The Alpha Unseen Mate

Serena

Flashback

My mind was exhausted, and my body felt weary…

Nothing could ruin this day for me, I thought happily as I skipped down the dimly lit hallway to my new bedroom in the pack house. The night before, I had discovered my mate, and it wasn’t just anyone—I was mated to our Alpha’s twin sons! Not everyone was thrilled about it; I could sense their discontent, but my loving parents assured me there was nothing to feel insecure about. I took comfort in their words because, like them, I truly believed I was as useless as the pack painted me to be.

Our Alpha had ordered me to move into the pack house immediately, where I would be groomed to be a proper mate and future Luna. My training was set to begin tomorrow, and I was eager for it! Pushing my bedroom door open, I froze at the scene unfolding before me, blood draining from my face.

Basil and Bernard, my mates, were in bed with another woman—right in my bedroom! Minutes passed before they finally noticed my presence, yet they continued as if I wasn’t there. Overwhelmed with despair, I ran out of my bedroom, tears streaming down my face. A foolish part of me thought they would chase after me, begging me to stay and claiming it was a mistake, but nothing of the sort happened.

I burst into my parents’ house, where my mom was the only one home. She rushed to me, wrapping her arms around me as I sobbed into her chest. “I can’t believe they would do this to me, and so soon,” I cried, wincing from the pain that stabbed through my heart, as if pricked by a thousand needles.

“Serena, calm down. What’s going on? You’re crying so much, and your body is quivering. You’re starting to scare me!”

“Bernard and Basil, Mom… they were with another girl. I walked in on them.” I managed to choke out, watching her body go rigid with shock.

“What? What did you just say?” She asked again, disbelief evident in her voice. “Are you sure you saw them? Is there any chance you misunderstood the situation?” I pulled away from her embrace, hurt that she would doubt me.

“Misunderstood? What am I, eight? Mom, I saw them in my bedroom!” Anger flared within me, and I realized I shouldn’t be lashing out at my mom; my rage should be directed at my mates who betrayed me! With that realization, I hurried back to the pack house, storming into my room again, only to find them getting dressed.

“Back for another show? I knew she wished it was her,” Basil taunted, disgust etched on his face. “But not in a million years! Right, brother?” He chuckled, looking at Bernard for support.

“Of course, brother. The fact that she thinks we would desire something as disgusting as her!” Bernard added with a gagging noise.

“How could you both do this to me? Why are you being so cruel?” I cried as they moved in on me, forcing me to back away in fear.

“Cruel? The real joke is you thinking you’re fit to be our mate, let alone the future Luna of our pack. Have you looked in the mirror lately, Serena? You’re a joke! A cruel joke played on us by the moon goddess!”

End of flashback

Training has always been more than just honing my skills as a fighter; it’s where I truly feel alive. In the training circle, I can forget the weight of the world pressing down on me, the problems that threaten to unravel everything I hold dear. Clenching my fists around my sword, I swung it with fierce determination, envisioning rogues charging at me. Sweat trickled down my forehead, forcing me to pause and grab the hand towel I kept nearby.

As I dried my face, I took a long sip from my water bottle, only to drop it moments later as a sharp pain pierced my chest. I braced myself against the equipment shelves, clutching my chest and scanning my surroundings for an explanation. My breath came in shallow gasps, and I felt my body tremble.

The pain seemed to stretch on forever, but in reality, it was only a few minutes before it subsided. As the ache faded, I straightened and took a deep breath, relieved to regain control. But what had just happened? I hadn’t felt pain like that since… I shook my head, refusing to dwell on the past and the torment it had brought.

“Serena…” A familiar voice whispered into my mind, so close yet distant, that it took me a moment to realize it was my brother reaching out through our mind link. It had been so long since I had communicated this way that it felt almost foreign.

Emotions surged within me at the sound of his voice. Taking a deep breath, I tried to keep my tone steady and composed. “Dean? How have you been?” I sensed he didn’t reach out just to check on me, but I waited for him to speak first.

“I wish I could say I’ve been fine, but I’d be lying. Something terrible has happened, Serena. You need to come home immediately.” His words sent a chill through me.

Come home? Those were words I never thought I’d hear again. When I left, I vowed never to return, and now he wanted me to drop everything and come back? “I understand your concern, Dean, but whatever has happened, our parents and the Alpha can handle it.” My voice darkened at the mention of the Alpha.

“The pack is under attack. It’s been ongoing for a while, and we’ve lost…” His voice faltered, and I could hear the emotion cracking through. “Our parents, Serena… they’re gone. Murdered in cold blood. The rogues won’t stop until they’ve wiped us out. I understand if you hesitate to help, especially given how you’ve been treated, but… Mom and Dad would want you here. They died fighting for our home, and they would want you to do the same, because you are a good person.” I could sense his tears through the link.

Panic and pain surged through me, and I stumbled back against the shelf, knocking weapons to the ground. I collapsed, running my fingers through my hair in frustration and anger. I was furious at the rogues for taking my parents and furious at myself for not being there to help. Without thinking, I lifted my face to the sky and let out a gut-wrenching scream.

“Serena?” Several concerned voices called my name as they rushed toward me, finding me on the ground, sobbing silently.

“What happened? Did you cut yourself?” Nadia, one of my best friends, asked, reaching for my hand to examine a supposed injury.

“Seriously, Nadia? When has someone ever screamed from a paper cut?” My other best friend, Mika, interjected.

“Not now, you two!” Shaun, my boyfriend, cut in before they could start arguing. He gently took my hand and knelt beside me, matching my height. I loved the way he held me; it was one of the reasons I fell for him. “Serena, please talk to me… what happened?” He brushed my hair away from my face as I finally looked up at him.

Through tear-blurred eyes, I told him what Dean had said. “I have to be there; they need me.” I started looking for my sword, my heart racing. “My brother needs me, my pack…” I trailed off when Shaun suddenly grabbed my shoulder, stilling my movements.

“I don’t care who needs you! I want you to be okay.” Desperation and panic laced his voice. “These people don’t care about you! Why didn’t Dean reach out before your parents were killed? Now he expects you to waltz in and save the very people who treated you horribly?” He shook his head, disbelief etched on his face.

“You know what, Serena? Shaun is right. You can’t go back there.” Mika chimed in.

“Are you listening to me? My parents are dead, and my brother is all alone! I have to protect him—” I was cut off by an impatient groan from Shaun.

“Is that what you’ve been training for? Waiting for a chance to go back and prove them wrong? Is it worth risking your life? Are you just going to abandon me? Your friends? I understand your concerns for your brother, and you can bring him here, but I don’t understand your concern for those people!” His voice rose in frustration.

I looked from one face to another, disappointment settling over me as I realized nothing I said would change their minds. It seemed they were determined to misunderstand me. Without another word, I picked up my sword and headed back inside.

In the privacy of my bedroom, I took a shower before collapsing onto my bed, staring unblinkingly at the ceiling for hours. At some point, I vaguely heard someone knocking on my door, but after several unanswered knocks, whoever it was eventually gave up and left. I rolled onto my side, closing my eyes in an attempt to sleep.

I woke up with a start, my face wet from tears shed in my sleep. Just then, a knock came at the door, and I got up to answer it. Shaun walked in the moment I opened the door, carrying a tray of food.

“You didn’t come downstairs for dinner, so I thought I’d bring it to you.” He set the tray on my bed and turned to look at me with those warm brown eyes. “I’m sorry for earlier. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. Just thinking about how they treated you makes me lose my mind.”

“There’s the thing, Shaun. I’m not going back for them. I’m going back for my brother and to get revenge on those rogues for taking my parents away from me. This is so much bigger than that.” I tried to lighten the mood by glancing at the tray. “Thank you for bringing me dinner; I was hungry.”

He smiled, reaching for my hand as we settled onto my bed. “Do you want me to come with you? I realize how much this means to you, and I don’t want to inconvenience you in any way—” I cut him off.

“What are you saying, Shaun? You will never be an inconvenience to me. Besides, as much as I would love for you to come, you’re needed here.” Leaning forward, I wrapped my arms around his neck. “You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me, Shaun, and I love you.” My heart fluttered at the intensity in his gaze.

“I love you more, my incredible Serena.” He replied, sealing it with a kiss.

The next few days were bound to be intense; I could feel it deep in my gut. But was I ready to face everyone after what had happened? Was I ready to confront the ghosts of my past?