Page 1 of Alpha Mates

Chapter1

Julian

I had dreams before my world fell apart.

When I was five, and my life was still my own, I decided I would be an astronomer. Other kids my age changed their answers every five minutes—one moment they wanted to be pack warriors; the next, elders or healers.

I didn’t want any of that. Never did. I only wanted to study the universe.

Before I learnt to hunt, I’d memorised all twelve constellations within our solar system, the names of our surrounding planets, their climates, suspected ages, and their respective distances from Earth.

Nothing interested me more than space. Nothing.

When I learnt that there were even more distant universes and faraway realms out there, well …astronomer it was, no question about it. But that was before Oliver died, and I had to fill a role I had never wanted. Before I had to pack my dreams away, along with my favourite telescope.

I was never supposed to be an alpha, and yet …

“Your coronation is in two days. Are you excited?”

I glance up from my nearly finished burrito, surprised by my mother’s question. Breakfast was usually a quiet affair between us, since conversations in this house only sprouted when my father was around.

“I am.” I’m not, but the lie is safer.

“Julian,” she chides, glancing between me and my plate with poorly hidden discomfort. I can’t tell if she is reproaching the blatant dishonesty, or my breakfast.

As a vegetarian werewolf, I’m more than used to that expression.

Odd, I know. But I’ve never enjoyed the feral act of tearing apartwoodland creatures like the rest of my pack—or like any other werewolf for that matter. It’s messy, unnecessary, and disturbing, and after seeing it a few hundred times, even cooked meat makes my stomach turn.

“Iwouldbe …” I mumble, lifting my glass to my lips, “if I wasn’t sharing it with that imbecile.”

That’s only half a lie.

My mother releases an exasperated sigh. “You need to end this petty feud with Aiden.”

Here we go.

“It’s not a petty feud. He tormented me for years—he cut off my hair!”

I know I sound like a whiny pup, but long hair has been a symbol of patience and strength in my pack for generations, and I’d grown my hair past my shoulders before that fiend stripped it from me.

“It grew back,” she says, her excuse feeble as always. Never mind that she’s championed the tradition most in our pack. “It may have taken a while, but it did grow back, and don’t you dare pull thetormentcard. I know what you did to him when you were fourteen.”

“I still want to see his head on a pike,” I growl.

My wolf, Alexander, grunts his agreement.

“Julian,” she says, stepping closer, “you are my only… my only son.” The way her voice breaks makes me look at her, but she swallows and barrels on. “And soon you’ll be the alpha of our pack.”

Her voice softens. “You deserve it in more ways than one, and I know you will be great with that brain of yours.”

I laugh softly, not trusting the kindness. “Let yourself have it. Let the pack have it. Don’t let your hatred for that boy be the thing that undoes you.”

She looks at me properly, emotion rampant in her ice-blue eyes—mirrors of my own. They’re almost translucent, like crystals held up to the sky. But hers aren’t as sharp; there’s a softness to them, a luna’s countenance perhaps. I want to trust in it, but I know that could be smothered at any moment.

For now, it remains. Kind and understanding. Polished and strategic. Almost convincing.

Resting a hand on my shoulder, she offers me a smile. “You know how badly your father wants to see you become alpha beside Aiden. He’s Samson’s son, so endure it, please.”