Page 65 of Free Beast Mate

I also knew Jamie wouldn’t give me a minute, so I said, “It’s done.”

“Of course it is. I never doubted you could do it. Took you forever, but you did it. Congratulations, my brother. You are now an Alpha.”

“Yeah.” Tineya was my home, and it needed an Alpha of our bloodline. As the third son of Alpha Nie, I never thought I would lead the beasts. But after Jamie and Vice refused, and after Father attacked, I knew I had to challenge him for the throne. Now that I sat on his throne, I leaned back and got comfortable while trying not to pass out.

“Bring down the body. We’ll ship him to Mother.”

My eyes found hers as she put her head over Father’s chest. “Mother’s here.”

Silence.

I cleared my throat. “He’s still alive.”

“That motherfucker,” Jamie shouted. “Brought her as a fucking shield. I will end him myself.”

“No.”

A pause. “Say that again?”

“You heard me. I’m taking them back.”

“Back where?”

“Home.”

“Whatcha sayin’ to me? This is your home.”

“There can’t be three of us in this city. You know it, and I know it. How’s Emma?”

“Gone City is on the rise. Take it.”

Tempting, but I knew I couldn’t, and deep down, if I were to be honest, Tineya had always called. Maybe that was the reason I kept traveling back more often than any other beast. “I have Tineya and my mate. Actually, I don’t have my mate. Send her up.”

Nothing.

“Make it quick. I’m about to pass out.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Jamie said.

“Hear, hear,” I told him.

Ten minutes later,Emma walked into the room, nervously clutching her dress. Her eyes found me sitting on the throne. I expected happiness. I thought she’d be glad to see me triumph, but horror slid across her face, and she ran as fast as she could to my side. As I drifted off to la-la land from the pain, I recognized her expression. My mother wore the same expression as she ran to my father’s side. Emma didn’t care if I were a beggar or a king. She feared I’d bleed out on the throne. And that was how I knew Emma loved me.

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