Page 41 of Alpha's Unclaimed Mate

His hands and legs are tied with silver chains. Water laced with wolfsbane has been splashed on his body repeatedly. The silver mingled with the wolfsbane has cut through the skin of his chest.

The man whimpers in pain, but doesn’t give any more information.

Grabbing the hidden knife in my boot, I press it to his throat. “Tell me where she is!”

“I don’t know. I swear on my mate’s life, I don’t. All I heard was she’s in New York now.”

CHAPTER 15

SEREN

I’m standing in front of the mirror, wrestling with my necklace clasp, when my phone rings. Just one push and the clasp will click into place. But as the phone starts to ring again, I set the damned thing aside and answer, just in case it’s an emergency.

It’s an unknown number. Great.

“Hello?” I answer politely. It could be work-related, after all.

After ten seconds of silence, I switch to speaker mode, ready to snap at whoever is on the other end when an automated voice drones out: “Hello, this is a courtesy reminder about your scheduled procedure tomorrow at Early Options Clinic in Brooklyn.”

My heart drops as the voice continues about pre-procedure protocols. I squeeze my eyes shut, guilt tightening in my gut. I push the choker to the side. I don’t think I can wear it tonight.

“It is recommended to have a support person accompany youfor the procedure and assist with transportation home afterward.”

That last line brings another wave of guilt.

Not telling Jane about the pregnancy and the procedure feels like too big a secret to hide from my best friend, but I won’t be able to handle her pity or her questions.

The guilt of ending a life stabs at my conscience.

It’s unfair. I shouldn’t be pregnant. It was just one time with someone who never gave a damn about me. While I struggled, he claimed his alpha position and had his mating ceremony weeks later. His life has continued uninterrupted, while I’m stuck making life-altering decisions alone with a gun to my head.

Thirteen to fourteen weeks is my last window for a safe procedure. After that, it’s too risky.

It’s unfair I get only a week to decide.

My eyes prickle with tears as my mind conjures an image of a baby. I’ve wanted a family all my life, but can’t have it with a Blackwood. I just can’t. And I’m sure Vanessa is pregnant already. Werewolf pregnancies always start within days of the mating ceremony. The pack must be celebrating.

I can’t even imagine calling anyone there to tell them I’m another woman pregnant with the alpha’s child.

I know exactly what they’ll think of me: I’m just the mistress, the side chick, the alpha’s knocked-up servant.

I run my hands through my hair, exhaling a deep breath. I need to stop considering other people’s opinions whenever I think about being pregnant.

By tomorrow evening, it will be like this never happened.

A message buzzes on my phone and I check, expecting it to be another reminder from the clinic. I sigh when I see Jane’s name.

Outside your mansion in five.”

I exhale another deep breath, shaking my head before touching up my lipstick.

I need to mingle. Build contacts. Be open. Smile.

As I’m spritzing some perfume on, I notice the fresh bunch of lavender in my old blue coffee mug and I smile. Something new, but it’s already familiar.

With the necklace gone, I switch my earrings to the bigger statement pieces I originally bought with the dress, grab my purse, and head downstairs.

My stomach sinks as I see Jane and Gunner in the back of an olive-green Beetle—and they’re not alone.

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