The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 302

was the reason he had been dragged into this world of deceit and danger, and I hated myself for it. He was so good–hearted and bright–eyed. His attections for me were tainting him, aging him before he was ready,

He’d been so valiant to want to try to take on all the baggage I carried just because he felt the mating bond toward me. But I was certain the Moon Goddess was mistaken with this one.

Carter was still young. He deserved to enjoy the joys of youth for a while longer.

“Carter, I’m sorry,” I said. “This isn’t going to work.”

“What are you saying?” he asked, his eyes going wide. “I can change, Laila. I can do better.”

“You shouldn’t have to,” I told him. “You are great just the way you are. To change to be with me would be a disservice to the world that deserves to know you as you are.”

“But I –”

“I’m sorry, Carter.”

“I’ll work extra hard, Laila. I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll work my fingers to the bone if that’s what it would take.”

While the gesture was kind–hearted, the truth was, if I allowed Carter to continue to pursue me, he would come to resent me. He was used to a certain lifestyle of innocence and decadence. If he gave that up for me… what kind of person would he be? And what kind of person would I be, to let him fall so far?

“No. It just won’t work. I’m sorry, Carter, but I have to reject you.”

The instant the words left my mouth, he winced in pain.

“Please accept the rejection,” I said desperately, not wanting him to hurt.

“But…” he said, squeezing his eyes shut. He wasn’t the type of man who was used to pain though, and didn’t hold out for very long before saying, “I accept the rejection.”

As soon as he did, relief passed over his face.

His eyes still closed, he stood there for a long moment, breathing heavily.

“I just have one last question,” he asked. I waited. “Did you ever feel any affection for me at all?”

“I like you as a person,” I told him honestly. “You have a big heart and are easy to trust. Those aren’t flaws.

you as a mate.”

He nodded, stood still for a moment longer, and then started to walk away. “Please excuse me.”

But I just don’t see

I watched him stumbled through the parking lot, a bit worried. Should I follow him, to make sure he was okay?

Jason came to stand beside me. While I thought he might have been smug in this moment, his face was stone, revealing nothing. He stood tall, and I leaned into him, like he was my anchor.

“Let him go,” Jason said. “He has to work through this on his own.”

Jason and I went into the station, where Winston led us to his office. We grabbed coffee along the way, and sat there for a few minutes, sipping in silence as the sun finally crept up over the horizon outside of the windows.

This isn’t going to be easy,” Winston said.

“I know,” Jason replied.

“What isn’t?” I asked. Had I missed something? Thad been distracted, hoping Carter was okay, reliving that moment of

rejection. Was there a way I could have handled it better?

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“Carter proved that Brittany will still be able to convince half my pack of her innocent,” Jason said. “Even with the evidence we present.”

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