The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 143

Laila’s POV

Riley, Hannah, and Jessica all turned to look at me like I had lost my mind. Maybe they were right to. If I had stood outside of myself, and heard what I’d said too, after Jessica’s probably innocent question, I’d be looking at myself like that too.

I had no idea why the warning had come out so visceral. It was almost as if my wolf had taken over in that moment. That was ridiculous, wasn’t it?

I pushed that ugly feeling away. “What I mean,” I said, forcing my voice to be less threatening, “is that he is an Alpha, which are trouble to start with. But he’s also engaged already.”

Jessica lifted her chin. “I don’t see his fiancé here.”

“There’s no way in the hells Brittany would offer to help,” Riley said.

“Then that engagement can’t be very strong. Maybe he just needs a good woman to help him see that,” Jessica said.

“Let it go, Jess,” Hannah said.

“I’m cute and I’m young, why shouldn’t I have a chance?”

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“With anyone else, maybe,” I said. “But Jason is far more trouble than you should be involved with. You should be concentrating on your studies anyway.”

Jessica’s sharp glare cut straight at me. “You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

“Jess,” Hannah said again, but Jessica ignored her, continuing to stare daggers at me.

“First, I have to quit gymnastics, and now I can’t even crush on a guy?” Jessica snapped. “I’m sorry that we can’t all be like you, Vanessa. I’m too young to have a company, and go to all of those mixers and parties. I’d love to dress up in a gown and rub elbows with the elites of a werewolf pack.”

“I don’t do anything that glamourous

“If you don’t, it’s only because you lack imagination,” Jessica said with disdain, her upper lip curling. “You have no idea what Hannah and I have to go through just to keep Victor happy. We aren’t allowed to do anything. I couldn’t even go to prom!”

Riley scoffed. “Her daughter is dying. I think Vanessa has more to worry about than parties and proms.”

Jessica glared at Riley instead.

“Riley, I know you mean well but please let me handle this,” I said.

“I don’t like ungrateful children,” Riley said.

“I’m not a child!” Jessica said.

“So you admit to being ungrateful?” Riley countered.

Jessica’s angry face turned red.

“All of our emotions are high right now,” I said, trying to step in. “We should take a step back.”

“Now you want to act like a parent?” Jessica said to me. “You know what I think? I think you are holding out on us on purpose. I think you just don’t want the responsibility of two little sisters anymore. You’ve abandoned us. You’re neglecting us.”

“It’s only gymnastics,” Riley said.

“That’s where it starts,” Jessica said. “But where will it end? Before long, Hannah and I will probably be out on the street.”

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“I won’t let that happen,” I told her.

“Forgive me if I don’t believe you,” she replied.

“Jess, you’ve said enough,” Hannah said.

“Hannah –

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“I’m serious, Jess. Stop. You aren’t helping anything.”

Jessica’s gaze softened as she looked at her sister, but her face was still red with anger and frustration. She shot me another glare before telling Hannah, “I’ll wait outside for you. I don’t want to be in here anymore.”

After Jessica stormed away, I looked to Hannah.

“I am sorry,” I told her. “I hate that Jessica had to quit what she loved, and everything else. I’m trying to get the money…”

“I understand,” Hannah said. “I know you are. Jessica will get it in time. She doesn’t hate you or anything. She’s just having a really bad day. Even upset, though, she still wanted to be here to try to support Ava. We both hope she pulls through.”

“Thank you,” I said.

Hannah came close and gave me a goodbye hug. I squeezed her, hoping to convey everything I couldn’t say with words. As we pulled apart, she gave me a sad sort of smile, then turned and followed out the way her sister went.

I couldn’t truly be mad at Jessica. She had come here to try to help Ava, and her hurt was still fresh. Also, I wondered how many of the hurtful things she had said to me were just regurgitations of things Victor had told her.

I wished I had been able to get them away from him. I hated that he still had so much power over us all.

If only I had any idea how to get us out from under his thumb.

Jason’s POV

I followed the healer to the lab area, where I was directed to sit down on a stool.

“We will need to do three tests,” the healer said. “A blood test. Then a sample from your bone marrow. We will also ask you to exude some of your werewolf essence.”

“I’m ready,” I told him, and completed each test in turn.

The healer’s face stayed neutral for much of the time, though I did notice a slightly widening of his eyes at one point.

I didn’t have much hope here. After all, so many other people had been tested. What were the odds that I would be a match when others hadn’t? I had no special connection to Vanessa and Ava, other than liking them as individuals.

Other than a moment of passion with Vanessa.

I forcibly pushed away the thoughts. This was the very last place I should be thinking about that. I’d been trying not to think about it at all – with limited success – but I definitely shouldn’t be thinking about it here.

“I want to retest,” the healer said. “Just to make sure the results are valid.”

“Something go wrong?” I asked.

“I just want to be sure,” the healer said.

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