CHAPTER 301: CHAPTER 301 GETTING SOME ANSWERS

Ava’s POV

I tried calling Joseph again, but he didn’t answer, only sending his standard "will call back later" text. I called his company again, and they gave me the same brush-off about passing along my message. So I called Eleanor, who answered enthusiastically.

"Hey, gorgeous! How’s it going over there?"

"Everything’s fine, Eleanor. Alpha Draven and Caroline are avoiding each other, but things have been better since she started dating Jax."

"Yeah, that’s good for her. But what about you? Why are you calling me in the middle of the day?"

Now I needed a good excuse, because Eleanor wasn’t naive. How could I get the information I needed without raising suspicions?

"Nothing special, Eleanor. I just wanted to surprise Joseph and was wondering which day would be best, since I know you two usually work late."

"Thank goddess, we haven’t worked late for weeks now. It’s pretty quiet here, and Joseph even went shopping at the mall with Antonio this afternoon. So, any day would work for you."

I was confused. Shopping with Antonio? I had just spoken with Antonio, who said he was studying for exams. Someone who picked up my phone told me Joseph was in a meeting. Something was definitely wrong.

"Ava?" Eleanor’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"Sorry, Eleanor, I just got an email and need to hang up. Don’t tell Joseph I called. I want to surprise him."

"Don’t worry, baby, if you need anything, just let me know."

I said goodbye to Eleanor, feeling a stab of pain in my heart. I made one final call.

"Nina, if you’re near Ruby, get away from her. Don’t say it’s me," I said as soon as Nina answered.

"Okay, friend, you can talk now. What’s wrong? You sound awful," Nina said after a moment.

"It’s Joseph, Nina. Can I come over tonight and talk to you?"

"I’m going to kill that bastard. Of course, Ava. See you tonight."

"Nina, don’t say anything to the girls."

"Don’t worry."

I felt sick to my stomach. I needed a moment and headed to the bathroom, my mind in turmoil. Was Joseph tired of me and trying to disappear? That would be so cowardly! But I was determined to figure out what was happening, even though I had no idea how to proceed.

What if Joseph was just playing with the poor wolfless Omega who didn’t even know how to protect her heart? I was absolutely pathetic.

The tears just came pouring out, I couldn’t hold them back.

***

"Ava, I think you should talk to him." Nina’s words from last night kept echoing in my mind. She was right. Talking with her had been incredibly helpful—she listened, supported me, gave advice, dried my tears, and reminded me that I was a strong woman.

I had planned to go to Joseph’s place today, but Mom texted saying she was returning from her business trip.

I pushed open the apartment door, completely exhausted. Today had been draining, and all I wanted was to lie down and sort through my thoughts. But as soon as I entered, I spotted another letter on the floor.

My heart instantly sank to the pit of my stomach. I recognized that damned envelope style immediately, and my hands started trembling. Another one. This was the third now.

With shaking hands, I tore open the envelope. The contents completely devastated me. Those threatening words felt like daggers piercing my heart. I was falling apart, feeling like my life was full of chaotic messes and everything was spinning out of control.

I stood there holding the letter, my mind a jumbled mess. Joseph’s sudden cold shoulder, these mysterious threatening letters, and that unsettling feeling in my gut—all these problems were suffocating me.

Right then, Kyle’s suggestion about investigating my mother resurfaced. Maybe she was right, I really should figure out what my mother was hiding. Perhaps all these things were connected.

I remembered my mother had a room. She basically didn’t allow anyone inside, keeping it mysteriously off-limits. I’d always thought of it as her secret sanctuary, like those places where witches brew magical potions or hide things nobody should see. Throughout my childhood, she would sneak in and out of that room, always changing the subject whenever I asked about it.

I walked to the door of that room, my hand barely touching the doorknob when I suddenly remembered how protective my mother was of this space. She must have set up some protective measures. What if she discovered I had intruded? What if I triggered some magical trap?

After considering the risks, I lost my nerve and turned toward my mother’s regular study instead. That was a place I could enter freely; she’d never restricted access there.

As I pushed open the study door, the familiar scent of sandalwood greeted me. The shelves were filled with various magical books, some looking extremely old. I started searching, hoping to uncover some useful clues.

Suddenly, I noticed a particularly worn book. It was one my mother frequently consulted, with a cover nearly falling apart from constant use. I carefully took it down, feeling its weight. This book surely contained some secrets.

Just as I was about to examine it closely, I heard keys turning in the front door.

My heart rate skyrocketed, Mom was home!

I quickly grabbed the magic book and tiptoed back to my bedroom, hiding it under my pillow. Then I took several deep breaths, trying to appear casual as I walked back to the living room.

"Sweetheart, I’m home!" My mother’s voice came from the entrance, sounding tired.

"Mom, welcome home!" I said, pretending I’d just walked out of my bedroom as I gave her a hug. "How was your trip?"

"It was fine, just exhausting." She put down her luggage and looked me over. "You don’t look well. Is everything okay?"

"I’m good, just busy with work." I forced a smile. "Mom, I need to go out for a bit."

"Go out? Where to?" she asked.

"Joseph needs to see me about something," I said, which was at least half true since I definitely planned to confront him.

My mother sighed, complaining slightly. "I’ve just gotten home, and my precious daughter is already rushing off to see her lover. Can’t you stay and have dinner with your mother?"

"Sorry, Mom, this is important. I’ll spend time with you tomorrow, okay?" I felt guilty, but now wasn’t the time.

She waved her hand. "Go on then. I don’t understand you young people’s affairs anyway. Just come home early."

I took a taxi to Joseph’s place. I rang the doorbell and waited, totally on edge. But what happened next completely blindsided me.