Page 382 of Alpha Mates

“I can’t believe she’s gone,” Beckett murmurs, staring down the empty road.

“It’s for the best,” Julian says firmly as he wipes his tears. “She’ll thrive out there.”

“That’s a fact,” I confirm—right as Damon makes a shrill sound that steals all our attention.

Julian’s there first, and Emitt’s at his side in a heartbeat, his green eyes growing wide with anticipation.

“Okay, you can go,” he says, grinning at Levi with a wave.

“Are you sure?” Julian says, already halfway into a guild spiral as he lifts Damon up. “We can—”

“Julian, it’s your and Aiden’s birthday,” Emitt cuts in snappily. “We’re babysitting while you guys celebrate. Shut up and get lost.”

My brows shoot up and I wait for Julian to snap, but he just rolls his eyes and relents. Apparently, the two of them had gotten closer over the last few months, but I wasn’t exactly sure when or how it happened. I was grateful either way—mainly because I no longer had to deal with Emitt’s creepy puppy-dog eyes.

“Enjoy the night with Emitt,” I tell Levi, ruffling his hair before I shift my gaze to the baby in Julian’s arms. “And behave.”

Damon’s eyes grow wide, as if he doesn’t know what I’m talking about, but we all know how mischievous he can be.

“We’ll pick them up around seven,” Julian says, carefully handing Damon over to Beckett.

Those blue eyes shift with anxiety before his face crumples, and he reaches for Julian, already crying, until Beckett directs one of his tiny fingers towards his closed eye.

Giggles replace his tears as he pokes the closed socket, always so giddy to poke.

Shaking my head, I grab our picnic bag from where it hangs on the stroller and he grabs his “secret” one, making my eyes narrow. Jewels just winks before grinning at the others.

“We’ll see you later,” he says to Levi, and he nods before attaching himself to Emitt’s leg.

It was still hard to separate from the kids—but it was easier doing it with our best friends, especially since Levi trusted them. Hand in hand, Emitt leads the way, and Jewels and I quietly watch them all walk away.

The second they’re out of earshot, I grab Julian’s hand and make a dash for it.

“Goddess!” he shouts, stumbling after me as I drag into the woods. “What’s going on?”

“I’ve got something planned,” I say, glancing back with a grin that grows as I watch Julian’s hair bounce around him while he struggles to hold onto the gift and his bag in the other hand.

“Don’t try and figure it out, because you will,” I warn. “As a matter of fact, you should close your eyes.”

“Where’s the blindfold?” he teases, and I snort.

“Damon should never be given anything to hold, is all I’m saying.”

Julian laughs as we dart between the trees.

We run like pups, jumping over thick roots and dodging low branches while we race through this land that’s all ours. No just Julian’s or mine anymore, but ours. Sweet summer air clings to me, and I inhale it greedily.

We’re close now, and I slow us down, savouring the familiar walk through the overgrown grass until the willow tree comes into view—that one that holds one of my most precious memories with Jewels.

“I have to set it up myself this time?” he teases as we walk closer.

“I’m not giving you a planet or anything, so I figured that I didn’t need it to be all romantic this time,” I reply, making him laugh as we come to a stop beneath the tree.

We set up our picnic for the afternoon, taking our time laying out our blanket and food. I make sure my gift is ready before I sit down. Julian slides Isabel’s gift between us, and I struggle not to immediately snatch it up.

“Should we open it?” I ask. “I’m dying to know what it is.”

“Go for it.”