Joseph’s POV
What did Kyle want to talk to about? Had things deteriorated between Draven and Caroline again? Or did she find out about what happened between Ava and ? But Eleanor hadn’t shown any reaction at all.
I tossed my phone onto the bed, my mind racing through possibilities, then ran a hand through my hair. I looked at Sophia still leaning against the wall.
"Well, I’ve got to go. Get dressed, and I’ll drop you at the taxi stand. I’m going to use the bathroom first." I told her, watching her smile fade.
I went to the bathroom, and when I ca back, she was sitting on the bed as if nothing had happened. She handed my phone, then followed out of the room.
"Baby, please, can’t you cancel this? I’m here, eager for you, and you’re leaving," Sophia complained.
"I’m afraid I can’t, Sophia." In truth, I felt relieved to be leaving. I wasn’t in the mood to have sex with Sophia anyway.
After leaving the motel, I dropped her at the taxi stand across the street. I watched her get into a taxi and leave, then drove to Kyle’s place.
She was already waiting for , and as soon as I entered, she spoke.
"What the hell were you thinking? Sophia, Alpha Joseph?" Kyle demanded angrily.
She put heavy emphasis on "Alpha," and I couldn’t shake the feeling she was using my title mockingly.
"How did you find out?" I sighed.
"Because I saw Ava crying and asked her what happened," Kyle said calmly.
"Yeah, Ava caught with Sophia." I grunted, sitting down.
Everyone had only heard Ava’s side of the story, and I’d beco the villain. But you know what? I didn’t even want to waste ti explaining.
"Tell how you got involved with Sophia," Kyle sat down across from .
"Oh, Kyle, she’s everywhere, always available, persistent, and well, I just let her have her way," I said wearily.
"You’re an idiot, just like Alpha Draven who fell for the sa trap. Beta Ryan had better watch out for Vanessa," Kyle said.
"Now the woman is clinging to like a damn leech," I complained.
Kyle rolled her eyes with obvious disdain. "Oh, how terrible for you having won throw themselves at you. What a burden that must be for the great Alpha Joseph."
I stood up abruptly, my patience wearing thin. "Kyle, if you called over here just to mock , then I’m leaving right now."
"OK, my apologies. So, what’s your plan to get Ava’s forgiveness?" Kyle wanted to know.
"There is no plan. It’s over. Now be a good friend and have a drink with ." I ended the topic.
Kyle raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Don’t co begging for help later."
I thought for a mont and nodded. Dean muttered, "You idiot."
Kyle sighed. "I’ll pass on the drink. I called you here to ask if you had any plans to get back together with Ava. Since you don’t, there’s nothing I can do."
"You’d better get ho before Luke returns. Ava doesn’t want the news to spread; she’s worried about Alpha Draven and Caroline. And you should stop drinking," Kyle advised.
I left her house and went back to my own. Kyle was right, drinking wouldn’t solve anything. Maybe I should invite Antonio to stay with for a few days; the kid always cheered up.
"Maybe you should try actually fixing what you broke instead of looking for distractions," Dean suggested, his tone softer now but still disappointed.
Easy for him to say.
So I went ho, took a shower, and ssaged Antonio, but got no reply. I tried calling his phone, but it went straight to voicemail. Strange! I attempted to send Antonio a mind-link, but it seed he was blocking . There was no response at all. With no other option, I had to contact Flora.
I sent Flora a mind-link request, which she accepted.
"Flora, where’s Antonio?" I asked through the mind-link.
"He’s in his room and doesn’t want to talk to you," Flora replied bluntly.
"Why doesn’t he want to talk to ?"
"Because you’re acting exactly like our dad."
"For the Moon Goddess’s sake, Flora!" I complained, tired of all this.
"Joseph, when you’re ready to tell exactly what happened, co over and we’ll talk face to face. Right now, my son doesn’t want to speak with you. He’s upset, and I understand why."
"Flora, tell him to co to the office and talk to ."
I disconnected the mind-link with my sister. Now even my nephew was angry with . Great, just great. The whole world is condemning . If only they knew how wronged I really feel!
I went to bed early but couldn’t sleep all night, dreaming only of Ava.
The next day, I was signing docunts in my office. Of course, I was completely out of it, but Eleanor handled my work perfectly, and Julia was helping out too.
Just as I was about to take a break, I received a mind-link. It was my Beta, Jared, who was mainly responsible for managing pack affairs for .
"Alpha Joseph," his voice echoed in my mind, tinged with nervousness, "the social club has contacted , requesting your personal presence to handle a matter. I’m already at the club; I thought I could resolve it myself, but it turns out they need you there in person. This concerns the honor of our pack."
I felt a surge of surprise and unease. "What’s so serious?"
The social club we regularly attended catered mainly to mbers from surrounding packs. Naturally, the clientele consisted mostly of Alphas and Betas—mbership was by invitation only, with rigorous screening processes for applicants. What could possibly happen at such an exclusive establishnt that would damage our pack’s standing?
"I can’t explain in detail through the mind-link, but it is urgent. When can you co?"
"I’ll be there at noon," I responded, a sense of foreboding rising within .
What could have happened? From Jared’s tone, this was no small issue.
"Can anything good possibly happen in my life anymore?!" I thought.
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