Page 3 of My Broken Mate
Joel is tall and muscular, typical alpha material. Just his blond hair is wild and fluffy, as the girls say. It’s the type of hair they love to run their fingers through. Not that he would let them. He doesn’t fuck on pack grounds.
Eve is smaller in frame, not a warrior, but he has ruthless brown hair that’s incredibly hard to control. Everyone alwayssays he is constantly sleeping and never listening – Ayden calls it a resting sleep face – but he is much more on alert than they know he is.
I am more athletic, and in general, I’m pretty much untalented. There is nothing I’m particularly good at, and I’m pretty dumb, unfortunately, especially in comparison to my brothers. Studying is just not my forte, and I’m going to fail so many of my college classes.
“Hey, Sandwich,” Joel says. “Where should I put the empty takeaway cartons? Trash is full.”
“Just get more trash bags from the kitchen and stop calling me Sandwich, you dunce!”
“Sure, Eve.” Not waiting for Eve’s retort, he shuffles away, only to come back with a truly haunted look. “I just found a thong. And it’s not mine.”
“Can I take a look at it?” I say.
With serving tongs from the kitchen, he holds out a red thong, making me shake my head while Eve glares. “Did you just seriously use my kitchen stuff to dangle around with a thong?”
“So, is it yours, Kata?”
“No, must be from someone from the party,” I say.
“You are doing things that will lead you to undress?” Eve asks, appalled.
“I didn’t,” I reassure him. “Though, honestly, that ship sailed quite a while ago already.”
“What?!” he squeals.
Joel rolls his eyes. “Don’t act so surprised. As if you are a super-virgin yourself!”
“Do we really need to talk about that now?” Eve groans. “There are boundaries, you know, Joel. People have boundaries.”
He blinks. “Do they?” Joel is the best, biggest brother anyone could have. He is kind and funny, and he is a great alpha, despite his silly attitude. He is strong and capable and can put his footdown if needed. The pack respects him for being strong, but they love him too for being who he is.
But boy, is he clueless sometimes.
Eve and I exchange a gaze.Are you going to tell him, or should I?I ask.
Let’s keep him in his belief, Eve mutters.He is heart-warmingly oblivious. Like a little child.
I grin.Let’s keep his innocence.
“What are the two of you scheming?” Joel asks with a frown.
“Nothing,” I say, reaching out my trash bag towards him. “Just toss it in there.”
He does as I say, rolling his eyes when Eve grabs the pliers and tosses them away, too. “My kitchen, my rules,” Eve mutters. It’s not like he is wrong, as he does most of the cooking.
The three of us get back to the task ahead, and have the place cleaned up in an hour. That is the fastest we’ve ever done it. My head is throbbing slightly from my hangover – thank goddess for wolf healing, though – but working with my brothers is a task I enjoy. Much more than partying or going clubbing. I’m not even sure why I’m doing it. It’s only fun when Ayden is with me, otherwise, I just go because someone asks me to, and I don’t want to decline.
Seems like I really suck at saying no.
Goddess, I’m such a people pleaser, sometimes I’m annoyed at myself. I keep telling myself to be more truthful to myself and to be who I am, but the thought of people not liking the real me is truly upsetting.
Besides, I have no idea who I truly am, so I might as well hang out with the other kids while I find out.
“Done,” Joel says. “All done.”
“How about some coffee and snacks now?” Eve asks. “Before I prepare your pizza for dinner.”
“That’s a great idea,” Joel beams, almost a bit too enthusiastically. The two of them exchange a gaze that they believe I won’t notice.
