The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 278

“Yeah,” I said, shaking my head a little. “I suppose it was a foolish idea.”

Running might have worked for me in the past, but it never would now. I had too many responsibilities, too many people depending on me. Besides, I almost hadn’t made it in the past, even in my youth. If Vanessa fradn’t been there for me, I probably wouldn’t have survived to be here.

There would never be another Vanessa.

“Running was never a good choice,” I said. “A nice dream, but only that.”

“I don’t know,” Hannah said. “Yeah things are complicated with the Moon Ridge pack, but it seems like Jason’s on your side. So that’s good.”

“I’m not so sure that it is,” I said. “He might have taken my side this time, but he’s already made clear he wants Ava to join his pack. Me too, if I’m willing, I wish I could cut him and his family out of my life, but that wouldn’t be fair to Ava.”

Also, a whisper in my heart hated that idea. As much as I hated it, I liked being near Jason. I liked talking to him and seeing him. I liked knowing he cared about Ava, even though I feared he would someday turn away.

“Maybe I don’t want him to go,” I admitted begrudgingly, “But I wish he’d back off a little.”

d

Hannah appeared thoughtful for a moment. “I might have an idea.”

“What is it?” I was willing to hear anything out.

“You could always fake–date Carter,” Hannah said.

“No,” I replied at once.

“I’m sure he’d be willing. Anything to be closer to you.”

“I would never do that to you,‘

35 I said.

She shrugged. “A crush is just a crush. Didn’t I tell you? I want the best for both of you.”

“Fake dating wouldn’t be the best for him,” I said. “I’d just feel like I’m leading him on.”

“You could be honest,” Hannah said. “I really think he’d go for it.”

“No,” I said. “I just couldn’t.”

Hannah shrugged like she didn’t care, but I could see the spark in her eye that warned me this conversation wasn’t really over, even if it was changed for now.

Jason’s POV

Less than twenty–four hours after staking a guard on my father’s hospital room door, Marcus was taking a call, then rushing to speak to me in my office at the Alpha headquarters building. It must have been so serious, that he closed the door behind him without even yet saying a word to me.

Recognizing his worry, I set aside my current work and prepared myself for bad news.

Marcus’s face was grim, his features tight. “I just had a call from the guard at the hospital. Your father has had a visitor.”

That wasn’t totally unusual. Dad was a popular man and had a lot of friends and colleagues. He had a full list of people who came in and out of his room all the time. None of them were concerning. None of them warranted the look that Jason was currently giving me.

“Who is it?” I asked.

“You aren’t going to believe this, Alpha,” Marcus said. “But the person visiting your father is Brittany.”

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“No,” I gasped. How could that be? No one could find Brittany to deliver the divorce papers but she was still visiting my father?” I want her captured. I want her brought here at once.”

“The guard thought you might,” he said, “He waited until Brittany was done with your dad, then tried to block her from leaving.”

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