The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 257

Chapter 257

+30 Bonus

Jason’s POV

“You would do us all a favor,” Dad continued, “if you cut her out of our lives entirely. Yes, you have a daughter with her. Sure. Adopt the kid, but get rid of the mother before she drags you down with her.”

“Absolutely not,” I said flatly, annoyed to be having this conversation again. “Just focus on your own health right now, okay? Leave the pack to me.”

“Son, I have been leaving it to you. And your gullible heart has continuously put us in trouble.” Dad sighed. “I don’t say that lightly. There have been good times and bad. You aren’t a bad leader by any means, but you are following the wrong path with this woman. Any time she is mentioned, you become so unreliable. Truly, you would be better off without her in your life at all.”

“I hate to disappoint you, father, but you couldn’t be farther from the truth,” I said, barely able to contain my growl.

I loved my father, that was how I managed to hold onto my respect for him, but I was furious about the things he was saying about Laila. He had been something of a father–figure to her once, but he was still treating her like she was some stranger, some conn ving woman out to steal his title. Laila didn’t even want to be in the pack!

“I’m happy with the man I am today, Dad. I’m happier than I’ve ever been when I tried to be someone I’m not. When I tried to love someone I didn’t. I wish you could see that.” Voice lower, I added, “I wish that my happiness was something that mattered to you.”

“Don’t be a fool, Jason,” Dad said. “She will take everything from you.”

“If that’s what she wants, I might even let her do it,” I said. “But you don’t give either of us enough credit.”

Standing, I couldn’t be in the same room as him anymore.

“I’m glad you are feeling well enough to berate me,” I said. “I’ll be back to check on you again.”

“Jason…” he said, calling after me. I didn’t stop to listen. I’d heard enough. That didn’t stop his voice from reaching my ears before the door could close. “Unless you have an official heir, you will always be weak. And I won’t be the only one who thinks

it.”

Laila’s POV

Ava woke up from her nap fairly quickly. Her color was good, and she was excited about how well she was feeling. The healers were hopeful too, and insisted on taking her down for physical therapy. Jason’s assigned guard went down with her. I meant to follow quickly, though Ava didn’t seem concerned if I was going to or not.

For a moment alone though, I just took a breath and tried to decide what to do with Jason. He had done something really big for me today, in finding a way to get those charges dropped, and I was grateful for that. He was clearly trying to win my trust back. And he had been helping Ava, bringing back so much of her strength that she seemed so healthy. It made my heart so full. Ava wouldn’t mind having Jason as her father. She loved him, that much was clear with how happy she was to see him all the

time.

But that same excitement she felt, which told me how much she would like having him as a father, also told me how much power he would have over her heart if he were to betray or leave us. He didn’t have a good track record. I’d never forget how I felt when he returned home with Brittany in tow.

If he ever hurt Ava the way he had hurt me, I would not forgive him.

Though, maybe by not giving him a chance, I wasn’t forgiving him either…

Grabbing my purse, I turned toward the door, but when I opened it, Hannah was standing there. She was wheeling a suitcase behind her, but that wasn’t what caught my attention the most.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify