The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate novel Chapter 139

Chapter 139: Daddy Said Feel The Rhythm. Elara Said Fuck Off.

On the fifth day, Serena studied the vertical wall she was supposed to climb.

She noticed that certain stones jutted out further than others, creating a natural ladder if you knew where to look. The warriors didn’t use them.

She mapped the route, then climbed, reaching the top without going at alpha speed and still finishing before everyone else.

Captain Halvek pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Fine," he said. "Dragons it is."

Serena’s heart leapt. She hadn’t been near Velkaris since Dex left, and the thought of him made her throat tighten. Velkaris was probably wondering where Dex went too.

She turned toward the dragon field, already scanning for him.

"Not so fast." Halvek’s voice stopped her mid-step. "You’re not riding your bonded today."

Serena turned back. "What?"

"You heard me." Halvek crossed his arms over his massive chest. "The connection does half the work for you. I want to see how you handle a dragon that isn’t yours."

"But I’ve ridden storm and water dragons before. "

"You were bucked off and screamed through the mindlink. They won’t let you ride them without respect." Halvek gestured toward Flareon. "You’ll be spotting for Elara today."

Elara was already climbing onto Flareon’s back, looking far too comfortable for someone who had ridden her once.

Serena climbed up behind Elara and settled into position.

To their left, Thor Crushturn was already mounted on Styx, rolling his neck like he was about to walk into a bar fight, not an aerial drill.

Every army had a Thor. The guy who named his sword Bertha and flexed in reflective surfaces. Most had the good sense to keep him in the back. Drakenfell put him on a dragon.

"Morning, ladies," he called over. "Try not to fall off. It’s embarrassing for everyone, but mostly for me because I have to watch."

"Thor, shut up," Halvek said, without looking at him.

"Yes, Captain." He waited exactly two seconds. "Serena, your training suit is ripped in the back. I’ve been noticing. I notice every day. I have a ranking system and today you’re top three."

Serena didn’t turn around. "No it isn’t."

"Made you think about it though." He winked at no one in particular and patted Styx on the neck. "Let’s ride, big man. Daddy’s ready."

Styx turned his head to look at Thor with an expression that could only be described as profound disappointment.

Halvek looked like he was counting to ten. He made it to six before Thor spoke again.

"Styx and I have a pre-flight ritual. I mount him. He pretends to resist. We both know he loves it. It’s the healthiest relationship I’ve ever had."

"Hold on," Elara said.

Flareon launched into the air and Serena grabbed onto Elara’s waist.

They climbed higher, and the wind whipped at their faces. Below them, the training field shrank to the size of a handkerchief. Above them, clouds stretched across the sky like scattered wool.

Thor rose in the air with them. "Alright. Styx. Buddy. Today we show them why we’re the best team on this field. The two most beautiful specimens in Drakenfell, and I’m including myself twice."

Styx yawned.

"And on our left," Thor continued. "We have two rookies who are about to learn what real aviation looks like. Wave, Styx."

Styx did not wave.

"This isn’t so bad," Elara called back over her shoulder. "I think I’m getting the hang of—"

Flareon dove.

There was no warning. No signal. One moment they were level, and the next they were plummeting straight down, the ground rushing up to meet them at terrifying speed.

Serena was used to it.

Elara on the other hand gave a high-pitched, primal shriek of terror, her hands locked around Flareon’s neck ridge.

At the last possible second, Flareon pulled up, leveling out twenty feet above the ground.

Elara’s stomach was somewhere in the vicinity of her throat, and her heart was pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears.

From somewhere to their left, laughter boomed across the field.

Serena turned her head and saw Thor Crushturn sitting astride Styx. He was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down his face.

"Not as easy as it looks, Beta?" he called out.

Elara wanted to say something clever. Something cutting and witty that would put him in his place.

What came out was, "No. No, it is not."

"That’s fine. Growth is a journey. I didn’t become this overnight." Thor gestured at himself.

Flareon banked to the left, and Elara’s stomach lurched again. "I hate this," she announced. "I hate this so much."

"How do you do this regularly?" she snapped, as if this was Serena’s fault.

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