Page 297 of Alpha Mates

“Well, too bad,” Beckett had said, plopping back onto his side of the bench with a pout. “If you ask me, you’re not in a place to be picky.”

“I didn’t ask you.”

“I’ll help you with Aiden,” he’d said, making me freeze. “He’s the one always chasing you, right? I don’t get why you don’t chase him back.”

“He’s stronger.” I’d lowered my head as I whispered the shameful words.

“And you’re smart, right?” Beckett had declared, making me peek back up at him. His smile was back and brighter, too. “You don’t have to fight him to beat him.”

“Then how?”

“Use your brain, duh,” he’d said before diving onto the table again to knock my head with each word. “My parents always say how smart you are, so be smart!”

“Get off the table, Beckett!” his uncle had shouted, making him jolt before he quickly slipped around the table to sit next to me instead.

“I’ll help you,” he’d whispered as he found my hands beneath the table.

I remember staring at our hands, and liking how warm his were. “Why?”

“Because I’m your friend.”

When we left the market that day and Aiden jumped out, fists raised before I could try using my brain, Beckett appeared out of nowhere and took the punch for me. It was the first time anyone besides Oliver had stood up for me. It shocked the hell out of me.

From then on, Beckett took every hit with me, at least until I’d figured out how to land a few of my own. We were inseparable. Mostly because he clung to me, but still, inseparable.

As Beckett strides towards me now, a grin on his face, I see that boy again. Only he comes with his mate at his side. I smile, happy for him, and for the fact that he’s found someone who wears the same grin on his freckled face.

“Sorry for making you wait,” Beckett says the moment he’s within arm’s length. Lifting Emitt’s hand, still intertwined with his, he helps his mate settle on the bench before sliding in next to him.

“Blame me,” Emitt murmurs with a trickle of nervousness.

“It’s fine,” I mumble. Carter, Jack’s only helper, sidles up without prompt to set down two lemonades for us, and a soda for Emitt.

Beckett and I share a knowing look as we each take a sip.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” Beckett asks.

“Um.” I hesitate, glancing at Emitt. He blinks back at me, his light green eyes practically sparkling with curiosity.

I’d been expecting Beckett to come alone, but would he get upset if I asked Emitt to leave? It was awkward enough to talk to him, but now Emitt, too?

Come on, Julian. You just caught them in the middle of sex.True enough.

I clear my throat, and try to ignore my unease. “Well, I’m not really sure how to do this. But it’s … it’s just … Aiden and I aren’t having—”

“Sex?” Emitt blurts, then immediately slams his lips together.

I pale. Beckett glares at him. “Emitt!” he hisses.

“Sorry!” Emitt squeaks, eyes somehow growing larger. “I just assumed that with the sex ban—” This time, he silences himself by slapping his hands over his mouth. But it’s too late. My face is up in flames, and Beckett is now the one losing colour.

“Sorry!” Emitt whispers through his hands.

Why did Aiden have to tell him? Why, Goddess, why?

“That’s what I wanted to talk about,” I eventually mumble when nobody fills the silence. My admission gives Emitt the courage to lower his hands, while Beckett’s lips form an ‘O.’

“I put one in place, but I didn’t mean for it to go on so long, and now I don’t know how to… you know.”