Page 374 of Alpha Mates

“I love you, Levi,” I promise, and he sniffs. He doesn’t say it, but I feel it in my heart, from the tender place where our family bond has been putting itself together.

Eventually, Levi’s sobs stop and his tears with them. I clean him up and don’t force him to eat the rest of his food when he says he’s not hungry. Instead, I lead him to the couch and let him curl up beside me while I whisper promises I mean with my whole heart.

I love Levi with every fibre of my being. He’s mine—my pup, and Goddess help whoever said those awful words to him when I got my hands on them.

“He called him a what?!” Aiden shouts, making Levi startle as he watches his eyes glow. “I’m going to fucking kill him.”

Aiden marches out the way he came, and I’m right behind him.

“No!” Levi squeaks as he runs after us. “Please don’t hurt him.”

“He hurtyou, Levi,” Aiden says, only stopping to pick him up. “He has to pay for that.”

“It’s okay,” he whispers, and Aiden and I don’t bother masking our disapproval.

“No, it’s not okay,” I dismiss as I squeeze his shoulder. “You matter, Levi, and we’re not letting anyone get away with making you think that you don’t.”

“But everyone will hate me,” he whimpers, making the red in Aiden’s eyes flicker out slowly.

When Levi first saw Aiden’s eyes, he ran like hell. It was like our first night all over again, with Levi locked in his room and us trying to coax him out from the other side. No words had worked that time to get him to come out, not until Aiden started telling him his story the best way he could.

I’d been with him at first, but when Levi opened the door, I left them alone so they could share that moment. By the time I returned, they were both in tears, with Levi curled in Aiden’s lap.

Only time would tell whether or not Levi would have the red eyes too, or face issues with handling his emotions, but for now, he’s remained calm almost always.

The elevator dings before the doors split open, and Aiden wavers as he looks at Levi.

“Do you really not want me to put the guy down?” Aiden asks carefully, and I frown at him.

I didn’t plan to kill anyone in front of Levi, but I needed this man dead. One of our caregivers called Levi an abomination when he wasn’t even old enough to pronounce it. Someone like that didn’t belong in this pack or around other children.

“I don’t,” Levi says as firmly as he can.

“Fine,” he grumbles as he steps in. I follow, pressing the button for the ground floor. “We’ll take away his job and rough him up a bit.”

And kick him out of the pack,I want to tack on, but I don’t want Levi putting the blame for that on his shoulders.

“You do know that we love you, though, right?” Aiden asks as he fixes him on his hip.

“Yeah,” he mumbles as the elevator slows, but he sounds unconvinced.

“What’s with that?” I ask, making his eyes shoot to me. “Aiden, I think someone needs a little more convincing.”

Aiden cocks his head to the side as the doors ding open. “Is that so?’”

Levi’s eyes widen, a giggle already escaping before Aiden starts gnawing on his neck and tickling him in all his weak spots. He screams and shouts, kicking up a fuss while Aiden walks them out amid his attack.

I watch them go, smiling as I follow them out of the packhouse.

Jumping down the steps, Aiden makes Levi squeal before he’s back to tickling him. By the time I join them, Levi’s got the biggest smile on his face, one that warms my heart.

“Do you believe us now?” Aiden asks when he stops his attack.

“Yes,” Levi answers between desperate gasps for air.

“Do you?” Aiden asks, wiggling his free fingers threateningly.

Levi squeals and hides himself in Aiden’s neck. “Yes! Yes!” he shrieks, and finally Aiden has mercy. He presses a kiss to his forehead, and I add one too, making Levi beam as our family bond warms.