Page 50 of Alpha's Unclaimed Mate

The wind whips through my hair along the winding roads of the mountain, a cold sting against my skin. It’s a welcome distraction.

The sight of the iron gates of the estate, and Seren’s empty window, almost makes me hit reverse, but I just want to crash.

“Can I send some soup and bread over?” the housekeeper asks as I’m heading up the stairs.

I frown. Even the thought of food makes my stomach churn. I shake my head and am about to leave when she persists. “Just broth?”

“Sure. Thank you, Lana.”

Stepping inside my room, I toss aside my clothes and pull on old sweatpants before flopping onto the mattress by the window. Curling into a ball, I take a deep breath and close my eyes.

Tomorrow marks a year since Seren left. I stopped looking for her six months back when Vanessa died. My mother passed away in the same attack. My father is alive, but his health is now fragile.

My own strength has faded, and it continues to with every passing day. I’ve lost my appetite. I would’ve left long ago, but I’m staying because of my father, a man I’ve disliked for twenty-three years of my life.

“How could you let this happen?” My father seems ready to shift into his wolf form and rip me to shreds. His eyes are red-rimmed as he glances back at my mother on the hospital bed, her heartbeat a faint tick on the monitor beside her.

I stand frozen by the door, unable to tear my eyes away from her bloodied body. “I—I was at the airport. I found out Seren’s location and…”

“Why?” My father’s deep frown etches lines into his face as he tilts his head back, eyes narrowed in disbelief.

I feel like the little boy of nine who used to wet his bed whenever he failed at something.

“Your luna is dead and your mother lies here fighting for her life, all because the pack alpha wanted to chase after a girl?”

“Seren is my fated mate,” I confess, my voice hoarse.

For a moment, I think he hasn’t heard me. Then, with a speed that belies his age, he delivers a swift punch to my face. The impact sends me reeling to the floor, the coppery taste of blood filling my mouth.

As I struggle to rise, he kicks me in the ribs. On reflex, I curl up, trying to lessen the impact. My injuries from the battle flare with pain—my arm is already broken, and two of my ribs are likely cracked.

“You were born with everything,” he says coldly, his words as cutting as his blows. “And you squandered it. You’re not worthy of the Blackwood name.”

“I never asked for any of this,” I hiss back angrily.

His scowl deepens. “Now I know why that girl was always roaming around looking sad and lost. It was because her mate devalued her. And it’s also why a girl like Vanessa lost her spark. And now your mother is here.” He leans in, eyes burning with disdain. “You shouldn’t have been born.”

My vision blurs and shame burns through me, but I know he’s right.

“Since you understand the pain of losing your mate, you will now make up for what the members of this pack have lost because of you. Fix things. Secure the lives of those who’ve survived, and if you truly want to atone, you’ll let Seren go. Let her live her life in peace.”

The bright rays of sunlight streaming in through the window wake me up. The warmth feels brilliant against my skin. I smile as my eyes fall on the calendar. April eighth.

Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I exhale a long breath and type out a text.

I’ve completed what I committed to do. I’m confident they can survive without me.

The three dots appear beneath my message almost immediately. The old man clearly wakes up early.

So go ahead. Come clean and then come over. The weather here has gotten better these last couple of weeks. :-)

My father has never used emojis in his life. I smile and send a response to my beta.

Hi Luke, it’s time. I’ll be addressing the pack after training today. See you then. Thank you for everything.

Once again, the three dots appear immediately, but the response never arrives.

I take my time getting ready. By the time I reach the pack grounds, the day’s training is on its last leg. The grounds are wet and things are messy as wolves train for hand-to-hand combat in pairs. The turf makes everything slippery.

---