Page 49 of Alpha Mates

I barely resist the urge to cover my mouth. I didn’t even know I was smiling.

“Of course,” I reply, schooling my expression into neutrality. “Astronomy is the best.”

The pair share a groan before falling into a conversation I can’t follow, my mind snagged on that smile—and the real reason behind it.

Aiden appears at the forefront of my mind with his bright grin and too-dark eyes, and my insides squirm with something that has nothing to do with nausea.

Something’s shifted between us.

I can’t pinpoint exactly when or how, but after last night, it’s impossible to ignore.

When Aiden pulled me to him in the dark and I didn’t rip his throat out,I thought that by morning I would be able to think past whatever spell had been cast on me. Instead, morning came, and it took me thirty minutes to get out of bed.

Worse, I drew him a bath and cooked him breakfast. Me!Idid that because no compulsion spell could last that long without touch and the bond didn’t have the power to force me to do it either.

And then I found myself in the middle of a hug.

Aiden and I never touched unless fists were raised. But this morning, there’d been no fight—only his arms around me, a glimpse behind his shades, and the chance to mark him with my scent.

I lift my wrist to my nose, and my muscles unwind as lingering traces of sweet pine warm me. I’ve always resented the scent, but laced with mine, it carries a strange sort of comfort.

“Julian, are you listening?”

I drop my wrist. “Hm? What was that?”

Beckett and Isabel stop short, and I almost walk straight into them as they turn to study me.

“We were talking about the packs and how they’re transitioning,” Beckett says, his green eyes holding mine for a second longer. “Maybe we should set up private meetings with our counterparts. Me with the Dark Woods’ beta, Isabel with the other scouts, and so on.”

I nod quickly. “That sounds good to me. I’m sure Aiden would agree.”

“You’re sure, what?” Isabel coughs. “Since when have you and Aiden agreed on anything?”

“Since Goddess put a mate bond between us,” I reply, slipping between them and marching towards the open doorway at the end of the hall. “We can talk about it more later.”

In the lab, I head for my seat, with Isabel trailing in after me. She wisely remains quiet while I open my notebook, flipping through scribbled formulas and jotted reminders I’d left for myself while we wait for class to start. Not a single one sinks in as my mind drifts once again to my mate.

Morning aside, Aiden’s been acting weird lately—annoyingly loud and talkative one moment, and silent and broody the next. And it’s beenupsettingme.

I’d asked what was wrong just to clear the air, and the next thing I knew, I was running baths and asking him to meet me at lunch.

Lunch. Goddess have mercy, that already feels so far away.

I trace my thumb over my wrist. The bond thrums quietly in my veins, heavier without him. No pain though, just a slight pressure on my chest I know only Aiden can ease.

By the Plains, it’s barely been twenty minutes and I already want to see him. Not that I will. No matter what the bond or whatever else is at work demands, wanting to spend every minute with him is ridiculous. I had a life before him, and I can have it again. I just need to think past Aiden and this compact need to be with him.

A compact need?Alex scoffs in amusement.If you think anything about this is compact, then you’re delusional.

Okay, so maybe it’s a bit more consuming than that.

This bond, that boy, and his annoying wolf are a black hole and they’re eating us alive, Julian,Alex declares, all but dumping our truths on the table in their plainest forms.

I grit my teeth because he’s right, it isn’t just the bond anymore. It’s Aiden.

The mate bond makes a wolf yearn for their other half, but it doesn’t alter your perception of them. That part I’ve done on my own. With each passing day, I’ve been growing closer to Aiden instead of further away. Aiden, who is suddenly charming instead of infuriating. Aiden, who knows how to be a competent alpha and not just an overgrown man-child.

I should’ve revelled in his incompetence this morning, and left him behind. Instead, I practically brushed his teeth for him. But he’d been so tired, and all I’d wanted to do was help. Then he’d hugged me and held me close, and nothing had ever felt so right.