CHAPTER 260: CHAPTER 260 PLAY HARD TO GET

Ava’s POV

Before I could answer, Joseph jumped in. "I insist. My treat. Consider it an apology for my nephew’s meddling and my persistence."

I should have said no. Everything my mother had taught me about werewolves warned me to keep my distance, especially from Alphas. But something about Joseph’s presence made it hard to think clearly.

"I do get a lunch break," I gave in.

Thirty minutes later, we sat at an upscale restaurant a short distance away from the mall. Joseph had easily gotten us a private booth despite the waiting list. The perks of being an Alpha, I figured.

"So," Joseph said once we’d ordered, "how do you all know each other?"

"Eleanor, Caroline and I met here at the mall," I explained.

"Ava, don’t be so serious about explaining. He knows how we met. He’s just trying to flirt with you," Eleanor rolled her eyes.

Joseph said quietly to Eleanor, "I’m still your boss. Show me some respect when we’re out."

I couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Joseph heard it, his eyes never leaving my face. "But it really is a small world."

"Speaking of small worlds," Eleanor said, her tone turning sharp, "have you heard from your friend Alpha Draven lately?"

Joseph’s face darkened a bit. "He’s a mess, if you want the truth. Drinking himself stupid every night."

"Good," Eleanor said firmly. "Let him suffer."

"Eleanor," Caroline said quietly, looking uncomfortable.

"No, you deserve better than how he treated you," Eleanor insisted. "Joseph, tell her what you told me. About how Draven feels."

Joseph sighed. "Draven is complicated. He thinks he did what was right for his pack, but he’s miserable without you, Caroline."

"His pack," Caroline said bitterly. "Always about the pack."

"That’s the burden of being Alpha," Joseph said quietly. "Everything we do affects those under our protection."

The conversation shifted to pack politics, and I found myself interested despite my doubts.

I learned that Eleanor was Alpha Gerald’s daughter from the Blood Moon Pack, while Caroline’s father was a Beta in the same pack.

Joseph’s Nightbane Pack was one of three major werewolf packs in Harbor Bay, along with Alpha Draven’s Storm Valley Pack.

Caroline seemed to have a close relationship with Alpha Draven.

From what I had heard, Alpha Draven was a cold, strict, and very fair person. Especially with his non-discrimination policy, welcoming all capable wolves. Caroline seemed to be like me, having something different about her. She had no scent, and I had no wolf. Looking at it this way, we really were kindred spirits in our struggles.

As they talked, I felt more and more out of place. Here I was, a wolfless Omega from a tiny pack, sitting with high-ranking werewolves. If this were medieval times, I’d probably be the servant bringing them tea and water.

What would they think if they knew my mother was half witch? That my grandmother still practiced the old magic that many werewolves feared? Would I be treated like a freak? Yet neither Eleanor nor Caroline had ever treated me badly because of my status. And Joseph... the way he looked at me wasn’t with disgust but with real interest.

"And what about you, Ava?" Joseph’s question pulled me back. "Which pack are you from?"

I tensed a little. "Frostveil Pack. It’s small, up north in Northhaven City."

"Frostveil," he said thoughtfully. "I don’t think I know them."

"You wouldn’t," I said. "We keep to ourselves."

Joseph looked at me with those intense eyes. "And you’re here in Harbor Bay why?"

"School, originally. I graduated from Harbor Bay University last year. Business major."

"Yet you’re working retail?" His tone wasn’t judgmental, just curious.

I shrugged. "The job market is tough. Being a wolfless Omega doesn’t open many doors in the corporate world here."

I waited for the awkward silence, the pitying looks. Instead, Joseph leaned forward.

"Their loss," he said simply. "Intelligence and drive matter more than wolf status."

The honesty in his voice surprised me. Before I could respond, our food arrived, and the conversation moved to lighter topics.

When lunch ended, Eleanor and Caroline gathered their shopping bags.

"We should do this again," Eleanor said, giving me a quick hug. "I’ll text you about next weekend’s brunch."

As they got ready to leave, Eleanor caught my eye and winked. "Hope we’re not making a mistake letting Joseph drive you back," she said, loud enough for Joseph to hear.

I hadn’t even realized that was the plan. "I can walk..."

"Don’t be silly," Joseph cut in. "Your break must be almost over. I’d be happy to drive you back to the store."

Eleanor and Caroline left with knowing smiles, leaving me alone with the Alpha who seemed determined to get under my skin.

"You planned this, didn’t you?" I asked as we walked toward the parking lot.

Joseph’s lips curved into a smile. "I’d love to take credit for such a perfect setup, but this was pure luck. Though I do plan to take full advantage of it."

"Meaning?"

He stopped walking and turned to face me completely. "Meaning I still want that dinner, Ava Flynn. And I’m hoping you might reconsider your refusal."

His scent surrounded me, making it hard to think clearly. Everything in me responded to him. It was a primal recognition I couldn’t explain or deny. It scared me.

"I don’t date Alphas," I said, the words coming out softer than I meant.

"Because we’re arrogant and toy with people’s feelings?" he asked, and I realized he had indeed heard our earlier conversation.

My cheeks flushed. "Among other reasons."

"Give me one chance to prove you wrong," he said, his voice dropping lower. "One dinner. If you still think I’m a typical Alpha after that, I’ll never bother you again."

I should have said no. Everything I knew about werewolves, about Alphas, about men with power told me to walk away.

But something about Joseph Garcia made me want to take risks I’d never thought about before.

Mom’s advice might be right, but... it could also be off the mark...

I was torn inside. Part of me wanted to say yes immediately.

But with a player like him, giving in too easily would only make him lose interest.

"Nice try, Don Juan. But I’m too smart to be tempted."