Page 353 of Alpha Mates

“Yes, between meetings,” he agrees, then glances at Levi. “Would you come with us again?”

I already know the answer to that because Levi refused to be with anyone other than us. Balancing him and the pack isn’t easy, but we were making it work. Levi, at least, never causes trouble. He’s quiet in meetings, does what he’s told, never pushes back. He’s perfect.

And a part of me worries that maybe he’s still too scared not to be on his best behaviour all the time.

As expected, Levi nods and my worries sink a little deeper.

I bring Julian his plate with some water, and the moment he sees it, his smile fades. It’s just toast and avocado on his, but his nose still wrinkles as he leans away from it. I shoot him a look, and he reluctantly starts to eat.

I watch him closely, noting the nibbles he tries to pass off as bites until it’s all done. Only then do I actually focus on my own food.

I’ll try to get a smoothie in him later, but for now, this is good. From the sound of things, he doesn’t plan to climb back into bed, so we’d need to leave soon to check on how preparations were going for our next pack run. Visit the healers to see how the injured were doing. The warriors also wanted to talk about constructing an armoury and—

Metal shrieks as Julian suddenly pushes from the table and bolts, a hand over his mouth.

My stomach drops a moment before I dart after him, sliding into the bathroom just as he curls himself over the toilet and loses everything he ate. I hold his hair and rub his back while he chokes it all out.

My heart hammering. I want to stop it, but there’s nothing I can do other than stand here while he heaves and wretches the last of it out. He groans and recoils from the sink with a full-body shudder.

“Couldn’t keep it down,” he rasps. “I’m sorry.”

I nod, already grabbing him a towel to wipe his face. “It’s okay. Don’t say sorry,” I whisper. Really, I want to sayI’msorry, but guilt is squeezing my chest so tight I can barely breathe.

I shouldn’t have made him eat, but I had to. I couldn’t just leave him not to eat, but Goddess have mercy, what was the fuck was going on with my mate?!

“We’re going to the healers,” I say, turning on the faucet, wetting the end of the towel to wipe under his chin. Julian shakes his head, lips parting in protest, but it stops when he hears my growl. “It’s not up for discussion.”

He glares at me, or tries to, but his body is cooking from the inside out. He sags in my arms. Goddess, he’s weak.

“We’re going now.” I pick him up, holding him against my chest. I turn and find Levi curled against the bathroom door, his eyes wide and fearful as he stares at Julian. “Don’t worry. It’s just a stomach bug.”

Which is bullshit. Werewolves didn’t get “bugs.” Not like this.

“I’m fine,” Julian promises, putting on a brave face for Levi as I walk him out of the bathroom. “Stay close, okay?”

Levi nods, grabs hold of my shirt, and runs at my side to keep up with me as I rush Julian to the healers. I barely stop myself from sprinting because, despite what Julian says, I already know he’s not fine.

I stare at Julian in the bed while he sleeps, Levi knocked out in the chair beside him.

Burnout, the healers said. He’soverworkedand his body needs time torecuperate. Let him rest. Let his body heal itself. He’ll be okay in no time. Simple enough, easy instructions. So why is there a pit in my stomach?

Because it feels like more,Max whispers while anxiety riddles through us.We’re burnt out and overworked, too, and Julian is stronger than us.

He just lost his family,I remind while my leg shakes beneath me.

And it still feels like more,Max insists. That truth lands between us before he speaks again.He smells different, Aiden.

I shove to my feet, struggling to keep my breaths measured as I stare at my mate.

The healers checked him, they said he was fine, so he’s fine. I try to keep telling myself and Max that, but it feels like coaxing myself to sleep with lies for lullabies.

Levi stirs some time later. He straightens the second his eyes land on Julian, and deflates some when he sees he’s still sleeping. Then he peers at me. He’s worried, it’s written all over his face, and as touching as it is to know that he cares about Julian, I can’t help but wonder if I look the same or worse.

“Need a bathroom break?” I ask.

Levi gnaws at his lip, glancing at Julian again.

“He’ll be okay,” I promise softly.