Page 29 of Alpha's Unclaimed Mate

I try to speak, but my voice cracks. Tears gather in my eyes again. “Jane, hi, um, are you at home?”

“Right now? Yeah. Wanna switch to video?”

I take a deep breath and clear my throat. “No. Actually, I’m coming to New York and was wondering if I could stay at your place. Just for a day or two?”

“No way! When are you coming?” She yells in the background, “Gunny, get ready to fork out a hundred because my girl is coming over!”

I hear muffled laughter and voices before Jane’s attention returns to me. “When?”

Her excitement takes away some of the heaviness, but I hesitate. “Tonight?”

“Are you serious?” There’s a pause, and then her voice softens. “Of course. My home is your home. But are you okay? Did something happen?”

“I...we’ll talk once I get there.” While she knows bits and pieces about Theron, I just can’t do this over a call.

“Got it. I’ll see you at the airport,” she immediately offers.

“No, don’t be silly.”

“Shut up! I’m coming.”

I smile, my first genuine one in a while.

“Get here safe, okay? And text me your flight details.”

I nod, even though she can’t see it, the tightness in my chest easing a bit. “I will. See you soon.”

As I’m putting the phone away, I notice a text from Ella and let out a slow, long breath before looking at the doors leading out to the passenger drop-off curb.

When I step outside the mostly deserted airport, I notice Ella right away, wheeling my two bags with a small smile on her face.

For a few minutes, no words are exchanged. We hug, cry, and comfort each other.

“Thanks, Ella,” I whisper as we pull apart. My voice trembles slightly. “I thought you’d send it over with Max or one of his friends.”

Ella rubs my back, chuckling. “And miss seeing you before you leave? Not on my watch.” Her tone is light, but there’s an underlying firmness.

I shake my head, feeling guilty. “I don’t want you getting in trouble for lying for me.”

Ella pauses, a thoughtful look crossing her face. “Well, I can promise I won’t lie, but I’ll be very...selective with the truth,” she says with a wink. “Why don’t you check in your baggage and then we can get some coffee?”

I nod, a flicker of worry twisting my stomach as I think about the potential consequences for Ella. She’s been working for the Blackwoods for years. I don’t want to jeopardize her position.

Twenty minutes later, we’re seated at a small, round table in the airport’s quiet coffee shop. Each of us has a paper cup in hand, our huckleberry Danishes are untouched as they rest on paper napkins, and the two of us stare at the snow-covered mountains through the window.

“This isn’t because of a job in New York, is it? It’s about leaving this place,” Ella says, her voice firm. She leans back in her chair, eyeing me closely.

I let my gaze drift around the small café, avoiding her piercing look. Except for those three years of college, I’ve always been a homebody, so now convincing her otherwise would be tough. And she knows me inside and out.

“Will you at least tell me why?” Ella asks, taking a sip from her coffee.

I pick at the edge of my Danish, crumbling it between my fingers. “This was never my home anyway,” I try with a smile. “I’m not even a wolf. I don’t know why…”

“He’s your mate, isn’t he?” she suddenly asks, her voice low but insistent. The reminder sends a sharp pain through my chest.

“Not anymore,” I answer softly, a lump forming in my throat. I swallow hard, willing the tears back.

Ella gasps, her eyes widening in shock before she looks away, exhaling a sharp breath. She’s probably disappointed with me.

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