CHAPTER 258: CHAPTER 258 BUSINESS BEFORE PLEASURE

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."

"Our traditions exist for a reason, Joseph. We’re Alphas. We have responsibilities."

I laughed. "Screw tradition. If your ’progressive community’ excludes scentless wolves, how progressive is it? Caroline as your Luna would show real inclusion."

Draven went quiet, thinking about my words.

"What if she’s not my fated mate?" he finally asked. "Would you abandon the Moon Goddess’s plan for someone you fell for who wasn’t destined for you?"

I snorted. "Are you really asking a notorious playboy about true love? That’s like asking a vegetarian how to grill the perfect steak."

"Answer it," he insisted.

I stared into my drink. Images of Ava’s defiant eyes flashed through my mind.

"I don’t know. I’d like to think love is a choice, not just cosmic destiny or pack duties. But I’ve never felt strongly enough about anyone to find out."

By 2 AM, we were both wasted. Draven crashed on his couch while I barely made it home after mind-linking my Beta Jared to come pick me up.

Friday morning was brutal. I stumbled into the office three hours late, my head pounding like a construction site.

Beta Jared took one look at me and shook his head. "You look like death warmed over."

"Thanks for the update," I grumbled, collapsing into my chair. "Coffee. Strong. Now."

"That’s the third hangover this week," he observed while pouring me a cup. "Alpha Draven still drowning his sorrows?"

"The man’s a mess. He loves her but his pride won’t let him admit it."

Jared handed me painkillers. "Alpha Joseph, no offense, but are you really such a relationship expert?"

"I know what not to do," I defended myself. "Sometimes that’s enough."

The rest of Friday crawled by.

All I could think about was Ava and how I hadn’t managed to see her all week.

Antonio’s reports were promising—she seemed to enjoy our note exchange and was warming up to the idea of me.

By Saturday morning, my hangover had finally subsided enough to function.

I texted Antonio to meet me at the mall.

"We’re finally going to see her," Dean said, his excitement flooding my mind.

"Don’t get too excited," I warned him. "She already declined us once."

She’s just careful. Smart. I like that about her.

I got to the mall early, pulled toward Grace’s Closet like a magnet. I’d look inside, maybe finally talk to her directly.

That’s when I saw them through the window. Eleanor and Caroline were inside, and Ava was helping them. The universe was finally giving me a break.