Page 347 of Alpha Mates

“Okay, you’ve got it,” I reply, holding out a hand. “Pizza it is.”

Pizza, it is? How the hell are we going to make a whole pizza from scratch?Aiden interjects unhelpfully, but I ignore him as I focus on Levi, who lets the door ease open just an inch more to eye my hand warily. He clings to the door frame, with muddied fingernails that make me frown.

“Maybe first, we can get you cleaned up and then eat?” I offer as he takes his first step out, “orafter—”

I hold my tongue the moment I spot Levi’s eyes widening with fear, but it’s already too late. He rushes back into the room and slams the door so quickly he almost clips his own fingers. The lock sounds, and I have to bite my lip to silence my frustration as I turn to Aiden.

“It wasn’t you,” he says before I have to ask. “Hey, kid. Julian didn’t mean to scare you like that,” he calls as he leans against the wall. “I know … I know that in there, they probably dunked you in some dirty, old water until you’re almost drowning, but that’s not what he meant.”

I stare at Aiden, but he keeps his gaze on the door as he forces himself to keep speaking despite the fear overwhelming our bond.

“We won’t do that, Levi. If you know how, you can clean up on your own, and we won’t touch you. But we’ll have to stay close to make sure you’re okay, and to do that, you’ll need to come out first. So, what do you say?”

Aiden stares at the door, waiting and willing it to open, and to my surprise, it does.

Levi steps out, even slower this time, but his gaze is just a little less fearful as it darts between us. Once again, I offer my hand, and he studies it for a long moment before he lets himself reach for it.

When he finally takes it, wrapping his smaller fingers around mine, something inside of me melts like honey as I hold onto him. With small steps, I lead him to the bathroom, where inside, Aiden readies the bath while I help Levi undress. He’s slow with me at first, nervous at every touch, but as I wait for him after each hesitation, he lets me help.

“I’m going to find some clothes for you,” Aiden says once he’s done. “Do you think you can stay here with Julian?”

Panic wells inside of me as I baulk at my mate. Of course he needs clothes, but surely I should fetch them so I don’t accidentally step on another trigger. But Levi is nodding, and Aiden’s already leaving with a smile before I can say a word.

Left alone, Levi stares blankly at me, and my mind fumbles on how to get through this.

“Is it okay if I help you in?” I ask, gesturing to the bath. Levi nods, lifting his arms, and I smile. “Alright, here we go.”

Picking him up, I bring him over to the bath, letting him test the temperature with his toes before I settle him in. He relaxes once his feet are submerged, but keeps his hands on my arms while I slowly help him sit down.

I expect Levi to need my help, but he’s quick to start pouring the water over himself with the small container Aiden left inside. He’s so young, but he bathes quickly and efficiently, as if there’s a timer on this. I don’t let myself frown as I watch him, but the way he scrubs himself clean isn’t normal.

He gets it all out, though, and only when he’s done do I see the freckled face and tanned skin beneath as he looks at me again. More specifically, he looks up at my hair.

I glance in the mirror, noting the gunk clinging to it, and frown for real this time. “Yeah, I need a bath too, but I want you fed first.”

Levi’s gaze drops before he lifts his arms again. I do my job of getting him out before I wrap him in a towel and lead him to the toilet. I sit down on the lid and fix him in my lap so I can dry his hair.

He’s relaxed against me, surprisingly so. He doesn’t look for exits or jolt at every touch. He sits still and lets me take care of him.

“What do we have here?” Aiden says, making our heads snap towards to door.

“I’m just helping him out,” I reply as Levi tosses his head back to look at me. He stares until I blow my cheeks up to make a face, and then, his lips twitch at the corners, forming a watery smile that disappears all too soon. It hurts to see it go, but the glimpse of it is still enough for my heart to take an absolute nosedive.

“I got some clothes here for you,” Aiden says as he comes to squat in front of Levi. “They’re not new, but they’ll make do for now.”

Opening the bag in his hands, Aiden pulls out a top and shorts that should fit him well, along with some underwear, and Levi is quick to snatch them up before he slips from my lap. He looks around the massive bathroom before he rushes towards the wall blocking off the shower with the towel dragging at his waist.

I huff, laughing with amusement that resonates in Aiden’s eyes when I glance at him. We stare at each other, both marvelling at the unfamiliar joy that courses through our bond. It’s bountiful, and completely aimed at Levi, which is heartening because after the week we had, joy was the last thing I expected to feel tonight.

Levi returns soon enough, and this time, he heads straight for me. I’m honoured, and way too happy about it, but I try not to let that show as I pick him up so not to freak him out.

“Ready to eat?” I whisper, and Levi is quick to nod. I head for the door, but Aiden doesn’t move out the way. He just stands there, staring at us until I raise a brow.

“Sorry,” he mumbles, shaking his head and leading the way out.

“Okay, Levi, so what kind of pizza do you want?” Aiden asks once we’re in the kitchen. I sit him down on the counter, keeping a hand close so he doesn’t tumble off. When no response comes, Aiden glances back at him, but Levi just shrugs.

We’re not actually making pizza, are we?I ask Aiden through our link.