The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Jason’s POV

The Alpha from the rival northern pack, Alpha Dustin, started doing interviews and making public statements. Though these intended, seemingly, to only be broadcast in his pack, my spies were able to send me links and videos.

In my office, Marcus, some members of the council, and I gathered around the small hanging television on the wall to watch one of these public addresses.

On the screen, Dustin stood in front of a podium, gripping the sides with both hands. He was older than me, probably in his forties, with gray hairs started to weave through his otherwise dirty–brown hair. His face carried wrinkles, the sign of a hard life.

The north was known for its combat prowess. They dominated friendly tournaments, taking every medal. A threat from them was something to be taken seriously.

“Alpha Jason is weak, as evidenced by his inability to produce an heir,” Dustin announced. “He doesn’t deserve the Alpha title. I have no idea how his people tolerate him, but as a neighbor and an Alpha myself, I cannot. If I must, I will take down this weak pack on my own to strengthen the area. I believe Jason’s own people will thank me for it.”

“Like hells they will,” I growled as I muted the television. On it, Dustin continued speaking, likely continuing to disparage me. I turned to Marcus and the others in the room. “Tell me what we are doing to combat this.”

“We have released a few statements of our own,” Marcus said. “A direct quote from you would help.”

“I’m happy to tell Dustin what I think about his opinions.”

“Yes,” said one of the council. “Keep that anger. It will help you appear strong.”

“We need to do whatever we can to keep Dustin from attacking,” said another. “Frankly, Alpha, things don’t look good for us. Dustin’s warriors are known to be the strongest on the continent. Our own forces can be rallied to face them, but…”

The man’s voice trailed off.

“But?” I prompted, urging him to continue. I hardened my gaze as I looked at him, already knowing I wasn’t going to like what he had to say.

He dodged my glances, clearly also knowing that. “Forgive me, Alpha, but pack confidence in you is at a low.”

I huffed. “This can’t be just because I don’t have an heir.”

“It is,” Marcus said. “Mostly. You also haven’t fully claimed your mate.” He cleared his throat. “Brittany.”

The thought of finally sinking my teeth into Brittany’s neck and making her my mate officially and forever my stomach churn.

I knew Laila was gone, but I was starting to suspect the unpleasantness I felt being near Brittany had nothing to do with Laila at all. Maybe I just didn’t like her.

“This is ridiculous,” I said. “No one actually thinks this way.”

“They do,” said one of the council. “We even have reports. We’ve been losing our own people. Pack members defecting to go to Dustin’s pack. They believe Dustin’s words, but it’s not just that. It’s tradition, Alpha. You haven’t been following the werewolf ways.”

“Your father was mated by now, and had a few pups,” said the other councilor. “As did all the Alpha’s before him. In waiting so long, you are breaking with tradition.”

Werewolves were creatures of tradition. I knew many didn’t appreciate my breaking from the norms. They’d been vocal about that, just as my father had been. I’d seen the papers and the gossip rags, always pushing me toward Brittany like one vow would make everything okay.

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The truth was messier. Even if I mated Brittany, I couldn’t imagine laying with her. Giving her my seed. Sharing pups with her.

Every time I tried to think of her in that way, my body was repulsed. When I closed my eyes, Laila was who I saw. Even though she was gone, she remained the only woman that I wanted.

Gods, maybe I was helpless.

But even so, I wasn’t going to lose my pack. Not because of this. Not because of anything.

I was Alpha. This was my pack. Not Dustin or anyone else was going to take it from me.

“I’ll make a statement,” I said to Marcus. “A warning. This pack will not just roll over to an invading army. Anyone who steps over that border with ill intent will be met with my wrath. And I will fight to the death for what’s mine.”

Laila’s POV

I kept getting the feeling like Jason was ignoring me. This was particularly annoying, because I had been so determined to tell him the truth. I knew he was in some kind of trouble but I didn’t know how bad it could be. What could be more important than the truth about me and Ava?

I was tired of leaving things up to fate, so I kept trying to call him, vowing not to give up until I spoke to Jason himself. If I could reach him on the phone, I was certain that he would hear me out. And once he heard what I had to say, everything would change.

2

I shivered with anticipation and uncertainty. But my resolve was strong.

At least… I was trying to be strong.

First, his assistant told me, “He’s in an important meeting.”

“I’ll hold,” I said.

Then, after a while, Marcus picked up and told me, “You should stop calling.”

“I need to speak with Jason,” I said.

“Now isn’t a good time,” Marcus replied.

“When is?” I asked.

“Whatever else needs doing with the business agreement, Alpha Jason trusts you to take care of it.”

“That’s not why I’m –”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Harper. He truly does not have time to talk. There is a pack crisis happening.”

I paused, confused. I already knew Jason was in trouble, but… a pack crisis? Could things be worse than I had thought?

“What’s going on?” I asked.

Marcus sighed into the phone. Perhaps he was tired of stonewalling me. Maybe now I would get the truth. I braced myself.

“Alpha Dustin is making threats against our pack,” Marcus said. “He thinks Jason is weak because he doesn’t have any heirs.

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