Page 42 of Alpha's Unclaimed Mate

They have another blind date for me.

I can’t even be angry anymore.

I force a smile, my shoulders slumping as I glance at my friends in the backseat before sitting shotgun. “Sorry, I hope I didn’t make you guys wait long.”

“Whoa, Seren, you’re looking fierce tonight,” Jane gushes from the backseat, her voice dripping with exaggerated awe.

I roll my eyes, my lips twitching with the effort to suppress a groan.

Gunner greets me warmly before Jane places her palm on my shoulder, whispering, “Sorry it’s last minute,” before turning to the stranger behind the wheel.

“Ethan works on the same floor as me at Carter & Thorne. And Ethan, this is Seren, my ride-or-die.” Jane moves back with a quick, “Now that you two know each other, I’m bowing out. I need my power nap.”

I feel smoke coming out of my ears until I hear a soft chuckle.

“A candy for your worries?” His smile is warm, but as I take in his features, I’m struck by his deep olive-green eyes and easy charm. He leans over, revealing a glove compartment full of colorful candies. He pulls out one for himself, popping it instantly into his mouth.

He looks nothing like a lawyer.

I sort through the choices, picking a blueberry gummy bear. He chuckles again, sticking out his tongue at me. A colorful imprint of the candy is stained on it.

I feel a little lighter as we start our drive to the event.

“So, where are you from?” he asks as we move onto the narrow streets. It’s a simple question, but I don’t have an answer. I don’t remember where I was born or spent the first years of my life. But Blackwood for sure is not home.

Noticing my hesitation, he quickly switches the question. “Or wait, scratch that. Where would your home be if you could choose anywhere on this planet?”

I turn to stare at him. Is he really that responsive to my feelings?

That little thoughtfulness catches me off guard. I smile and decide to make a genuine effort for once.

“Somewhere I could see the Northern Lights from my bedroom window,” I reply, popping my blueberry gummy bear into my mouth.

He glances at me briefly with a wide smile. “Imagine having that and then traveling to New York for a holiday.”

“I’d probably spend that money taking skateboarding lessons instead…or ice skating,” I reply.

“Interesting choices.” His green eyes rake over me again.

“I’ve never been into sports, but now that I’ve been working out…”

Jane chimes in from behind us, “Three months. First time in her life.”

I roll my eyes without turning around. “One can develop an interest at any point…” I’m mid-sentence when I notice the amused look on Ethan’s face and I forget what I was about to say.

We enter the charity gala together, but I excuse myself and head straight to my boss. At the end of the day, I’m here for a purpose.

William is extremely warm. We spend a few minutes with his wife before we do rounds of the place. He makes it a point to introduce me to several policymakers in the government, senior members of regulatory agencies, and people from key investment banks.

As we make the rounds, I mull over the possibility of actually engaging and negotiating with policymakers and regulators instead of filing documents and running between court hearings. If I build a solid relationship with these guys I just met, that’s something I could do full-time.

I suddenly realize this is what William meant when he talked about finding my niche.

My mood turns upbeat once I have that realization. I introducehim to Jane, Gunner, and Ethan before the lights dim and music starts playing.

“Want to feel awkward in the middle of the room?” Ethan asks as most people get on the dancefloor.

I giggle. “How about we do that right where we are instead of rubbing elbows with strangers?”

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