The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 132

Chapter 172

Jason’s POV

Lies.

Every single word out of my month for this entire interview has been nothing but lies.

I hated myself for it. I didn’t want to do it. But for Vanessa’s sake and for my own sake, I had to.

This interview was necessary to keep the media away from Vanessa, to give her the privacy to deal with whatever had driven her back to the hospital. I truly hoped that Ava was well, and this was only something routine.

My lying, though – that was only for my own sake. The pack was weakened because of my delay in making Brittany my wife and mate. Because of this Alpha Daniel and others were sniffing around my pack’s borders and luring away some of my pack’s strongest members.

The only way I could prove to everyone that I was a strong and capable leader was to assure them that Brittany and I would soon be wed and have children. Setting the date wasn’t enough. This interview was my chance to convince everyone I was in love. A child would be imminent. My pack was still strong.

Every lie burned like ash in my mouth, especially the last one.

2

Brittany was not the love of my life. That was Laila. But Laila was dead, and I couldn’t afford to bury my life beside hers. To lead the pack, I had to move on physically, even if my heart would stay hers.

I only hoped she could forgive me for this betrayal, for claiming I loved anyone more than I loved her.

Laila was the love of my life, and that would never change.

“The public has been following your relationship with Brittany with great interest,” the interviewer said. “You two have known each other for a long time. Tell me, was it love at first sight?”

“It was for me,” Brittany said, placing a hand on my knee. “As soon as I saw him, I knew he was the one. I said to myself, I have to have him.” She laughed, seemingly carefree. Gods, she made this look easy.

Maybe if I had actually loved her, it would be. But since I didn’t, it wasn’t.

“That’s lovely,” the interviewer said, then looked at me. “And you, Alpha?”

I cleared my throat, trying to figure out what to say. Brittany snapped her gaze to me, a warning flashing over her eyes.

I tried to think back to when I had met Brittany. I had been a fool then, seeing Brittany as a more perfect plate than Laila. On paper, she was. Brittany was a strong werewolf from a good family. She wasn’t a weak, wolfless orphan like Laila.

Yet, I always loved Laila more.

I couldn’t tell the interviewer that.

“I knew Brittany would be a good mate when I saw her,” I said.

“But was it love?” the interviewer pressed.

No. “Maybe.”

Brittany laughed, her eyes softening as she looked back at the interviewer. “You know how men are. It’s so difficult for them to express their true feelings sometimes.”

The interviewer hummed critically. “Well, Alpha, instead perhaps you can tell us some of the things you like most about Brittany. You must have an incredibly long list.”

I did not.

1/2

“yes, uh. “I took a moment to think.

+25 Bonus

Brittany laughed again in the gilefice “There’s probably so many, he is struggling to get them into any kind of order.”

I was struggling alright, but not because there were too many to list. Instead, there were too few.

“She’s very… assertive,” I said. “She’s confident. She… comes from a good background.”

“I’m beautiful,” Brittany said. “He means to add that.”

“Uh, yes…”

“And sweet,” she added. “And he can’t stop kissing me. All the time. Every time we are in the hallway. Whenever we are around each other.” She forced a laugh. “I’m sure the staff are sick of us.”

I tried to smile but couldn’t quite manage.

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