Page 178 of Alpha Mates

“We thought it was for the best,” Michael says quietly, almost apologetically. “Your position as alpha is solidified with your completed bond. Your focus should be on the pack.”

Julian scoffs, fists flexing at his sides. “I am perfectly capable of determining my own priorities. I know what I can and cannot handle,” he says, his tone clipped but even. “I do not need either of you making those decisions for me.”

“What happened?” I ask before they can reply. Now they’re both glaring at me, but I don’t give a fuck.

“They pulled me out of school while we were gone,” Julian answers stiffly, and though he hides it well, I can feel the pain in his words.

It takes real effort to keep my canines in as my eyes settle on the pair who seem insistent on making my mate miserable. First, they left without his permission, and now they were taking away the one thing Julian ever let himself be selfish about. And he wasn’t even. He was going there with the future of his pack in mind, and they still managed to trample all over it.

“Julian,” his mother says imploringly, drawing his inflamed gaze back to her. “I am sorry we upset you, truly, but think about this logically. What more do the humans have to teach you?”

“Think of how much better your time will be spent within the pack,” his father tacks on, and I can see in their eyes that they truly think Julian’s being unreasonable, when they’re the ones trying to micromanage their alpha.

“I had plans,” Julian says slowly, his voice cool but unyielding. “Plans you’ve just thrown out the window.”

“We—”

“No.” His single word snaps like a whip, silencing his mother. “Even if you did this with only the best of intentions, you keep forgetting that I’m in charge of this pack and my life now,” he says plainly. “You no longer make decisions for me.”

Their eyes widen as if he just committed blasphemy against our Goddess, instead of stating a fact.

“I know it wasn’t easy preparing me to be alpha when that wasn’t the plan,” he continues, his voice terrifyingly brittle. “And I appreciate all you’vedone for me. But youdidit. I am the alpha of this pack, which means your job is now done. I do not need your help anymore.”

Looking between them, he says, “Unless I ask for it, I don’t want you meddling in my life or the decisions I make.”

Julian’s father parts his lips for some rebuttal, but he doesn’t find the courage to say it when Julian stares him down, challenging him to do it. He presses his lips together instead.

“This is the last time I’m warning you about interfering,” Julian says as he slides a hand over mine and steps back, pulling me with him. “I hope you respect these wishes because if you don’t…” He doesn’t finish the threat. He doesn’t need to.

My gaze stays fixed on him as he walks us away, his steps sure and powerful, every inch the alpha he is. I thought I’d have to push him to speak up for himself, but he’d done it on his own, and left no room for future misunderstandings.

I glance back at his parents, finding them still standing there. Their confusion seems genuine, but so does the rage burning in his mother’s cold eyes when they cut to me.

Yea, I’ve just dethroned myself on their shit list.

Emitt, Beckett, and Isabel are the only wolves still waiting at the packhouse. They trail us inside without a word, Julian leading the way. He’s a pillar, unshakeable, until the doors shut behind us, and then he slumps as if the weight of the world has hoisted itself onto his shoulders.

“Hey,” I murmur as I pull him into my arms. “Don’t regret that. You did nothing wrong.”

“I know,” he mumbles against the crook of my neck. “What am I going to do, though? They just pulled me out.” He draws back to look at me, his eyes showing the worry he’d kept hidden from them. “It was hard enough getting in the first time with no real records. And the humans take parental status far more seriously.”

“You’re eighteen now. You’re an adult, that’s got to change things,” I say as my mind works. “I’m sure we can reverse it, and if not, we’ll figure something out, don’t worry,” I promise, kissing his temple. “You’re finishing, even if we have to get you tutors or something. Hell, I’ll tutor you in biology.”

That gets a laugh out of him, his frown easing for the first time as he crooks a brow. “You sure you’d be able to put up with me?”

“For you?” I cock my head back. “Anything.”

He grins before he glances at the others, who stare at us with smiles of their own. I’m pretty sure it’s meant to be supportive, but lined up like they are, the creepy triplets strike again.

“So, the packhouse,” Julian says, eager to shift their attention as he looks around the interior.

It’s as nice as the outside, with open beams and rustic touches that make it feel warm. It smells like pine and wolves, andhome.

“Nobody’s moved in yet?” I ask as we wander further in.

“Everyone wanted to wait for you guys,” Beckett explains, following Emitt around the large entry room—a communal space stuffed with sofas and chairs. “But there’s already chaos over who gets to move in.”

“Do you guys plan to?” Julian asks.