Page 326 of Alpha Mates

They need me—need our family to come together to get through this—but the only family I’ve ever really had is the man standing behind me, and he’s the only one who would help me get through this.

“He’s alive,” I state. It’s not fair how clinical I am with the truth, but it’s all I can manage right now. “We both saw him.”

My father’s gaze shifts to Aiden, and a near-lethal frown drags his features down before I continue. “He’s with the rogues,” I say, clenching Aiden’s sure fingers. “We’ll have to see him then, and I don’t know what that means or how it will go, but I have to take care of the pack first and foremost. When I know more, I’ll find you.”

“Wait, Julian,” my mother calls again, this time with more vehemence as frantic blue eyes find mine. “Don’t tell them. D-don’t tell them.”

I blink at her. “What?”

“Don’t tell them,” she repeats, dropping her voice to a whisper. “Not until we know more.”

I frown, confused, until the realisation settles in. And then I can’t help but laugh. A huff of air escapes me as I gaze at my mother.

If the pack found out that Oliver was alive and with a group of rogues, the shame it would bring onto our family would be insurmountable. But it wouldn’t stop there. It’d ruin the pack’s reputation and our standing in the supernatural world.

She’s worried about that reality, rather than the possibility that Oliver might not have chosento be there. It’s a slim chance, I know that, but it’s still possible that what happened to Aiden, happened to him. And if it did, then my priority is saving my brother.

Among it all, the very last thing on my mind is what the pack would say if they knew.

“When I know more, I will find you,” I repeat before I turn with Aiden, walking away while my stomach turns. I’m sure nothing is left in me, but my gums still slicken.

“Are you okay?” he asks the second he can.

“No,” but he already knows that. “You?”

He laughs, and I know the answer.

“The elders are gathered,” he tells me as we cut through the crowds in the direction of the Elders’ Ward. “The Council Warrior is at the borders, waiting for the rest of them.”

“That’s good,” I reply with a nod. “We need to get out there sooner rather than later. Each day we grant them gives them a leg up.”

“Agreed.”

“She’s scared of what people will say about them,” I whisper, drawing his gaze to me. “I’m worried about how he left, why he’d choose them over us, and they’re worried about what people will say.”

Aiden’s gaze lingers in the silence before he gives my hand another fortifying squeeze.

“We’re here to come up with a plan that’s going to save as many lives as possible when we face the rogues.”

My words sit heavily on everyone’s shoulders, just as they’ve weighed on mine throughout this never-ending day. The meeting room is filled with the highest-ranking members of our pack—our head warriors, scouts, deltas, betas, and elders all wait, listening with keen ears.

“By now, most of you know the general details,” I say, scanning the room. “For months, we’ve been noticing strange behaviour from the rogues, and neighbouring packs have reported the same. The Council agrees it’s a threat that we must face. The warrior they sent is one of twenty en route to our territory. All packs in the region will be receiving aid, and we willalltravel together to confront the rogue faction up north.”

Silence follows—not from distress, but from shock.

“Why are so many needed?” an elder with a tight-lipped frown eventually asks. “We have always handled rogues on our own just fine.”

“These aren’t common rogues. They’re not feral, and they are working under a man with a much larger and dangerous goal,” Aiden answers before I can, to my surprise.

I thought he’d stay quiet through this one, but he shoves his shoulders back and pushes forward.

“There’s a rogue. His name is Reon,” he states impassively, voice unflinching. “He wants rogues to have the power that packs do, and he believes the last step to achieving that is in making one of them an alpha.”

“That’s impossible,” Isabel retorts before hastily covering her mouth. “Sorry, but … thatisimpossible.”

“Yes, but they’re insane,” Aiden retorts firmly. “They may not be as feral as they should be, but theyareinsane because they are willing to do anything to achieve their goals. Reon is, and the wolves following under him are no better.”

I bite the inside of my cheek as I wrestle to keep my expression blank.