Page 44 of Alpha's Unclaimed Mate

THERON

“An alpha without a wolf is a body without a soul. The pack senses it, even if they can’t identify exactly what’s wrong with me.” I lean forward, locking eyes with Luke. “Last week was a prime example.”

His gaze flickers, then hardens. “Case closed. You handled it.”

I shake my head, knowing better. That enforcer’s eyes questioned my manhood, and I fought on ego and adrenaline. That won’t save me every time.

“Why are you and the golden child so hell-bent on keeping me as alpha?” I throw in a jab about his sister, watching for his reaction. Luke’s eyes narrow, but he doesn’t bite.

“Because I know how it’ll end if you step down,” he says, his voice low as he looks away. “There’s a reason why hierarchies are crucial among us. The pack will fall if you step back. Landon’s waiting for a crack, for us to splinter. I saw it happen with my dad’s old pack.”

I prop my injured leg on the desk, the yellowish-brownbruise stark against the dark wood. “It’s been a week. I’m not healing as a werewolf.”

Luke glances at the bruise, then back at me, his eyes hardening. “Titan will return. Until then, we keep our heads down. We’ve managed this long.” He pulls a device from his pocket and slides it across the desk. “Try not to break this one, okay? I’ll text you anything important from the pack link. We’ve got to stay one step ahead.”

As Luke turns to leave, I frown at the device before getting back to work.

By the time I get home, it’s late, but I find Vanessa in the living room, staring at the gardens outside with a soft, dreamy smile. There’s been a subtle shift in her demeanor over the past couple of weeks. She’s also finally stopped trying to have sex with me. I’d think it was suspicious if I wasn’t so relieved.

Her sudden, soft giggles make me realize she’s talking to someone over the mind-link. I force a smile, though it’s tinged with longing. I miss Titan’s presence almost as much as I miss Seren.

Dropping my keys in the bowl, I’m about to head to my room when she turns to me. “Hey! How did the Briar Ridge thing go? Did they sign off on the twenty percent, or are they still holding out for more?”

I nod in approval. Her interest in pack politics and business has always been top-notch. In another world, she might’ve been an alpha herself. “It went well. They’ve invited us over this weekend for a celebratory dinner. Their?—”

“I can’t go. I’ve already made plans.” Her phone buzzes, and she immediately starts scrolling, a wider smile on her lips now.

I raise an eyebrow. “It’s just dinner on Saturday. As the alpha and luna of this pack?—”

She doesn’t even look up, just continues tapping away. “Why don’t you just tell them you’re sick and make a big donation to one of their luna’s charities? Trust me, they’d appreciate that more.”

I’m taken aback, but she stays focused on her screen. “You really think they’d prefer my money to my presence?”

She must sense my hurt, because she briefly glances at me, then shrugs. “I’m sorry, but it’s not like you want to show up and highlight the fact that you’re the only alpha without a wolf, do you?”

I open my mouth, but I can’t find the words.

“What?” Her pitch goes higher. “It’s the truth. Get over it, Theron.”

Her words cut deeper than I’d like to admit.

I sit down on the armrest of the couch, running a hand through my hair. “Get over it?” I ask her, shaking my head. “There’s not a day that goes by when I don’t wish to just drop it and leave. Leave Blackwood, leave this town, leave everything. But I’m trying to do my best here, Vanessa.”

She snaps her phone shut and walks over to me. “Your best means nothing to me. These last twenty-three years you’ve lived your life the way you wanted. You’ve been selfish, mean, and immature. I, on the other hand, have worked on over-exceeding expectations. I thought once I was your luna it would get better. But here we are.”

I exhale and look away. Guilt about my past actions with Seren and current actions with Vanessa weigh on me all the time, but I feel stuck.

“I’ll still do everything I promised when I pledged to be luna, but I also need some moments of peace. I’ll go mad without them,” she says softly before walking out the door.

On Friday evening, I get home early and grab an ale from the fridge, eager to unwind after a long week. As I take a sip, I glance out the window and notice Vanessa loading an overnight bag into her car’s trunk. She’s playing upbeat music, and there’s a strange lightness around her, as if she’s been waiting for this moment all week.

True to her word, she doesn’t return for dinner on Saturday, and I travel alone.

The dinner at Briar Ridge is a drag. The much older alpha and his pregnant mate insist I stay until lunch the next day, and I begrudgingly agree. I need every alliance I can get.

I had hoped the break would be a chance to escape everything else, but seeing their evident affection only reignites a familiar pang of longing. Their brood of five pups grates on my nerves.

By the time I’m back on the road, I’m seething. I pull out my phone and begin scrolling through random reels just for distraction when a flash of a familiar face makes me freeze.

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