Page 98 of Alpha Mates

Emitt gasps dramatically. “Oh, I bet y—” His life is saved by Beckett, who manages to steer him towards his car with stiff arms and promised excitement over meeting “a young Jason Momoa.” Isabel follows suit with a wave, her grin massive as she marches behind our betas.

We head the opposite way, and soon, we’re back on the road with Aiden driving like a lunatic again, only this time, I keep my eyes on him.

He’s more relaxed, his one-handed grip on the wheel loose, his scent sweet. The windows are down, and the wind threads through his hair like it wants to touch him too. Passing lights strobe across his skin, painting him anew for me.

“You going to stare at me all night, Jewels?” Aiden asks, and for once, I’m glad to hear his teasing. “It’s fine if you do. I just need to know. Otherwise, I might be a blushing mess all night.”

I hum, not inclined to give him an honest answer.

“Shouldn’t you be more concerned with what’s out there?” he asks, gesturing to the windshield. “It’s your first time out here at night, right? Take it all in.”

I should. I should be pressed against the glass, soaking in every little thing I can. But I’m not, and I don’t want to be. Not when Aidan is infinitely more intriguing.

Aiden smirking. Aiden teasing. Aiden smiling. Goddess, I’m acting like a lovesick pup, but I don’t care.

I just want to enjoy this—being here with him, with my mate. My Aiden.

He pulls us into an aged gas station that looks like it’s seen better days, but the shop attached to it has all its lights on, shelves lined with rows of goodies.

“It’s the closest place to the drive-in,” Aiden explains as he parks the car beside what looks like the only working pump.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“The disgust in your eyes says everything, Jewels,” he teases. I school my features while he chuckles. “I’ll run in, and if you can manage it without throwing up, can you fill her up for me?”

There are so many things I could say to that, starting with why his car is ashe, but I grant him mercy and leave it at a nod. He grins at me, and he might as well shoot an arrow right through my heart, but he’s out of the car before he can do me the honour of watching me bleed out.

“I hate him …” I whisper, seeing if that old trick might still work. “I actually hate him.” Nothing.

Sighing, I slip out of the car and set about getting “her” filled up. I’ve just propped the pump back into place when a beaten-up truck pulls into the station. Three guys spill out with raucous laughter as they head for the shop with beers in hand, but they slow when they notice me.

One whistles as he drags his eyes over me, passing a hand over his greasy face. “Well, look here. What are you doing tonight, beautiful?”

“That’s a guy, Jim,” his friend supplies, but neither he nor Jim look too deterred by the news.

“A pretty guy,” Jim replies as he slowly tracks my way.

I ignore them. Tighten the gas cap. Shut the fuel door. When I look up, Jim and his two slimy friends are still grinning at me from around the hood.

I size them up quickly before discerning they aren’t some hidden threat, just drunk humans looking for trouble. I don’t bother watching my step as I circle the car, aiming for my side, but the third musketeer steps in front of me.

“Hey, now. You going so soon?” he asks with a feigned pout. “We only just met.” He reaches for me, and I slap his hand away.

He hisses, eyes darkening. “That wasn’t very nice.”

The mood shifts, and it’s no longer so disgustingly sweet. A hand lands on my shoulder, and I discard any lingering hesitation. I grab the brave fingers andtwist. I hear bones crack. The man howls and I shove him back hard, claiming back the space he dared to invade.

Smiles turn to sneers, and the other two each make a move to grab me.

I dodge their attempts faultlessly and punch the closest straight in his jaw. I restrain myself, but he still goes down with an echoing crack that promises he won’t be talking anytime soon. With two down, I face the last of the bunch, fists up. I’ll make this quick so that we can just leave when Aidan get’s—

“What the fuck!” Aiden’s voice booms as he rushes out of the store. I flick my eyes his way, and in that split second the last of the idiots lands a punch against my jaw. It barely stings, but it’s annoying enough for my instincts to take over. I slam my fist into his stomach, sending him to his knees where he gasps desperately for air.

By the time Aiden reaches me, they’re scrambling, all but crawling backto their truck. It skids off with a desperate screech. I chuckle as I watch them go, expecting Aiden to do the same, but when I look at him, his eyes are only on me.

“Wha—ow?” I say as he latches a hand around my wrist to drag me to the car and shoves me in. “What the hell, Aiden?” I snap. He glowers before he climbs in after me. “What are you doing?” I groan, trying to crawl over the console, but he drags me into his lap before I can.

The door shuts behind us, and then Aiden’s … hugging me?