Page 367 of Alpha Mates

Julian’s blue eyes glow with pleasure as he leans into my touch. “Yeah, we are.”

Our bond floods with joy, so full it practically permeates the air. I’m sure that’s why Levi’s door cracks open, and we spot him peeking from behind the hallway wall. I smile at the sight of those dark eyes and shaggy curls.

“Hey, kid,” I greet, stooping down. Levi comes rushing out. He’s in my arms a second later, and nothing feels as right as hugging him close. “We’ve got news for you.”

Levi steps back when I free him and looks between Julian and me curiously as he waits.

Julian stoops beside me so that we’re both at his level. He steps closer the moment we do, seeking us out even if he doesn’t notice it, and that further cements what we’ve known for months. He’s ours. Our pup.

“Levi,” I say, drawing his eyes to me. There’s so much trust there, trust I never want to lose. “Last time we spoke about your future, you said you didn’t want to leave us. Do you remember?”

Levi nods, but his shoulders slump like they do whenever this topic comes up. It’s the last time he’ll have to endure it.

“Do you still feel that way?” I ask, and he nods again, faster this time. My lips tug into a smile. “Good, because we feel the same way.”

Levi peeks up through his hair, his eyes flicking between us, and I hear his heart pick up speed.

“We have for a long time, Levi, but we wanted to do things the right way.” Julian lifts the papers for him to see, his smile already beginning to quiver. “These papers say that you can stay with us, and that we’re responsible for taking care of you for as long as you want us to. If you’ll let us, we’ll take you as our own. We’ll be a family, all of us, if you still want—”

“I want to,” he blurts before Julian can finish. His eyes are wide now, and there’s no more sadness, only happiness that skitters through me like it’s chasing my own. “I want to stay with you. I—I want to be a family.”

Julian’s eyes brim with tears that he will no doubt blame on hormones later. I don’t have that excuse.

“Then, I’m happy to say that you’re stuck with us, pup,” I say, and Levi’s black eyes shine with matching tears. “And we’re going to take the best care of you.”

Levi’s tears spill, and he lets them, he lets himself cry too, and I can’t fight mine anymore. Soon, we’re all crying, and Goddess be good, we really are an emotional bunch.

Julian grabs his hand and I cup the back of his head. And he happily leans into both of us, bringing us all together, the way we were meant to be.

“We have to go to the markets!” Julian declares once the tears are dried. “We need to get him more clothes and everything he needs for his room!”

I’d barely managed to keep Julian from going overboard before, knowing we couldn’t tell him before that we were working on keeping him, and I didn’t want to confuse him with too many things, but time had run out, and Julian is a man on a mission.

He’s up on his feet in a heartbeat and rushing off to no doubt measure the guest room,again.

“Hey,” I whisper as I tuck my fingers under his chin. “You can always change your mind, Levi,” I promise under my breath. “We want you forever, but only if you want us too. You gotta promise me that you’ll be brave enough to let me know if that changes.”

I expect Levi to think about it or maybe clam up again, but he just nods as he climbs into my lap without hesitation, plopping himself down even though I’m squatting and already testing the vigour of my legs.

“Alright then,” I chuckle as I stand with him in tow. “Let’s get Julian before he starts measuring the inside of your drawers.”

Levi giggles as he rests his head against mine, and I smile because he’s a perfect fit.

“I’m attached,” Julian sighs as he sinks onto our bed.

“Oh, yeah?” I mock while I swing my aching arms out. “I never would’ve guessed.”

As far as I knew, Julian had never been flippant with his money, but Levi had brought our a new side of him. Julian bought everything in sight for the kid.

Did it matter if Levi needed it? No. Did it matter that Levi might not use it? No.

Levi had to have everything, which left us in the pack’s markets for the entire afternoon, with me stumbling behind the pair with bags hanging from both arms. No amount of begging on my end had swayed Julian to stop, but when I said Levi was hungry and the kid put on the performance of a lifetime to sell it, we’d finally tasted freedom.

“I guess I lost control a bit,” he mumbles, and when I huff a laugh, he winces. “Okay, a lot. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” I say, sliding beside him. “Levi definitely appreciated it. You saw the smile on his face when we put him to bed. You made his day.”

Julian’s grin spreads, and I do absolutely nothing to temper it, like I would dare.