Page 93 of Alpha Mates

Muscles bound tight, she stays quiet, barely breathing, as pure instinct protects her from making another grave mistake.

In the silence, I inhale deeply and take a moment to compose myself as my extended claws slowly retract.

“When the packs join, Julian and I willbothbe alphas,” I snarl over her, and she ducks her head lower. “There will be no difference between us. Anyone who thinks otherwise will find themselves dead, or in a new pack if they’re wise enough to open their mouths like you.

“And mother,” I grit as I take a step closer. “You can say what you want about me, but don’t you dareeversuggest that my mate is anything other than a true alpha.” I keep my tone measured as I lean in to whisper, “This is a warning because you’re my mother, but say something like that again, and who you are, won’t matter.”

I walk away, and this time, she doesn’t follow me.

The silence isn’t so peaceful anymore. It’s grating.

I quicken my steps to get myself far away from her and anyone else mulling about before I snap, because that’s exactly what I feel like—like I’m about to snap.

Deep breaths. Calm thoughts.

The familiar mantra plays in my mind while I head for Julian’s home.

Deep breaths. Calm thoughts.

It doesn’t help. It rarely does.

I walk faster, but with each step I take, the pulsing ache behind my eyes builds like a warning. It’s one that I take seriously, knowing what usually follows my rage getting the best of me.

Deep breaths. Calm thoughts.

By the time I make it through our door, the pain has morphed from a dull ache to a searing burn that turns my vision hazy.

“Julian,” I call, hoping for no response. For once, Goddess answers my prayers.

From there, my movements are automatic: soaking a rag, filling it with ice that I crush between my fingers, dragging myself to the couch. Seated, I take a moment to prepare myself before I pull my shades off.

The raw light is near blinding before I lay the wet fabric over my eyes. The relief that follows is instant and so damn glorious that I can’t help but sigh as I sink into the leather and empty my lungs.

Lying there, in the stagnant house, I repeat the mantra.

Deep breaths. Calm thoughts.

Still useless. Always useless.

Worse now, with my mother’s words looping in my skull. Usually, I could drown my mind in the noise of the outside world. The ever-present buzz of my own pack had become my remedy, but I’m not home right now. I’m in Julian’s pack, and it’s too fucking quiet.

Deep breaths. Calm thoughts.

My left hand settles over the cloth, keeping it in place. My right … in the quiet—the all-too-familiar quiet—my thumb starts rubbing over my knuckles.

Aiden,Max warns, but whatever he says after is lost to me as my mind reels.

Do other people think that?

My thumb presses in slightly, focusing on the tendons.

I’d prepared myself for opposition to Julian and me as mates, but I’d never once worried that our status as alphas would be questioned. It speaks for itself—we are both alphas. But now poisonous doubt festers, and I need to know if others share the same opinion.

The pressure behind my thumb builds, splintering bone.

If I could find them, I could kill them before their thoughts spread like poison.

My thumb presses harder and harder.