The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 157

Chapter 157

Whispers spread like wildfire

“That’s her. That’s Vanessa Harper.”

William held his arm out for me once more. Trying to hold onto my dignity, I snaked my arm through his and allowed him to lead me toward the exit.

The whispers chased me, condemning me.

“Why would he say her name?”

“I bet she’s a slut.”

“She’s not as pretty as Brittany.”

“Isn’t she that homewrecker? I remember from the news…”

My hand started shaking so I gripped William’s arm tighter. He tensed further in return.

Our pace quickened without neither of us having to say a word.

Keep your head up, I told myself. Stay strong.

They don’t know you anymore.

But was that true?

The whispers had followed me in the past as well. People had hated me when I had been just Laila, the orphan, given the privilege of being part of the royal family. No one had thought I belonged then, either.

Now, I was an outcast again, but it felt worse, having experienced it twice.

The real Vanessa Harper had been a strong, reputable woman, And here I was, ruining her reputation once again.

Once we were outside the walls of the pack house, I felt like I could breathe again. Though I was still trembling, at least there weren’t as many eyes on me out here.

William remained tense as ever. When we were alone on the street, walking toward our car, he growled.

“He did that on purpose.”

I glanced up at him.

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“Jason,” he clarified. “He said your name on purpose, still trying to confuse things. Still trying to get you back.”

“No,” I said quickly. “He didn’t even know I was coming here. Brittany was the one who invited me, remember? This was just an honest mix–up.”

“There is nothing honest about a man saying the wrong woman’s name during an official mating ceremony.”

“It didn’t mean anything,” I said. “It had been a mix–up, nothing more.”

Jason couldn’t have feelings for me. That just wasn’t possible. Maybe he had seen me in the crowd and my name had slipped out. Only… I had my eyes on him the entire time and he had never looked over until after he had wrongfully spoken.

Still, it couldn’t have meant anything. At least not to him.

Inside my own chest, my heart fluttered. Butterflies took flight in my stomach. I felt happier than I wanted to admit to anyone, even myself, and I was shamed by that happiness.

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What happened today was a tragedy. It would weaken the pack and likely make Jason’s life miserable. Brittany would be angry at him. It was no way to start off a mate bond.

Yet…

He’d thought of me. When giving those vows, I was the one who came to his mind. Not Brittany. Not even past me. Me as I was

now.

I felt like I could have taken off and flown through the sky.

At the same time, though, I wanted to sink into the ground and allow it to swallow me whole.

Jason had said my name, yes, but it hadn’t changed anything. He was still now bonded with Brittany. All this had really done was make everything much more complicated.

My emotions were a whirlwind, and I was caught inside, pulling in every direction at once.

When we reached the car, William didn’t let go of my arm. Instead he turned to me.

An earnest determination shown in his eyes as he said, “We’ve put this off for far too long, Laila. Let’s go to the courthouse right now, and make things official between us. Jason’s taken. There’s no need to wait anymore.”

“What are you saying?” I said, the sinking pit in my stomach growing larger.

“Let’s get married. Right now.”

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