Page 385 of Alpha Mates

His lip trembles.

“I loved how you’d come sit with me to watch a show at night, how our hands would touch a little by accident, how you looked at me when we woke up. When we went to sleep.” I smile, tears slipping free. “When you wouldwake me up with a kiss, how you’d always cook my favourite meals, and worry about me when I wasn’t at my best.

“I started loving all of it. All of you. Until one day, I just fell in love with you. And I have loved you every day since.”

Julian’s whole face is crumbling, and still somehow, he’s never looked more beautiful.

“I know not a lot of us do this,” I say, gripping the open box tighter, “but I want you in every way, Jewels. So I ask you now, Julian Heil … my old enemy, my best friend, my mate, the love of my life—will you marry me?”

“Yes!” Julian shouts, launching himself at me. “Yes! Yes! A million times over, yes!” My heart hammers against his as I hug him as tightly as I can and he screams above me.

“YES! I would love to marry you, Aiden Calderon.” His voice cracks with joy, and he kisses me so hard that I fall to the ground.

We laugh as he hovers over me with the widest smile I’ve ever seen, and as I look up at him, I feel whole. I push the hair behind his ear as he looks down at me with those crystal-blue eyes that make me fall deeper in love every day, and that cute laugh that makes my heart beat a bit faster, that voice that makes me feel protected and that smile that lights up my entire world.

“I love you so much, Julian,” I whisper, just staring at him—my other half, my entire soul. The one who stood by me through it all and never once stopped loving me, even after what we’ve been through, all our fights, the rogues. He stood by me for it all.

“And I love you,” he whispers, lips shaking as he smiles down at me, “more than you could ever imagine.”

And I’m fucking sobbing. Because I can’t imagine life without him, and I don’t want to. In this perfect moment, I love him more than I can even comprehend, and I thank Goddess with everything I have, for giving me this. For giving me him.

The love of my life.

My one and only.

My soulmate.

My Jewels.

Epilogue 1

Julian

Four years later

“Levi! Damon! Hurry up or you’ll be late for school!”

Levi comes rushing down the stairs with his curly hair a complete and utter mess despite his attempts to brush it.

“Remind me to cut that hair this weekend,” I beg while I finish off his lunch kit.

“Okay,” he replies while he slides onto the counter stool and starts stuffing his face with cereal.

“Where’s your brother?” I ask, glancing up, but there’s no Damon, and I can’t hear any steps coming.

“That can’t be a serious question,” Levi retorts with a cocked brow, and I can’t help but laugh.

So, Damon’s getting ready, which means the chances of us getting out here in five are slim to none. I’ve never met a kid so self-absorbed as that boy was, especially at the age of six. But when morning came, Damon only cared about one thing, and that was making sure he looked good.

“Damon! I will burn all your clothes if you don’t get down here right now!” I shout, and in seconds, the sound of hurried footsteps fills the house. At the bottom, he slips and falls, landing flat on his face. I pause, waiting, but he’s up in a second and dusting himself off as he waddles into the kitchen.

The first time one of them fell, Aiden and I nearly had an aneurysm rushing them to the healers, but now it was a normal Monday. Damon climbs onto his seat while Levi readies a bowl for him.

“Why must you always take so long, Damon?” I ask, leaning against the counter while I watch them eat.

“Time just goes, whoosh!” he says before he quickly stuffs his cereal into his mouth.

While they eat, I rush into the laundry room to slip something that’s not stained on before I grab the keys and shove some shoes on. The boys thankfully move quickly, eating their food before they grab their lunch kits and follow me out the door.