The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate novel Chapter 100

Chapter 100: Kill The Bond Or Kill The Bitch

Serena’s ribs screamed every time she inhaled. Her knuckles had split open again, blood smearing against the cloth wrapped around them, and her cheek throbbed where Agnes’s ring had caught bone.

Was it worth it?

Every single second.

She sat in Garrett’s tent, waiting for him to step back through the portal. She’d already told Tiberon she’d apologize.

"What are you thinking?" Elara asked, watching her carefully.

"I’m not going to make that decision on my own." Serena’s voice was firm.

"Then let’s stop pretending we’re not all thinking the same thing." Elara straightened. "Cards on the table. Everyone. If someone held a blade to your throat—" She paused, glancing at Serena’s neck. "Too soon. Sorry. But if they did, what would you say?"

Serena didn’t hesitate. "Break it."

Hale exhaled slowly. "Break."

Dexmon crossed his arms, jaw tight, knuckles white. "She deserves the guillotine if it were up to me."

No one disagreed.

"Right then." Elara nodded. "I agree. Break. But it’s still up to Garrett."

A portal opened and Garrett stepped through. His eyes went straight to Serena.

"I am sorry I got into a fight with your fated mate," Serena said immediately, voice even. "And for calling her a felon."

Garrett studied her before answering. His expression fluctuated between disbelief and disappointment. "I’ve never seen you do that. And I’ve seen you both get into some trouble growing up."

Serena swallowed down guilt. She felt bad that this affected Garrett. Not about what she did to Agnes.

"Serena, I..." he cut himself off, clearly weighing whether this should be said in front of an audience.

"I know, Gare..." Serena answered his unspoken thought. She knew what he was thinking. She knew she wasn’t herself. Yes, that was out of character. She’d never been pushed to that point of a fist fight. And she felt no remorse for it.

Garrett’s face went from pained to concerned, then to resigned. "Did she start it?"

"No. I did. She apologized and listed out what she did wrong. With some Agnes-style undercut comments."

Serena’s face gave nothing away.

"Did she really shave her omegas’ heads and cut up dolls?" Garrett asked after a minute.

"Yes," Serena and Elara answered at the same time.

"She really thought you were trying to seduce Dexmon when it started..." His voice trailed off and he shook his head. "It got out of hand. But that’s no excuse."

"I wasn’t," Serena said forcefully, and the edge in her voice had nothing to do with Agnes. "I hadn’t spoken with Dexmon more than a few times."

Pain flickered across Dexmon’s face before he locked it down. She’d already moved away from him, sitting by Elara, and she wouldn’t look at him.

"But this is about you," Serena continued. "Not anyone else. You and her. You can feel her through your matebond. I can’t."

"Right..." He searched Serena’s face. She knew what he wanted.

She took a deep breath, really not wanting to be the person to do this. "I believe her that she cares for you. What she did is insane. Her father’s under arrest. Her alternative is to return to Drakenfell and face trial or take a throne." Serena didn’t soften her words. "From my vantage point, that’s all she’s ever been after."

Her words were cold. Not like her.

Garrett blinked. Twice. Like she’d slapped him with her voice instead of her fists.

"Damn," Garrett said shaking his head. "I’ve also never heard you sound like your father." He exhaled. "Assuming the decision is to break, then."

Serena’s throat burned. "No. I want to tell you to break it. But once you do that..." She met his eyes, and something raw passed between them. Two people who had already lost too much. "I think you should sleep on it."

"Serena." Garrett’s voice cracked. Actually cracked. The sound of it hit Serena somewhere deep. "My wolf is trying to mark her constantly. Every second. I don’t think you understand what that’s like. Fighting your own instincts every moment of every day."

Serena understood more than he knew. She’d been fighting her own instincts since the moment she saw Dex with Agnes. Fighting the pull to turn to him for comfort and then remembering he was the reason she needed it.

"I understand, Gare. It’s not easy. Survive one more night, think on it, and decide tomorrow."

Garrett moved over and ruffled her hair. She smacked his hand away. "Boundaries."

"You being crabby is hilarious," Garrett started laughing. "I mean gods."

"I disagree. Don’t take the night. Break it," Elara said from next to Serena. No hesitation now. "Serena punched her. Serena Frostborne. Not a mean bone in her body. Take that at face value."

"I’m leaning towards breaking it. It’s not worth it."

"If you break it, then she stands trial at Drakenfell. We let her off as a courtesy to you," Hale cut in. "That courtesy ends the moment the matebond does."

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