Page 55 of My Broken Mate

“Are you really up for it?”

“I have to. Lyle is my friend, but he is also our beta’s younger brother. I bet by now she has met Sean and Gabriel already.”

“Alright,” Kiki agrees. “Let’s go.”

This time, I don’t feel as suffocated when I step into the huge ballroom and follow her. The air is a bit lighter, probably also the reason my nausea passed. I still feel incredibly weak, though. But this is not the right time to give in to my usual bodily weakness. I have to put up a brave face for my brothers, but also for my best friend.

“Remy!” Lyle calls out the moment he spots me. “Here he is, Cora. That’s my best friend.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I greet Cora, readily shaking her hand. “I am so happy you and Lyle found each other.”

Seeing her up close, I notice that she is around Lyle’s age. She has a soft and kind face, and looks happy. “Thank you so much,” she beams. “I am so happy everyone around Lyle accepts me so readily.”

“Cora is Alpha Rhodes' cousin,” Lyle explains.

“Alpha Rhodes,” I muse. Now I finally have a name for the face. Interesting! I have heard that name before. He is the alpha of a very secluded pack in the north, which doesn’t mingle a lot with other packs. I also remember that Sean has reached out to them recently in hopes of forging bonds with them. Now, if that’s not a sign of the goddess that she mates Lyle and Cora together, I don’t know what is.

“Yes, he is like a brother to me. Just looks scary, but I promise he is a good guy.”

I smile. Something about this rings a bell. It’s how Gabe and I describe Sean. “I am sure he is.”

“So, what’s the plan?” Kiki asks curiously.

“Rhodes and Alpha Sean are currently discussing the details,” Cora explains. “But…” She looks at Lyle expectantly.

“Exactly,” He smiles happily. “Cora will be attending college here. The plan is for her to move to our pack and stay with me for now. We will figure out the details later.”

“That’s amazing!” Kiki exclaims.

“We are happy to have you with us,” I say.

“Lyle and I will also travel to visit my pack,” she explains. “So, he gets to know everything. Rhodes told me I don’t need to make any big decisions yet, and he is going to support whatever I want.”

“I hope you will like my pack,” Lyle says.

“Well, it’s warmer here than in the north,” she giggles. “So that’s a plus.”

“How old are you, Cora? Lyle mentioned you just started college.” Kiki asks.

I am glad Kiki is asking the important questions. I’m equally curious. “I am eighteen,” Cora answers readily. “And yes, I just began my studies. I was planning on transferring to your college anyway.” She smiles when Lyle puts an arm around her shoulders. “It was fate.”

“Cora didn’t even plan on attending tonight,” Lyle explains. It’s obvious how excited he is to have met her, as he is barely able to keep a straight face. “But Alpha Rhodes’ sister couldn’t join him, so he took Cora as his cousin along.”

“I for one am incredibly happy,” Kiki exclaims. “More girl power in the pack.”

Typical for her, as the social butterfly she is, she immediately exchanges phone numbers with Cora, and they both promise to go on a coffee date next week.

“I have no idea how you do that,” I whisper after Kiki and I have left the new couple to give them some alone time.

“Do what?” she asks curiously.

“Get along with everyone.”

“I am not getting along with everyone,” she giggles. “Actually, I am quite picky with my friends. You should know that. But she seems to be really nice.”

“She really is. I am so happy for Lyle.”

“Me, too.”