Page 11 of My Broken Mate
Someone who stands up for his beliefs and doesn’t care what others think. If he and I can find a common ground, it would be truly beneficial for both of us and our packs.
However, this isn’t the reason Gabriel and I wanted Remy to tutor Alpha Joel’s younger sister. Remy has been locking himself in more and more, barely talking to anyone. There are days like today, when I don’t even see him because he hides in his shell.
Gabe and I are worried about his health.
Maybe being forced to leave the pack grounds and interact with Alpha Joel’s family will help. Gabriel has told me that his friend Evander is a nice, gentle person and that their household is funny and relaxed.
“And you are sure nothing happened?” I push. “I just can’t believe his weird behavior comes from nowhere.”
Gabriel shakes his head. “Nothing. I would know!”
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see how Levi shifts around nervously, and I narrow him with a glare. Willing my annoyance down, I try to remain calm. “Spit it out,” I demand.
“Just a little squabble,” Levi says.
“What?” Gabriel seems to be honestly surprised. “No, we didn’t argue at all.”
I force Levi to spill what happened, and he shortly summarizes the talk that went down between my two younger brothers today during lunch.
“Gabriel!” I exclaim. “This is so being you again. I know you don’t mean ill, but he probably thought you were trying to get to him.”
“I was just making conversation,” Gabriel says.
By the pitiful look in Levi’s eyes, I assume he sees things similarly to me. “Alright, I need you to pull yourself together and be a good older brother to him. He is barely around us and most of the time avoids us.”
“And you think it’s my fault?” Gabriel says, sounding defensive now. “As far as I’m concerned, you aren’t doing so great either. Your only saving grace is that he looks up to you.”
I feel a wave of anger washing through me, but I will it down. My eyes must give it away, though, because Gabriel shrinks back for a moment. When he notices me having it under control, his stance relaxes. However, something about the way he just reacted hurts. “What do you think I would do?” I ask, momentarily changing the subject. “When I got angry?”
“Nothing,” Gabriel says. “Sorry, Sean. I know you wouldn’t…” He admits. “You are not Dad.”
“I’m trying really hard not to let my temper slip in any way so that the pack won’t fear me like they did our father,” I say shortly. “If they see that my own brother is scared of me, I don’t know what else I can do.”
“It’s not like that,” Gabriel argues. “I’m not scared of you! It’s just… fuck… yes, you are an alpha. And the last one we had happened to be a brute. You know, yourself, what he did when he got angry. It’s a trauma response.”
I sigh. “Alright. So, what about Remy?”
“I think everything I say to him is wrong,” Gabriel says quietly.
“Well,” I say, not sure what to tell him now. Social cues have never been his strong point. I know him well, and for me and his friends, it’s easy to read and understand him. But Remy comes from a different place of understanding. Sometimes when Gabriel says something, I can see Remy standing there, a blank expression on his face, while his whole existence seems to be shrinking back to the corner of the room. But it’s not like I’m that great at conflict solving either. “Maybe you are right, and I’m not the right person for this.” I sigh. “What do you think, Levi?”
Levi pinches the bridge of his nose. “Unfortunately, Alpha, I don’t think I’m too good at that either.”
“But at least you notice the cues,” Gabriel says. “So, at least kick me or link me when you notice I’m going wrong.”
Levi furrows his brows. “I think he notices when we link behind his back.”
I frown. That’s something I haven’t considered until now. Remy doesn’t have his wolf yet, and it’s beyond worrying for us that his wolf spirit hasn’t awakened. He is an alpha’s son, and never has it happened before that an alpha’s child doesn’t get their wolf. Gabe and I try not to make too big of a deal of it in front of Remy, but he is incredibly smart, and he for sure is noticing how worried we are.
Our pack doctor tells me it might be a trauma response. I’m not sure if that’s all the reason, because Gabriel and I still have our wolves. Maybe it’s the age…
Maybe…
Oh, fuck it, I don’t know.
“Then let's proceed with giving subtle signals,” I say. “Instead of linking. Even if he notices these signals, I think it’s still better.” I pause. “Unfortunately, I’m not here tomorrow, and Levi isn’t either. Gabe…”
“I know, I know,” he groans. “Maybe I will invite Lyle over as a surprise. Then I can’t mess up.”
