Page 48 of My Broken Mate

“You will look perfect next to Joel,” Ayden agrees. “You are the perfect amount of hot and elegant.”

“Yep, you look like an alpha’s sister,” Fi says.

“Shouldn’t I be more princessy, then?”

“No, the typical alpha sister is either the spoiled princess or the athletic warrior girl. There isn’t much in between,” Fi says. “And you fit the second category perfectly. That’s a good thing, Kat.”

I look at my reflection in the mirror and smile slightly. “Maybe you are right.”

There is a knock at our door, and Joel steps inside. “Sorry to interrupt, but we have—” He looks at me, before closing the door again. “Sorry, wrong door! Whoever you elegant women are, I was looking for my sister!”

“You idiot!” I laugh.

Joel opens the door again and grins.

“Do I look okay?”

He gives me a thumbs up. “My sister is literally perfect! Good that everyone will see it tonight.” He looks at Fi. “Oh, you must be Kata’s new friend. Fiona, was it? It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Fi looks completely flustered. Joel has that effect on people, and women in particular. He has that natural charm about him when he talks to them and draws them in. “It’s an honor to meet you, Alpha Joel!”

“The next one who says that,” he grins. “Maybe I should get used to it.”

He is right. Remy said something similar, but he didn’t beam and smile like Fi does. It’s almost as if he drew back completely when he spotted Joel. Maybe he doesn’t like him or has heard bad things about him? I know Joel and our whole family don’t have much of a good reputation yet, which is why Joel works sohard in all those meetings and is trying to strike that deal with Alpha Sean. He might sound aloof and like he is just in it for a flirt, but the truth is, he knows it’s important.

Eve said that Gabe, the middle brother, is a fine enough guy, but I don’t know much about the brothers. I just know that they are from old money and part of the real high society. No matter how much money my family will earn, no matter our rank, we will always be considered below Alpha Sean and his brothers. They are treated as royalty, and we are just… us.

“We are leaving in half an hour, Kata,” Joel says. “We’ll take two cars. You and Ayden can drive with me. Fiona and Eve will take the second car.”

That’s also typical for him. He is very kind to my friends and very forthcoming, but doesn’t overdo it, especially with my female friends. He doesn’t want them to develop a crush on him. It’s the perfect balance of being kind yet also making sure that there is some distance. Fi seems perfectly happy with that suggestion, too. Driving with Eve has its perks, too, obviously, and she is just happy we are taking her along, especially seeing how she is from another pack.

“To imagine we’ve come so far,” I say, watching Eve greet Fi and two warriors who will drive with him, “we can have friends over from another pack. We are free.”

“Feels weird, huh?” Joel agrees. “We are not constantly hiding and keeping low anymore. No one in the pack is.”

“You are a great alpha,” I say. “And a great brother. I am so happy with where you are now, and that you’re getting the recognition you deserve.”

He laughs. “Cute. Where did that come from?”

“Just felt like saying it because it’s true.”

Joel pulls me into a hug. “Don’t say stuff like that, Kata. You are making me all teary-eyed. Couldn’t have done anything without you and Eve. I am nothing on my own. You and Evealways had my back.” He pats my head and grins. “Now, let’s go. Your date is waiting.”

“My date?” I blink. “You mean Ayden? You are aware we are just friends, aren’t you?” The mere thought of dating Ayden is weird. There are not many things I am certain of, but Ayden is definitely not interested in me, and I am not into him.

“I am not being serious,” Joel tells me. “Sorry, was just teasing you. He just hangs out here, so often, I got used to him.”

I stay silent at his words. Like a flash, I can see Remy in front of my inner eye. The long eyelashes, the beautiful face, and his serious expression. He is distant, cold and doesn’t seem to like me at all, yet I can’t turn away from him. I just can’t. “I will wait for my mate,” I tell Joel. “Besides, Ayden is truly just a friend. He doesn’t see me that way, and nor do I.”

“Got it,” Joel says. “I knew that. Sorry for being clumsy. I just wanted you to know that you can choose whoever you want. If you want your mate, that’s wonderful. If you want to choose someone, it doesn’t matter who they are. We will be happy for you anyway.”

“Now I am the one getting teary-eyed,” I say. “I can’t believe I am saying this, but if I cry now, it will ruin my makeup.”

Joel and I exchange a look and then burst into laughter. “We don’t want that to happen,” he grins. “Goddess, imagine me going down in history as the alpha whose sister appears at a gala with ruined makeup!”

“The embarrassment and disgrace,” I grin.

He offers me his arm. “We would never be invited anywhere again.” He pauses. “On second thought, maybe we should ruin your makeup.”