The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 102

Laila’s POV

I stopped where I was, not giving chase as Mr. Bradshaw was wheeled beyond where visitors were allowed to walk. Sarah was blocked there, unable to join her husband past those doors. As they swung closed, she turned and faced me.

“I’m sorry,” I started to say, though I wasn’t sure why. I hadn’t done anything really to earn Mr. Bradshaw’s anger. Maybe I was just sorry for whatever situation led her husband to being here as he was. Though I still had no idea how any of this was my fault.

“He’s unwell,” Sarah said as she walked over to me. “He says things he doesn’t mean when he’s in pain. Please ignore the things he said. I hope you won’t think badly of our family.”

“I don’t,” I said at once. “But I’m not sure what he’s talking about.”

Sarah lowered her head a minute. “It’s not your fault, Vanessa. I want you to know that. But Jason hasn’t been himself since he met you. Things for the pack have taken a turn, and while it pains me to have to part ways with you, I must tell you… Truly, it might be best for you to stay away from Jason for a while.”

“I don’t understand. You just said Mr. Bradshaw didn’t mean –”

“He doesn’t mean to be so crass,” Sarah said. “But the fact remains that you do cause our son a considerable amount of confusion. Right now, he has to keep a clear head to do what the pack needs him to do. I’m sorry, Vanessa, but I must as you to maintain distance from him. At least until this crisis is over and he can finish his mating bond and marriage to Brittany.”

I froze. Brittany?

“Jason is going to marry Brittany?” I could barely push the words from my lips, they seemed so ridiculous. But wasn’t this how things were always going to be? Brittany and Jason had been together a long time.

She had been the reason he had abandoned me.

But it had been such a long time since they met to now, all without them making things official. It seemed like it was never going to happen.

“He must,” Sarah said. “So please. Give him space.”

What could I do but nod? “Alright.”

Sarah left me then without another word.

Still holding the pitcher, I went in search of water. Then, with the pitcher filled, I returned to Ava’s room. Even though I had

୮ succeeded in my task, it was difficult not to feel like a failure.

When I entered, William was there. He had sneaked in Ava a cookie treat, and though I was annoyed he was breaking the rules, I couldn’t deny the smile on Ava’s face made it worth it.

“Is it yummy?” William asked Ava.

“It’s the best! Thank you, Papa!”

William grinned even wider than Ava. Though, as he spotted me coming through the door, that grin dimmed a little.

A sense of awkwardness hung in the air.

“Vanessa,” he said.

“William.”

Ava looked between us. “Did something happen with you two?”

“You could say that,” William said.

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“It’s nothing, Ava,” I said, not wanting her to worry. “William and I just had a little disagreement.”

“Well, be friends again,“Ava said, like it was that simple. “You both should apologize and make friends again. That’s how we do it at school.”

William said, “I want to be here for Ava. Whatever that looks like for now.”

“For now?” I asked, my brow raising slightly.

“I know you will change your mind about things eventually,” he said. “You’ll come around to my side of it.“.

I opened my mouth to argue but he raised both hands in a defensive motion.

“I’m not wanting to argue,” he said. “I know it could take a while. But in the meantime, I’ll be right here, just like I always have, to help take care of Ava.”

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