Ava’s POV
I cried until my eyes were swollen and my throat felt raw. Eventually, exhaustion took over and I fell asleep. The sound of knocking woke up, sending panic through my body.
My heart hamred against my ribs. Was it Isaac? Or worse, Steward Garcia coming to threaten again?
The knocking continued, each sound against my door making curl deeper into myself.
I grabbed my phone with shaking hands, ready to call 911, when it suddenly lit up with an incoming call.
Kenneth Flynn.
I answered imdiately. "Hello?"
"Ava, I’m outside your door," his deep voice ca through the phone. The knocking stopped. "Please let in. I’ve been trying to reach you all day."
Relief washed over . I walked to the door, checked the peephole to confirm it was Kenneth, and unlocked it.
Kenneth stepped in wearing a suit that looked comfortable on his tall fra. His eyes were filled with worry instead of their usual calm.
He looked at my tear-stained face and puffy eyes before closing the door behind him. Without a word, he pulled into a gentle hug.
"I heard you crying on the phone last night," he said softly. "Then you weren’t answering my ssages today. I got worried sothing had happened to you."
His concern broke sothing in . Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks as I buried my face against his chest. Kenneth seed awkward for a mont, patting my hair before guiding to the sofa.
"Here," he handed a handkerchief from his pocket, looking uncomfortable with my emotional state. "Take a deep breath. What happened?"
Between shaky breaths, I told him everything.
"I thought they were my friends," I whispered, twisting the damp handkerchief between my fingers. "But when things got difficult, they blad without hesitation. I understand why they did it, but I really felt helpless and alone. Am I so pathetic that I’m just a burden to everyone around ?"
Kenneth’s face hardened slightly. "You are not pathetic, Ava. Far from it."
His voice held the quiet authority of an Alpha. "Young Alphas and Betas can be impulsive and short-sighted. They react first and think later. That doesn’t excuse what they did, but don’t take their actions as a reflection of your worth."
"But Nina and the girls didn’t even stand up for properly," I said, fresh pain going through .
"They’re caught between loyalty to their mates and loyalty to you," Kenneth said calmly. "It doesn’t make what they did right, but people are complicated. "
I slumped back against the cushions. "My whole life is falling apart. I don’t have a job. I’ve lost my friends. I don’t know what to do anymore."
Kenneth was quiet for a mont, studying . Then he leaned forward, his expression serious.
"Co to my pack," he said simply.
I stared at him. "What?"
"My pack doesn’t have the sa progressive policies as Alpha Draven’s," he said with a slight smile. "But as Alpha, I can promise you protection. Anyone who tried to hurt you would answer to personally."
"You’d kill soone for ?" I asked, half joking.
"Without hesitation," he replied, completely serious.
I couldn’t help but laugh. "Isn’t that a bit extre? I’m not looking to star in so ’evil queen corrupts the ruthless king’ drama."
Kenneth’s expression softened into a smile. "As I’ve told you before, Ava, you’re intelligent and capable. My company would be fortunate to have you. I’d be the one benefiting from this arrangent."
The room felt warm and comfortable despite my earlier distress. Sothing about Kenneth’s presence always put at ease. Like I could tell him anything.
"You know," I said quietly, "from the mont I t you, I felt this connection. Like you were already family to sohow."
Kenneth chuckled. "Quite the complint, considering most people find cold and intimidating."
"You’ve never been that way with ," I said, gathering my courage. "I want to tell you sothing that might sound ridiculous, but I’ve been keeping it inside for too long."
"I’m listening," he replied, his expression open.
I took a deep breath. "My mother raised alone. I never knew my father. We moved constantly throughout my childhood, and I always suspected she was running from sothing or soone. She told my father was human, but I know that’s a lie." My voice dropped lower. "I saw wolves hunting us once."
Kenneth’s eyebrow arched slightly, but his face remained calm.
"When my mother left city, you appeared in my life," I continued, my heart racing. "And your last na is Flynn. I don’t know if I ever ntioned it, but my full na is Ava Flynn."
Kenneth remained perfectly still.
"I know this sounds crazy," I said, my cheeks burning with embarrassnt. "But sotis I wondered if..."
"You think I might be your father?" Kenneth finished for , his voice gentle.
I nodded, suddenly feeling incredibly foolish.
Kenneth’s eyes softened as he looked at . "I never imagined you saw that way, Ava. I understand why you might make that connection, but I need to be clear. I’m not your father."
My face burned with embarrassnt. "I didn’t an to imply... It’s not because you’re successful or anything like that. I just felt this connection and thought maybe..."
"Ava," Kenneth interrupted, taking my hands in his. "You don’t need to explain. I’m actually touched that you feel such kinship with ."
He sighed softly before continuing. "I had a fated mate once, many years ago. She passed away before we could start a family. I never remarried."
"I’m so sorry," I whispered, feeling terrible for bringing up such painful mories.
"Don’t be," Kenneth squeezed my hands. "You make feel comfortable, Ava. I enjoy your company. While I may not be your father, I’d be honored to be your friend." His eyes t mine. "If things beco too difficult with your current situation, my offer stands. You’ll always have a place with ."
Sothing in his words touched deeply. Even without biological ties, Kenneth was offering the safety and belonging I’d craved my entire life.
"Thank you," I said softly, truly grateful for his presence. Maybe I wasn’t as alone as I thought.
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