Page 107 of Alpha Mates

An ambush then. Easier to deal with us two-on-one than together. Too bad I’m not leaving Julian’s side for shit. The question is, how to do it without upsetting Julian?

“I think you all should leave,” Julian says, pumping the breaks on them and me.

They freeze in their places as if a gun’s gone off, and I can’t blame them ’cause I’m wide-eyed too.

“Aiden and I have an elder’s meeting and a festival matter to tend to afterwards,” he continues smoothly. “We’re quite busy today, and as you didn’t let us know beforehand, we can’t spare the time.”

We all gape at him, but it’s pride that has my chest swelling. Along with a tinge of desire because I apparently find it really fucking hot to watch Julian take control.

“I’m glad you are well and back within the packlands safely, and I am very interested to hear all you learnt while away, so we will have to speak soon, but—” Julian releases my hand as he steps back and opens the front door. “—as I’ve said, we are busy.”

It takes his parents a beat to fish their minds out from their shock, but once they do, the masks fall. Their pleasantries are gone, stripped away by reality, and what’s left are their ugly innards. They seethe like disgruntled royals, clearly not used to Julian shutting them out. And if the glares they aim my way are any indication, they blame me for the shift. Maybe they’re right, but they’re the ones who’d up and left without his permission.

I turn to my parents as glee ripples through me. If Julian’s giving his the boot, then—“Agreed,” I say. “Sorry, guys, but we’re jam-packed today.”

I smile for good measure and, internally, thank Julian for stopping me from getting my shades. My parents were always a little more diplomatic when they had to face the reminder of their greatest failure.

As expected, my father shoves to his feet without meeting my gaze.

“Call us,” he murmurs as he passes by me with Ma right behind him.

Julian’s parents are a bit slower to leave, but when it’s clear Julian isn’t about to budge, they begrudgingly go too, but not without slamming the door behind them.

The air floods back in the moment they’re gone.

“Gotta get new locks, apparently,” I mutter while Julian turns the deadbolt.

Julian huffs a laugh as he walks towards me, but he looks drained in a way he hadn’t an hour ago. “I can’t believe they just showed up like that,” he murmurs, then sighs. “Except I can.”

“They say retired alphas are worse than overzealous incubi—guess that wasn’t a lie,” I muse. His lips quirk again, but fall flat by the time he rests his forehead against mine. I slide my arms around his waist, holding him close. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” he says, before he seems to think better of it. “No,” he admits softly. “But I can deal with them later. Now that I have time to prepare, it’ll be easier.”

“You’re not freaking out,” I observe, and when he looks up, it’s with a raised brow. “I just thought you’d be more angry,” I admit, and he laughs again.

“Oh, I am,” he assures, wrapping his arms around my neck, “but I know that won’t get me anywhere with them. I’ve got to be smarter.”

“Yeah, I get that. But it’s just us,” I remind him. “You can be angry here all you want.”

Julian falters like he doesn’t know what to do with that, and I get it. I’m living proof that even with your mate, it’s not easy to shed all the shit you use to cope. But I’m greedy for more of this—more of us, even if it’s scary sometimes.

“Just let me know if you need me with you,” I say instead, hoping that’s enough.

Julian smiles, and though it’s small, it’s real. “I will,” he whispers, “and the same goes for you.”

I nod, but I don’t have a fucking clue what my parents wanted. We barely speak on a good day, and since I’d become alpha, we talk even less. So, whatever they need or want, I don’t want to know.

“What do you say to cancelling that meeting and just having fun here?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.

“I say, that sounds amazing, so it’s a shame that we can’t,” Julian replies, and as I groan, he pats my cheek with a mock pout. “I know,” he coos, “but let’s go. The quicker we get it over with, the quicker we can actually have fun.”

That perks me up in a heartbeat, and I’m the one dragging him to the shower. His head falls back as he laughs, following behind me. And for now, that smile is back in place and right where it belongs.

Chapter 21

Aiden

I’ve never been good at ignoring shit and hoping it goes away.