The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate novel Chapter 190

Chapter 190: Buddy. The Keyword Is Buddy.

"Next time you’re about to sleep with someone you’re supposed to be friendzoning, I need you to picture my face. Disappointed. Like this."

Elara pointed at her own expression. "Burn it in your memory."

Serena pulled her knees up to her chest. "I don’t know how to want someone this much and tell them no."

They were sitting in their storage room for private conversations. She was cleared to be in Drakenfell for the afternoon, and Dex wasn’t in his quarters when she arrived.

She didn’t even know if Dex wanted to see her. But Gods, she missed him. She stared up at the ceiling, blinking back tears.

"The attempt in friendzoning Shadowclaw. Where did the mission go wrong?"

"I woke up on top of him in his bed and was about to say it. But he said he wasn’t going anywhere before I even got a word out."

"And did you try again? They will always push back Serena."

"Yes."

"Where and when?"

"I said friendzone to myself three times. While he was inside me in the shower." Serena said it fast, like ripping off a bandage. "He shut it down there before I could even voice it."

Elara’s entire face went through five stages of grief in four seconds.

Elara put both hands over her face. "Serena," she said through her fingers. "You said the word friendzone. While he was inside you."

"I was trying to stay committed."

"To what? The bit?"

"To the plan, Elara."

"The plan was dead. It washed away in the shower," she snapped.

"You said friendzone while mounted." She clapped once causing Serena to jolt. "And shocker, it didn’t work."

"I know." Serena’s voice cracked. She blinked back the burn refusing it. "I am going to have to friendzone Dex. It’s the right thing to do."

Elara stood, hand crossed behind her back. She began pacing like a drill sergeant.

"Listen to me. When you picked Dex you were crying over Shadowclaw. This will happen with either choice."

"You’re right. It still hurts, Elara."

Elara spun on her heel to face Serena mid-pace. "Enough of that. Try this: Dex, I really value our friendship." She paused. "Don’t make that face. Say it."

"Dex, I value our friendship. Our camaraderie."

"Good. You remembered. Next. Dex, I need to focus on myself right now." Elara folded her arms. "Classic. Timeless. Impossible to argue with."

"He will argue with it."

"That’s his problem."

"Can we do the next one, Elara?" Serena asked. "I think he’d kiss me if I told him that."

"Fine," Elara clipped. "Dex, I see you more as a companion on this journey."

Serena stared at her. "What journey?"

"Life, Serena. The journey of life."

Elara stopped pacing, then pulled Serena to her feet. She straightened Serena’s shoulders back like a coach preparing a boxer. "You will get this done because that’s who you are."

Serena wiped her eyes and nodded.

"Good. Try this: Dex, buddy. The keyword is buddy. Then say, I love you, but I’m not in love with you."

"But I am in love with him."

"I said repeat, not fact-check. You lie. That’s what the friendzone is. It’s lying with eye contact."

"Dex, buddy, I love you." Serena swallowed, then cracked a smile that made no sense. On brand for her emotions lately. "I don’t think I can do that one with a straight face."

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