Page 180 of Alpha Mates

“Sure, Emitt. To celebrate,” I say, shaking my head as I watch him grab a jug of what could only be Crescent Bliss before digging through the surrounding boxes for cups.

He apparently intends to get us fucked up, and I’m not going to argue against that. Odds are, the pack was leaving us alone because it was our first day back, but I’m sure we’ll be under an avalanche of updates tomorrow morning.

“Have you guys decided what you’re going to call the new pack?” Emitt asks over his shoulder.

“Nope,” I reply. “We’re supposed to pick something this week.”

“Please don’t pick something stupid,” Beckett begs, green eyes serious.

“Stupid like the ‘Black Moon Pack’?” I ask with a tilt of my head. “Sure, the trees in the woods are darker than most, but there’s no such thing as a black moon.”

Emitt muffles his laughter while mine comes out unabashed, making Beckett scowl as he pushes to his feet. “Where are those drinks, Emitt? I think I need one to survive the two of you.”

“I’m looking,” Emitt promises as he abandons the last box at his feet and looks up at one that’s way too high for him. He reaches for it anyway, and I sigh.

Emitt is my best friend and a more than capable beta, but he’s also pint-sized. He knows that, and yet he consistently chooses to ignore the fact. From my seat, I watch his fingers graze the edge of the box perched on the top shelf.

He flicks it, tugs it, and then it tips and—yeah, he’s fucked.

I think about warning him, but there’s no point because he has enough time to move away. What I sadly forget is that Emitt isalsoan idiot, who won’t move out of the way. No, he just stands there, staring up as a box of—are those cook books?—rain down upon him.

They’re gonna knock him out, and maybe he’ll learn to stop being stupid. Then Beckett moves. The big guy is there in a flash, pushing Emitt down and taking the brunt of the onslaught of books across on his back. I wince, but Beckett doesn’t even flinch as he stares at my best friend.

“Are you okay?” Beckett pants, his voice uncharacteristically tight.

“Forget me. What about you?!” Emitt scrambles to his feet. He’s got Beckett’s face in his hands, and those usually carefree eyes glow with panic. “I’ll get an ice pack.”

“I’m fine,” Beckett starts, but Emitt’s already gone.

Beckett watches him go before he turns and leans against the fridge with a sigh. He rubs a hand over the back of his neck, flexing it from side to side before he finally opens his eyes. They widen comically at the sight of me.

Apparently, someone forgot I was here. Good, ’cause it’d given me a very informative show.

“So,” I drawl as I look him over, “Emitt’s your mate.”

Like a deer in headlights, he freezes. I wonder if he’s going to deny it, but then his stiff shoulders drop.

“How did you know?” he asks quietly.

“Maybe it was the part where you threw yourself under a box of thick-ass books to protect him, or probably the way you’ve been glued to his side all morning. But hey,” I shrug. “I could be wrong.” He rolls his eyes, and I bite back my smirk. “Does he know?”

“Yeah,” he says, making my brows hike up.

If Emitt knew and clearly didn’t mind, then—“Why are you hiding it?”

“Emitt wants to wait until his birthday,” he says with a weak chuckle.

“Probably wants the attention,” I say, turning the look in his eyes from concerned to contemplative, but I shake my head before he can think to ask.

Emitt’s story isn’t mine to tell. Besides, sharing would reveal to Emitt that I saw more of him than he wanted me to.

“But what are the chances? Another pair of male mates?” I fold my arms behind my head. “The Council’s going to think there’s something in the water.”

Beckett chokes on a laugh as he pushes himself off the wall, flexing his arms.

“I was just as surprised when my …” he pauses, struggling. “… my new friend went from being a new pack member, to being my mate.”

Again, that odd note in Beckett’s voice, the one that tells me that something’s missing, but the way he smiles as he thinks of Emitt quashes my worries. As long as he actually likes Emitt, that’s all that matters.