Page 34 of Alpha's Unclaimed Mate

I wonder where she is right now.

As the elders call us to the center of the grounds for the ceremony, I follow them in complete autopilot mode.

The buzz is almost deafening.

“Theron, Vanessa, please step forward,” Elder Marek’s voice commands. I nod, trying to shake off the growing sense of dread.

The crowd quiets, their eyes fixed on us as the vows begin. Vanessa’s hand feels cold, and her voice wavers as she recites her vows. “I vow to love and cherish you, Theron, as my mate and partner in all things. I vow to lead this pack with courage, honor, and kindness.”

I force myself to repeat the words, but they feel hollow.

Another elder draws blood from both our palms, mingling them together.

We both step closer to each other. Vanessa smiles as I place my palm at the back of her head, holding her in place. My body temperature drops sharply, and a chilling numbness spreads through me. I take a deep breath and pick the spot for my mark. I suck in a deep breath and pierce her neck with my canines.

Suddenly the buzz in my head stops. While the crowd erupts in cheers, my ears ring. As I pull away, a strong gust of air escapes me, as if the very essence of my being is slipping away.

A strange howl echoes somewhere close before a deep sense of loss washes over me.

I barely register when Vanessa marks me. As I stare blankly into the distance, a single tear rolls down my cheek and I know the truth. Finally, my wolf has left me.

I’m the same as Seren now: a human among werewolves.

CHAPTER 13

SEREN

Sweat rolls down my sides as I lower myself into the final squat. Rema’s smash hit song pulses through my headphones, pushing me to do more.

I glance at my reflection in the hallway mirror, noticing the definition in my arms and the firm set of my shoulders—a testament to the past three months of grueling workouts.Yet, in my workplace, I remain a temporary shadow, constantly filling in for more established colleagues.

While I’m grateful for landing a job so quickly after arriving in New York, I need my own account to prove my worth. Adler Electrics is the closest I’ve come to a breakthrough, but I haven’t gotten an update from them in days. Until I secure that deal, I’m just a placeholder in the firm.

I jog back to my studio apartment, gulping down a banana on the way. Every Friday morning, our boss, William Dade, sweetens the weekly huddle with a batch of muffins, so I skip breakfast at home. I invest that time in hair and makeup.

As I’m applying the lip gloss on top of my lipstick, I study my final look in the mirror.

Slim figure, soft curls loose around my shoulders, a natural makeup look, and a frilly baby-pink top paired with a navy pencil skirt and matching jacket.

“No curves, no looks, no personality. She’s as compelling as fucking wallpaper.”

I’ve tried to forget that line, but it flashes through my head like clockwork each morning.

The daily reality checks make me want to look away, but I force myself to hold my gaze.

I run my fingers over the mirror’s surface, tracing the outline of my reflection. My eyes linger on the uneven lines of my top, the curve of my hips that feels too slight. I wish for a day when I could simply admire my reflection without dissecting every imperfection.

Exhaling a deep breath, I force a smile at myself and double-check the locks before leaving.

The subway ride is short, but it gives me a few minutes to clear my head. As I step out, the towering glass building of Cushman & Sedgwick comes into view. They occupy the forty-third and forty-fourth floors—a mid-sized law firm specializing in corporate law. I’m still on probation for another couple months, but every day, walking through the entrance fills me with a quiet sense of achievement.

“Morning, Seren. Looking good.” Layla smiles warmly from behind the reception desk, her hands gently arranging gorgeous calla lilies in a vase. A delicate citrus scent fills the air, gently puffing out of the diffuser.

“Morning, Layla.” I return the smile, grabbing candy from the glass bowl and popping it in my mouth before punching my thumb on the biometric scanner. “Busy day ahead?”

“I’m hoping not, since I just made a reservation at the Hudson River Country Club for Theo, William, and three guests from 3 p.m. onward.”

“Really?”

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