Page 70 of Alpha's Unclaimed Mate

My mind goes blank as the deep scent of pine hits me and I realize Theron is behind me, holding me in his arms. I try to move away.

“Mate! Don’t move, please.” His voice is raspy.

I harshly push him away, creating space between us before swinging my legs over the bed and stalking out of the room.

The shameless man follows me instantly.

“Are you kidding me? What the hell was that? I’m here for Leon, and that’s it. You can’t think anything is happening between us. And you definitely can’t just barge into my room like that and get into bed with me!”

As I keep railing at him, he wordlessly stares at the ground, his silence only fueling my frustration.

“At least, say something!”

When he finally looks up, his eyes are black instead of blue, and I realize it’s Titan.

His face is a picture of anguish, his eyes red-rimmed. “I heard Leon whimpering again. I was right outside the door, so I had to go in. Maybe I should’ve woken you up, but I’m just so used to helping him…and you were sleeping so peacefully. He kept crying. I was only soothing him to sleep. I don’t know when I fell asleep, but I swear I kept him between us. I don’t know when he moved to the other side.”

Looking away, he whispers, “He must’ve felt hot.”

His words ring true and as our eyes meet, I feel the weight of what I was accusing him of.

“I’m sorry about what just happened, but I’d never touch you without your consent. Please, believe me.”

I feel immense sadness oozing out of him, and the familiar guilt pricks me. Titan is just the collateral damage of Theron’s actions.

I feel bad. Just for the wolf, though.

Forgetting everything, I pull him into my arms, just for a moment. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve known you wouldn’t do that.”

His hands stay by his sides, and guilt floods me.

“You and Theron both have been with others. I never have. And I never will. You’re my mate. I love you. I would never hurt you.”

My heart drops to my stomach and I close my eyes. A strange heat burns my insides as those words echo in my head. I feel like I’m choking as I recall the way Titan treated me all those years ago. To know he never betrayed me makes me realize it’s me who has betrayed him, because of my anger toward Theron.

Suddenly, I don’t feel good. Wanting to make things right, I slowly pull away. “Titan, I…”

Titan grabs my chin, gently tilting it up so I meet his gaze. “Don’t force it, my little mate. You of all people know how complicated this is.”

He smiles at me before striding away, and my eyes prick with tears as I stand there, processing what just happened.

As I eventually walk back into the room, I find Leon kicking about in his sleep, whimpering. There’s a big wet patch in the middle of the bed.

Taking a deep breath, I decide to push everything else out of my mind and focus on Leon. I gently scoop him up in my arms, waking him with kisses, rubbing his back, and whispering things to ease him.

While one of the staff clears the bed and puts the mattress away, I bathe Leon, just the way I used to in New York. I find a few cute yellow ducks on the side of the tub and we spend half an hour in the water.

I wonder if going back to New York makes sense. I decide it doesn’t, at least not for a while. But if I’m going to stay here, I need a few things sorted. If I’m living here, it has to be on my terms, and I need to make sure it can work for me. So, I start making a list of things I need to do.

Meet Leon’s doctor. Figure out the best ways for me to help him. Maybe look at preschools for him.

Figure out work. How long would Cushman & Sedgwick be okay with me working remotely from here? Do I need to find something local instead?

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