Ava’s POV
The police station was freezing cold. My mood felt just as cold. We spent hours giving statents and filling out paperwork. Finally, we could leave. Joseph stayed right beside the whole ti.
"We’re keeping him locked up until the hearing," the officer told us. "But I need to warn you. This is his first ti getting arrested. And there weren’t any serious injuries. So he might not stay in jail very long."
Joseph’s face got hard. "He put a knife to her mother’s throat. He broke into her apartnt. Why isn’t that enough to keep him locked up?"
"I get why you’re angry, Alpha Joseph. But this isn’t your territory. She’s not your pack mber," the officer said carefully. "We have to follow pack laws here."
"I’m calling Alpha Draven," Joseph said. "Isaac is from his territory. This needs to be handled the right way."
The drive ho was quiet. My mother sat in the back seat. She stared out the window. Joseph drove and kept looking at with worry.
We stopped at my apartnt building.
Joseph turned to my mother. "Miss Trollpoe, I wish we had t in a better way."
My mother looked tired. But her eyes got a little softer. "Call Odelia. And yes, this isn’t how I thought I’d et my daughter’s..." She stopped. She didn’t know what to call him.
"Boyfriend," Joseph said with a smile. "At least for now."
His words made my face feel hot.
"Do you want to co in for coffee?" my mother asked. She was being polite. But I could tell she was really tired.
Joseph shook his head. "You both need to rest. But I’d love to have dinner with you when you feel better. Maybe after your business trip that Ava told about?"
"That sounds nice," my mother said. She was being friendly but careful.
My mother went inside. Joseph pulled into his arms. "Are you sure you’ll be okay tonight? You could co to my place."
"I need to stay with my mom tonight," I said. I leaned against him. He felt warm. "After what happened..."
"I understand." He touched my face gently. "Lock your doors. Call if anything feels wrong. I an anything."
He kissed . It was soft but strong. Like a promise that he would protect .
After hugging my mother and taking a hot shower, I collapsed on my bed, thinking about how things had gotten to this point, until I fell into a restless sleep filled with nightmares.
Morning light ca through the kitchen window. My mother put a hot mug of coffee in front of . The sll of fresh pastries filled our small kitchen. But I didn’t want to eat anything.
"You barely slept," my mother said. She could see the dark circles under my eyes.
"Every ti I closed my eyes, I saw his face," I said. "And that knife at your throat."
My mother put her hand over mine. "I’m leaving for my business trip this afternoon, Ava. I don’t like you staying here alone."
"Joseph asked to stay at his place," I said. I watched her face carefully.
Sothing changed in her expression. Was it concern? Worry? Fear? It happened so fast I couldn’t tell.
"He seems protective of you," she said finally. "But if you feel uncomfortable there, promise you’ll go to Nina’s."
"I promise, Mom."
She took a deep breath. "There’s sothing else. When I co back, I’m selling this apartnt."
"What? Why?" I sat up straight in my chair. "We’ve lived here for years."
"We need sowhere safer. An apartnt with security. With a doorman. Sowhere Isaac can’t just break into again."
I wanted to argue. But rembering last night made stay quiet. Instead, I asked sothing that had been bothering since last night.
"Mom, what was Isaac talking about? About you and Grandma Hilary having secrets?"
My mother’s hand stopped halfway to her mug. "It was nonsense, Ava. He was trying to manipulate you."
"It didn’t sound like nonsense. And what you did to him..." I leaned forward. "I’ve only seen you do magic once before. Four years ago when we were running from wolves. You told it was just a basic protection spell. You said all witches knew it."
"That’s exactly what it was," she said too quickly.
"Mom, please. I felt so helpless last night. You were in danger. I couldn’t do anything to protect you. If there’s sothing I should know..."
"Ava," my mother said firmly. "So secrets keep people safe. What Isaac thinks he knows doesn’t matter. He was trying to control you. He wanted to scare you into going back to him."
"What about the mory binding spell? That’s not basic magic, is it?"
My mother sighed. "No, it’s not. But I learned it from your grandmother. Just in case."
"In case of what?" I asked.
"In case soone found out things they shouldn’t know," she said quietly. "Being a witch isn’t sothing to talk about in werewolf territories, Ava. You know how most wolves feel about witches."
I could feel she wasn’t telling everything.
"Mom..."
"Trust , Ava," she said, cutting off. She reached for my hand. "I’ve only done what I thought was best for you. I won’t interfere with your relationship with Joseph. I just want you safe and happy."
Her eyes begged to stop asking. I was frustrated. But I gave up for now.
"Fine," I said. I pulled my hand away. "But we’re not done talking about this."
"I know," she smiled sadly. "Now go get ready for work."
When I got to the store for my shift, Cybele found in the stockroom. She was really upset and wanted answers.
"What did you do to Isaac, you slut?" Cybele looked angry.
I just looked at her and put my things away. "Co on, Ava, tell what you did."
"Listen, Cybele, I’m not in a good mood today! Do a favor and go bother soone else." I tried to walk past her. But she grabbed my arm.
"Ava, what did you do to get Isaac arrested? I’m sure you set him up. Co on, tell what you did." Cybele sounded desperate.
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