Page 61 of Alpha's Unclaimed Mate

I laugh, a bitter sound. “Is that so? Well, this is my home, and you’re trespassing. If you’re still here in two minutes, I’ll call the cops, Gunner. And an arrest will look bad on your profile, since you have political ambitions.” I point to the security camera above the door. “All of this is being recorded.”

All the color drains from his face. He hesitates, then turns and walks away, but not before throwing a look back at me—one filled with something I can’t quite decipher. Regret? Fear?

I stand there, heart pounding, watching him walk away. I’ve never been one for confrontation, but I’ve realized if you don’t stand up for yourself or the people you love, then others are going to walk all over you.

And Gunner claiming to love Jane just makes me angry. People have no business claiming love if they don’t care enough to be honest or even loyal.

CHAPTER 22

THERON

I’m crouched on the sun-kissed grass with four kids waiting for the game to begin, while my son fidgets with his T-shirt, trying to rip it off.

Recently, anything more than underwear is too much for Leon.

“Everyone ready?” I ask, holding up the worn leather ball, my eyes fixed on Leon, who’s finally managed to shed his clothes. Before I can throw the ball, he bolts toward me, snatches it from my hand, and races to the gate at the garden’s edge.

I’ve converted the back garden into a play area where Leon often plays with the estate staff’s pups or Luke’s twins. It’s been our routine since Leon arrived six months ago.

“Leon, over here!” Kal, one of Luke’s twins, calls out, waving him over. But Leon’s at the gate, trying to pry it open even though it’s locked.

“Hey, that’s not how we play!” I laugh, standing up andhurrying to follow him. “You’ve got to pass it to the others, remember?”

His grip on the ball tightens as I scoop him up. “My ball,” he whispers.

I kiss his cheek and whisper, “It’s for everyone, my little lion.”

He stares into my eyes defiantly before throwing the ball behind me and kicking me. As the other kids race away with the ball, Leon’s eyes water.

“Open door,” he says, and I nod, swiftly opening it. The little devil kicks me right in the nuts as he slips out of my grasp and races out the door.

My son sure has strong alpha genes.

While I’m clutching my groin in pain, he races to the koi pond. Sensing my arrival, he hides in the most secluded corner. I hide behind a large tree, letting him think he’s fooled me, then pretend to stumble upon him.

“Oh! There you are! Phew!”

I plop down beside him, and he huffs before turning away, pressing his back against mine. I try to get him to talk, but he stays silent. Since he arrived, Titan and I have sensed his sadness. He misses his mom. Every night, he cries, hoping she’ll come for him. He still doesn’t think of Blackwood Estate as his home.

“Want to ride back on my wolf? Lana says breakfast is ready—bacon, banana oats, and that pastry you liked last time.”

No response.

“We could try to scare Lana. Maybe she’ll drop the milk again.”

Nothing.

“How about we check on our blueberry patch? If they’re ready, we can save them for Mama. I know she loves blueberries.”

Suddenly, the weight behind me disappears. “When is Mama coming?”

“Soon.” It’s worth lying if it will cheer him up, if only for a while.

As I start to get up, soft fingers poke my legs.

“Come on, let’s go,” he says, throwing his hands up for me to pick him up. His arms circle my neck tightly as I do.

We reach the blueberry patch, and Leon lets out a happy squeal. “My blueberry!”

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