Page 379 of Alpha Mates

“He’s so big,” Aiden says, making me laugh a little as he holds him like the precious jewel he is.

I stare at him, blinking quickly so my vision doesn’t blur to take it away. I could stare at him forever.

I try to, but they have to clean him up and finish the surgery before I can hold him. So I try to pull myself together, but I fail miserably as tears of pure joy still stream down my face.

Cradled in my arms, my pup sleeps soundly, no longer screaming.

Aiden was right when he said he was big. My arms ache a little holding him so long, but I love it because it reminds me of what I have here. A little piece of me and Aiden—something we made on our own, and he’s perfect.

The door creeks open, and I look up as Aiden slips in with Levi at his side. They’re dark eyes match as they walk in hand in hand, but Levi’s are filled with a panic that doesn’t leave until they land on me.

Relief crashes through him and he quickly steps forward. Aiden lets Levi lead the way, following as he shyly crosses the room until he’s right at my bedside, his big eyes lifting curiously to the babe in my arms.

“Are you ready to meet your brother?” I ask and Levi nods vigorously. I grin as I make room. “Come up here.”

Letting Aiden go, Levi carefully climbs onto the bed, before he slides into the space beside me. Levi’s eyes widen, curious and amazed as he stares down at the sleeping boy.

“Levi, meet Damon,” I say, smiling as Aiden circles the bed to join me on the opposite side. “Your baby brother.”

Damon mewls as he stirs, waking with his family all around him. His little arms escape their binds, reaching up as he shifts about. Levi gasps a little before he hesitantly reaches out. He stops, looking at me, but when I nod, he continues, stretching his finger out to Damon, who immediately wraps his tiny hand around his finger.

Levi smiles and giggles, joy wafting into our family body from all sides, including Damon’s, as small as it is. We stay there for Goddess knows how long, my amazing mate on one side, my handsome boy on the other, and my beautiful Damon in my arms.

Chapter 76

Aiden

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”

Levi’s scream jolts me awake half a second before he launches himself onto our bed. I sit up just in time to see him kiss Julian’s cheek, then scramble over him to get to me. He plants one on my forehead, then he’s off, tumbling off the bed like a terror.

“I made breakfast, so hurry up,” he says, only pausing the madness to play with a squealing Damon from over his crib. Levi grins down at him, playing with his fingers, then turns back to us. “And Happy Anniversary!”

Then he’s gone again, leaving us to go check on our alleged breakfast.

My hearts still racing when I look across to my mate, who’s already watching me with those stupidly beautiful blue eyes. He pushes himself up and leans in, pressing his lips to mine. Sparks skitter down my spine as I kiss him back, until I’m all out of breath.

“Happy Birthday,” he whispers against my lips.

“Happy Birthday, Jewels,” I murmur, before I peck his lips again. He smiles against me as I roll on top of him, kissing him down his neck as he laughs beneath me. “And Happy Anniversary.”

Julian giggles against me, his scent a mix of his and mine that I’ve been addicted to since that day a year ago when we found out that we were mates.

“As much as I’d love to start this day off the right way,” he says as I sit up to see him, “we have two boys waiting for us and a very long day ahead of us.”

“Then I guess we’ll have to wait ‘til tonight,” I say, and yank him up with me. He laughs as we stumble from the bed. I scoop Damon from the crib and he squeals, kicking with delight as I carry him out to the living room.

“Oh wow,” Julian breathes as we come upon our dining table.

It’s a mess. Plates and bowls cover most of it, with piles of fruit and a stack of burnt toast. There’s a splattering of yoghurt beneath a large bowl, and cereal spilled like confetti. It’s all crammed into the centre where Levi probably pushed it to, but at our seats, there’s three perfectly placed plates and Damon’s highchair.

“This is amazing!” I cheer to Levi who beams beside it.

“I got everyone’s favourites,” he announces proudly. “It’s my gift.”

“And we love it,” Julian says, scooping him up to spin him around. Levi screams happily while I settle Damon in, fighting like all hell to buckle him in with the way he kicks and screams, wanting to be in the air too.

“Soon, kid,” I promise the little tyrant as I leave him be to ready his formula. “First food.”