Page 11 of The Alpha’s Unclaimed Mate

“I’m not sure.” She keeps her eyes on the girls.

I glance at her, confused. “Didn’t you just move here?”

“I did.” Her jaw tightens. “I’m starting to think it was a mistake. We may go back.”

Go back. Something in me objects to that, fast and unreasonable, though I couldn’t say why. The set of her shoulders, her refusal to look at me, tells me there’s a whole story she isn’t saying.

“That’s the first friend Bella’s made here,” I offer. “My niece doesn’t take to people easily. It’s good to see her laugh like this.”

That earns me a glance. “Bella’s your niece?” Her brow knits. “I thought she was your daughter.”

“No. My niece. Her parents died when she was a baby. I’ve raised her since.”

Jessa says nothing.

I watch her a beat, then lift a brow. “You look annoyed.”

“No.” It comes too quick. “Why would I be annoyed? It’s a good thing you did. A noble thing.”

Then why does she sound upset by it?

“It’s why I retired.” I shrug, watching her reaction. “I wanted her to come first.”

A flash of pain crosses her face, and she looks away, her voice hoarse, “I see.”

I want to keep her talking, the sound of her voice calming me despite her attitude. But she’s already shifting forward on the bench, already done.

“We need to go.” She rises. “I have to cancel an enrollment tomorrow.”

“Enrollment in what?”

“Crestline Soccer Academy.” She brushes off her coat. “My daughter got a scholarship there. It’s why we came. But we won’t settle here, so I’m pulling her out.”

I keep my face easy and lean back on the bench, taking my time. “Your daughter won a scholarship to Crestline?”

“Yes.”

“That’s very impressive. It’s an invite only institute.”

“I know that,” she mutters.

“They grant a full scholarship till college.” I hold her eyes. “Why throw it away? Give the place a chance. It’s not such a bad town.”

“I have my reasons.” She turns from me and calls across the green. “Mia. We’re leaving.”

Mia.

The girl jogs over, cone gone, cheeks flushed. “Can’t I stay a little longer? Please? Mom!”

“No.” Sharp, final. “We have to go.” But she softens the second she crouches to Bella, tucking a loose tendril back from the girl’s face. “It was lovely to meet you, sweetheart. Say goodbye.”

Bella shuffles her feet, gone shy. “Will you come here next Sunday? We could play together.”

“Okay.” Mia nods, quick and sure, and the two of them throw their arms around each other like they’ve known one another for years.

Then she’s gone, my newest acquaintance towing her daughter toward the gate without a backward glance.

Bella bounces over to me, beaming. “See? See, I made a friend!”