His Unwanted Gamma novel Chapter 144

Chapter 144

Elara’s POV

I couldn’t move. My feet were stuck to the ground as if the earth had claimed me. It was supposed to be a rumour. Everyone told me it would happen the whole second–chance mate thing. But I had never believed it. Not for a second.

And yet, here I was, staring into the eyes of the man who was supposed to be my second chance.

He stood there, just as surprised as I was. The moment I took in his scent, I knew it a strange mix of familiarity and something… foreign. But nothing stirred in me. The bond wasn’t there, not yet. I could recognize him, but I didn’t know him. Not as a mate.

The whole thing with second–chance mates was different. We could sense each other, feel the pull, but the bond stayed dormant. It would be up to us – both of us to decide if we wanted this or not.

Dorian took a step forward, his long stride eating the distance between us, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made me freeze.

“Funny,” he muttered, his smile almost mocking. “I didn’t expect you to be my second–chance mate.”

The words stung more than they should’ve. He seemed amused, but I wasn’t laughing. My heart tightened. “Stop calling me that,” I snapped, my voice colder than I intended.

His grin widened, dimples popping. “Oh, come on. It’s not like I’m calling you something awful. ‘Thorne’s rejected Luna,‘ that’s who you are, right?” He leaned in just enough to make it clear he wasn’t backing off.

A flash of anger shot through me, sharp and hot. “I said stop.”

–

I took a step back, putting space between us. He raised his hands in mock surrender, his smile still in place. “Okay, okay, my bad.”

He bowed, a little too dramatically, but somehow it felt natural coming from him. He had this knack for

making even the most ridiculous gestures look like they belonged.

“Better?” he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “I know you’re more than just that, Elara. You’re Blood Moon’s princess, Alpha Cael’s sister. I’m aware. And hell, you’re a damn good Gamma, too.” He grinned.

I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes. “Do you always flirt with women you’ve just met?” The words came out before I could stop them, half an accusation, half a joke.

“No, definitely not.” Dorian chuckled, his tone low. “But this is different. You’re my mate. What else am I supposed to do?”

I stared at him, not sure whether to punch him or laugh. “We’re not mates, not yet,” I muttered, not buying

into the ease in his words.

Without waiting for his response, I held out my hand, palm facing up in a deliberate challenge. Dorian’s eyes flickered down, his gaze softening for a split second before he took a step forward to close the distance.

I raised an eyebrow as I slowly extended my arm.

But then, without warning, I pressed a dagger to his throat, the cold steel biting into his skin.

The sudden shift in the air was enough to freeze both of us. Dorian’s smile disappeared as his eyes flicked to the blade.

“You really want to do this?” he said, his voice smooth, but there was a shift – something darker underneath. “Threatening your mate, huh?”

I didn’t flinch. “You’re a lot of things I don’t understand, Dorian. Why did you send the soldiers away?” My

grip tightened on the dagger, pressing harder into his skin, blood starting to bead where the blade met his

throat.

He didn’t step back. Instead, he looked me straight in the eye, unafraid. A strange, quiet respect formed between us, even with the dagger so close.

“I told you. I’m trying to keep you safe,” he said, voice low. “I’m not your enemy. If you want, I can take you straight to Kimberly. I’m just trying to keep you out of trouble, not make more of it.”

I held the dagger there for a long beat, studying him. I didn’t trust him, not yet. But there was something about him his calm, his confidence – that I couldn’t ignore.

–

Finally, I lowered the blade. “Fine. Take me to Kimberly.”

“But I’m warning you, Dorian,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “You so much as make a wrong move, and I won’t hesitate to slit your throat.”

He chuckled softly, like he didn’t believe me. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Dorian pulled open the door, a smirk dancing on his lips. “After you, my mate.”

I turned back to Dora, who was watching me with a worried frown.

“You okay?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.

“I’m fine,” I said, trying to reassure/her. “Don’t worry about me.”

She hesitated, glancing over at the door. “I just… I’m sorry for what my fiancé did. He’s an idiot, and I can’t believe he testified like that for the money.”

“Where is he now?” I asked.

Dora’s lips curled into a tight smile. “He’s not my fiancé anymore. His legs were broken after the flogging kicked him to the curb.”

I snorted, amused. “Good for you.”

She smiled faintly, but it was tinged with sadness. “Take care of yourself, Elara.”

I nodded, then turned to leave. As I stepped into the cool night, the chill of the wind hit me, and I shivered, pulling my coat tighter around myself.

Before I could say anything, Dorian tossed a thick jacket over my shoulders. The heat from his body still clung to it, warming me immediately.

“Put it on,” he said softly. “It’ll cover your scent. You don’t want your ex tracking you down.”

I froze for a second, staring at him. “You think of everything, don’t you?”

He didn’t respond with words, just a slight shrug. Instead, he took the lead, walking down the quiet street with a confidence that was almost unnerving.

I zipped up the jacket, feeling its warmth soak into my skin. The distant howls of wolves echoed in the air. My heart skipped a beat. It was Thorne. Still out there. Still looking for me.

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