Page 70 of Alpha Mates

“No. You’ve been a complete asshole today. Tell me why.”

He clams up. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“You don’t want to talk about it?” I repeat, baffled. “You can’t just pick and choose, Julian. What happened to us talking about things and being honest with each other?”

His eyebrows pinch and big, guilty eyes lift to find mine. “I meant that.”

“Did you?” I challenge. “Because I’m trying right now, and you’re not. You were rude to meandto Emitt, who did not deserve that. He said you hated him, but I thought he was just being an idiot because Emittisa fucking idiot, but then you pulled that shit.”

Like a match struck, the nastiness flashes back in his eyes.

“It’s because he keeps tou—” He bites his lip, stopping himself from saying any more.

“What?” I press. “He keeps what?”

“Nothing,” he spits, and Goddess fucking help us.

I want to shake him until sense rattles lose, but stubborn is his middle name and he isn’t going to talk unless he wants to.

“Seriously, Julian, just tell me because I’m pissed off enough as is,” I warn, but he just shakes his head.

Sighing, I walk further into the classroom and card my fingers through my hair. My eyes burn. I’m used to being angry and dealing with that shit—especially when it comes to him—but I’m not used to being upset with my mate, or feeling so frustrated because I can’t fix it, and I want to. Goddess knows I want to.

Something’s clearly bothering him. But I don’t knowwhatthat something is, and he isn’t too keen on helping me figure it out.

“This is stupid, Julian,” I say, as I push my shades into my hair to rub at my eyes. “I don’t want to fight after we just fixed things yesterday. Please just tell me what’s wrong.”

When I face Julian again, the spark of resentment is gone, replaced by budding concern as his fingers curl into fists at his sides.

“I-I can’t,” he whispers, and I sigh again, but I nod as I do. I tried.

“Then find me when you get over whatever the fuck this is,” I say, heading for the door.

“No,” Julian says, rushing to block my path. “Don’t go, Aiden.”

Max whines, the ache and desire to comfort him bone deep, especially when he’s so distressed, but he’s the one causing it.

“Then tell me!” I yell as the last of my patience flies out the window. “Now, Julian!”

“Ughh! I-I got mad because you and Emitt were way too close!” he yells back at me. “You were sharing drinks and food and touching all the damn time! You kept sitting by him and—and laughing with thatstupidlaugh every time he doesanything!” He heaves, taking a breath, but only so he can keep going.

“You only spoke to him this morning, barely remembering that I was there, by the way.” He laughs but there’s no humour in it. “You two share everything—your food and drinks. You did it this morning and just now at lunch, and … and the touching.” He groans that one out as he glares at me, eyes burning behind his contacts.

“I can’tstandthe touching because you smell like him. When I saw you earlier, I smelt him all over you, and it pissed—no! Itpissesme off to smell another guy on you whenI’myour mate.”

By the time Julian finishes, his canines are out, and he’s panting for air like there’s none left in the room. All the while, he looks at me like he’s about to rip my fucking throat out with his teeth.

… Holy shit.

Never in my life have I seen Julian blow up, let alone react toanythinglike this. The guy exploded a few times on me in the past, but not like this—thiswas some next-level shit right here.

“Um …” I blink a few times and think carefully about my words, well aware that they might be the last I ever speak if I’m not careful. “Are you saying—and don’t hit me for this because I may be wrong—but were you … are youjealous?”

Julian’s eye twitches, and my arms lift automatically to protect myself.

“Yes, Aiden! I’m jealous!” he shouts, fuming so much that steam practically blows from his ears. “I don’t like it, but I am!” He fists his hair as he paces in front of me. “I know it’s stupid, but I can’t help it! I tried to ignore it, but I can’t when you keep walking around smelling like that!”

“I didn’t know I smelt like him—”