The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 48

“But Elder Luna, she

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“I said enough.” Sarah moved beside me. Her presence radiating the kind of power that made Brittany shrink back visibly.

“These girls work hard for this pack. They deserve kindness. Not cruelty. This isn’t how we treat family. This isn’t who we are.”

Brittany looked toward Jason for support. He remained silent. Watching with those calculating eyes that saw too much.

“Fine.” Brittany spat the word when she walked pass me. “But don’t think this is over. You’ve made an enemy today. A dangerous one.” 3

She stormed off in clouds of expensive perfume and wounded pride. Her heels clicking sharply against stone.

The crowd dispersed slowly. Returning to routines. Whispers trailing behind like breadcrumbs marking a path.

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Sarah turned toward the servants. “Go to the medical wing. Have that cheek examined.” Voice gentling considerably, she added, “You did nothing wrong. Accidents happen. They always have. They always will.”

They hurried away with grateful nods. Relief was written across both of their faces.

Then Sarah’s full attention focused on me. Those warm brown eyes studied my face with unsettling intensity. Like she was seeing through skin and bone straight into my soul.

“Thank you,” I managed, my words barely audible. “For backing me up again.”

“I’m sorry that Brittany gives you so much trouble. But I thank you for your intervention in this. She was wrong to act as she

did.”

“Yes.”

“There was someone who protected Omegas like that once.” Sarah tilted her head. Gaze never leaving my face. Searching.” Someone who stood up to bullies even when it cost them dearly.” A long pause stretched. “That person was my adoptive daughter. Laila.”

The world stopped.

I swallowed thickly, unsure what to say. Any words that might have formed died in my heart before ever reaching my throat

Sarah had always been kind to me when I had been Laila, but to hear her praise me now like this made my heart ache with longing. I had missed her. So much.

But as Vanessa, I couldn’t show it. I had to act like I wasn’t affected at all.

“I miss her, my Laila,” Sarah continued. “What I would give to see her again…”

With great effort, I kept my face emotionless, while internally my world shifted off–kilter. Brittany had told me all those years ago that the whole family wanted me gone. Now Sarah was countering that.

Was this because they were just pretending to be a good family? Maybe it was easier for them to like me now that I was gone.

“You look like her,” Sarah said. “It makes me wish she was still alive.”

I couldn’t stand here and listen to this any longer. My heart wanted to believe that Sarah’s grief was real, but I couldn’t trust it. She could just be trying to probe me for information, testing to see if I would crack and reveal myself.

I wouldn’t be fooled again.

“Thank you again,” I said, somewhat curtly. “I should return to the negotiations.”

“Yes,” Sarah said, but she eyed me closely. I wondered what she saw in me as Vanessa… If I was comparable to the bravery she

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had seen in Laila. “I will be joining you for this afternoon’s meetings. I hope that won’t be a problem?”

“Of course not,” I said, even though my pulse quickened.

I’d learned to lie out of necessity over the past six years, but standing in front of SarafNike this, I felt like a child again. With Jason, my anger and hurt helped/fuel the lies. With Sarah, it would be much more difficult. She had never been anything but kind to me. I felt like a terrible person lying to her face.

But I would have to. To protect myself and the life I had now, I needed to keep my identity secret from everyone, even those that might not purposefully want to do me harm.

But it the family found out about me…

If they took Ava away…

I couldn’t allow this. No matter what, I had to be strong and keep to my lies.

Vanessa Harper was my identity now. Laila was dead.

Jason’s POV

“Jason! Jason, I need to talk to you.”

My mom’s voice carried a weight I couldn’t quite place. She quickly rushed into my office, closing the door behind her.

Contract paperwork blurred in front of me. Vanessa and her assistant had just left, and I needed to review the changes we had discussed during the day’s meeting.

“Talk about what?” I asked.

“That woman. Vanessa.” The door clicked shut behind her. “Something about her feels… off.”

My pulse kicked up a notch. “What’re you talking about?”

“When I’m near her, it’s like coming home.” She drifted toward the window, silhouetted against afternoon light. “She fits. Despite being human, despite being an outsider, she just… fits. Like she belongs here in a way I can’t quite explain.” 1

“She’s a business partner. Nothing more.”

“Really?” Mom turned, catching me in her stare. “I’ve watched you during today’s afternoon meeting. The way your eyes track her movement across the room. How you lean forward when she speaks. The way your whole body shifts toward her like gravity itself is pulling you.”

I tried to keep my expression neutral, but Mom had always been able to read me better than anyone.

“When Vanessa defended those Omegas?” Mom continued, her voice softening. “That was pure Laila. The same fire, the same passionate conviction.”

The air grew thick between us.

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