CHAPTER 310: CHAPTER 310 THE TRUTH BEHIND THE PHOTOS

Joseph’s POV

My vision blurred and I felt dizzy, like I might pass out. My heart was pounding in my ears, and my stomach churned with nausea. The evidence was right there in front of me. How had my father sunk this low? And damn it, how had I been stupid enough to fall for it?

Alexander placed a glass of whiskey in front of me. I nodded my thanks and downed it in one burning gulp. I was trying to keep myself together, but I could feel my Alpha energy crackling beneath the surface.

"Do you have footage of what happened before this? Where they were, who they talked to?" My voice carried that commanding edge.

"Of course. I figured you’d want to see that," Alexander said, pulling up the footage.

The clip showed Ava sitting with some girls at a table near the entrance before she left for the restroom. My father sat at a back table with several men I recognized, including Beta Elton, Sophia’s father. Sophia was at a center table with her own group. After Ava left for the bathroom, Steward walked over, had a brief conversation with Sophia, then went after Ava.

"I saved this part specifically for you," Alexander said, showing me footage that clearly captured Steward grabbing Ava while Sophia was obviously taking photos. "And here’s what happened when he left, he had a little chat with Miss Sophia." The video showed Sophia and my father smiling together, her showing him something on her phone.

They had set Ava up, and I’d fallen for it completely. My throat felt tight and I struggled to breathe properly. She would never forgive me for this! How could I have been so blind?

"You want to see the other videos?" Alexander asked.

"Are they all similar?" I asked, keeping my head down.

"Different scenarios - one girl was kissed without consent, another was groped, and in the worst case, he lifted a girl’s skirt and touched her inappropriately."

"I imagine they all want to press charges," I said, hatred clear in my voice.

"Yes, Alpha Joseph. The last girl I mentioned is only seventeen, she’s Elder Blackwood’s daughter from Silver Ridge Pack. She wants this brought before the Council. The others are eighteen to twenty, and they’ve agreed to keep it quiet."

"Let them all press charges!" I said without hesitation. "This man was sexually assaulting women right here in the club. Why did you wait until six incidents before contacting me?"

"Well, Alpha Joseph, since it involved your father, we thought we should try to handle it diplomatically first."

"There’s no diplomacy when dealing with perverts," I stated firmly, my voice carrying unmistakable Alpha authority. "This man is complete scum. Honestly, I’d be happy to see him behind bars where he belongs. What penalties is the club facing?"

"We’ll be hit with a substantial fine."

"That’s it?" I asked incredulously. "Fine. I’ll pay the fine, but I want this man permanently banned from the premises."

"Alpha Joseph, we can remove his name from your membership list—" Alexander began, but I cut him off.

"You don’t understand. I want him banned completely. Blacklisted. He should never be allowed to set foot in here again, ever."

"You sure about this, Alpha?"

"Absolutely! And I want copies of all the videos."

"Of course."

I handled everything with Alexander and the club’s lawyer, paid the fine, and signed the agreement. The document stated that they would ban Steward Garcia from the club and support any victims who wanted to press charges. It also confirmed that I’d received copies of all the surveillance footage.

When we walked out of Alexander’s office, my Beta Jared stayed close behind. Everything I’d just seen was still hitting me.

"Jared," I said, turning to face him once we were in the hallway. "You knew my father was harassing Ava and you didn’t tell me?"

Jared looked down respectfully. "Alpha Joseph, Miss Flynn specifically asked me not to tell you. I think she was worried about making things worse between you and your father."

I felt like someone had sucker-punched me. Dean was growling low in my head.

"She was protecting you, even then," Dean said. "While you were busy screwing her over."

My wolf’s words hit hard. Ava had been thinking about me, trying to protect my feelings, preserving a family relationship that I’d basically destroyed myself. And how did I repay her? By jumping into bed with Sophia the first chance I got.

"From now on," I told Jared, "anything involving Ava... I don’t care what it is... you report straight to me. I don’t give a damn what she says or who tells you to keep quiet. Got it?"

"Yes, Alpha," Jared nodded.

"Good. Now get back to pack territory immediately. Make sure my father can’t get into the pack house. He’s not allowed on our land until I say otherwise. If he shows up, escort him out."

"Yes, Alpha," Jared replied, giving a quick bow before leaving.

I didn’t want to stay at the club after that mess. I walked like a zombie toward my car in the parking lot. I needed to talk to Ava. But when I got to my vehicle, the absolute last person I wanted to see was leaning against it, smiling.

"Baby! I’ve missed you so much!" Sophia squealed, jumping up to wrap her arms around my neck.

I pulled her arms off me and stepped back. Looking at her made me physically sick. Sophia stared at me, confused.

"What you did was absolutely disgusting, Sophia," I said coldly.

"Baby, what are you talking about?" She actually had the nerve to act innocent.

"Oh, you forgot? Let me help you remember. I’m talking about that sick little plan you and my father came up with to break up Ava and me."

"Baby, but I didn’t do anything."

"Oh Sophia, you both forgot that the club upgraded their entire security system a few months ago, right? Cameras everywhere now. I saw a real interesting video of you and my father planning this whole thing."

"Joseph, your father talked me into..." she tried to make excuses.

"Save it, Sophia." I started to walk away but turned back with one final warning. "Oh, and I’m definitely telling your father about this."

"Joseph, no... Joseph... please, don’t do that." She scrambled after me.

I got in my car and before driving off, I gave her one last warning.

"Stay the hell away from me. Don’t talk to me. Pretend I don’t exist. If you see me coming, you better be gone before I spot you, or I swear I’ll ruin you."

I fired up the engine and peeled out. I was planning to head to Draven’s office, but halfway there my phone buzzed. Kyle calling.