Page 18 of My Broken Mate

“He absolutely is. Something about his broody and mysterious aura gets to them,” Lyle grins. “But Kiki and I have it covered. We will protect your virtue.”

I raise my brows. “What kind of virtue are you talking about? I’m not some damsel in distress.”

“Oh, Remy,” Lyle hugs a pillow. “I will protect your poor little heart.”

His antics make me smile, and not even Gabriel seems to take offense. “Do you have something to dress in?”

“Suitable for a gala?” I shake my head. “I grew out of my last suit.”

“Take your friends tomorrow and head out to shop for something. I will give you my credit card and organize a driver for you.” He pauses. “Just buy something suitable. Not too flashy. Make sure you have Sean’s image and interest in mind.”

There is so much I want to say to this. First of all, if there is one thing Icando, it’s dress accordingly. Kiki always says I’mthe only guy she’s ever met who likes to go shopping. Second, I would never sabotage anything Sean does.

But I’m too tired to argue, so I just nod. Gabriel seems to be content and leaves.

“The gala,” I mutter. “Just great.”

“I forgot about it completely,” Lyle admits. “My parents were talking about it a few weeks ago, but I just deleted that information from my mind.”

“Thank you for coming,” I say. “I know you hate these events, too.”

“Yeah,” he shrugs. “But you hate them more, and you are my best friend. I’m not leaving you hanging. Fortunately, we have Kiki with us who will probably really enjoy it.”

“Who knows?” I say without being really convinced. “Maybe it will be fun?”

“A gala with almost every alpha of the country attending and all their ranked members and families?” Lyle asks.

“Yeah, I know, it sucks,” I mutter. “The last one was incredibly stiff.”

“Is it that bad?” Lyle asks. “I never went to one.”

“The last gala was the first I attended,” I admit. “And I didn’t stay long. But, yes, they watch every step you make,” I explain. “Last time it was pretty awful, too. Sean just took over as alpha, and you know how big these alphas are about our family name. Everything was a big deal, even the choice of drinks or the type of cutlery we used or the people we talked to. Even Gabriel was nervous and more moody than usual. He kept lecturing me for days about how to behave.”

“It will be better this time,” Lyle reassures me. “Sean has been in his position for a while now, and he has proven himself worthy.” He pauses. “No surprise he goes for such a stoic image. Keeps people at arm’s length.”

“No weakness,” I say. “Show no weakness. That’s what… he… always said.” I swallow, not able to even say the word dad or father out loud.

Lyle seems to be shocked that I mentioned him at all, but recovers fast. “You know,” he says after a moment of silence. “Don’t overthink your meeting with Katalina too much,” he says, all of a sudden shifting the topic. “You are there to tutor her, and she is in our age group, so I’m sure you will have fun.”

“She is failing most of her classes, though,” I say. “How can that even happen?”

“Not everyone can be such a diligent student like you are,” Lyle chuckles. “What’s she studying again?”

“Economics,” I say. “I will prepare her for her statistics exam first.”

“You never know the reasons behind someone’s hardships,” he says.

“You are right, I shouldn’t judge.” I nod to remind myself that I’m the last person who should act judgmental.

“I think she is hot,” Lyle says out of the blue.

“I thought you didn’t know her?”

“I don’t, but her name sounds hot,” he says. “And Kiki said she looks amazing.”

“Kiki thinks everyone looks amazing,” I say. Kiki is the least judgmental person I’ve ever met. She thinks everyone is a great and beautiful person.

“Hm,” Lyle hums, and there is a hint of longing in his eyes. “I just wonder when I will meet her.”