Page 204 of Alpha Mates

“Next time,” I promise, guiding him off the road. “We’re going to be heading up, but it’s clear and I’ve got you.”

Julian nods as I look down the familiar path, glad to find it empty of wolves. I’d had Emitt help me set this up, and if he’d done his job and kept an eye out until he heard me coming, nothing should’ve messed it up.

“We’re somewhere high,” Julian comments as he waddles forward, arms raised high. “There’s a chill, and it’s in my old territory.”

“How the hell do you know that?” I ask, and he grins under the cloth.

“There’s not a lot of pine here,” he replies nonchalantly. “That’s what you and your lands smell like.” I snort a laugh. “I’m serious!” Julian groans. “You smell like pine wood and… maybe apple cider.”

“Apple cider?” I parrot as I help him up the growing incline.

“Yeah,” he says, aiming a smile so bright my way, that I almost send us both tumbling down. “What about me?”

“Sweet and citrusy,” I admit. “Like watermelons and lemons.”

Julian’s grin turns sweet. “Aren’t you lucky?” he teases, nudging me with his shoulder.

“Very,” I admit with a kiss to his cheek.

Lucky in more ways than one.

We crest the small hill, and I bring us to a stop. Everything’s just as I left it. Julian stands still, shifting anxiously as he holds onto me.

“Are you ready?”

It’s a question I should be asking myself, given the fact that I’m sweating so badly that my fingers are sliding between Julian’s.

“I suppose,” he says calmly, though the buzz flickering through our bond betrays his excitement.

Which is good, ’cause I’m excited too—scared shitless, and desperate to call this whole thing off—but excited.

Taking a deep breath, I slip the blindfold from his head, and Julian blinks his eyes open before they land on the field ahead of us.

The grass is cut low, empty except for the great willow tree glowing with candle-light at its roots. The blankets are spread with pillows, the food is all laid out, covered and sectioned. And beside the setup is a telescope. The candles are really electric lights—no burning our pack down on my watch—but they have the desired effect of making the tree’s trunk and all its leaves glow.

“I thought you’d enjoy stargazing, since you seem to love astronomy so much.” I wait for a reaction, but his face stays terrifyingly blank, even as he slowly walks towards my attempt at a surprise.

I follow behind him, too scared now to say a word.

Would he laugh? Would he cry like I teased?

Julian does neither as he takes off his shoes and steps gingerly onto the blankets, as if he’s afraid to disturb them. When he reaches the telescope, his fingers hover before brushing the cool metal, tracing them over its length. Then, he turns, fixing those awestruck eyes on me.

I barely manage to breathe as he walks back to me, clearly on a mission. But when he reaches me, he doesn’t kiss me. He presses his forehead against mine and takes my face in his hands.

“Thank you,” he whispers softly. I watch him, or try to, but his eyes stay closed as he holds me close. “I don’t know what else to say but thank you.”

His fingers are shaking, like his side of our bond, and that tells me everything I need to know.

“That’s more than enough,” I promise, but he shakes his head.

“It’s not—look at all this!” he breathes, extending his arms as he steps back. He shakes his head while stars seem to dance in his eyes. “Thank you, Aiden.”

“Anything for you.”

And I mean it. I’d do anything for Julian Heil. Anything.

Pressing my lips to his forehead, I kiss him softly and try to sit us down, but Julian tugs me instead—straight to the telescope that I can already tell is about to become the love of his life, which it had better be after the fortune I spent on it.