The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 56

Nothing

“Excuse me,” I said, already moving.

Riley caught my arm. “What’s wrong?”

“Ava. I can’t see her.”

“She probably just went to the bathroom

“Brittany’s gone too.”

Riley s face went pale. “Go. I’ll cover.”

I pushed through the crowd, trying not to look panicked. But I’d seen the way Brittany watched Ava all evening. That calculating

look.

The hallway stretched before me, dimly lit and quiet.

That’s when I saw them.

Brittany knelt in front of Ava, her smile too sweet, her movements too deliberate. I watched as she fumbled with something near Ava’s feet. Watched as my daughter bent down to help.

And I watched with horror clawing up my throat–as Brittany’s hand moved to Ava’s collar. Quick. Practiced. Plucking strands of dark hair and wrapping them in tissue.

Hair? What could she possibly want with a few strands of-

No.

A DNA test. She was taking a hair sample for a DNA test.

Every nerve screamed to run forward, to rip my daughter away. But I forced myself to stay still. To think.

If I confronted Brittany now, she’d know I’d seen. She’d realize I understood exactly what she was planning.

Better to play ignorant. Better to let her think her plan was working.

But panic surged through me anyway.

A DNA test would expose everything. It would prove that Ava was Jason’s daughter. It would unravel six years of carefully constructed lies.

I watched Brittany tuck the tissue into her purse. Watched her hand Ava the hair clip with that fake smile. Watched my daughter skip away, completely oblivious.

When Ava rounded the corner, Brittany stood alone. She touched her purse once, almost possessively, then followed after my daughter

I pressed myself against the wall, letting her pass without seeing me.

My mind raced frantically. I needed to intercept that sample. Destroy it. Replace it. Something.

But how? Brittany would keep it close now.

I stepped into the hallway, keeping my movements casual despite the terror flooding my system. Made my way back toward the

main hall.

Think. Brain. Work.

+25 Bonus

My fingers moved to my own hair before conscious thought caught up. Several strands came loose. Trembling hands wrapped them in tissue from my pocket, mimicking Brittany’s exact movements.

Without giving it much thought, I stepped into the hallway. Let fury color my voice.

“Get away from my daughter!”

Brittany whirled, shock painted across features usually so carefully controlled. “I wasn’t

“I SAW you!” Each step deliberate. Angry. “Following her to dark hallways? When she’s alone? What the hell were you doing?”

“I was helping”

“Helping?” Disbelief dripped thick. “You’ve made it abundantly clear how much you despise me. Suddenly you’re nice to my kid? Try again.” *

dandy dame.

Pack members materialized, drawn by raised voices like moths to flame.

Perfect.

Brittany’s face flushed crimson. “You’re paranoid-

“Am I?” Closer now. Backing her against the wall. “After the other day? After you PUSHED Ava at the hospital? After everything you’ve said, everything you’ve done? Forgive me if I don’t trust you within ten feet of my daughter!”

“That was an accident-”

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