Rebirth of the Alpha's Slave Mate (Samantha and Kade) novel Chapter 221

Chapter 221

Kade’s POV

Serena really did go all out with her gown.

The skirts were so full that they nearly fit in the car, layers upon layers of pink taffeta and gauzy organza. She had spent hours in front of the mirror curling her hair and carefully painting her face with makeup. Every detail was perfect. Everything about her screamed “Luna”.

Kade could hardly look at her.

For seven years, they hadn’t acted like a couple. Not really. Not in the ways that mattered. Kade only attended such functions with her out of necessity, not love and a desire to spend an evening with his wife.

He wasn’t without a conscience, of course. He knew fully well that the way he treated Serena was often unfair. The nights spent sleeping in separate beds. The distance that had been between them from the start. He knew that all of those things hurt her.

And yet, every time he tried to treat her like the wife she was supposed to be, a sickening feeling would twist in his gut. He’d tried so desperately to push it down for seven years, but it never stopped bubbling up. It never stopped making him physically ill.

Tonight should have been an exciting occasion for any Alpha and Luna pair. It wasn’t just the annual Alpha Ball -it was the supermoon. It was one of the few nights a year when the moon was closest to the earth. On a night like tonight, mate bonds were even more powerful. The pull between mates would be almost irresistible.

Kade had never marked Serena, but she was still Samantha’s twin. They shared a bond, albeit weaker, like a ghost of the bond he’d shared with Samantha. Tonight, he should have felt more of a pull toward Serena. Mayb

he did.

But he ignored it. Because every time he looked at her, he felt his stomach turn over.

“Wow.” Serena clutched Kade’s arm tightly as they made their way into the grand hall of the Embergrove estate. “Alpha Mason really outdid himself!”

She was right about that, at least. Embergrove was always financially successful. Mason’s ancestral home was a large, ancient castle set into a hillside, boasting tall stained glass windows, marble floors, and dangling chandeliers. It made Kade’s dark, moody manor feel like a hovel in comparison.

Serena tugged on Kade’s arm and gestured to a nearby champagne fountain. “Let’s have a drink!” she said. She was already pulling Kade toward it, nearly causing him to trip on her long train. Before he could protest, she had grabbed two flutes and shoved one into his hand.

“To us,” she said, smiling up at him through her lashes. She clinked her glass against his and took a sip.

Kade forced a small smile and sipped his drink, but he didn’t echo the sentiment. Us? There had never really been an “us”. Just a him and a her. Like their marriage had never truly unified them, but had rather forced them to tie their ankles together like a three-legged race with no finish line.

Serena, always astute, noticed Kade’s far off expression. He could see the flicker of frustration in her eyes, but she quickly masked it with another radiant smile and set aside her drink.

Chapter 221

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“Let’s dance. It’ll help us loosen up a little.” She took his hand, lacing her fingers through his, and pulled him toward the dance floor.

Kade hesitated. “Serena, you know that’s not why we’re here tonight.” His voice was low, but he meant what he said. They had discussed this in the car. Several times.

Serena pressed her red lips together. “Of course.” She tugged her pink satin glove back up around her elbow where it had slipped down a half-inch. “But look around you-all of the other couples are dancing already. If we don’t present a united front, what will everyone think?”

Kade followed her gaze, watching as the sea of couples moved around the dance floor like a swirling nebula that was somehow perfectly calculated and precise. No one bumped into each other. No one stepped on the long trains of dresses or stumbled in their high heels.

They were all smiling at each other. Chatting with their partners. Brushing strands of hair out of faces and laughing at jokes and kissing fingers.

And some people were already glancing at Kade and Serena, wondering why they weren’t joining in. Tonight was all about love-whether forming new love or stoking the fires of something old and precious, it didn’t matter. If they continued to just stand there like they hated each other, then it wouldn’t help Crescent Hollow’s image one bit.

He sighed softly and knocked back the rest of his champagne. Serena giggled as he offered her his elbow, and they sank into the sea of dancers.

They fell into the steps easily enough. Serena tilted her head back to look at him, golden hair cascading perfectly over her shoulder. She swayed in time with the music.

“You look very handsome tonight, Mr. Alpha,” she whispered, blushing faintly.

“Thank you.” Kade looked out over the heads of the other dancers. He spotted several familiar faces, but didn’t see Mason or the alleged future Luna he had mentioned. Therefore, no excuse to leave the dance floor. He intended to leave shortly after the pleasantries, and wanted to get it out of the way.

Just then, Kade spotted movement by the doors. He wouldn’t have noticed, were it not for the sudden, irresistible pull he felt. His wolf howled so loudly that the sound blocked out the music, and Kade whipped his head toward the source.

He saw her standing there.

Samantha.

She wore a simple blue dress that fell to her ankles. Her makeup was barely noticeable. Her hair was curled down her back. The only adornment she wore was a silver necklace with a pendant that looked familiar, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

For a moment, Kade froze. That was Samantha-but the version of her he had once known before everything went wrong. Back when she was young and healthy and full of life.

Back before she became his slave.

Kade’s heart thudded for reasons he didn’t want to delve into. Samantha was here. Staring directly at him with a scowl on her face. Had she returned as a vengeful spirit, finally, after all these years? Was she here to finally take

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Chapter 221

+25 Bonus

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