Page 62 of Alpha's Unclaimed Mate

In a patch filled with green, there’s only a single ripe fruit. Clearly, Leon takes after his mother. Seren has always been a glass half full girl.

Holding him tight, I let him lean out so he can reach the ripe blueberry, but instead of plucking it, he kisses it and settles back into my arms, smiling.

“They all be blue?” he asks, looking at the lush patch, and I smile.

“Yes.” I nod. “They’ll all turn blue soon.”

“Before Mama comes?”

This time I don’t lie. I kiss his cheek instead. “I’m hungry. Should we get some breakfast?”

He hums.

While Leon stays upbeat the rest of the day, I remain anxious about the sadness I know will come at night.

Where are you, Seren?

Since Vanessa’s death, Alpha Landon has gone into hiding. I don’t know if he’s still covering Seren’s tracks, but I still haven’t been able to find her. Over the last six months, I’ve been on three wild goose chases—twice to New York and once to Boston.

My phone buzzes, snapping me from my thoughts. Seeing the name flash on my screen, my heart slams against my ribs as I swipe to answer.

“Alpha Blackwood, I found her.” My private investigator’s voice is steady, with an edge of urgency.

My rational side keeps my eagerness in check. “How sure are you it’s her this time?”

“Well, I’ve gotten so much information that this can’t be anyone but her. She studied Law at Boston University and currently works at Cushman & Sedgwick. She lives in Manhattan. I can send you her address and a picture. You can confirm her identity.”

My phone buzzes again with a picture.

For a moment, everything goes silent. The air leaves my lungs when my hands tremble as I zoom in on the picture. This can’t be real. But the unmistakable hazel eyes are too bright to belong to anyone else.

My heart pounds as I switch to video.

Time stops as Seren’s face appears on the screen. My eyes burn at the sight. It’s been two years, one month, and thirteen days since I last saw her.

The summer sun lights up her face as she picks up a bouquet of lavender at a roadside flower shop. Her hair is longer, her face fuller, her body toned. For a brief moment, her gazedrops to the camera before moving away, and my breath hitches. My mate. Alive. Laughing. Happy.

“Don’t let her out of your sight.” I glance at my watch. It’ll be seven to eight hours before I can reach her. “No matter how long it takes me to get there, stay with her until I arrive.”

“On it, alpha.”

The call ends and I look around, my hands in my hair. I’ll plead, beg—whatever it takes—but she has to come back.

I send a quick text to the pack gamma to ready the jet. I can’t waste time flying commercial. The next text goes to my father to make sure he’ll arrive by this evening. Once both are confirmed, I call the housekeeper while packing a bag.

“Lana, I need to be somewhere urgently and might not return tonight. Leon’s grandfather should be here by five, but until then, don’t leave him alone. If there’s a problem, reach out to Pema.”

“Of course, alpha,” she answers. “And if he asks about you?”

“Uhm…tell him I’m bringing a surprise.” I frown, rejecting the idea as soon as it leaves my mouth. “No, hold on, say I’ve got a fever and am staying at the packhouse until I’m better. We can video call.”

As I race to the main foyer, I feel a tight knot in my stomach. Should I say goodbye to Leon, or slip away quietly? Taking him with me crosses my mind, but what if things go wrong? Risking his safety isn’t an option, but leaving without a word feels wrong. On the other hand, he’ll ask questions if I say goodbye, and what if that makes him think another parent is leaving him?

I shake my head and hop into the car. As it drives away, Iglance at the French window of our room and exhale deeply. I’m glad that unlike his mom, he isn’t there to see me leave.

For the entire duration of the flight, I’m unable to sit still. My mind replays every hurt I’ve inflicted on her—every cruel word, every cold action. The fact that I hid the gift of our mate bond from her. The mating and marking with Vanessa. How will she forgive me? If our positions were reversed, would I forgive her? Could I take her back?

I exhale another deep breath and remind myself that she isn’t like me.

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