CHAPTER 255: CHAPTER 255 WINGMAN CONSULTATION

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.

"Nothing," Antonio and I said in unison.

Scott, my brother-in-law, entered the kitchen and saved us with a diversion. "Honey, where’s the wine opener?"

Dinner was lively as always. Louise chattered about her dance recital, Antonio boasted about his lacrosse game, and Flora kept refilling my plate.

"So," Flora started, her tone shifting to that nosy-sister voice I knew all too well. "Any progress finding a Luna for our pack?"

I nearly choked on my wine. "Not this again."

"You’re thirty-two, Joseph. The pack needs stability."

"The pack is doing just fine," I countered. "Our numbers are up, territory is secure, and finances are better than ever."

"A pack needs more than money and numbers," Flora insisted. "It needs a maternal figure, especially for the younger ones."

"Mom, leave Uncle J alone," Antonio interjected. "He’s probably got women lined up around the block."

I winked at my nephew. "You know it."

"Actually," I continued, surprising myself, "there is someone who’s caught my interest recently."

The table fell silent. Four pairs of eyes stared at me in shock.

"What?" Scott broke the silence. "The eternal bachelor is interested in someone specific? Alert the media."

"Who is she?" Flora leaned forward eagerly.

I shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. "Just someone I met. Beautiful, smart... completely unimpressed by me."

Scott burst out laughing. "Seriously? There’s actually a woman who isn’t falling all over you?"

"Hard to believe, I know," I said dryly.

"I already got her number," I mind-linked to Antonio.

"But she’s not responding, is she?" he shot back, smirking.

"What are you two mind-linking about?" Flora demanded, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"Guy stuff," Antonio replied.

"Joseph, how serious is this?" Flora pressed. "Because if you’re actually considering someone as your Luna, the pack council will want to meet her."

"It’s not like that," I said quickly. "She barely acknowledges my existence."

"That’s new," Scott chuckled. "How does it feel to be on the other side for once?"

"Annoying as hell," I admitted.

Louise piped up innocently, "Just give her flowers! That’s what princes do in my books."

"It’s a bit more complicated than fairy tales, sweetheart," I smiled at my niece.

"Joseph," Flora’s voice turned serious. "If you’re genuinely interested in someone, don’t play games. Our pack needs a proper Luna, not another one of your flings."

Scott grinned. "How about having a friend deliver some cheesy pickup lines on little notes? That’s how I got Flora. She thought it was so funny that she gave me a chance."

Flora’s face turned bright red. "That was back in high school!"

I scoffed. "That’s way too old-fashioned!"

Scott wiggled his eyebrows at me. "It’s called a classic move."

I thought about it. Why not? She wasn’t responding to my texts anyway. Maybe I’d go old school and take his advice.

I sighed. "Antonio, stop by my office tomorrow after school. I could use your insight."

The next day, after school, Antonio arrived at my office.

"I’m here, Uncle J. What do you need..." He stopped mid-sentence and stared at Eleanor with wide eyes.

"Uncle?" Eleanor raised an eyebrow at me.

"This is Antonio, my nephew. Antonio, meet Eleanor, my assistant," I introduced them.

"Damn, not even Google could find someone like you," Antonio blurted out, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

"Seriously, Joseph? Are you teaching him this nonsense?" Eleanor shot me an amused look.

"I had nothing to do with this," I said, still chuckling.

Eleanor walked over to Antonio and looked him up and down with a smirk.

"If you were legal, I might actually consider it. You’re adorable."

Antonio turned bright red.

"So you’d go for my nephew but won’t give me the time of day?" I teased.

"Oh please, Joseph. He’s way cuter than you," Eleanor grabbed her purse. "I’m going to lunch. Play nice, boys."

After she left, Antonio slumped into the chair.

"Holy shit, Uncle J. She’s incredible. How do you even concentrate at work?"

"I control my hormones, boy." I wouldn’t let him know that it was Eleanor who controlled me.

"So, Uncle J, you need my advice on women now?"

"Don’t get cocky," I warned, but couldn’t help smiling. "I just need a different perspective."

I showed him my phone. "I got her number, sent her the lawyer’s info, but she won’t respond to anything else."

Antonio scrolled through the pitiful one-sided conversation. "Wow, she’s really not into you."

"Thanks for the confidence boost."

"What do you actually know about her?" he asked.

I hesitated. "Her name is Ava Flynn. She’s gorgeous."

"That’s it?" Antonio looked unimpressed. "No wonder you’re failing."

"What do you suggest, relationship guru?"

He grinned and grabbed my phone. "Social media stalking, obviously. What are her handles?"

"I don’t know," I admitted.

"Amateur," he muttered, typing rapidly. "Let’s try searching by phone number first."

After a few minutes of searching across platforms, Antonio let out a triumphant "Got her!"

I leaned forward eagerly as he turned the phone to show me Ava’s profile.

It wasn’t very active, but there were enough photos to make my heart race. Ava at a coffee shop, Ava hiking with friends, Ava smiling behind the counter of "Grace’s Closet" in the downtown mall.

"She works at Grace’s Closet," I said.

"Uncle J, you’re not planning to stalk her at work, are you?" Antonio asked.

"Of course not," I said, though the idea had already crossed my mind.

Just then, Eleanor walked into my office.

"Hey, Joseph, I need those—" She stopped, eyes narrowing as she spotted us huddled over my phone. "What are you two doing?"

"Nothing," we answered simultaneously.

Eleanor moved closer, peering over Antonio’s shoulder.

Her eyes widened in recognition.

"So you’re going to harass that pretty salesgirl?" she accused.