“Your uncle has the emotional intelligence of a brick,” I laughed. Then I asked the question that had been bothering me all week. “Why doesn’t he ever come himself? Is he actually shy or is this some elaborate game?”
Antonio looked at his watch. “You should probably get back to work. He might show up today, and we can’t let him know we’re friends.”
“Wait, he’s coming here? Today?” My heart started racing.
“Don’t worry!” Antonio called over his shoulder as he walked toward the exit. “I’m enjoying watching him chase after you. Now go before he arrives!”
I hurried back to the store. I tried to ignore the flutter of anticipation in my stomach. What was wrong with me? This man was exactly the type I should be avoiding. An Alpha wolf playing childish games.
Yet as I organized the display rack, I couldn’t help looking toward the entrance every few minutes.
Would he finally show his face today? And more importantly, why did I care?
Joseph’s POV
I stared at my phone screen, reading Ava’s rejection message.
Something in my chest tightened. I wasn’t used to women saying no to me.
“She’s playing hard to get,” I muttered.
“She’s different,” Dean growled. “I like that.”
I tossed my phone onto my desk and leaned back in my chair. Rejection wasn’t something I handled well, but I wasn’t about to give up. I’d planned to visit Grace’s Closet every day this week until she agreed to dinner, but life had other plans.
First came Eleanor’s personal leave.
“Joseph, I need to take a few days off,” she said, her voice tight with worry.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, hearing the worry in her voice.
“It’s Caroline. Draven fired her today. He accused her of being a spy and threw her out of Thorne Enterprises.”
“What?” I sat up straight. “That doesn’t sound like Draven at all.”
“He’s lost his mind! He called her a traitor to his pack and threatened to ensure she’d never work in Harbor Bay again.”
“Go,” I said immediately. “Take whatever time you need.”
After Eleanor left, I tried calling Ryan, but he didn’t pick up.
Just a text: [Can’t talk now. Everything’s falling apart. Will explain later.]
With Eleanor out, I had to handle everything myself. When Eleanor came back to work, she told me Caroline was hurt badly.
I felt like I had to do something about this. After all, I was the one who recommended Caroline to Thorne Enterprises .
“Eleanor, I’ve known Draven forever. This isn’t him. He’s always been solid, logical,” I said. “Here’s what we do. Caroline works for me now. I don’t have her exact job yet, but I’ll hire her and move her up when something opens.”
“You’re going to hire her?” Eleanor stared at me.
“Sales has a spot. You met Morris. Good guy, and his team is the best in the company. Everyone calls it Disneyland over there. Caroline needs that right now. Good people, easy boss. It’ll help her get past this mess. What do you think?”
“You’re serious about this?” Eleanor asked.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I didn’t get her worry.
“Because Alpha Draven and Ryan are your friends.”
“They’re my friends, and they’re idiots! Your father recommended Caroline. He raved about her. I trust him. Caroline didn’t betray Draven. He’ll realize that and hate himself for this.”
Something felt wrong about their story. “Tell Caroline she starts tomorrow. Now let’s work. I miss having you boss me around.”
“Getting spoiled already?” Eleanor laughed.
“Yes! And I beat you here today. No praise at all.”
“You’ll get a cookie later.”
At lunch, Ryan called with the whole story. They’re both idiots. Caroline didn’t betray anyone. Ryan said they’d investigate. I told him Caroline works for me now. No interference. The next day, Caroline started. I promised her my full support.
Thursday night I ended up at Draven’s place, watching him down his third whiskey.
“She made me feel real things, Joseph,” he said, words slurred as he stared at his glass. “And she has this kid, Liam. Sweet kid. I started thinking about… hell, I don’t know what I was thinking.”
I sipped my bourbon and let him talk. Draven Thorne, ruthless Alpha of the Storm Valley Pack, feared businessman, now just a lovesick mess.
“You know what’s really messed up?” He laughed, but it sounded bitter. “I didn’t even care that she’s scentless. Me! Can you believe that? I was ready to make a scentless beta as my Luna.”
“Is that so terrible?” I asked. “Love isn’t about what someone can do for your pack.”
Draven’s head shot up. “Easy for you to say. You’re the eternal bachelor. You don’t think about pack politics or fallout.”
“Maybe not,” I said, “but I know garbage when I hear it. You’re not mad because she’s scentless. You’re mad because you think she betrayed you.”
“She was in restricted files, Joseph! What else was I supposed to think?”
I leaned forward. “Did you ask her why? Did you let her explain?”
His silence was answer enough.
“Caroline is Eleanor’s friend,” I said. “And Alpha Gerald’s. Do you really think we’d both recommend a spy?”
Draven rubbed his face. “I don’t know what to think anymore.”
“That’s because you’re thinking with your ego instead of your head.” I topped off his glass. “You found someone who made you happy, and you tossed her because of weak evidence and pack politics.”
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