The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate novel Chapter 67

Chapter 67: Waterboarded With Love

"What the hell..." Serena murmured. "Are you waterboarding me?"

"You are supposed to drink it, Serena." Elara was trying very hard not to laugh.

Serena opened her eyes to see Elara leaning over her with a wicked grin on her face.

"You take a sip. I dare you," Serena said, deadpan. It tasted like she had literal swamp water in her mouth.

"Still dramatic." Elara shook her head.

"Where are we?"

"Drakenfell. King Tiberon needs you to step in for Dex."

Serena blinked, then exhaled slowly. "Of course."

She wasn’t going to leave them unprotected. But she had no desire to ask about Dex.

Elara noted that and did not elaborate.

Then Serena realized a pair of arms were around her, and she was in a bathrobe.

She recognized the scent instantly. Finnick Shadowclaw.

"King Shadowclaw carried you in here," Elara explained, choosing her words carefully.

Serena nodded, but then felt a wave of nausea.

She was up, in the bathing chamber with the door locked before Fin could get there.

She threw up more of whatever the hell went down her throat. After splashing water on her face and rinsing her mouth, she left the bathing chamber.

The drink was still sitting out and she gagged at the sight.

"I’ll help you. King Shadowclaw stepped out for a minute," Elara said. "The combat suit you wore was laced with poison. He noticed it."

Serena gave her a look.

"Let’s save that story for another day and a glass of wine," Elara added.

Serena started to crack up. "Elara... I think it is fair to say this has been the best twenty-four hours of my life."

Elara laughed with her as she helped her change. "Yeah, I would say walking in on your fated mate cheating. Twice. Then being forced to sit through a Battle Address after he walked in with the woman he cheated with..."

She paused, then winced. "Damn. That actually sounds horrific."

"I would rather walk the war summit naked in silver cuffs than sit through that meeting again," Serena said voice flat.

Elara snorted. "See, aren’t you glad you had that whiskey before? Told you it’d be useful."

"That whiskey clocked in, saw the situation, and quit," Serena said.

"On the bright side, everyone in the room felt sorry for you."

Serena shot her a look. "Gods, please don’t ever say that again. That is the opposite of a bright side."

"It’s true though. He looked 100% in the wrong."

"That doesn’t make me feel better."

Elara mindlinked her, strangely.

Elara: Shadowclaw is listening. There’s something you need to know.

Serena took a moment to respond, fidgeting with the blanket on the bed. Normally, she would have jumped on that. But today had been a rough one and she wasn’t sure if she was ready for more.

Serena: Can it wait?

At that moment Fin walked in. Neither girl realized Hyran had given him and Aeron gold cuffs. He could absolutely hear her mindlink.

Serena turned and his scent hit her hard like a cannon. She tensed, eyes widening.

Was it that strong when she first woke? Or earlier in the day at the War Summit?

"Thank you for your help." She swallowed, voice level. "I’m sorry to keep you from your men."

"Of course," he said, tone soft. To Serena’s shock he closed the distance, pulling her into his arms.

Elara slipped out of the room, fully planning on eavesdropping through the door. The gods themselves couldn’t have stopped her.

Serena didn’t realize how badly she needed a hug until he did it. She hugged him back.

Everywhere their skin touched, it felt like electricity. Similar to how it felt with Dex.

She stiffened in his arms.

"Serena, there’s something I need to tell you," he said, pulling away. "Do you remember what happened?"

She met his gaze. She remembered being in pain.

She looked down at her bracelet, remembering that she was transported back to the rune and thinking, oh damn, I’m about to die.

But nothing after that.

Did he come with her when she transported?

Or did he take a portal?

Did he carry her up to the infirmary?

His voice interrupted her thoughts.

"I’m supposed to tell you to drink this."

He handed her two white tonics.

She drank both rapidly, one after the other, only realizing how desperately thirsty she had been when the second was gone. Relief followed fast, the pressure in her head easing.

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