Chapter 295

Chapter 295 Take Her Home
Joseph’s POV

Last night with Ava was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. The way her body responded to mine, and how she completely surrendered herself, truly awakened something primal in me. Something dangerous.

As I watched her sleeping peacefully beside me, her hair spread across my pillow, I felt that familiar urge rising again. The need to claim her, to mark her as mine forever.

“Mark her,” Dean growled inside my head. My wolf had been super vocal since Ava came into our lives. “She belongs to us. Make her our mate now.”

I closed my eyes, trying to shut him out. This overwhelming possessiveness was new to me. I’d been with countless women before, but I’d never felt this desperate need to claim someone.

“She’s different,” Dean insisted. “She’s ours.”

“We need to take this slow,” I replied mentally. “She doesn’t even have a wolf. The Elder council would never accept her.”

“Fuck the council!” Dean snarled. “I don’t care if she’s wolfless.”

Dean was too animalistic to understand complex pack politics. I had a plan. Once Draven claimed Caroline and made her the Luna of Storm Valley, despite her being scentless, it would set a precedent. Then I could do the same with Ava, and even if the elders objected, having the support of an Alpha as respected as Draven would help a lot.

I wanted to do this right. I wanted a proper mating ceremony with Ava, to make her my mate and Luna, to give her my mark. That’s what she deserved, and what we both deserved.

“You had the perfect chance to tell her mother your intentions,” Dean mocked, “But you chickened out. Where was all this ceremony talk then? Cat got your tongue?”

His comment annoyed me. “You’re just a wolf. You don’t understand the importance of proper etiquette and timing in these matters.”

I could almost feel Dean’s tail wagging smugly. “Yes, I’m just a horny wolf who wants to mark his favorite person as soon as possible.”

Unable to win this argument with my own wolf, I went to the bathroom to shower and clear my head.

When I returned to the bedroom, Ava was awake, looking adorably messy. Her eyes still held that satisfied glow from our night together.

“Good morning, beautiful,” I said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “How are you feeling?”

“A little sore, but in the best way,” she replied with a shy smile.

I sat beside her on the bed, taking her hand. “I was thinking… would you like to come to my pack house today? Meet my family?”

Her eyes widened slightly. “Your family? Like, officially?”

I nodded. “You’ve already met Antonio. I want you to meet the rest of my family. My sister, my niece, everyone important to me.”

“Isn’t that… a big step?” she asked, nervousness in her voice.

“It is,” I admitted. “But you’re important to me, Ava. I want this relationship to progress naturally, with the support of friends and family. Is that okay with you?”

After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded. “Yes, I’d like that.”

Two hours later, we arrived at the Nightbane Pack house. It was a really big mansion, surrounded by pine trees, and built from stone, so it looked quite old and sturdy. I could see several pack members outside. They all stopped what they were doing to watch their Alpha pull up with a woman they didn’t know.

“It’s beautiful,” Ava whispered, looking at the big house.

“It’s been in my family for generations,” I explained, helping her from the car. “Every Alpha of the Nightbane Pack has lived here.”

As we approached the entrance, several house staff appeared, greeting me with respectful nods.

“Alpha Joseph,” a middle-aged woman said, bowing slightly. “Welcome home. Shall I get refreshments for you and your guest?”

“Yes, thank you, Martha,” I replied. “Is my sister here?”

“Ms. Flora is in the garden with Louise. Mr. Scott is away on business.”

I led Ava through the grand entryway, where portraits of previous pack leaders hung on the walls. I could feel her tension as we walked, her hand gripping mine tightly.

“They’ll love you,” I assured her, squeezing her hand. “Just be yourself.”

The garden was Flora’s pride and joy, a perfectly kept paradise of flowers and fountains. She was sitting on a stone bench, watching Louise practice her painting.

“Joseph!” Flora exclaimed when she spotted us. She rose gracefully, coming to hug me. Her eyes immediately fixed on Ava with curious interest. “And who might this be?”

“Flora, this is Ava Flynn. Ava, this is my sister, Flora Garcia.”

“It’s lovely to meet you,” Ava said, extending her hand.

Instead, Flora pulled her into a warm hug. “Any woman who can put that smile on my brother’s face deserves more than a handshake.”

Louise dropped her painting and joined us, giving Ava the typical teen once-over before she seemed to approve.

“Is Antonio with you?” Flora asked.

“No, he’s with his friends today,” I replied. “Though he’s quite taken with Ava. They’ve already bonded.”

“That’s high praise,” Flora said with a smile. “Antonio doesn’t warm up to just anyone.”

We spent the afternoon touring the grounds and sharing stories. Flora seemed genuinely charmed by Ava, which relieved me a lot. I hadn’t brought a woman home in… well, ever. Not like this.

Later, as we settled in the library with drinks, Flora asked the question I’d been dreading.

“So, Ava, Joseph tells me you’re from Frostveil Pack? That’s quite a small pack, isn’t it?”

Ava nodded. “Yes, we’re not as established as Nightbane.”

“And your wolf?” Flora asked casually. “What’s her name?”

I tensed, waiting for Ava’s response.

“I don’t have one,” Ava admitted quietly. “I’m wolfless.”

To her credit, Flora’s expression barely changed. “I see. That’s… unusual for someone dating an Alpha.”

“Flora,” I warned.

“It’s just an observation, brother,” she said, raising her hands. “The elders will have questions, you know that.”

“The elders can address their questions to me,” I stated firmly. “Ava’s status doesn’t change how I feel about her.”

Flora studied us for a moment before nodding. “Well, if she makes you happy, that’s what matters. Heaven knows you deserve some happiness after everything.”

The conversation shifted to lighter topics, but I could tell Ava remained uncomfortable. When Flora excused herself to check on dinner preparations, I took the opportunity to talk privately with Ava.

“I’m sorry about that,” I said. “My sister can be… very direct.”

“It’s fine,” Ava replied, though her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “She’s right to be concerned. A wolfless Omega isn’t exactly Luna material.”

“Don’t say that,” I said firmly. “What you are or aren’t doesn’t matter to me.”

Before she could respond, the library door opened, and a tall, silver-haired man strode in with an imperious swagger. My father.