Page 28 of Alpha's Unclaimed Mate

“Theron, can you hear me?”

My mind-link is faint, but I focus on the urgency in Luke’s voice.

“What?”

“We found security footage that shows Seren going inside a diner around one. She also withdrew cash from one of the ATMs near that diner.”

A flicker of hope ignites within me.

“She went straight to the airport from there. We have nothing after that.”

Reality hits me. There’s only one reason for taking cash. She doesn’t want to be found, and she isn’t coming back.

The world comes crashing down around me.

It’s all my fault.

Would she come back if I canceled my mating with Vanessa? But I still can’t take Seren as my luna.

The thought has Titan roaring furiously at me. Seeking comfort, I head over to our spot in the garden. Every step closer to it increases the burning feeling in my eyes.

As I finally approach the dirty, moss-laden log, the sight of the blooming lilacs feels like a cruel mockery. The gentle sway of the flowers sends their scent floating in the air. Every inhale reminds me of Seren…and the actions that made her reject me.

I step forward, my hands trembling, and begin to tear at the lilacs. Each rip and snap feels like a release, a momentary balm to the ache in my chest. I tear through them with ferocity, not caring where the broken flowers land.

In a few minutes, all reminders of my mate are shredded and strewn on the ground. My breath comes in ragged gasps, and I fall to my knees amid the chaos, calling my wolf to take over. I need him to run away from here. My human body has no strength left.

Titan’s whimpers echo in my mind, and I know he’s just as weak and miserable as I am.

A rejection from a fated mate is uncommon. Its consequences are far-reaching and incapacitating. It’s why I never told Seren about our connection.

My vision starts fading and I slowly lean against the log. It’s the last familiar thing around me. As I curl up in the fetal position and finally let the tears fall, I feel the phantom touch of soft, tentative fingers gently running through my hair.

CHAPTER 11

SEREN

Pulling another square of toilet paper from my bag, I sniffle and blow into it, the damp tissue a stark contrast to the dryness in my eyes. I think I’ve cried enough for a whole lifetime.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for any inconvenience, but United Airlines flight 3472 from Bishop to New York LaGuardia has been delayed by approximately one hour. The new departure time is three thirty.”

The loud announcement in the background feels suffocating. Another knot tightens around my stomach as I slump into the plastic chair. The phone is still pressed to my ear, the call ringing.

Maybe this is a sign that I shouldn’t run away.

I inhale another deep breath, a trace of the cold mountain air lingering under the stale scent of the airport. I close my eyes at the chill, and Titan’s face pops up in my head. His intense black eyes stare at me: questioning, devastated.

How could you?

My head feels heavy, thinking about the one love who has always been mine alone.

And you still rejected him?

But he is attached to Theron, who has betrayed me a thousand times! I want to scream.

A wave of nausea washes over me again.

“Hello!” Jane’s sharp voice slices through my misery. “Are you there?”

---