The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 12

Ava looked up at me. Those green eyes that were exactly like mine. Same shade. Same gold flecks. Same intensity. Then back at Dr. Richards.

"He's not my daddy," she said matter-of-factly. But there was something wistful there. Longing. "But I wish he was. He's much nicer than most grown-ups."

The innocent comment hit me like a truck.

Dr. Richards made excuses and hurried away.

As I watched Ava play with her reunited stuffed animals, I couldn't help but wonder…

The way she tilted her head when thinking. Exactly like I did.

The stubborn set of her jaw. The bright curiosity in her eyes. The way she processed information.

Even the way she held her toys. Careful. Protective.

It was all so familiar.

Laila POV

I stepped out of Ava's room for one minute. One minute to talk to the nurse about pre-surgery instructions.

Routine stuff. What time to stop giving her water. Which medications to hold. When to expect the surgical team.

Normal. Manageable. Under control.

When I came back, her bed was empty.

Panic hit me like a fist to the chest. Stole my breath. Made my heart race.

"Ava? Ava, where are you?"

My voice cracked. High. Desperate. She was supposed to be resting.

The doctors had been clear. No excitement. No stress. Keep her calm.

"Ava!" I called out. Didn't care who stared. Didn't care about making a scene. My daughter was missing.

Hospital staff looked up from their stations. Concerned. Ready to help.

I was about to call security when I saw him. Jason. Walking down the corridor with my daughter in his arms like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Like he belonged there.

"She's my responsibility. Not yours."

The words came out harsher than I intended. Defensive. Like I was marking territory.

Ava looked between us. Her child's intuition picking up on the tension. The undercurrents she couldn't understand but could feel.

"Mama, why are you being mean to Jason? He helped me find Little Bunny."

She held up both rabbits. Proof of his helpfulness.

"It's not mean to be cautious around strangers."

"But he's nice. He listened to my stories and everything."

Jason was still studying my face. That intense look. The one he got when he was trying to solve a puzzle.

Then he asked the question I'd been dreading. The one that could destroy everything.

"Where is Ava's father?"

The words hung in the air between us. Sharp. Dangerous. Like a blade waiting to fall.