The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate novel Chapter 79

Chapter 79: Three Moves Behind On A Burning Board

Maybe it was the swamp waterboarding tonic that caused her soul to leave her body temporarily.

Maybe it was the stellar first day she had on the job in the Draken Forces: 7 broken protocols, 2 ignored commands, and 1 royally irritated King who happened to be her ex’s dad.

Maybe it was sharing a fucking dragon for 3 hours with the man she caught cheating. A real bonding experience.

Whatever it was, slightly fewer fucks were given than 24 hours ago.

Heartbroken still? Yes.

A crybaby? No.

A bad bitch? On her way.

Serena walked through the war summit camp, Hyran, Elara, and Gav behind her.

She barely noticed the usual stares that followed.

That was until she felt her pulse spike and skin flush hot. She stopped mid-step, body reacting automatically. Her head turned.

Finnick Shadowclaw stood near the eastern ridge, mid-conversation with one of his commanders. Except he wasn’t looking at his commander. He was watching her.

She met his eyes. But he didn’t look away.

Heat flooded her cheeks. But she couldn’t move, rooted to the ground.

She felt the sudden, insane urge to go to him. Like he was comfort and she wanted a hug. It was bizarre. She had no business feeling that.

His chest rose once. Slow. Controlled. Then he broke eye contact, looking at his commander.

A hand closed around her arm.

"Turn," Elara whispered. "Now."

She pretended to fix Serena’s collar for a split second.

"There," she said, loud enough for anyone watching. "That was bothering me all morning."

Serena snapped back to reality, just now realizing everyone behind her stopped as well.

She started walking again pretending like the last minute didn’t happen. But her face flushed even redder if that was possible.

Her thoughts spiraled. She was beyond confused. What the hell was wrong with her?

That instinct she felt in her gut to go to him now. That made no sense. Was it because she slept with him in his bed last night? That sounded terrible no matter how many times she rephrased it.

Was the pull that bad when she was with Dexmon?

Wait...

Shadowclaw should not be compared to Dexmon. Gods, Shadowclaw was not her mate. Sure, they hugged and kissed last night. It was just a kiss. A platonic, friendship hug and an accidental kiss.

Did they kiss this morning too? Her brows furrowed in concentration. Everything was so damn foggy and her head hurt.

She shook her head, almost to get rid of the thoughts, but it didn’t work.

Gavriel snorted behind them.

Elara: She’s concussed, Gav.

Gav: You don’t see me staring at—

Hyran whacked him before he could finish the thought.

"Ouch," Gav said. "That was an over reaction if I’ve ever seen one."

Hyran glanced at the gold bracelet on Gav’s wrist.

It took a moment for the message to sink in. Gav was also concussed and conveniently forgot that everyone wearing one was on the same mindlink: the Draken Forces, the Hidden Flame, and Shadowclaw.

"Oh. Right," he said after a minute. "Whoops."

Serena exhaled and continued toward Nightspire’s tent across the camp.

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