Page 132 of Alpha Mates

“I’m going to make love to you, Julian. And when we’re done, if you want more … then …thenI’ll fuck you.”

Chapter 26

Aiden

The madness of a heat isn’t in the ramped-up desires. It’s in the way the body manifests those desires, and how quickly. There’s no warning, even when you are painfully aware of the fact that you’re in heat.

It’s swift, unexplainable, and completely uncontrollable.

I hum in delight as Julian’s fingers dig into my hair and tug my head back so he can deepen our kiss. Happily his, I let him take what he wants while my hands travel up his shirt. He’s whimpering before I’ve even touched his nipples, and my already hard cock twitches in response.

“I’m just going to say it—” a distant, unwelcome voice comes through the haze, “—they’re hot together.”

I try to ignore the interruption, but then a new voice groans, “Isabel, we’re supposed to be breaking this apart, not watching it.”

Julian pulls away to growl at the intruders, but I catch his chin, drawing his attention back where it should be. The anger in his eyes fades the second he meets mine, and then he’s grinding against my crotch again. I catch a smile on his lips before the friction paired with his confidence makes my eyes roll.

“Hot.”

This time, I’m the one to pull back as I glare up at the trio loitering a few feet away. While Emitt and Beckett keep their gazes averted, Isabel stares openly at us with far too much interest in those watchful eyes. It’s that—the blatant interest and curiosity—that forces the oddness of this to register. It seems to hit Julian at the same time because the grinding immediately stops.

“What are you doing here?” I demand as Julian shoves my hands away so he can stand. I stare after him with a frown, but follow him up. “And why areyou still here when we’re—”

“‘If we start acting weird with others around, get rid of the crowd and bring us back to reality,’” Emitt recites with a deep voice I think is meant to be mine. “Well, you started acting weird.”

“Shit,” I groan as the morning starts to filter back in.

We’d been on our way back from a training session when Julian sprinted ahead and away from the others, goading me until I gave chase. Next thing I knew, we were shifted and kneeling in the grass with him sucking on my ear.

“Thank you,” Julian says, face void of the embarrassment I can feel killing him on the inside. “We’ll be alright now.”

“You sure?” Beckett asks doubtfully.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Julian replies with a pointed look. “Just stick to the plan.”

“The plan?” I ask, but the others are already retreating.

“Call if you need anything,” Emitt says, already running away.

“Be safe,” Beckett adds as he drags Isabel with him.

I turn to my mate. “Be safe? Remember the plan?” I echo as my frown deepens. “What’s going on?”

Instead of answering, Julian lifts his hand between us. An offering. I eye it and then him. Eventually, I take it, as I always will, and let him lead me to Goddess knows where. It turns out to be the edge of the packlands, near the East Gate … where my car is parked?

“Jewels,” I murmur, as he plucks my keys from their hiding place by the front wheel. “What’s going on?”

“It’s a surprise.”

My eyebrows shoot up. He means to take us beyond the packlands. Is my Jewels starting to break his own rules?

An exciting prospect,Max admits as we watch Julian open the driver’s seat. Only he’s not being chivalrous.

“Now wait a minute,” I say, stopping him just before he can sink inside. “I’m all in for a surprise, but can I make sure we get there?”

Offence tugs Julian’s golden brows in tight. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, to be honest, I don’t like how you drive.” I hadn’t said anything at the start when we were still volatile, but we’ve been together long enough for me to tell certain truths now.