Page 7 of My Broken Mate (Healing Bonds #1)

Chapter four

The First Step

*KAT*

I ’m up earlier than usual. I love sleeping in, normally, but it was a boring night yesterday as Ayden had to go home early to help his mom, and Joel went to an alpha meeting. Eve had work to do, so I was on my own, watching TV and eventually dozed off.

I head to the bathroom, freshening up and getting ready for the day, before I grab my phone. I have a message.

Hello!It’s Remy. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Katalina.

My brother gave me your number. I’m supposed to help you with your studies, so, please tell me three days and times when you are free, and I’ll try to comply with your schedule.Until then, stay well.Remy I almost choke on my own spit.

I feel a bit awkward almost immediately, not because the message is unfriendly or cold or anything, but because it’s so freaking polite that I know I can only fail when I answer it.

I’m too random and too casual to even find an appropriate answer.

Three dates? And Remy will choose one? It sounds like we are having a business meeting.I chuckle lightly, putting aside the phone for now and deciding to have breakfast first. Eve is in the kitchen preparing some ham in fact, I think he is amazing, but I always feel a bit worried when he is out there and has to deal with all those alphas.

Not everyone is a good person, and I’m sure some have their eyes on our pack.

“You look worried,” Eve says.

“I guess I can’t help it. What about you?”

“A bit,” he admits. “But I also think Joel knows what he is doing. There is the silly, fun Joel we and his friends know, but there is also the Joel who doesn’t let anyone mess with his family and pack.”

“I know.” Yet, the worst time of my life was when Joel challenged our old alpha. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach, and I was terrified. Although Joel won, that feeling remained.

“Did Remy already contact you?” Eve asks. “Gabriel said he would.”

“Yes, he did. Say, this Gabriel, the friend of yours, how is he?” I ask, trying to sound as casual as possible. Maybe when Eve tells me something about this ominous Gabriel, I will know how to approach Remy. “I’m just curious.”

“He is nice,” Eve explains. He never wastes too many words to describe someone or to answer something, which is probably why he always sounds honest. “A little earnest. Sometimes comes off as stiff. But he is not a bad guy. I like him, always did. He is honest.”

“And do you know anything about Remy?” I ask

Eve smiles sympathetically. “Worried?”

“A bit.”

“Gabriel doesn’t share a lot about his private life,” Eve admits. “When it’s about his upbringing and the older generation of his family, he closes up completely. Sometimes he talks about his two brothers, but he never says anything bad about them. I’m sure Remy is a nice guy.”

“Hm,” I muse, not convinced.

“What are you truly worrying about, Katalina?”

“Honestly?”

Eve nods.

“What if the guy hates me? He just wrote me a message, and it’s not impolite or anything, but so stiff and polite that I can almost see his stoic expression in front of me.

You know me, I have problems with these important traditional gatherings.

It seems like Gabriel’s family is used to it, though, and lives it on an everyday basis.

I’m not sure if I know how to act around Remy. ”

“They are traditional,” Eve agrees with a tentative nod. “I know that tradition means a lot to Gabriel, at least. Their family has a huge standing in the upper class and has led packs for centuries. But does it really matter?”

“It does if I embarrass Joel and our pack.”

Eve smiles. “Kata, you don’t have anything to worry about.

You are doing okay, you don’t suck at this.

I am bad at it because I’m so slow in my reactions.

You and Joel, on the other hand, are fun and casual, and don’t overanalyze a situation, normally.

People naturally like you. You get along with just about anyone, right?

It’s your strength! If you really don’t get along with Remy in the beginning, I’m sure you will find a way to get through to him. It’s your gift.”

“Well, I guess it’s worth a try,” I say.

“That’s the spirit,” Eve says. Before he can say any more, the door opens and Joel pads into the kitchen. He is only clad in a tank top and his underwear with little strawberries on..

“What’s for breakfast?” he says, scratching his chest.

“Go and get dressed for fuck’s sake, that’s for breakfast!” Eve huffs, surprisingly annoyed.

“Oh shoot, who hurt you today?” Joel blinks.

“The sight of my half-naked brother in the morning,” he groans. “It’s just too much.”

“Oh, talking about half-naked,” Joel grins. “Guess who I met? Alpha Perfect-Ass. I swear, he has a behind to dream of.”

“Who?” I blink.

“No way!” Eve says, uncannily understanding what Joel is telling us.

“You met Alpha Sean? Don’t tell me you embarrassed yourself and our pack.” He pauses. “Goddess, you totally did, didn’t you?”

“Just a bit, but I managed to strike a deal with him,” Joel admits.

“No way!” I exclaim.

“Are you for real?” Eve asks.

Joel smiles, for once forgetting to be silly. “I was surprised, too. But he was extremely nice to me, and we share the same values. He also introduced me to a few other alphas with similar ideas.”

“Good job, Joel,” Eve says, a proud smile curling his lips.

“Thank you, I will head to work now. Meet me later,” Joel says. “I need your help to set up a contract for when I meet Alpha Sean again.”

Eve nods. “Got you.”

Eve is the current beta. He says himself that he isn’t really suited for the rank, and he is only doing it until Joel has decided on his permanent beta.

After he challenged the alpha and won, a fight broke out, and some of the ranked members threw themselves into a battle against Joel and his supporters.

That was their downfall. It was a massive disgrace and loss of face.

Even those who were torn about the outcome at first were shocked by it.

I think in the long run, it really helped Joel strengthen his position.

Joel leaves to get dressed while I finish my breakfast. Once I’m done, he is back, this time dressed in a dark blue polo shirt and a pair of jeans. He even wears a blazer. He still looks casual but more put-together.

“You are heading out, too?” he asks me.

“Yes, I have training to attend to,” I say. “Then I want to meet Ayden, and need to prepare for when I meet Remy.”

“My sister joined the warrior training,” he says. “I’m so proud of you.”

“If only I weren’t so clumsy,” I say.

Joel opens the door for me, and we both wave goodbye to Eve before disappearing. “Give it some time,” Joel says. “You are actually doing pretty well.”

With every step that leads us to the lower areas of the packhouse, Joel’s stance gets more dignified and more serious. He is still smiling, and his eyes are sparkling in their usual warmth, but it’s obvious he is in work mode.

That’s what’s so amazing about him. He can be this silly goofball and the kindest person on Earth, but he can also be the serious, hard-working alpha.

I decide to follow his example and grab my phone, swiftly typing a message to Remy.

Hey Remy,

Nice to meet you \^_^/

Thank you for helping me out.

Any day but Wednesday works for me. I’m usually back home at around 4:30 PM.

Kat

*REMY*

Since Katalina answered me, I’ve pondered over the message. I replied, suggesting a meeting on Tuesday, which she agreed to, but still… I’m not sure if I got everything from her message.

“What does this mean?” I ask, showing Lyle the message. Gabriel has invited him over, pretending it to be a coincidence. He is the worst liar ever. However, for once, I didn’t mind him tricking me. “I mean this sequence of symbols…”

“Dude, are you for real?” Lyle chuckles. “It’s a smiling face.”

“And the slash next to it?”

“She throws her hands up in a hurrah gesture,” he explains.

“Why?” I blink.

Lyle gives me his signature look of disbelief. He looks funny that way, because normally he goes for a cool look. Only Kiki and I know him as silly. “She is probably trying to tell you that she is happy to meet you.”

“But we don’t know each other,” I say. “How can she be happy to meet me?”

“Beats me,” Lyle rolls his eyes. “You are acting like a grandpa right now.”

I toss a pillow at him, which he dodges. It knocks over a glass, though, spilling soda all over my blanket. “Sorry,” he says.

“It’s just liquid,” I say, before making sure to clean it. Our suite is full of expensive carpets, and Gabriel almost had a heart attack last time something got spilled. I’ve just cleaned everything when there is a knock at the door, and Gabriel peeks inside.

“Is everything alright?” he asks. He sounds worried, probably about the carpet.

“Just an accident,” Lyle jumps in instantly. He smiles politely, back to his perfect boy-next-door stance. Kiki always says he has the smile to win every grandma over. “It was my fault.”

“Don’t mention it,” Gabriel says. “Just be careful not to get hurt.”

What? Does he think I will bleed to death just because I might cut myself on a piece of glass? Lyle stops me from replying, though, by nodding graciously with his grandma-winning smile. “Of course.”

“Did you guys eat something?” Gabriel asks. “If not, I could prepare something for you.”

At his words, even Lyle’s smile falters. Gabriel is the worst cook in the universe. It’s almost cute how bad he actually is. At the very beginning, Lyle thought I was exaggerating until he got a taste of Gabriel’s creations. “Thank you,” I say, “but Lyle came with leftovers.”

For once, it’s not a lie, because he indeed brought some along.