The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 321

Laila’s POV

I didn’t go to sleep at all that night. Jason laid beside me, with just enough distance between us without us touching. I listened to the sound of his breathing, waiting for it to even out. It never did. Instead, we both seemed to be holding our breaths, maybe in anticipation, though I tried to mask mine under trepidation.

When I didn’t lie to myself, though, I knew that this was only anticipation, no negative feelings attached. I wanted him to touch me, as much as I was holding myself back. Around 1 in the morning, I had decided that if he rolled over and kissed me, I would let him.

He didn’t, though. All night, he stayed on his side of the double bed and I stayed on mine. Neither of us crossed that line.

In the morning, though, as exhausted as I should have been, my adrenaline pumped through me, making me feel like I was wide awake.

The annual full–moon ceremony was apparently a multi–day event that began with a brunch. The Ambassador was already waiting for us when we came down to the lobby. The man showed no sign of wear, impossibly somehow brighter now than he had been even yesterday. Being invited to the ceremony must have done it. After being on the outskirts of this pack he had spent years trying to cozy up to, he was finally being welcomed into the fold. If only temporarily.

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“Ready?” the Ambassador asked, but didn’t wait for us to reply before continuing. “I’ve heard such good things about this

ceremony. Truly. It’s one of the biggest parties of the year. To be invited is such an honor, so rarely bestowed to those outside of the pack. So few inside the pack are able to enter inside the palace. I hope you understand how much of an honor this is.”

“Let’s just go,” Jason said.

“Right. Yes. No time to waste!” The Ambassador spun around and walked out of the lobby.

Jason inhaled and exhaled slowly, then glanced at me. “Ready?” he asked.

I gave him a tiny smile. “No time to waste.”

His lip twitched, an almost smile. For a brief moment, our eyes locked and a sense of easy comradery seemed to fall between us. But then, in a flash of heat straight to my face… and farther south… I remembered what had happened last night.

Blushing, I darted my eyes away. Jason cleared his throat.

“Shall we?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said and started forward.

Outside, the Ambassador waved us forward into his car. Then, when we were all in the back of the car, the driver took us back to the palace. Now that I knew the route, I felt a sense of ominous dread creeping up on me. There was nothing for it.

To get that cure, to save Ava, we had to return to what felt like the belly of the beast.

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