Page 266 of Alpha Mates

“Here,” I croak as I reach for the water. “Drink this.”

Julian sits up slow, still a little dazed, and gulps the whole thing down. “When did we get home?”

“I brought you back right after. You were knocked out by the time I was back in control.” I pause, searching his face. “I don’t know what happened with Alex and Max. Can you feel him?”

If he can’t, then I have no idea where to go from here, but I’d figure it out. For him, I’d do anything.

“I can feel him!” he blurts, jerking up so fast that I almost fall off the bed, but he catches me before I go flying. “He’s here! He’s back and talking to me! Aiden! It worked!”

Julian’s smile is brilliant and shimmering with relief as his eyes dart between mine.

His heart pounds, hard and strong, but not from fear or panic this time. It’s hope. Tears pool in his eyes, but he fights them, seals his mouth shut before diving into my arms.

I hold him tight, not daring to let go while he laughs, squirming with his excitement.

He’s back, I tell Max, hoping desperately for an answer.

Good, he says, but it’s slow coming. And he sounds miserable.

What happened?I ask, and not for the first time. Nothing.Max, please. I can’t have what happened with them happening to us. What happened?

He … he won’t forgive me,he says finally, his voice cracking noticeably at the end.

My stomach twists.What did you do?

I broke a promise,he croaks the words, and I feel the cut of the truth slice across us both before he fades away.

That only deepens my concern, but when Julian pulls himself up to look at me, I shove the unease aside.

“How’s Alex?” I ask as my hands sink down to his waist.

“He says he’s fine, but I know he’s not,” he admits, but he’s still grinning from ear to ear. “I didn’t want to push it too soon though. I’m just happy he’s back.” His smile wavers. “He stopped replying when I asked what happened with Max.”

“Max says he broke a promise,” I tell him, and his eyes narrow.

“A promise?” he echoes. I can see my worry spreading to him, which is the last thing he needs—and exactly what I didn’t want.

“They’re okay,” I say, forcing a smile. “And for now, that’s what matters.” It becomes a real one, watching the light return in his eyes. “You hungry?”

Julian pauses before he nods. “Yeah, I’m starving actually.”

“Then, let’s get some food in you,” I say, standing up and tugging him with me.

He stumbles against my chest, eyes narrowing with sudden focus. “You said something about salmon, right?”

“Addict,” I mutter before I kiss the top of his head. “I’ll find you some.”

Julian smiles gratefully before pulling me into a kiss. I hum against his lips, the tension finally easing from my shoulders. For the first time in such a long time, it feels like we can exist without collapsing from the weight of it.

Alex and Max still have to work their issues out, but at least Alex is back with Julian, where he belongs.

I melt against him, relaxing for a minute. It’s been a hell of a few weeks, but we finally resolved all our shit. Well, most of it. All but one thing.

Julian pulls away with a small frown that I hate being the cause of. “What’s wrong?”

“I hate how well you know me sometimes,” I mumble, and his lips tug up for a second before he smooths his fingers over mine. “We can talk about it after. You had a witch in your head today. You need food and maybe an exorcism.”

Julian chuckles, but doesn’t let it go so easily. “You feel sad.”