Page 53 of My Broken Mate

“Let’s take a walk,” she suggests. “We can step onto the terrace for some fresh air.”

I offer her my arm instead of an answer, glad when she takes it. It’s more for me as support instead of her. I have been clinging to her almost all evening, constantly scared of a breakdown otherwise.

“Remy,” she whispers. “Smile. They are looking at us.”

I do as she tells me, pulling the edges of my lips up while stepping out onto the terrace. The cold evening air hits me, indeed, making it easier for me to breathe. I let out a shaky breath. “I apologize for depending so much on you tonight,” I say.

“And I am sorry I have to force you to pretend you are fine while you aren’t,” she says. For a moment, she gazes out into the night sky, looking like a beautiful sculpture. As usual, a lot of single men spotted her tonight and tried to get her attention, but she didn’t flirt or dance with anyone; instead, she stuck with me.

“Listen, Kiki,” I say. “I don’t want you to miss out on the whole evening. There is a plethora of very available men in there who would die to dance with you or even just talk to you.”

“I don’t really care,” she says. “It’s just superficial. They have either seen me in a magazine or heard I work as a model. It’s the sole reason they are attracted to me, but I don’t want that. I want a connection.” She smiles at me. “Do you think I am the most beautiful person in the room today?”

Like a flash in front of my inner eye, I can see Kata. She looks amazing tonight.

“I don’t know,” I say, not wanting to upset Kiki, but not so sure what I am supposed to answer either.

“See? And that’s fine!” she says. “I don’t need to be the most beautiful person in the room. And I am sticking with you because you are the only one not creeping me out.” She tilts her head to the side, eyeing me curiously. “So, who is the most beautiful person tonight? You have someone in mind, don’t you?”

I feel all color being drained from my face again. Even hearing her name or saying it out loud makes my stomach queasy. Until tonight, I didn’t even notice I acted that terribly towards her.

“Remy,” Kiki sounds alarmed. “Are you okay? You are white as a sheet. You have been all evening, but it’s worse now.” She frowns. “Did something happen? It did, didn’t it? Tell me!”

“I don’t think I want to talk about it yet,” I say.

“Alright,” she says. “But this is not good. You look sick. I am going to look for Alpha Sean and tell him we are going home early.”

I grab her arm before she can leave. “No, please don’t.”

“But—”

“This evening is important for him, I can’t leave,” I say. “I will push through it, don’t worry.”

“You always say that,” she mutters. “Don’t worry.Yet, I am incredibly worried.”

Before I can retort anything, Lyle comes rushing towards us. He is completely breathless. “Remy, Kiki! Here you are!”

“What happened?” I ask, alarmed. “Are you okay?”

Kiki looks similarly worried. “Did something happen?”

“She is here,” he exclaims. “By the goddess, she is here!”

Kiki and I exchange a surprised gaze before I turn to look at him. “Wait, are you talking about—”

“My mate!”

“No way!” Kiki squeals.

“Who is it?” I ask.

He quietly leads us to the door leading back inside, and gestures towards a small group surrounding an alpha I am not really familiar with. He looks intimidating enough for others not to approach him. “She is one of the young women with him.”

“Who is that alpha?” Kiki wants to know.

“I don’t know. I think he is from a pack in the North, though,” I say, noting how Sean is currently talking to him. It fills my chest with pride to see him like that. No other alpha dared to approach that scary-looking guy, but Sean did!

“Go and talk to her,” I push.