The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 105

Chapter 105

Jason’s POV

Just like that, everything became official. Brittany had been my fiancé for a very long time, but now, with a date set, the reality of her being my wife was looming ever closer.

I decided to keep Margo on, to help with the publicity of the engagement and to restore my reputation permanently. With Margo’s help, Brittany picked a date for the mating ceremony, and the day was announced to the whole of the pack.

The very next day, all of the protestors cleared out and I was able to get back to work without issue.

A warning from Margo stayed fresh on my mind, “You have to go through with the wedding. You have to have kids and keep a nice, perfect family. Or those protestors will be back. The people will leave even worse than before. And Alpha Dustin won’t think twice next time before moving in.”

The threat had chilled me to my bones, and I could see the truth in it.

Today, I sat in the dining room with Brittany, going over details for the ceremony. I had been more than willing to leave everything in Brittany’s capable hands, but she had been insistent that I contribute something. Then she pouted. Then she cried.

So here I sat, a list of names in front of me, very few I cared about at all. They were names of the wealthiest and most prestigious members of the pack.

“We could just have everyone in the pack be invited,” I suggested. “The people would like that. It could be an apology for this taking so long.”

“What about my apology? I’m the one who has been waiting,” Brittany said. She shook her head. “Inviting everyone makes it less important. Exclusivity increases the appeal, yes? We don’t want the people to think beyond their stations. They never should have questioned you to begin with.”

She said that, but if they hadn’t questioned me, then we wouldn’t be getting married so soon. Maybe that was why she grinned as she said it.

“Letting me have the wedding of my dreams is the least you could do,” she said. “I never thought this day would come. That’s how long you’ve made me wait. You owe this to me, more than to the rest of the pack.”

I couldn’t argue with that, even if I wanted to. Honestly, this entire thing just made me feel so tired and defeated.

But I would do whatever necessary to save my pack. With Laila gone, it didn’t really matter who I married so long as I did. Whatever made my pack members happy was what I would do.

“I want you to have the wedding of your dreams,” I said, but “I also think we should invite more people.

“Exclusivity, Jason. That’s what will make this party special.”

“At least a few more people,” I said. “What about Vanessa Harper?”

Brittany’s gaze snapped up at me so fast, I thought maybe she had made herself dizzy. “Why in the world would we invite her?” “She’s my collaboration partner,” I said. “We’ve brokered this deal together that is going to make the pack very profitable. Why wouldn’t we invite her?”

“I don’t like it,” Brittany said, “She’s nothing but a troublemaker and a homewrecker.”

Neither of those things were true, and I was annoyed at the implication.

“Vanessa is just a single mother who works hard. She’s successful, good at what she does, and she has been an asset to the pack

She has to be there. I insist.”

“I don’t like it,” Brittany said. That bottom lip pushed forward. I knew I’d only have a few seconds before the waterworks

started.

+25 Bonus

“I’m giving you full reign on this,” I told her. “And I’m happy to do so. But in this case, I have to insist.”

I couldn’t really explain it. But I wanted Vanessa to be there. Maybe then, I could really let her go, like I had been doing all this time. If she was there… If I saw her…

Brittany glowered at me, but she finally relented with a huff. “Fine. She can come. But that’s it. After this, I don’t want to see her around here anymore.”

Vanessa and I still had to work together, but for Brittany’s sake, I supposed I could try to keep all of our meetings away from the pack house.

“Fine,” I agreed.

Brittany wrote Vanessa’s name down on the guest list.

Laila’s POV

When I went home from the hospital, the mailbox was so stuffed, it was practically overflowing. In all my stress and hard work, I supposed I hadn’t given myself enough time to come home and keep up with things. My mail being one of those things.

I carried it inside, then, after dropping my things on the counter, started combing through it.

Bill, bill, junk mail, bill.

Everything seemed normal, the bills causing me stress, the junk mail giving me a measure of annoyance.

Then, strangely, I got to a crisp white envelope that seemed to be in the bulkier shape of a card, more square–shaped than the usual rectangular–size of the other mail.

Setting the rest aside, I opened this envelope and pulled out the single cardstock invitation that was inside.

I’d known that Jason was going to set the date with Brittany. Sarah had mentioned it back at the hospital and it had stayed on my mind this entire time.

But it was one thing to know it was going to happen without proof. It was entirely another to be holding the proof in my hands, looking at it like it might come alive and bite me.

My heart dropped down onto the floorboards.

My phone started ringing. Still holding the invitation, I pulled out the phone, and saw a call from Riley.

Is

“Hi, Riley,” I said. I tried to keep my voice normal, but there was nothing normal there in truth. Instead, I sounded choked, even

to my own ears.

“You saw,” she said, not a question. “About the rating ceremony.”

“Worse,” I told her. “I’m invited.”

“Oh, Laila.”

“It’s fine.”

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