Page 177 of Alpha Mates

The ground shakes beneath our feet as wolves stomp and cheer. Almost everyone’s gathered around the new packhouse, laughing now that they’d successfully caught their alphas off guard.

We’d seen them waiting when we drove in and thought it was freaky as fuck, but we hadn’t expected a parade for successfully fucking.

Most of them disperse, going back to their daily lives, while others linger to share some kind words of encouragement for the future of our bond. All the bodies pull Julian and me apart, but I keep an eye on him as we both creep towards the large house for cover.

In the swarm of people, I spot my parents. They stand off to the side, expressions perfectly pleasant. The moment they spot my mark, they both nod, maybe even smile—I think—before disappearing back into the crowd.

I frown, even though I feel relieved. It’s not like I wantto talk to them, but really? That’s it?

Shaking my head, I try to pry them from my mind. We’re home, safe and sound, the pack is happy that their two alphas managed to mate without killing each other, and as far as I can tell, for once, the skies are clear for Julian and me.

“Oof!” I cough as a small mass of curls crashes into me like a wall of concrete. Emitt shakes me like a rag doll, grinning ear to ear.

“You’re home!” he cheers—a moment before Julian materialises into the space beside me to pry him off with a blood-curdling growl. He all but tosses Emitt into Beckett’s waiting arms before he slides a protective arm around me.

“Sorry!” Emitt squeaks with a bent head. “I forgot—newly bonded mates, very possessive. Sorry!”

Julian’s growl settles into a low rumble while I stare at him as if a new heat’s just started.

Emitt’s right, newly bonded mates can be extremely possessive and resistant to anyone else touching their mate, but having Julian, who isn’t a fan of public displays of affection, claim me so openly … it’s hot as fuck.

“Sorry,” Emitt apologises again, but Julian’s rumble doesn’t stop until Beckett pulls my best friend behind him. My eyes narrow behind my shades.

“Julian.”

All attention swings to the blonde-haired pair waiting at the packhouse steps, with deceptively warm eyes focused solely on their son. I feel Julian stiffen at my side and find myself doing the same. But then, cold fear seeps into our bond.

“I’ll be right back,” he says before I can say a word.

I want to argue, to stick with him until they fuck off, but I nod. The last thing I’m going to do is question him in front of others. But that fear …

Through our link, I send him the promise that I’ll stay close,and his lips lift slightly. He wipes it away before he approaches his parents.

My eyes stay glued to them while the others surround me, wanting to hear every detail about the trip. I share what I can while straining to track Julian’s conversation.

They smile, try to touch him, but stop when he steps back. His mother gestures to his neck, and for all intents and purposes, it looks like they’re happy for him. But through our bond, I can feel Julian winding tighter and tighter.

“He knows how to handle them,” Beckett murmurs, drawing my gaze to where he stands beside Emitt. His eyes are steady, certain. “He’s okay.”

I nod. I know he’s okay. I’m just not sure how long that’s going to last.

“What do you think of the packhouse?” Isabel asks, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she points to it.

“It’s amazing,” I answer honestly, laughing as I look up. “Better than I imagined.”

And it is. After weeks of planning and construction under Baxton and Felix’s guidance, our builders managed to get the essence of both our packs into one structure. The house is sleek and sturdy on the outside, like the Black Moon’s buildings, but its walls and beams carry the colours and warmth of my pack.

“No wonder everyone’s so happy,” I mumble as I stare up at it.

“You didwhat?”

Julian’s voice suddenly booms, loud enough to quiet those hanging around as they register their alpha’s anger. Heads turn. I’m already moving—straight towards the trio like greased lightning. It only takes one look from those I pass to make them scram so that nobody overhears what’s to follow.

Familiar crystal-blue eyes flick up to me, narrowing briefly at my approach, but Julian’s mother has an angry alpha on her hands, and that’s more important than me.

“We didn’t think it would upset you so much,” she says, voice soft as she peers at her son. “Truly, Julian.”

He’s a bundle of bottled nerves, standing stiff like he’s barely keeping himself from exploding again. When I stop at his side, he forces himself to breathe. He inhales deeply, but his anger remains fixed in place as he glares daggers at his parents.