CHAPTER 275: CHAPTER 275 SECRETS SHE WON’T TELL

Ava’s POV

The police station was freezing cold. My mood felt just as cold. We spent hours giving statements and filling out paperwork. Finally, we could leave. Joseph stayed right beside me the whole time.

"We’re keeping him locked up until the hearing," the officer told us. "But I need to warn you. This is his first time getting arrested. And there weren’t any serious injuries. So he might not stay in jail very long."

Joseph’s face got hard. "He put a knife to her mother’s throat. He broke into her apartment. Why isn’t that enough to keep him locked up?"

"I get why you’re angry, Alpha Joseph. But this isn’t your territory. She’s not your pack member," the officer said carefully. "We have to follow pack laws here."

"I’m calling Alpha Draven," Joseph said. "Isaac is from his territory. This needs to be handled the right way."

The drive home was quiet. My mother sat in the back seat. She stared out the window. Joseph drove and kept looking at me with worry.

We stopped at my apartment building.

Joseph turned to my mother. "Miss Trollpoe, I wish we had met in a better way."

My mother looked tired. But her eyes got a little softer. "Call me Odelia. And yes, this isn’t how I thought I’d meet my daughter’s..." She stopped. She didn’t know what to call him.

"Boyfriend," Joseph said with a smile. "At least for now."

His words made my face feel hot.

"Do you want to come in for coffee?" my mother asked. She was being polite. But I could tell she was really tired.

Joseph shook his head. "You both need to rest. But I’d love to have dinner with you when you feel better. Maybe after your business trip that Ava told me about?"

"That sounds nice," my mother said. She was being friendly but careful.

My mother went inside. Joseph pulled me into his arms. "Are you sure you’ll be okay tonight? You could come to my place."

"I need to stay with my mom tonight," I said. I leaned against him. He felt warm. "After what happened..."

"I understand." He touched my face gently. "Lock your doors. Call me if anything feels wrong. I mean anything."

He kissed me. It was soft but strong. Like a promise that he would protect me.

After hugging my mother and taking a hot shower, I collapsed on my bed, thinking about how things had gotten to this point, until I fell into a restless sleep filled with nightmares.

Morning light came through the kitchen window. My mother put a hot mug of coffee in front of me. The smell of fresh pastries filled our small kitchen. But I didn’t want to eat anything.

"You barely slept," my mother said. She could see the dark circles under my eyes.

"Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face," I said. "And that knife at your throat."

My mother put her hand over mine. "I’m leaving for my business trip this afternoon, Ava. I don’t like you staying here alone."

"Joseph asked me to stay at his place," I said. I watched her face carefully.

Something changed in her expression. Was it concern? Worry? Fear? It happened so fast I couldn’t tell.

"He seems protective of you," she said finally. "But if you feel uncomfortable there, promise me you’ll go to Nina’s."

"I promise, Mom."

She took a deep breath. "There’s something else. When I come back, I’m selling this apartment."

"What? Why?" I sat up straight in my chair. "We’ve lived here for years."

"We need somewhere safer. An apartment with security. With a doorman. Somewhere Isaac can’t just break into again."

I wanted to argue. But remembering last night made me stay quiet. Instead, I asked something that had been bothering me since last night.

"Mom, what was Isaac talking about? About you and Grandma Hilary having secrets?"

My mother’s hand stopped halfway to her mug. "It was nonsense, Ava. He was trying to manipulate you."

"It didn’t sound like nonsense. And what you did to him..." I leaned forward. "I’ve only seen you do magic once before. Four years ago when we were running from wolves. You told me it was just a basic protection spell. You said all witches knew it."

"That’s exactly what it was," she said too quickly.

"Mom, please. I felt so helpless last night. You were in danger. I couldn’t do anything to protect you. If there’s something I should know..."

"Ava," my mother said firmly. "Some secrets keep people safe. What Isaac thinks he knows doesn’t matter. He was trying to control you. He wanted to scare you into going back to him."

"What about the memory binding spell? That’s not basic magic, is it?"

My mother sighed. "No, it’s not. But I learned it from your grandmother. Just in case."

"In case of what?" I asked.

"In case someone found out things they shouldn’t know," she said quietly. "Being a witch isn’t something to talk about in werewolf territories, Ava. You know how most wolves feel about witches."

I could feel she wasn’t telling me everything.

"Mom..."

"Trust me, Ava," she said, cutting me off. She reached for my hand. "I’ve only done what I thought was best for you. I won’t interfere with your relationship with Joseph. I just want you safe and happy."

Her eyes begged me to stop asking. I was frustrated. But I gave up for now.

"Fine," I said. I pulled my hand away. "But we’re not done talking about this."

"I know," she smiled sadly. "Now go get ready for work."

When I got to the store for my shift, Cybele found me in the stockroom. She was really upset and wanted answers.

"What did you do to Isaac, you slut?" Cybele looked angry.

I just looked at her and put my things away. "Come on, Ava, tell me what you did."

"Listen, Cybele, I’m not in a good mood today! Do me a favor and go bother someone else." I tried to walk past her. But she grabbed my arm.

"Ava, what did you do to get Isaac arrested? I’m sure you set him up. Come on, tell me what you did." Cybele sounded desperate.