The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 158

Laila’s POV

For the second time in less than an hour, I was stunned into silence.

William wanted to get married… now? After what just happened? After Jason had said my name during his vows to another woman?

Couldn’t he understand that I was feeling conflicted and confused?

“Why are you rushing this?” I asked him. “You said you were willing to wait, but now you want to push things?”

William frowned, clearly annoyed by my hesitation. “Jason said your name, so he’s still after you. I don’t think being bonded to Brittany will even stop him. It’s disgusting. He can’t bond to two people. He wants to have Brittany publically and you in secret.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Isn’t it obvious?” William asked. “But I’m not going to let that happen to you, Laila. You are too good a person. You deserve better, a real man who can take care of you and Ava, who isn’t afraid to take up the mantle of your mate in public and in private. It’d be an honor for me to be your husband.”

“We can wait…”

“With Jason making attempts for you, I’d rather make you mine sooner rather than later.”

Lightly, I shook my head. “William, I really don’t think Jason is trying to make a play for me. We just watched him make vows to someone else.”

“He said your name.”

“And he corrected himself and said Brittany right after. Their mating bond is sealed.”

“He’ll still come after you.”

“If he does, he will not be successful. You don’t trust him, 1 get it. But trust me. I don’t want to be anyone’s second best. Or

third.”

“I trust you,” William said. “But I know this must be confusing for you. I want to help you.”

“I can help myself.”

sprong. “Jason said the wrong name in his mating vows,” William said. “His bond with Brittany cannot be that strong. He could still break it. He could still turn to you… I don’t want to take that chance.”

“I’m telling you that isn’t going to happen,” I said.

“And I don’t believe that.”

He was a stubborn man. For all of his good qualities – helping with Ava, supporting me when I was down – he wasn’t the best listener. He wanted to protect me, wanted to love me, but he didn’t want to give me the room to act and think for myself.

It was too close to control. And I’d never allow myself to feel small again.

“Arguing is pointless,” I said. “I’m not going to the courthouse with you today. Will you take me back to the hospital, or should I call a taxi?”

William’s jaw locked, with a muscle ticking at the bottom of his cheek.

He was quiet for so long that I wondered if I really would need a taxi. But then he sighed.

“I’ll take you back.”

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The drive was quiet, with neither of us saying a word. He stopped in front of the hospital main entrance, and I hopped out. Once I had closed the door and was safely on the sidewalk, he pulled away. He didn’t turn into the parking lot, so he wasn’t staying Instead, he went out onto the gain street and drove

away.

Good. Maybe we could both cool OH.

His proposal had only made things more difficult for me, after what was an already very trying experience. I needed space to think, to process. My emotions were still in a jumble. With every forward step, I felt like I might just collapse into a ball and wallow in self–pity for a while.

But I wouldn’t. Vanessa Harper wasn’t weak like Laila had been.

I could carry this. I could figure this out.

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Chapter 159