Page 30 of Alpha's Unclaimed Mate

“A man who can’t honor his mate should not be alpha,” she hisses, her eyes narrowed with determination. “I’m going to talk to Alpha Dan about this.”

My eyes well up with tears as her words sink in. “Ella, please,” I plead, my voice trembling. “Don’t involve anyoneelse. I just want to escape all this. And honestly, I’ve never understood the whole ‘mate’ thing. Being forced into something with someone you don’t connect with—it’s wrong.”

She leans in, her hand warm on mine, her expression softening. “It’s not about being forced, Seren. The bond is a deep connection, a pull. It’s meant to be a beautiful thing. We’re paired with the one who can help us be the best version of ourselves.”

I smile. I guess my being human switched things up for Theron.

“He’ll come to his senses one day and look for you, I can guarantee that.” She gives me a reassuring smile, her fingers gently squeezing mine.

“There’s nothing in this world that can make me come back here.” I turn my gaze out the window, watching as a plane lands. Hopefully, that’s my flight.

We both stay quiet for a while. I break a piece off the Danish, chewing slowly and looking around, suddenly feeling low. This was my home.

Ella eventually digs into her handbag and pulls out a notepad and pen, pushing them toward me across the table.

“You should leave a note behind so no one can suggest putting in pack resources to look for you. If you leave under your own free will, they can’t come after you.” Her voice is gentle, and her words make sense.

Ella watches me intently as I scribble down a few words, crumple the paper, and toss it aside. I start again, my mind racing. What should I write? A simple goodbye? An explanation for leaving? Should I address it to Theron, or Luna Marie and Alpha Dan?

After what feels like an eternity, I hand her the third attempt. She gives me an envelope and I seal it carefully. Done.

Placing the envelope in her bag, she gets up. “I should head back before anyone gets suspicious and thinks to follow me.”

Slowly, I nod, rising to my feet. A heaviness settles in my stomach. “I don’t know if we’ll meet again, Ella, but...”

She pulls me into a tight hug. “I know we’ll meet again. I just don’t know when. Maybe Max and I can come visit you for a weekend.”

My throat is so tight I can’t speak, so I just hug her as hard as I can.

“Take care of yourself,” she whispers, stepping back and handing me a business card. “My cousin lives in Boston. Call her if you need anything.”

I watch her walk away, feeling my last bond with Mammoth Lakes breaking.

I send a text to Jane once I’ve boarded before switching off my phone.

For the next five hours, I try to sleep, but I can’t shake the feeling of leaving a part of myself behind. I always thought of Blackwood Estate as my anchor, a place where I could belong if I just tried hard enough. But as we reach ten thousand feet above ground, I finally accept it was never my home. The Blackwoods might have been a family to each other and their pack, but they never even bothered to try to be my family.

I was never included in holidays or major events. My life was managed by their housekeeper—clothes, books, everything. My career, my education, my existence…they were never discussed. I was invisible.

The child the Blackwoods took in was just a charity project who was always set aside because she didn’t have a wolf, and their son picked me up and then abandoned me in the same way ten years later.

But Theron was worse. He gave me hope and scraps of affection, made false promises, and made me cling to something unreal with zero intentions of following through.

I’m done humbling myself for anyone. I have to rein in this need for family. Maybe being by myself will be good for me.

With my resolve strengthening with every minute, I feel some of the weight lifting off my shoulders.

As the sky darkens, I drift off to sleep.

“Miss. Miss.” A sharp prod jolts me awake. I blink, disoriented. A flight attendant stands over me, eyeing me with a terse smile.

“Excuse me, ma’am. We’ve arrived in New York.”

I glance around. The cabin is nearly empty, and a rush of adrenaline jolts me fully awake. Fumbling with my seatbelt, I mumble a quick “Sorry” to her.

As I step outside, the full impact of my arrival hits me. People rush past me, constant announcements drone on in the background, and the scent of coffee and fast food is heavy. Even the air feels different.

I peel off my jacket like I’m shedding my skin and smile.

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