The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate novel Chapter 198

Chapter 198: Ghosters Got Got

The Knotty Omega hit Skardos like a plague.

Drakenfell’s unofficial head of intelligence found one pinned to her parlor door. She then stormed into Tiberon’s study.

"Have you seen this filth?" Bellatrix demanded, slamming a crumpled copy onto his desk. "Tell me it’s not true."

Tiberon glanced at it. "Seen what?"

Across the castle, a portal formed, and Serena didn’t smell the ambush coming.

She stepped through, boots barely touching stone, already turning towards Dex’s quarters. She had exactly one plan: crawl into bed, press herself against him, and exist in silence until the sun came up.

To her surprise, Elara was waiting for her. "With me. Now."

Elara grabbed her by the arm, and Serena knew where she was being pulled without having to ask.

As soon as they were inside the storage room, Serena put up her hands in surrender. "Elara, I tried to friendzone him. I said it before he was inside of me, and—."

Elara cut her off. "We will discuss that later."

She shoved parchment into Serena’s hands.

"Read it."

Serena looked down.

"What the hell is a knotty omega?"

"Your new worst nightmare."

✦✦✦

Serena lay with Dexmon for a while after reading The Knotty Omega, which she was going to pretend she never saw. Unhealthy coping mechanism? Probably.

But when the sun rose, she knew she had her work cut out for her. Elara too, who had been stuck doing that punishment up until today. This was their first day officially back and they intended to deliver.

They moved through the quiet corridors in matching black training suits.

Today Captain Halvek was absent from his usual post at the edge of the field. In his place stood Colonel Morholt, who they’d only worked under a few times.

"Laps. Eight. No shifting," Morholt said, without looking up from the field.

Elara glanced at Serena sideways.

Eight. Halvek had them at five. Each one over five miles. But okay.

They started running.

✦✦✦

Dex woke to cold sheets.

His hand reached across the bed before his brain was fully conscious, fingers finding nothing but empty linen.

He opened his eyes. Blinked at the ceiling. He had plans for this morning that involved her body against his. And he was not alright.

Needy? Absolutely. He’d been starved for her.

He sat up, irritated.

Aegon: She’s not here.

Dex: I can see that.

Aegon: Then why did you check twice?

Dex dragged both hands down his face and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Her scent was fading, which meant she’d been gone for a while.

He stood, pulled on pants, and was halfway to the door before he stopped himself.

He stared at the handle. His thumb hovered.

Aegon: Mindlink her.

Dex: No. I’m not going to be that guy.

Aegon: You are already that guy.

Dex: I am giving her space.

Aegon: You could track her by scent. I am not saying you should. I am saying you could and that it would be very fast.

Dex dropped his hand, exhaled through his nose, and turned back toward the wardrobe. He would find her casually. Accidentally. Without it looking like he’d been awake for fourteen seconds before needing to know her exact coordinates.

He pulled a shirt on, ran a hand through his hair, and stepped into the corridor where he immediately ran into Hale.

Hale looked like he’d been launched from his bed by a catapult of anxiety.

They stared at each other.

"Elara?"

"Gone."

"Serena?"

"Also gone."

A long silence stretched between them, the kind shared between two men who had just been abandoned at dawn.

"I was about to mindlink her," Hale admitted.

"Same."

"Should we?"

Dex crossed his arms. "No. They’re probably together."

Hale nodded slowly. "Okay."

Three seconds passed.

"I’m going to mindlink her," Hale said.

"Me too."

They didn’t. Because Gavriel appeared at the end of the hallway. "Morning," he said, voice dripping with amusement. "Looking for someone?"

"Shut up," Dex clipped.

"Should I come back? I feel like I’m interrupting a very emotional moment between two very large, very confused men."

"Have you seen Elara?" Hale asked shamelessly.

"Oh. Right." Gav snorted. "They’re on the training field. Morholt’s running them through drills."

Dex’s entire body stiffened. None of that sounded right. "Morholt? I didn’t approve that."

"The Colonel, yes." Gav leaned against the wall, arms folded. "He seems to be enjoying himself."

Hyran gave him a flat, unimpressed look. "What is The Knotty—"

Aegon: She is better at your job than you are.

Dex: Do you have a point, or are you just here to hurt me?

Aegon: Both.

Aegon: He’s not wrong.

Dex: I know he’s not wrong. That’s what’s pissing me off.

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