Page 18 of A Broody Mate for the Human
“I’ve heard that before,” I say before I can stop myself.
This time, however, Matthew catches the double meaning. He snorts though, instead of getting angry. “Let’s go,” he says. “I need to see if you are all show or if you scream like a girl while taking a scary ride.”
I nod grimly at him. “Challenge accepted.”
Matthew and I buy a ticket for the whole afternoon and then take every scary ride we come across. The big bad gamma, or whatever he is, soon has to admit I’m not just some weak little princess. Years of practice with Annie and Ella got us so far that the three of us can ride anything.
I bet Annie can even outride her big, scary alpha.
“You weren’t kidding,” Matthew says, sounding a bit impressed after we rode the biggest rollercoaster twice with our arms out. “I thought you would chicken out.”
“Your fault for underestimating me.” I grin.
“Want something to eat?” Matthew asks. He looks relaxed. “They have a burger stand there.”
“Sure, sounds good.” I follow him to the stand, checking the menu, relieved they have a vegetarian option. Matthew orders a double farmer’s burger while I settle for the one with the veggie patty. I’m not too fond of soy, but I appreciate that they have a patty made of actual vegetables.
Matthew stares at me in surprise. “A veggie burger?”
“I don’t eat any meat,” I tell him.
Matthew rolls his eyes. “Of course you don’t,” he mutters.
I flinch slightly, feeling insecure again. I seem to be pretty low on his list of people he normally would date… or hang out with. Human, weak, vegetarian… and gay. Fuck, why does he have to judge everything I do or am?
I’m wondering how to relieve the tension again when I see two guys waving at me and coming closer. I instantly recognize one of them as a friend from Annie’s former pack, and the other guy is… “Luca, it’s nice to see you again!”
Luca looks at me shyly. “Hello, Dave,” he says.
“How are you doing?” I check him over carefully, noticing how he looks so much better than when he initially joined the pack.
“Fine,” Luca says. “I’m here with a friend. Marcel gifted us tickets.”
“I didn’t know you were a fan of fairs,” I muse. “Had I known, I would have taken you along once.”
Luca smiles at me.
I can feel Matthew’s body tensing, and even I can feel his aura getting darker. Luca flinches visibly and takes a step back. His insecurities seem to grow.
I try to diffuse the tension. “Annie told me you’re training now.”
He nods. “I want to become stronger.”
Matthew scoffs slightly. “You’ve a long way to go to become strong. I can barely sense your wolf. What’s wrong with you?”
I stare at him in disbelief. Wow, way to go and be sensitive.
“My wolf is not at his full strength,” Luca explains quietly, and I’m actually a bit proud of him that he answers without retaliating.
Matthew is not impressed, though, and just shakes his head.
“I was so proud of you that you got your high school diploma,” I point out. “You worked hard for it.”
Luca looks away shyly. “I couldn’t have done it without your help. I—”
“Don’t you have anywhere to go?” Matthew interrupts him, apparently fed up with the conversation… or with Luca… or with me. It’s hard to tell.
“Sorry.” Luca jumps a little, panic in his face. His friend looks pretty annoyed but doesn’t say anything, probably not to cause an issue for his pack.
