The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 205

Chapter 205

Laila’s POV

Claire insisted on going with me, and because I had vowed to include Jason in any future investigations, he met us at a small seedy–looking bar at the edge of town. The small, unassuming building had no windows to see in or out. It surely must have had a name but the only side above the door read shaply, Bar.

Jason frowned at the building, seemingly not liking the look of the place any more than I did. Claire, on the other hand, seemed relaxed.

“I’ve been here before. Yeah, the place could use a deep clean, but it’s not so bad. Locals, mostly. Older guys. Retired.” She started for the door, but then stopped and glanced back at us. “Maybe don’t use the bathroom. I don’t think they’ve been cleaned since before the war.”

I wanted to ask which war but decided that I maybe didn’t want to know. I shared a look with Jason, who had one brow lifted. Our comradery lasted only one moment before a sense of awkwardness seeped into us, though, and we both looked away again.

Claire glanced between us in clear curiosity but didn’t say a word about it. Instead, she opened the door and gestured for us to go

inside.

The inside of the building was dark, with neon beer signs and the glow of one television in the corner casting the most light. The television was showing some kind of sports broadcast. A large man stood behind the bar, cleaning a glass with a rag. He was watching the television religiously, only glancing at us for a second before immediately dismissing us to look back to the

television.

An older man was sitting on one of the bar stools. He glanced over at us.

Claire waved at him, and he started to stand.

“That’s him,” she told us.

He didn’t say anything to us, just turned and went to one of the booths in the far corner. He took the seat that would face the

door.

Claire went over to see him at once, sliding in beside him on the bench seat. Jason glanced at me and then gestured for me to move forward first. I did so, moving to the booth. I slid in first, with Jason beside me. His tall body blocked me from the view of the rest of the bar. At least from the bartender who was the only other person there at the moment.

“Uncle Mack, this is Vanessa Harper and Alpha Jason,” Claire said. “Guys, this is my Uncle Mack.”

“Just call me Mack,” he said. His voice was gruff but his eyes were probing. He might not have been a policeman anymore, but his gaze was scrutinizing like he was still investigating. I felt like a bug under a microscope. “Claire says you are looking for answers about your parents‘ car accident. Tell me what you are hoping to find.”

“The truth,” I said.

“You don’t believe the reports? The news coverage of that time?” he asked.

“No. There are too many inconsistencies, and too many holes,” I replied.

“Someone has also been following her,” Jason added. “We need to get to the bottom of this to bring the person to justice, whether it’s Adelaide or anyone else, before Vanessa gets hurt.”

“You believe Adelaide responsible?” Mack asked.

“I have suspicions about her,” I said. “From the reports, but also from the way she’s been acting. I think she’s used to people doing as she says, and she’s confused why I don’t fall in line like the rest. I’m not going to let her scare me.

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“We know she’s powerful,” Jason said. “But I’m an Alpha, and I’m going to protect Vanessa, no matter what.”

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