Page 26 of Alpha Mates

“No,” I snap, and grab mysuperiorly packedbags.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” Aiden mutters as he gets the rest, leaving the now-sad lady behind.

“That was so wrong,” I say, disgusted.

“I know. It takes a sick person to say something like that.”

My lips twitch at his full-body shudder.

“I hate people like her,” I confess as we walk. “Not happy people, just overly happy people. No one should bethathappy.”

“No one. I swear they shit rainbows,”” Aiden says, making me chuckle.

He grins my way, and I can feel his stare even through his shades. It makes Alex stir a little, and that’s all the warning I need to remember who I’m laughing with.

“We should head back,” I cough, picking up the pace. “Morning will come soon.”

When Aiden doesn’t instigate some fresh stupidity, I breathe easier.

I knew the bond was powerful—it had to be when two shared a soul—but the fact that I’d felt even a semblance of joy around Aiden Calderon, of all people, was terrifying. Suddenly, our inability to be apart makes a lot more sense, because if I could run right now, I’d get as far from him as I could.

Aiden and I are noticeably quiet while we pack the groceries into the car, not sharing a word, even when our shoulders brush. Only when he’s behind the wheel does Aiden spare me a glance from the corner of his eye, but he says nothing as he peels out of the lot.

I stare out the window while my thoughts race, fogging my mind so much that I don’t notice we’ve crossed into packlands that aren’t my own until a rush of unfamiliar magic slides over me.

The magic around their borders is different. Thicker somehow, and laced with the scent of pine. His lands smells like him.

“You sure you’re going to be cool with staying here for the night?” he asks, noticing my reaction.

“It’s a little weird, but I’ll live.”

“That’s a first,” he mumbles. I do the adult thing and ignore him. I also flip him off.

“We can head back to your pack sometime tomorrow,” Aiden offers as he pulls up in front of what looks to be a newer and bigger packhouse thanmine. It’s several stories tall, a mismatched jumble of colours and styles, as if a different designer had been used for each floor.

“It’s an eyesore, we know,” Aiden chuckles as he looks up at it, “but everyone gets their own little piece of home.”

I warm at the thought of something so wholesome. No one lives in our packhouse, it’s just where my father’s office is, plus some meeting rooms and social areas.

And none of our actual homes are this colourful. My parents were too concerned with the image of the pack to allow it. I never really minded since uniformity made maintenance easier, but this is lovely in its own way.

“Either I’m high, or the great Julian Heil is actually smiling.”

My smile evaporates.

“I was,” I say as I shove the door open, “then you opened your mouth.”

The fresh air is liberating, but when Aiden’s heavy laughter follows—and my heart gallops—it’s impossible to glare at him.

Alex is right. We are so fucked.

My steps slow when Aiden shoves open a door at the end of the packhouse’s top floor. He switches on the lights, revealing a surprisingly clean, spacious apartment. All the furniture is new, sleek, and, very weirdly,Aiden.

“I’ll pack the groceries away,” Aiden says from the kitchen. “You might as well have a look around.”

Eager to do just that, I drop the remaining bags on the marble counter and happily leave him to it. I head for the nearest door.

Inside is a mini office with barely filled bookshelves, a large desk, and a few matching chairs. The second is an empty bedroom that I mentally claim as my own, and the last is another, larger bedroom that already smells like Aiden. Overall, it’s … nice.