The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 221

Jason’s POV

Riley and I sat in silence in the waiting room for a few hours, Ava resting first against me but then in her own chair, still snoozing comfortably.

Eventually, one of the healers game out looking for us. Riley and I both stood as the healer approached.

“Ms. Harper’s friends?” he confirmed.

“Yes,” I replied quickly.

The healer glanced between us and then at Ava, still asleep.

“How is she?” I asked.

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“She has made it through the surgery,” the healer said. “We were able to remove a large portion of the silver residue, but she

will continue to need care.”

“Is she awake?” Riley asked. “Can we see her?”

“She is still resting,” the healer replied. “But, we can allow you to see her, one visitor at a time.” His gaze again slid to Ava. “I think perhaps the child should stay out here. We don’t want to frighten her by seeing her mother in such a state.”

“I thought you were saying she’s recovering?” I asked.

“She is, but the recovery for her will be a slow process. She almost died today.”

Phantom fear, a shadow of what I had felt earlier, gripped at my chest. I remembered all too well how near death she had been, when I had held her in my arms as she slowly bled out.

That was an image that would stay with me for the rest of my life. It would be a miracle if I would ever sleep soundly again.

Riley and I looked at each other.

“You go first,” Riley said. “I’ll stay with Ava.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

She nodded.

“Very well,” the healer said. “If you will come with me, Alpha.”

After a quick glance back at Ava, who was still sound asleep, I went with the healer, following him through the back hallways. After weaving through some corridors like mice in a maze, we came to one of the small single rooms.

The healer stood outside and gestured for me to enter. “If you need anything, call for a nurse. They are stationed throughout these hallways. There’s a nurses‘ station just down here on your right.”

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“Thank you,” I said.

“Of course.”

As he turned away, I braced myself and stepped through the door.

Laila was resting on a bed, her skin nearly as pale as the sheets. Yet, despite her alarming color, she seemed somewhat at peace, her features smoothed out. If I hadn’t known she was injured, I might have thought she was just asleep.

Slowly, I approached her bedside. The closer I went, the more unwell she looked, and though I know the healers had worked hard to seal her wound, I could still scent the tang of her blood on the air.

+30 Bonus

She was still bleeding.

My heart ached in my chest, clenching fiercely.

I hadn’t been there for her when she had needed me. I had failed her.

Her hands were resting by her sides on the outside of the blankets. Reaching, I placed one of my hands over hers. She was so

cold.

Closing my eyes, I tried to push away the intrusive thoughts that told me she might not survive this.

She would. She had to. Now that I had felt the mating bond connecting us, how could I go on without her?

“I don’t know if you are Laila,” I whispered. “Maybe you are. Maybe you aren’t. Honestly, I’m not sure it matters anymore. Whoever you are, I…” I swallowed hard. “I care for you. I might even… I don’t know.”

I wasn’t ready to call it love, unsure of how that truly felt. But it was very near to that, if it wasn’t that already.

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