The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 261

Laila’s POV

Carter looked at me with open affection, wearing his feelings on his sleeve. He acted like he had never been hurt before, so unguarded, so ready to love without question.

If I had been younger, maybe I could have returned his feelings. If I hadn’t known Jason, or hadn’t loved Jason. But I did know and love him. I had felt the pain of betrayal so keenly, I made me never want to open myself back up to love again.

Things with Jason remained complicated and messy, our feelings tangled together.

On top of all of this, Hannah clearly had a crush on Carter, her eyes filled with pain as he confessed his attraction to me. Even if I hadn’t been free to love him, I still would have refused so as not to hurt Hannah who I cared for like my actual sister.

“I’m sorry, Carter,” I said. “I can’t return your feelings.”

His bright smile wavered slightly. “You don’t feel the bond?”

“I do, but I’m not in a position to love anyone. You deserve better than someone who can’t give you their whole heart. I hope you will reject me.”

“Reject you?” he scoffed. “There’s no way. I’ve never felt like this about anyone, and now you want me to just let you go? No.” He stepped closer to me. “I know there’s an age difference here, and maybe you just see me as some idealistic kid. But I’m so much more than that. And I’m committed to this. To you.”

“I have a lot going on…” I was trying to let him down gently.

It wasn’t working. “Then I’ll wait. Or I’ll help you through it. But I’m not giving up on you, Laila. I’m sure I can change your mind, or convince you that I’m the perfect guy for you. Please just give me a chance. Hannah can tell you, I’m a decent guy with a good future. I can take care of you.”

He turned to Hannah, who appeared stricken. The last thing she probably wanted was to be dragged into this. For him to want her to help him convince me to date him only proved that he was totally ignorant of Hannah’s feelings for him.

Hannah opened her mouth but no words came out.

“Carter,” I said, redirecting his attention back to me. “I need time to think this over. Perhaps it is better if you leave for a while.”

“You want me to go?” he asked.

I glanced at Hannah, seeing a flash of relief on her face. This told me I was making the right decision here.

“Yes,” I said. “I need some space right now.”

“Oh. Okay.” Disappointment filled his voice, but his anxious body language said he was eager to please. “If that’s what you need

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“It is.”

“Okay.” He hurried around the room, gathering his books and his book bag. “Talk to you later, Hannah,” he said.

“Yeah,” she replied, offering him a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

With his books in his bag, and his bag on his back, Carter stopped to look at me. “I’m really happy to have found you. I hope…” He let the words linger, then cleared his throat. “Maybe next time we meet, we can talk about this more.”

I nodded, not really sure what to say.

I followed behind Carter to the door, then started to close it as he left.

“Goodbye, my mate,” he said to me. He didn’t wait for a reply before turning away.

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Slowly, I closed the door behind him. Then I walked back into the living room. Hannah had pulled her feet up onto the couch and was hugging her knees.

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