Page 37 of Alpha Mates

“So that’ll be two of everything and a shitload of elders? Isn’t that breaking the laws of nature or something?”

“Aren’t we already doing that?” I shrug. “We’re two alphas. That shouldn’t work, but we’re trying to make it work, so they can too.”

Aiden … smiles. It’s just a small one—I don’t think he even realises, but it still makes my insides twist.

“What about traditions? Our packs are opposites in almost every aspect. From fighting to training. I mean, we take a more holistic approach, and from what I’ve heard, you guys like to hunt rogues.”

The smile dies the moment I utter the word “rogues.” And it’s not just that. His entire demeanour changes so drastically that alarms automatically sounds in my head.

“I think we share everything,” he says, as if the shift had never happened. “Our packs are strong—we both rank high, and climb each year. I’m sure there are things from both packs we can trade.”

I blink at the adult that replaced Aiden Calderon because there is no way he’d just said something smart without attaching a silly question to it.

“That actually doesn’t sound bad.”

“And as for the rogues—” he straightens in his seat, the dark cloud returning in an instant. “Every one of them should die.”

I tense as the room falls quiet.

“Nobody likes rogues,” I start carefully, “but I don’t think that’s reason to kill them for sport.”

A flash of red sparks in his eyes and I remember how the same thing happened before our coronation. Just like a rogue’s.

“Do you have a soft spot for thosethings?” he grits out with sudden aggression that hadn’t been there a moment ago. “They would kill our own every time.”

“Not all,” I argue, trying to remain the voice of reason in the face of his sudden temper. “Some wolves become rogues when they’re abandoned or left too long on their own. They’re not all—”

“There’s no reasoning, no logic. They just want to inflict pain,” he argues as he pushes to his feet, glowering down at me in a way that has Alex snarling to do the same.

“That doesn’t mean we have to purposefully hunt them down. Some of those rogues used to be one of us. Could have eaten breakfast at the table with us before losing their way.” I stand so that we’re eye to eye.

“That doesn’t matter!” he roars in my face, and it takes everything in me not to lunge. “Every rogue is a threat. And any threat to my people, I destroy.”

“Even if those threats have kids? Orarekids?” I ask, making him stiffen for a moment before his murderous scowl returns. “Some are families that made a wrong choice. They’re not all looking for trouble, and some deserve to be left alone.”

“A threat with a family is still a threat!” His pheromones hit me like a wave, trying to push me to submit. It does the opposite.

“This is why I have always hated you.” I seethe as I lean over the table, so I’m right in his disrespectful face. “You don’t bother with a thought after the first! You just act off impulse!” My canines descend. “Just because you’re an alpha doesn’t make your actions okay. Wanting to slaughter families isneverokay!”

Aiden glares at me with eyes that glow crimson red. Now that I’ve gotten a better look, there’s no denying it. His eyes are red—as if his irises had been dipped in blood.

“You know, with those eyes, you almost look like one of thosethings,” I bite off with a dry laugh. “Whyareyour eyes red, Aiden?”

Aiden steps back as if I’d hit him, and his expression shifts from enraged to hurt so quickly it rattles my own rage, leaving me suddenly confused.

Aiden doesn’t lunge. He doesn’t shout or curse me. He doesn’t say anything else at all. He just turns, and leaves.

We don’t talk for the rest of the day, avoiding each other as much as we can within the limits of our peculiar bond.

I’m used to fighting with Aiden, so this is nothing new. What is new is the strange feeling I get every time I catch a glimpse of him.

He’d put his shades back on after what happened in the study, which shouldn’t be strange since he always has those stupid things on. The difference is, he hadn’t worn them since we’d been here.

I don’t regret most of what I’d said, but I do regret giving in to his rage instead of staying calm. If I had, maybe I would’ve thought twice before mentioning his eyes.

But what was done was done, so as the hours pass, I ignore the strange ache in my chest along with the source of it. If I could, I’d keep it up all night, but as the evening descends and I feel the pull of my pack gathering, I’m left with no choice.

We have a role to fill, which means getting along whether we like it or not. If only Aiden understood timeliness.