The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 109

Chapter 109

Jason’s POV

Margo and Marcus stood in my office, ready for our 9am meeting. We’d come to be quite the trio lately, since taking on Margo as my publicist. Now she insisted on these daily meetings. I brought in Marcus to be both my moral support as well as my note- taker. Sometimes Margo’s instructions could be quite intense.

Today, fortunately, she didn’t have much more for me than some good news.

“The announcement of the date of your mating ceremony has cooled tensions within the pack,” she reported. “All of the protestors have gone home, and the news and gossip channels are now talking about things regarding the ceremony, rather than your downfall.”

“That’s good,” I said, sighing.

“Yes,” Margo replied. “We will need to discuss which things to leak to them. Some of the guest list perhaps, or images of some of the dresses Brittany is considering…”

“You should discuss those things with her,” I said. “I truly have no interest.”

“It’s not Brittany’s reputation I am trying to save,” Margo said. “It is yours, Alpha. But I understand your meaning. With your permission, I will take care of these matters for you.”

“I would appreciate that,” I said. The less I had to think about these upcoming nuptials, the better.

She nodded. “Very well. Though I do request you fake some enthusiasm, at least in front of the press. We can’t have it getting out that you are not as excited as your people need you to be.”

“Okay,” I said and feigned a small smile. “I’ll be careful.”

She nodded, satisfied. “Everyone is talking about this upcoming event. I’ve already lined Brittany up with some interviews, to help keep the interest. But it wouldn’t hurt for you to join her on occasion.”

“I’d really rather not,” I said.

“You are going to be married soon,” Margo said. “Then there will be no getting rid of her. You should learn to accept her, Jason. Before the mating ceremony. It would be easier that way.”

“I appreciate all your advice, Margo, but in this, I need to ask you to give me space.”

Margo nodded, with no offense showing in her face. “Forgive my overstep, Alpha.”

“There is nothing to forgive.”

She bowed a little, then checked her watch. “If you will excuse me, there is much to do.”

She showed herself out then, in something of a rush. Her phone was to her ear before she even stepped out of the room.

Marcus closed the door behind her. “She’s a bit of a whirlwind.”

“The best there is at her job,” I said, feeling more at ease now, speaking to Marcus. We were on the same page, at least. Marcus was my Beta, but he was also my good friend. I was grateful for him at times like these, where I felt like the whole world was closing in around me.

“She’s already done a lot for your reputation,” Marcus said. “In another few weeks, I’m willing to bet that the attitude around you will entirely change. You’ll be beloved.”

“And all it will take is a wedding,” I said with a sigh. “If only it was easier.”

“Nothing ever is, I suspect,” Marcus added.

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He was right.

As evidenced not five minutes later, as he was leaving my office, when Brittany burst in past him.

“That Vanessa is the absolute worst!” she announced at the top of her lungs.

Behind her, Marcus slowly closed the door to my office.

Brittany didn’t notice, pacing the length of my room.

“I went over there, offering my services to her, trying to be nice, and she puts me on the spot, hitting me with all these difficult questions! She was trying to make me look stupid, Jason. I can’t believe you work with someone like that. She’s the absolute worst, I’m telling you. If that contract wasn’t already signed, I’d demand you back out of it at once.”

“She’s good at her job,” I said. Brittany had been well out of her element with all this. I had given her the right to step in for me with Vanessa because I had wanted to maintain the peace. Brittany was clearly jealous of Vanessa. I thought by allowing this that the jealousy would pass.

Instead, now, she just seemed even more upset.

“So you are taking her side?” Brittney demanded, outraged. “How could you? Over your own fiancé? Your own mate?”

“It’s not about taking sides.”

“Then why are you taking hers!”

To keep the peace, I rose from my desk and approached her. She liked physical touch, even if I wasn’t as into it. I gently placed my hands on her arms, stopping her pacing.

“You are the one I’m going to exchange vows with at the mating ceremony,” I said. “You have no reason to be jealous. You are the only one I want, Laila.”

Brittany froze so quickly I startled. It took me a second too long to realize what I’d said.

“Brittany,” I corrected, much, much too late.

“I don’t believe you. You… After all this time… How could you still hold a torch for that, that

“Don’t,” I said harshly. If she said anything bad about Laila, I wouldn’t be able to stand it. “That was a slip of the tongue and nothing else.

“Then kiss me,” she said. “If I’m the one you really want to be with, prove it to me by kissing me like you mean it.”

I swallowed thickly, not seeing any other choice. I inched closer to her, and she lifted her chin up, her lips puckering.

She closed her eyes and I leaned down.

I held my breath and pressed my lips to hers.

She smiled at once. Her arms went around me, locking behind my head. Her lips parked, and her tongue swiped out.

Immediately, I pulled back, wincing.

She opened her eyes and they were filled with hurt.

“You should go,” I told her. “I have work to do.”

“This conversation isn’t done,” she said, but obeyed, her face burning red.

I didn’t hear from her for the rest of the day which foolishly had me believing the matter was settled.

I came home late and went straight to my room to shower and change. Wearing only silk pajamas, I stepped out of the bathroom

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