Page 156 of Alpha Mates

And if I didn’t know it before, I know it now. I was meant to be with Aiden. Not because of some bond, or divine will—but because, in this world, he’s the only one who makes me feel alive.

Chapter 30

Aiden

“The large firework display has been confirmed as unauthorised, not associated with a government-approved event. The fireworks involved are, in fact, said to beillegalin this country…”

I snicker as the reporter on screen covers last night’s events, noting the suspects remain “at large” while I have my eyes on one crouched right in front of me.

“First crime?” I muse, studying my stressed Julian.

He’s watching the news like he’s got a test on it, and I’m trying my hardest not to poke the bear.

“Yes,” Jewels whispers, though it’s not nearly as snappish as I know he can get.

Truth be told, I expected Julian to be way angrier once the adrenaline wore off and he realised I’d roped him into some serious shit, but nope. He’s been surprisingly at ease, only concerned about us getting caught. Whether or not he’ll ever admit it, I know that there’s a part of him that thrives on a bit of chaos.

“It’s the first of many,” I promise, sliding off the bed. When he shoots me a genuinely horrified look, I can’t stop myself from cackling. “Relax, Jewels. I’ll ease you in. As for your debut offence, don’t worry—I know how to cover my tracks. No one will trace it back to us.”

He hums, eyes returning to the TV. I leave him be and head into the kitchen to make us some coffee. Unlike yesterday, we haven’t done much besides watch the news and wear each other out to keep the edge off.

Surprisingly, I haven’t minded it all that much. I like being out andabout, but I also love doing nothing with Julian. I liked spending time with him, without having to worry about a thing, not even keeping my shades on because, for some reason, he likes my eyes.

My chest warms as Max whines, both awed and aching at the thought.

No one likes my eyes. No one. But Julian does. Julian does, and so maybe I could tell him why I have them … share the story no one else knows.

We should,Max declares readily.He wouldn’t think any less of you.

He might,I reply, because there’s still that chance.

Julian came from a pack full of traditionalists who loved pure, unfiltered bloodlines. Even though I know he isn’t a fanatic, he is still one of them.

It might change things.

I don’t think anything can change our bond when you’ve already overcome your hatred for one another.

One could hope. And I do hope, which is fucking terrifying in itself. I never thought I could trust someone with what happened. Doing so would mean sharing a weakness, and alphas can’t afford to be weak. But this is Julian, and I want to shareeverythingwith him.

I say we keep doing what we’ve been doing this entire time,Max inputs wisely.Let’s keep taking it day by day.

I can do that.

I can. We’ll be mated soon, bonded in every way, and maybe after that, it’ll be easier to let it all out.

When I return to the couch, Julian’s sitting exactly where I left him, with his eyes still on the TV. He almost burns his fingers on the cup I hand him, but he doesn’t notice.

I grab the remote, pop the batteries out, and toss it back down before sliding the batteries in my pocket. I make for the flatscreen, poking at its bottom edges until my luck registers and I hit the off button.

“Hey!” he exclaims as the screen turns back. He manically stabs at the powerless remote.

“Easy, Jewels. I know you’re worried, but they’re just recycling the shit they said an hour ago. They don’t have any updates.”

“But what if there is an update?” he complains, thumb still stabbing.

“Then, I’m sure we’ll hear about it,” I reply with a smile. “We’re turning into hermits cooped up in here, and not the good kind. The old retired types that just watch the news and wait for their grandkids to visit.”

Julian wrinkles his nose. “We’re already on grandkids?”