Page 3 of Alpha's Unclaimed Mate

I hold on to his arms for support, since my legs are about to give up on me.

He pulls away too soon, but his eyes hold mine. A knowing smirk plays on his lips.

“Was that your first kiss?” he asks, his voice husky.

I can only nod again, my cheeks burning. His smirk widens, and he whispers, “Good.”

The word is jarring. But before I can react, he pulls me into another kiss. His arms tighten around me, keeping me flush against him. One of his hands is behind my neck, holding me in place as his tongue massages mine.

I melt into his possessive embrace. My heart is in a state of ecstasy.

The sound of a car horn breaks the spell. I look around and notice the sky has started to darken, and the lights along the hill are already on. It must be at least six. Is he here? There’s only one person I’m willing to ask for that information.

I find Ella by the kitchen, putting the dishes away. I pull her into a hug.

“Ella Bella, your son is turning into a menace. He hosed me down today.”

“You mean after you sprayed him and called him a dog?” she asks.

I pull away. “Whoa! He totally twisted my words. And it’s nice to see you jumping on his side!”

She chuckles. “Both sides are equal to me. And it’s nice to see you pretending to care about other things when we both know what you’re here for.”

I cringe, but bite my tongue. I hate lying.

“He arrived in town two hours ago, but went straight to the packhouse. Everyone went to meet him there.”

The stupid butterflies in my stomach disintegrate.

Ella turns and cups my chin. “It’s more logical for him to finish all his work before coming home, isn’t it?”

I stretch my lips into a forced smile.

“Not that you asked, but the Briar Ridge couple took their bags when they went to see him. Their suite has already been cleared out.”

I look at her, watching the amusement dancing in her eyes before she gets back to work.

“He’ll be home for dinner,” she announces as I’m leaving.

Instead of going back to my room, I head to my favorite place on the estate. My poor old log is covered in moss and dead leaves. I try to clean it a bit before sitting down. I hug my knees to my chest, waiting for him to return. Ella’s words replay in my head.

There’s always a logical reason, an explanation that makes it all okay. But doubts creep in. Does my return to Mammoth Lakes matter to Theron? DoImatter to him?

But staying away is impossible. It’s like trying to hold back the water gushing from a hose with your bare hands.

My eyes widen when my gaze drifts to the west wing. All the lights are on. There is a faint sound of music…and a reflection of someone by the window.

Forgetting everything else, I make my way back into the house, second-guessing my appearance. I’ve got moss on my dress and I’m sure some of my makeup is gone. I’m runningmy fingers over my dress when I bump right into a firm chest. The impact is hard and the scent of pine needles engulfs my senses. I look up to see a familiar, raven-haired man with piercing blue eyes.

“Theron.”

CHAPTER 2

THERON

Istagger back, eyeing Seren with a smirk. Her lilac scent is intoxicating. Titan’s going berserk in my head.

Seren’s plump lips part as she stares at me, nervously smoothing the pleats of her ill-fitting dress, the tag still stuck to the sleeve.

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