Page 143 of Alpha Mates

“Of all time?” he checks before answering. “Die Hard.” I shove my mate away, utterly disappointed. “What?” He chuckles as he watches me approach the glass. “You barely even know what movies are.”

“A, you’re an asshole,” I tell him, tracing my fingers to follow the swimming school. “B, I’ve seen many movies, and C, at least I don’t live up to stereotypes.”

“I’ll take that,” he allows, lifting his hands in mock surrender. “What about you? What’s your favourite?”

My smile wavers as I think of all the nights Oli snuck us into the basement to watch the newest movie he somehow got his hands on. Our parents wouldkill us if they knew, but while they slept upstairs, we watched the same movie again and again, the volume so low it might as well be muted.

“Treasure Planet,” I answer as the memories swim away.

“Oh, come on.”

“Come on, what? That movie is amazing, and anyone who denies that has no taste,” I defend firmly. He parts his lips, but I hold up a single finger. “Disagree, and this bond ends here and now.” Aiden’s lips promptly shut, and I smile. “Favourite book?”

“I don’t read much,” he replies. I watch a pufferfish rearrange some pebbles at the bottom of the tank. “ButThe Tempestwas good.”

I turn around so fast that I almost snap my neck. “When did you read that?”

“We go to the same school, Jewels,” he says casually as if that’s enough of an answer.

“Yes, but that’s a play and a classic,” I say with weary eyes. “I’m impressed, I think.”

“Of course you are,” he replies with a chuckle. We keep walking down the long, cave-like tunnel. “Alright, next up. Guilty pleasure?”

“Promise not to laugh?” I ask, turning away from him to face the rest of the aquarium instead.

“Of course,” he replies, but that smirk of his is audible.

“There’s this show Isabel introduced me to,” I start carefully. “It’s an old one and it’s about these friends in New York, though maybe they’re closer to enemies. They are all rich and—”

“Wait—” Aiden cuts in, already laughing at my back. “Julian, are you talking aboutGossip Girl?”

I sigh, and I suppose that’s answer enough because his laughter reaches new heights.

“Oh my Goddess,” he bellows, his amusement echoing through the space. “You likeGossip Girl?!”

Ignoring the baboon at my back and my mounting embarrassment, I keep my eyes on an approaching sting ray while my mate continues to bask in his never-ending laughing fit. By Goddess’s grace, he eventually gets a hold of himself.

I keep my eyes forward, even as the hairs on the back of my neck stand straight when his skin brushes against mine, and his presence envelopes me completely.

“Gossip Girl,” he whispers with a chuckle as he slides his arms around my waist. “I can’t believe that.”

“How do you even know about it?”

“I should be asking you that.” I glare at him, and he grins. “Emitt forced me, but I didn’t love it like you.” Still smiling, he takes my hand in his at my stomach, and it’s hard to stay irritated, even as a joke. I melt against him as he kisses his way up my neck.

“Well?” I prompt as he rests his chin on my shoulder. “What’s yours?”

“You.”

I turn in his arms.

“Isn’t that obvious?” he asks with a small smile that sends my heart soaring to the mountain tops.

I feel like I’m about to combust, but Aiden holds me together, always does. Resisting the urge to kiss him, I face forward, and he does the same silently. Our eyes stay trained on the fish while through the bond, I answer him with the truth.

No. It wasn’t obvious, but I’m glad that I am.

Chapter 28