The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Before She Starts Humping His Leg

Dexmon was trapped.

His mother on one side. Agnes on the other, her arm looped possessively through his as if she were staking a public claim. The gesture made his skin crawl.

Every laugh, every lean-in, every deliberate brush of her body felt performative.

Worse, Serena would see this.

He knew she was coming tonight, and the thought of her walking in and misreading this spectacle twisted something sharp in his chest.

He lifted his glass and pretended to sip, eyes already scanning the room for an escape.

Then the herald announced the next arrivals.

"Elara Vaelor and Hale Ironholt."

Elara entered on Hale’s arm, posture perfect, playing at poise. Hale looked vaguely uncomfortable but unmistakably proud, escorting her like she was his most prized possession.

Dexmon looked up, a faint smile tugging at his mouth. He had given Hale a pep talk of a lifetime to convince him to ask Elara to accompany him and invite her for drinks beforehand. This meant, his pep talk worked.

Hale Ironholt was one of the most battle-worn warriors Drakenfell had ever produced. He had not become Beta by coincidence. He commanded rooms, and there was a sharp strategist behind the muscle.

But when Elara Vaelor was nearby, something always went wrong.

Furniture was damaged. Protocol was ignored. And more often than not, Dexmon ended up with a stepped-on foot or a minor injury.

Queen Bellatrix’s voice cut through his thoughts.

"The other one is spreading her legs too."

Princess Agnes giggled loudly.

The sound was light. Pleased. Amused.

Dexmon turned slowly to look at her, surprise cutting through his irritation. He had expected his mother’s venom. He had heard the rumors, assumed they were her handiwork.

But Agnes’s laugh told a different story.

She was enjoying this.

Not tolerating or overlooking it.

Enjoying it.

Something cold settled in Dexmon’s stomach.

He pulled his arm from hers under the pretense of adjusting his cuff, jaw tightening as he downed the rest of his drink in one go.

He had been trying to pull away carefully, not wanting to cause a scene.

But that sealed it.

Absolutely not.

This night was already going badly.

When her name was announced, the world froze.

Every pair of eyes was on her.

Dexmon had only ever seen her in training suits, usually with a cloak pulled around her, and had catalogued her that way without ever meaning to.

But he had never seen her like this and the sight of it stole his breath clean.

Crimson was Drakenfell’s color, and to call the dress bold was an understatement.

She was very thin, yet the silk molded to her body showing unmistakable curves and breasts.

Rubies spilled downward in a slow waterfall, catching light with every step.

There were dresses in the room that revealed far more skin, yet hers felt more intimate than all of them combined.

Her thick white hair caught the glow beneath the flames. Pinned up and elegant, it complemented the large golden earrings that dangled against her neck, matching the ruby-adorned dress.

Her makeup was unapologetic, something he had never seen her wear at all, let alone this boldly. It made her look more mature.

All conversations in the room stopped and no one moved.

Then Dexmon saw her arm, hooked casually around Gavriel’s, and something savage tore through his chest. His wolf surged, furious and territorial, and Dexmon’s knuckles went white around his glass before he realized how tightly he was gripping it.

What was this feeling?

Jealousy?

Possessiveness?

Aegon: Beautiful does not come close to describing her.

Dexmon: Yes. She is.

Aegon: She is ours. Not his. If you had spoken to her more than five times, she would be standing with us.

Dexmon: I will not court her while I am publicly tied to another. Even as optics, it diminishes her. The princess has shown her true colors enough that I would have ended the betrothal with or without Serena in the picture.

Aegon: Then stop letting this fester. Reject the princess again, cleanly. Publicly if you must. Your mother will survive it.

Dexmon: I will tonight.

Aegon: Good. And tell Serena the truth. She cannot feel her wolf and does not know you are fated. She will still have to choose you and fall in love. But by staying silent, you are not trusting her.

Dexmon: I will tell her. After I end my betrothal.

Aegon: Good. Before your gamma marks her.

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