Page 338 of Alpha Mates

I hate having to take that relief from them, but I don’t have the time or the grace to worry about their distress. I barely have the strength to do it for Julian.

He killed Oliver. Before I could stop him, before I even realised what he was doing, he opened his brother’s throat and watched the life drain out. Then he turned to me with those cold, blue eyes like nothing had happened.

I was meant to do it, to protect him and keep him safe, away from all the fucked-up shit Goddess put me through. But it’s like being my mate tainted everything good in Julian’s life. And I can’t even take him home because there’s a kid out there at that monster’s side, and every second we waste is a second added to his future nightmares.

“The alpha is dead?”

The question comes from the leader of the Greenwood Pack, Alpha Maverick, as he and a few others break from the masses, hunting answers to feed the rest.

“Yes,” I answer, so that Julian doesn’t have to. “But it was only one of them.”

I scent dread aheartbeat before I see shoulders dropping and hear heavy sighs.

“One of them?” Maverick says, his face a grim set of lines framed by dried blood. “We killed them all, Aiden.”

“Not all,” I snap, while frustration taunts me. “The one who started all of this—Reon—he’s still out there. Left before we even got here. Took the last of his freaks with him. And as long as he’s alive, this will happen again. They’ll be back in a couple of years.”

“Fucking roaches,” he mutters, but he nods. “So, we’re giving chase.”

“We can’t,” Idris voices, glancing back at our waiting force. “We may still have numbers, but they’re spent.”

“We’reallspent,” I bite out, fists curling at my sides. “But this won’t end until he’s dead. We need to find him. We finish it.Today.”

Silence drops as reluctant agreement turns the tide of this useless conversation. Except the tension doesn’t dissipate. The wolves behind us, already hunched like they’re bracing for impact, fold in even tighter. I ignore the spasm of guilt that tries to clog my throat, reminding myself of what’s at stake here.

“We move in five!” I call out, loud enough for all of them to hear.

“Not all of us,” Julian tacks on before I can take a step.

I turn to him, frowning, but his eyes are already on the heartened wolves who hang onto his words like he’s their damn saviour. He steps out of our little imposed circle to face them. “We’ve been fighting for hours, and we know many of you are tired. Pushing forward now, when you’re too tired to hold your ground, will only get more of us killed.”

“Julian,” I hiss, but he ignores me.

“You’ve risked your lives today, and we’re grateful. You’ve all fought for what you were informed about, but none of us were prepared for what comes next. So, if there is anyone from our pack, or another, who wants to stand down, do it. If you are fatigued, go home. We will not think any less of you. There is no shame in knowing your limit. But for those who still have the strength, we leave in five.”

Julian’s gaze stays fixed ahead while the makeshift ensemble stares back at us. If any of the wolves from outlying packs doubt his words, their scepticism fades as they watch ours peel away one by one. Soon, they’re separating too—every member of the Silver Banes Pack choosing to follow their alpha’s lead in staying back to handle the cleanup—until we’re left with a quarter of our original numbers.

“Right. Well—” I scrub a hand over my face as Julian steps back to my side. “Thanks to those who stayed. We’ll move soon, so replenish while you can.”

They disperse to do just that, and Julian and I stay where we are, side by side, when our closest friends approach with a witch in tow. Kat strolls confidently through the crowds ignoring the stares. She doesn’t care about them, but I know her well enough to recognise the concern behind her cool expression when she looks between Julian and me.

“Are you all coming too?” I ask once they stop in front of us.

“Of course,” Emitt replies without missing a beat.

“Always,” Beckett adds, squeezing Julian’s shoulder. His hand lingers for a second, but Julian’s lip still wobbles before he bites it.

“And you?” I ask, turning to Kat.

“If there’s room for a witch …” she says with a shrug.

“After what you’ve done for us,” Julian answers before I can, “especiallytoday, there’s always room for you.”

Katerina’s eyes flash purple before she swallows and nods.

I want to ask her why she saved us, why she even bothered with us when we’re more work than it’s worth at this point, but it doesn’t matter right now. She’s here, on our side, and that’s enough. It means Reon’s time is running out.

He’s out there, fucking running, as if he can outrun what he’d done—what he’sstilldoing—all in the name of freedom. Freedom—there’s no such thing. There’s only this shitty life and the demons you’re caged in it with.