack will follow you.” He smirks. “Well, I don’t think I have to worry, as it’s not like Alpha Joel seems to be the guy to let go of his prey anytime soon.”

“You think I am his prey?” I ask.

Alexander just laughs and squeezes my shoulder. “Good night, Sean.”