Ava’s POV
I tried calling Joseph again, but he didn’t answer, only sending his standard "will call back later" text. I called his company again, and they gave the sa brush-off about passing along my ssage. So I called Eleanor, who answered enthusiastically.
"Hey, gorgeous! How’s it going over there?"
"Everything’s fine, Eleanor. Alpha Draven and Caroline are avoiding each other, but things have been better since she started dating Jax."
"Yeah, that’s good for her. But what about you? Why are you calling in the middle of the day?"
Now I needed a good excuse, because Eleanor wasn’t naive. How could I get the information I needed without raising suspicions?
"Nothing special, Eleanor. I just wanted to surprise Joseph and was wondering which day would be best, since I know you two usually work late."
"Thank goddess, we haven’t worked late for weeks now. It’s pretty quiet here, and Joseph even went shopping at the mall with Antonio this afternoon. So, any day would work for you."
I was confused. Shopping with Antonio? I had just spoken with Antonio, who said he was studying for exams. Soone who picked up my phone told Joseph was in a eting. Sothing was definitely wrong.
"Ava?" Eleanor’s voice pulled from my thoughts.
"Sorry, Eleanor, I just got an email and need to hang up. Don’t tell Joseph I called. I want to surprise him."
"Don’t worry, baby, if you need anything, just let know."
I said goodbye to Eleanor, feeling a stab of pain in my heart. I made one final call.
"Nina, if you’re near Ruby, get away from her. Don’t say it’s ," I said as soon as Nina answered.
"Okay, friend, you can talk now. What’s wrong? You sound awful," Nina said after a mont.
"It’s Joseph, Nina. Can I co over tonight and talk to you?"
"I’m going to kill that bastard. Of course, Ava. See you tonight."
"Nina, don’t say anything to the girls."
"Don’t worry."
I felt sick to my stomach. I needed a mont and headed to the bathroom, my mind in turmoil. Was Joseph tired of and trying to disappear? That would be so cowardly! But I was determined to figure out what was happening, even though I had no idea how to proceed.
What if Joseph was just playing with the poor wolfless Oga who didn’t even know how to protect her heart? I was absolutely pathetic.
The tears just ca pouring out, I couldn’t hold them back.
***
"Ava, I think you should talk to him." Nina’s words from last night kept echoing in my mind. She was right. Talking with her had been incredibly helpful—she listened, supported , gave advice, dried my tears, and reminded that I was a strong woman.
I had planned to go to Joseph’s place today, but Mom texted saying she was returning from her business trip.
I pushed open the apartnt door, completely exhausted. Today had been draining, and all I wanted was to lie down and sort through my thoughts. But as soon as I entered, I spotted another letter on the floor.
My heart instantly sank to the pit of my stomach. I recognized that damned envelope style imdiately, and my hands started trembling. Another one. This was the third now.
With shaking hands, I tore open the envelope. The contents completely devastated . Those threatening words felt like daggers piercing my heart. I was falling apart, feeling like my life was full of chaotic sses and everything was spinning out of control.
I stood there holding the letter, my mind a jumbled ss. Joseph’s sudden cold shoulder, these mysterious threatening letters, and that unsettling feeling in my gut—all these problems were suffocating .
Right then, Kyle’s suggestion about investigating my mother resurfaced. Maybe she was right, I really should figure out what my mother was hiding. Perhaps all these things were connected.
I rembered my mother had a room. She basically didn’t allow anyone inside, keeping it mysteriously off-limits. I’d always thought of it as her secret sanctuary, like those places where witches brew magical potions or hide things nobody should see. Throughout my childhood, she would sneak in and out of that room, always changing the subject whenever I asked about it.
I walked to the door of that room, my hand barely touching the doorknob when I suddenly rembered how protective my mother was of this space. She must have set up so protective asures. What if she discovered I had intruded? What if I triggered so magical trap?
After considering the risks, I lost my nerve and turned toward my mother’s regular study instead. That was a place I could enter freely; she’d never restricted access there.
As I pushed open the study door, the familiar scent of sandalwood greeted . The shelves were filled with various magical books, so looking extrely old. I started searching, hoping to uncover so useful clues.
Suddenly, I noticed a particularly worn book. It was one my mother frequently consulted, with a cover nearly falling apart from constant use. I carefully took it down, feeling its weight. This book surely contained so secrets.
Just as I was about to examine it closely, I heard keys turning in the front door.
My heart rate skyrocketed, Mom was ho!
I quickly grabbed the magic book and tiptoed back to my bedroom, hiding it under my pillow. Then I took several deep breaths, trying to appear casual as I walked back to the living room.
"Sweetheart, I’m ho!" My mother’s voice ca from the entrance, sounding tired.
"Mom, welco ho!" I said, pretending I’d just walked out of my bedroom as I gave her a hug. "How was your trip?"
"It was fine, just exhausting." She put down her luggage and looked over. "You don’t look well. Is everything okay?"
"I’m good, just busy with work." I forced a smile. "Mom, I need to go out for a bit."
"Go out? Where to?" she asked.
"Joseph needs to see about sothing," I said, which was at least half true since I definitely planned to confront him.
My mother sighed, complaining slightly. "I’ve just gotten ho, and my precious daughter is already rushing off to see her lover. Can’t you stay and have dinner with your mother?"
"Sorry, Mom, this is important. I’ll spend ti with you tomorrow, okay?" I felt guilty, but now wasn’t the ti.
She waved her hand. "Go on then. I don’t understand you young people’s affairs anyway. Just co ho early."
I took a taxi to Joseph’s place. I rang the doorbell and waited, totally on edge. But what happened next completely blindsided .
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