Page 288 of Alpha Mates

“I’m not afraid of them,” I clarify before he can spiral. “I’ve never been. I don’t like killing them because I don’t like senseless murder. The rogues out there aren’t the ones who killed my brother, so I don’t blame them. Plus … It’s not what he would’ve wanted.”

Aiden nods quickly as he rubs his hands over mine, warming them and my heart in turn.

I could never forgive what had been done to Oliver, but I didn’t need to. The ones who hurt him were already dead—my father had hunted them down and made sure of that. So, what sense did it make to hate every rogue for the actions of a few? That’s at least what Oliver would’ve thought, so that’s how I try to look at it.

But that sort of thinking has its limits. And if there’s a real threat gathering, it won’t hold.

“If it comes to a fight,” I tell Aiden, “I will be ready. We’ll keep our pack safe. And each other.”

Aiden’s eyes glow, shifting into the red hue he hates, but I never could. Even if it wasn’t meant to be, they’re his, and I love every part of my mate.

Leaning over the table, Aiden aims for my mouth, but I backpedal quickly. “Oh, hell no.”

“Jewels,” Aiden whines as I snatch my hands back, just to be safe. “I can’t even kiss you now? Are you serious?”

“It won’t be just a kiss,” I retort while I gather my books.

“I said I was sorry and I’ve apologised a million times,” he says. “Raise the sex ban, Julian.”

“No,” I deny, smacking away his hands before they can touch me.

“This is unfair!” he complains while cradling his hand to his chest. “It’s been a week!”

I pause to look him straight in the eye.

“Can you promise me you won’t … do what you did to me again?”

Aiden’s lips tug up. “You mean play with you until you—”

I groan loud enough to drown out whatever else he’s saying while I try to push back the memories of me squealing like a girl. I didn’t mind submitting to Aiden in bed. I had even grown comfortable with it. What I wasnotcomfortable with—or prepared for—was the way I had reacted to him the last time we’d had sex.

“I just want a kiss,” he begs as I push to my feet and make for the door, but Aiden scrambles up to block my path.

“Aiden,” I sigh, closing my eyes in an attempt to conjure patience. “Move. I’m hungry, and I know you are too.”

“I’ll move once you stop acting like you didn’t enjoy it,” he retorts smartly.

“It’s not acting. I didn’t,” I growl, making him scoff.

“The fact that you came about ten times begs to differ,” he replies crudely as I turn to hide my blush. “And I told you to tell me if you wanted it to stop. You didn’t.” He shrugs. “You just clung to me when I—”

“Shut up!” I shout, lifting my hands to my ears. “Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Aiden shouts over me. “It was amazing.”

“The answer is no, Aiden,” I say as I twist to face him. “Now, if you don’t leave me alone, you’re going to have to make your own dinner tonight.”

Sure, it’s my turn to cook, but I’m stubborn enough to just have water.

“Fine,” he grumbles, lifting his hands in surrender as he steps out of my way.

Keeping my eyes on my mate, I inch my way around him, prepared for anything, but he stays where he is. I slip out the door and keep my eyes trained over my shoulder in case of an attack. I scoff when it doesn’t come, and scramble to the kitchen.

To think he tried to change my mind with a kiss. Alex would’ve given me hell just for entertaining it. Heshouldbe.

Alex, I call hesitantly.

It takes him a while to shift from his dormant wallowing—so long that for a second, I fear he won’t even speak. But then he does.