Page 92 of My Broken Mate

“Remy!” I call out, jumping forward to hug him the moment he quietly comes through the side entrance.

He takes a step back immediately. When he notices what he did, he looks shocked, guilt flashing in his eyes. “Kata, I am so sorry, I didn’t notice it was you. You know, my senses still don’t work well.”

“No, don’t be,” I reassure him. “I go overboard sometimes. I am sorry, I don’t want to invade your space.”

“But that’s the thing,” he says, clearly frustrated now. “You don’t. I don’t mind when it’s you. You can be as close to me as you want. It’s just, sometimes my body acts on its own.”

“Okay,” I say softly. I don’t truly understand why he is the way he is or what he went through. I just know his body and mind are constantly jumping into a trauma response. I am beginning to understand that he went through things he hasn’t shared yet. I know his father was brutal and violent, and both his mates died miserably, but he isn’t ready to talk about it yet, and I don’twant to push him. “I am not offended or anything. How about I announce myself before I come closer? Then, I won’t surprise you, and your mind won’t switch into panic mode?”

“We could try that,” he agrees.

I smile. “So, what about now?”

Instead of an answer, he pulls me into a swift kiss. We don’t kiss as long as we’d usually do in fear of being discovered. Soon, we draw apart and reluctantly make our way upstairs. Remy is instantly jumping in to help me prepare everything, much more of a hard worker than Ayden is. I give Ayden the stinky-eye when I spot him lazing around on the sofa, but he just grins. Fortunately, Remy and I manage on our own and are even able to sneak kisses in between.

Two hours later, Fi arrives with our guests. I know she is nervous, especially since Lyle and Kiki are from important families in the pack, so I am happy to see her chatting with them when they finally arrive. It seems like she is getting on particularly well with Kiki, and Cora.

Up close, it strikes me how beautiful Kiki is. I have heard from Ayden that she models, and I googled some of her pictures, but seeing her so close takes my breath away. She has long legs, a slim figure and a slender face with big eyes and full lips. And she is tall. Easily as tall as Lyle and almost as tall as Remy.

Remy could have had a woman like her, yet he likes me.

Why?

I feel a sting in my chest, wondering if he would have preferred a mate like her. A dignified, strong beauty who can obviously carry herself perfectly in any situation.

Half an hour later, however, most of the jealousy has left me. Kiki is sweet, funny and very nice to me and Ayden. She also doesn’t flirt with any of the guys. By the way she talks to Lyle and Remy, it’s obvious that she isn’t interested in them at all. In fact, she seems to be much more interested in getting to know me.

Just like Remy, Lyle is more reserved, but he comes out of his shell when his mate warms to everyone.

This is all going so well. I can’t believe it.

“I can’t believe we went from gaming to trashy horror movies,” Lyle says, amused. We’d moved on from Mario Kart, which all of us, minus Ayden, were terrible at, and started watching the first movie.

“Let’s bet on how many characters will die,” Kiki suggests. “I am betting on the girl with the big boobs, and the guy who jerked off to the pictures of the main character.”

“Safe bet,” Ayden says. “I am adding the stereotypical smart guy to the death mix.”

“You sure they will kill him?”

“Yes, he is book smart. Typical food for any killer in such movies.”

“Say,” Fi starts. “Is Kiki a short form of a name?”

“No, it’s actually my name,” Kiki says. “If my mother hadn’t named me right after giving birth, I’d say she was drunk.”

“But it’s a very modelesque name,” Ayden points out.

“True, it works well.”

“Remy,” Cora smiles at my mate. “Your name always reminds me of the cute rat.”

“I am so glad you said that!” Fi exclaims. “I was thinking the same. I love Ratatouille.”

He stares at them. “Is that a movie?”

“You don’t know Ratatouille?” Cora exclaims. “It’s my favorite!”

“My favorite is Tangled,” Fi says. “Though I like all of them. I am such a fan of animated movies.”