The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 21

Laila's POV

"Which pack did you belong to before, Vanessa?"

The words hit like a freight train. My lungs forgot how to work. Jason's eyes—sharp, green, unrelenting—locked on me like he was hunting prey that had nowhere left to run.

My mouth went dry. Every answer felt like walking into quicksand with weights tied to my ankles.

"I don't have anything to say about that," I managed, steady voice wrapped around shaky bones.

His brows lifted, just a fraction. In this world, dodging wasn't neutral—it meant you were either hiding something ugly or guarding something explosive. Either way, not good.

"Interesting response," he murmured, tilting his head. "Most people are proud of their pack heritage."

Think, Laila. Think.

"Most people aren't neutral liaisons," I shot back. "Pack ties make business messy."

It was clean. Logical. Believable enough. But I could see it—the way he tucked that piece away, adding it to whatever puzzle he'd been building out of me.

Before he could push further, the door opened.

Marcus stepped inside, his usually calm expression tight with urgency. His voice was low, controlled, but I caught the strain in it. "Alpha. We need to go. Your father's taken a bad turn."

Jason was on his feet instantly. The deal, the questions, me—they all vanished under the weight of something rawer. Fear. Love.

"How bad?"

"Bad enough the doctors moved the surgery up to tomorrow morning."

Jason's face went pale. Despite everything between us—the lies, the distance, the years—I felt the familiar tug in my chest. Old loyalty. Old love. Old grief.

Jason's parents had once been my family too. They'd given me a home when they didn't have to. The idea of his father on an operating table, fighting for his life, made my chest ache.

"Is it his heart?" The question slipped out before I could stop it. "What kind of procedure are they planning?"

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