“How long will it take?” Mom asked.
“I can expedite it. We should have it within 48 hours.” He leaned back in his chair. “In the meantime, I suggest you take precautions. Don’t travel alone if possible, especially at night.”
I nodded. I felt relief and lingering anxiety.
“Of course,” Mr. Winters continued. His expression relaxed slightly. “There are other options beyond the legal route.”
My eyebrows raised. “What do you mean?”
A small smile appeared on his face. “Your ex-boyfriend is training with Storm Valley Pack, correct? Alpha Joseph and Alpha Draven are quite close. One word from Alpha Joseph to his friend might resolve this situation more efficiently than court orders.”
“Oh, I couldn’t ask him to do that,” I said quickly. “He’s already helped enough.”
Mr. Winters tilted his head. “I was under the impression you and Alpha Joseph were close.”
Heat rushed to my face. “We’re not. We barely know each other.”
Mom’s posture stiffened beside me.
“I see,” Mr. Winters nodded. “Well, my legal services are at your disposal regardless. Alpha Joseph has instructed me to handle everything, including my fees.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Mom said. “We can pay for the services ourselves.”
“Mom,” I started.
“We appreciate the help,” she continued firmly, “but we don’t need charity.”
Mr. Winters raised his hands. “Of course. I’ll prepare the paperwork and be in touch tomorrow with updates.”
As we rode the elevator down, Mom’s disapproval was obvious in the silence.
“He seems very helpful,” I finally said.
“Too helpful,” Mom replied. “I’m grateful this Alpha helped you with Isaac, truly. But men like him don’t do favors without expecting something in return.”
“Maybe he’s just nice?”
Mom sighed. “Ava, I’ve seen this before. These wealthy, powerful Alphas, they see a pretty girl and think she’s another conquest. They don’t understand boundaries or refusal.”
“Joseph isn’t like that,” I argued, then caught myself. Why was I defending someone I barely knew?
“All I’m saying is be careful,” Mom said as we exited the building. “Keep your distance from him. I don’t want to see you get hurt when he loses interest or when his wolf decides it’s time to find his true mate.”
I stared out the car window as we drove home. I thought about Joseph’s intense eyes when he confronted Isaac, the gentle concern afterward, and the way my skin tingled when he was near.
“I know what I’m doing, Mom,” I said quietly. But deep down, I wasn’t sure that was true at all.
Joseph’s POV
I stared at my phone screen for what felt like the hundredth time today, swiping between apps and checking my messages. Nothing from Ava. The screen mockingly displayed the last text I’d sent her about the lawyer.
“This is pathetic,” I muttered, tossing my phone onto my desk.
Dean stirred restlessly within me. “She’s different. That’s why you can’t stop thinking about her.”
“She’s just playing hard to get,” I argued back, but even I didn’t believe it.
Mr. Winters had called earlier to confirm he was handling Ava’s restraining order against that loser ex-boyfriend. At least she’d used my lawyer. But why hadn’t she texted me back? Not even a simple thank you?
I was frustrated. Women never ignored me. Ever. I was Joseph Garcia, for Goddess’s sake. I was the Alpha of Nightbane Pack, CEO of a tech empire, and according to Harbor Bay Magazine’s annual bachelor edition, one of the city’s most eligible men.
“You sound like a whiny pup,” Dean chided. “Since when do you care this much about a woman you barely know?”
“I don’t,” I snapped back. “I’m just… curious.”
“Right. Curious. That’s why you’ve checked your phone every five minutes since yesterday.”
The truth was, besides her name, I knew almost nothing about Ava Flynn.
I’d sensed she was an omega from our first meeting, but she seemed almost wolfless, like a regular human. Yet somehow, she drew me in like no one else ever had.
“As if you know anything substantial about any of the women you’ve slept with,” Dean pointed out.
He had a point. I never bothered getting to know my conquests beyond the basics. Names were optional, backstories unnecessary. They served their purpose, I served mine, and we moved on.
But Ava… I wanted to know more.
***
“Uncle Joseph!” My niece Louise threw her arms around my waist as I entered my sister’s house for Sunday dinner.
“Hey there, princess.” I scooped her up and spun her around, making her giggle wildly.
“Put her down before she throws up all over your fancy suit,” my sister Flora warned, appearing from the kitchen wearing an apron.
I set Louise down and followed my sister into the kitchen, stealing a piece of bread along the way.
“Hands off the food,” she slapped my wrist playfully. “Antonio! Your uncle’s here!”
My nephew bounded down the stairs.
“Hey, Uncle J! Did you bring it?” His eyes gleamed with excitement.
I pulled out the latest gaming headset from my jacket pocket. “Don’t tell your mom.”
“Tell me what?” Flora turned around, hands on her hips.
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