The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96: Ugly Rainwater Updo & Matebond Roulette

"He hasn’t changed a bit," Serena remarked the moment they were on the other side of the portal.

Garrett exhaled sharply, jaw tight. "No. He didn’t waste a second pulling threats."

He poured her a glass of whiskey, and handed it over. "Welcome to Darkhowler."

"Garrett," she said. "How are you alive? I watched you die."

Garrett stared at her for half a second. Then he burst out laughing. "Good to see you too, Serena."

He crossed the space and pulled her into a hug.

He pulled back just enough to look at her. "I’m sorry, Serena. I was supposed to protect you." He shook his head, voice cracking. "If I’d known you were alive, I would have found you."

"How did you know I was..." Serena started. Her voice trailed off, not wanting to say it.

Garrett took a sip of his whiskey and sat down in a leather armchair and Serena sat in one across from him. The fire warmed her soaked combat suit and damp hair.

"You are taking Darkhowler’s house name and throne," Serena said, breaking the silence. It wasn’t a question.

He took a sip of his whiskey before responding. "Yes. Darkhowler took me in and has been a second father to me. I never was after a throne, but he gave it and I will do right by him."

"Dramatic," Serena teased.

"Coming from the girl who screamed through the mindlink for everyone wearing one of these to hear." Garrett held up his gold bracelet.

Serena shoved him playfully, and he, on cue, ruffled her hair. "Garrett! You can’t do that."

He held up his hands. "Your rainwater updo looked ugly. It looks better now," he said, completely serious.

"Why are we in Darkhowler?" Serena asked. It just now dawned on her that was strange.

"Because..." He exhaled. "The person in question is on house arrest."

Serena’s brows furrowed.

"There’s something you need to know," he continued.

Her stomach dropped.

"Agnes is my fated mate."

The glass in Serena’s hand shattered.

Whiskey splashed across the floor as pure, incandescent rage tore through her, sudden and violent. Something she never had before. Not to this degree.

She looked down at her hand, blinking once, then back up at Garrett.

"She begged me for a chance," he explained quietly. "Said she wanted to make things right. She admitted to poisoning you. Admitted to giving Dexmon Viper’s Kiss and False Mate Tincture."

Serena’s jaw clenched.

"I haven’t broken the matebond yet," Garrett continued. "But I won’t hesitate to."

He moved without ceremony, and handed her a clean glass of whiskey. Then a white towel.

"Here," he offered. "You’re bleeding."

She took them numbly, wiping the gold blood from her hands.

"I’m sorry, Garrett," Serena whispered after a moment. Her voice cracked despite her effort to steady it. "I’ve had a rough few days. I’m... not myself."

"I’ve heard," he replied. He traced the rim of his glass absently. "Agnes asked if she could apologize to you."

Serena stiffened.

"If you agree to it," he went on, "and you don’t feel it’s genuine, I’ll break the matebond with her. And if you don’t agree to it at all, I’ll break it anyway."

Her heart sank.

"Garrett," she said softly. "I... could we have Elara instead? I don’t know if I can—"

"Elara isn’t here," he cut in, not unkindly but firmly. "And I’m not dragging this out. I break the matebond tonight, or not at all."

Tears burned before she could stop them. She wiped at her eyes, frustrated.

"You have to understand," she added, voice shaking now, "the last time I saw her... I..."

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify