The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 271

Chapter 271

Laila’s POV

Bringing Ava home was like putting a broken puzzle almost all the way back together. There were still a few pieces missing, but the main of the picture was there. It was much more complete than it had been without her.

Ava and Hannah took to each other right away, and the house quickly felt like a home again.

The next morning, Ava was even excited to return back to school. “I can’t wait to see my friends,” she said. “I hope they didn’t get too far ahead in the lessons.”

She’d had a tutor come in now and then at the hospital, and Riley and I had tried to keep her up to date with her schoolwork. But there was really no substitute for the real thing. My girl was smart though, I was certain she’d be able to keep up with the class.

“Your teachers will understand and help you,” I said. “And we can do your homework together later. I’ll help with any questions you might have about it.”

“Okay,” Ava said, her bright smile never dimming.

I dropped her off at the school, waited until she was safely inside, and then drove to work.

“Good morning!” Daisy said with far too much energy at so early in the morning, as I walked into the office.

“Good morning,” I said. After settling in, I asked Daisy, “I think I need some coffee this morning. Do I have a minute to run to the break room?”

“Of course,” Daisy said, not missing a beat.

“I’ll be right back,” I said, but she’d already turned to greet someone else coming in. “Good morning!”

In the break room, I waited at the coffee pot. Someone else had started the brew, but it hadn’t finished yet. As I waited, another employee came and stood beside me, empty coffee cup in hand, like me, ready for their morning caffeine boost.

Glancing, I saw the person waiting with me was a werewolf woman named Susan. She had been in the meeting with Annette when she’d accused me of stealing but had mostly stayed quiet. Her previous glares told me what she thought about me. Though now, curiously, she didn’t seem to mind standing close to me as we waited in silent comradery for the coffee.

“I’m sorry about the other day,” she said. Her gaze was on the coffee machine, but her words were meant for me. “Annette has always been reactionary. She roped the rest of us into her plans. We should have just stayed out of it.”

This apology was far from perfect, but if it lead to a less hostile work environment for me, I was willing to accept it.

“Thanks.”

Susan shrugged. “There’s been a lot of rumors floating through the pack about you.”

“I can clear those up if you want,” I said. “You only have to ask.”

“That wouldn’t be polite, would it?”

“I’d rather clear the air.”

୮

Susan considered it, then turned to me. “The pack has been having doubts about Alpha Jason lately, and a lot of those doubts stem from his connection to you. Is it true you used to be lovers?”

The blunt question made me blush. “That was a long time ago,” I said, ignoring our more recent exploits. Those had felt like interludes or moments of madness rather than the relationship it would take to earn the lovers title.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify