Page 36 of My Broken Mate

“Don’t be such a bore, Sandwich,” Joel pushes.

“You are such a bully,” Eve mutters. “I swear, next time I make my infamous cheesecake, it will completely be Kata’s.”

Despite his complaints, he does reach out his hand, putting it on top of mine. We shake them three times. “Never walk past a person in need,” Joel says.

“Never give up,” I add.

“Stand up for each other,” Eve concludes.

Remy, be prepared! Here I come!

Chapter ten

Confusion

*REMY*

The window of my room is open, carrying all kinds of noises to me. The most prominent one is the laughter of some kids. They seem to be playing and chasing each other around. Peeking out of my window, I indeed notice them at the park right next to the packhouse. It used to be a private park for the alpha family, but Sean decided that instead of keeping this area as a private one, to open it up to the pack. He had the fences removed and invited the kids to play there and adult wolves to stroll around to their liking.

Ever since he became alpha, it feels like the pack can finally breathe again. During my father’s reign, I can’t remember kids playing or making any noise. I can’t even remember if I everplayed like that. There is a stitch to my chest when I think about it, and how I never had a normal childhood.

How is that fair?

It’s not!

Fuck it. Fuck my life. I never asked to be born, yet here I am, and I hate it.

Taking a shaky breath, I try to calm down. Am I really being jealous of a bunch of 10-year-olds? That’s a new level of pathetic. Just because my life is miserable, it doesn’t mean others shouldn't be allowed to be happy.

My phone signals a notification for an incoming message, pulling me out of my thoughts. I hate communicating over my phone, phoning and messaging both feel so draining, but this time I am eternally thankful for any distraction. My relief grows when I see it’s a message from Lyle.

Dad bought a high-end restaurant. He wants me to go and be seen there today. Please tell me you will be coming with me.

I usually love being alone at home, even on a Saturday like today, but this time, something pushes me to accept his invitation, and I decide to go out. I would have accepted anyway out of obligation to Lyle, but for once, I actually truly want to do it. Although it’s not so much want as desperation. I need to get out of this place tonight.Sure. When are we going?

Thank you, man! I will pick you up in two hours.

Enough time to get ready and to take my mind off things. Since I am still a liability by not having my wolf spirit, I usually inform one of my brothers if I have plans out of the ordinary, so that we can organize my bodyguard situation. I find Sean in his home office and knock at his door.

“Come in,” he calls out. He looks totally focused on his work when I step in.

“I am sorry for interrupting you.”

Sean looks up. “That’s fine,” he says.

“I just wanted to tell you that I am going out with Lyle tonight. Something about his father having bought a new restaurant.”

At that, Sean indeed perks up slightly. “Oh, that’s a nice idea.”

Seems like he really approves of my plans. I don’t think it should make me as happy as it does, but it’s just good to know I am doing something right.

“We will be leaving in two hours,” I say.

“Great. I will give Levi a call and tell him to work something out,” Sean says. We have an inner circle of the most trusted warriors who are allowed to come with me. Sean doesn’t let anyone else but those couple of men around me. He trusts them to protect me and not to spill my secret.

Technically, I could talk to Levi myself, but I think it’s better to keep my distance. I am good with Kiki and Lyle being close to me, but with everyone else, I feel a sense of dread even thinking about engaging too much with them and having them know me. I am better off on my own.

“Dad wasn’t kidding when he said the place is fancy,” Lyle says. “Did you know about it?”