Chapter 362

Chapter 362 Fever
Ava’s POV

“Miss Ava.” As I clocked out from work, I found Joseph’s Beta Jared waiting for me near the exit.

“Hello, Jared. How are you?” I smiled warmly at him. He was always a kind young man, professional but friendly.

“I’m well, thank you. And you, miss?” His tone was polite as always, but there was something in his expression that made me pause.

“I’m fine, thanks. Is there something you need?” I adjusted my bag on my shoulder, wondering why Joseph had sent his Beta instead of coming himself.

“Ah, I’ve been assigned the honor of driving you home today. It seems Alpha Joseph isn’t feeling well.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Oh? What happened?” It was strange; he’d seemed tense this morning but otherwise fine. What concerned me more was that I hadn’t received a single text from him all day, which was highly unusual.

“I don’t know the details. Shall we go?” Beta Jared held the car door open for me.

“Of course.” I slid into the passenger seat.

The drive was peaceful enough; Beta Jared maintained easy conversation, telling me about pack business and some of the projects Joseph was working on. When we arrived at the apartment, he handed me the keys, explaining that Joseph had asked him to deliver them.

I made my way past security and into the apartment. The moment I stepped inside, I spotted Joseph lying on a pile of cushions in the living room, covered with a blanket. I hurried over to him.

“Joseph? Are you okay?” I knelt beside him, examining him carefully. He looked absolutely terrible. “What happened?”

“Nothing serious, Ava, just a little cold.” His voice was hoarse, and he sneezed immediately after speaking.

My concern deepened as I took in his appearance. His eyes were watery, dark circles prominent beneath them. His nose was running, and the tissue box beside him was already half-empty. I could smell the menthol from a decongestant balm sitting next to the tissues. When I touched his forehead, I flinched at the heat radiating from his skin.

“Joseph, you’re burning up with fever.” My voice was tight with worry.

“A little, but I’ve already taken the medicine the doctor prescribed.” He gestured weakly toward the coffee table, which was covered with an array of medications: fever reducers, antihistamines, throat lozenges, nasal spray, anti-inflammatories, and pain relievers. Everything needed for a severe cold or flu.

“You seemed fine this morning,” I said, sorting through the medications to see what he’d already taken.

“I had a headache, and it just got worse throughout the day.” He sneezed again, his whole body shaking with it.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, stroking his hair gently.

“It’s nothing serious, Ava. I’ve already seen the doctor. He said I should recover in seven days if it doesn’t develop into pneumonia.”

“Pneumonia?” I repeated, worry shooting through me. “Joseph, don’t joke about that. You’re a strong, healthy Alpha.”

“The doctor said it’s possible if I’m not careful,” he replied, his voice raspy and weak. Dean, his wolf, must be working overtime to heal him, but even wolf healing had its limits with illnesses.

“Yes, but you will be careful. This must be from that cold shower you took in the middle of the night.” I stroked his cheek gently. “Have you eaten anything?”

“I can’t keep anything down, Ava!” He looked miserable, his usually commanding presence diminished by illness.

“I’ll make you some soup. You need to eat something. You can’t starve yourself.” I stood up, determined to care for him.

“Ava, don’t worry. You just got here and must be tired. The housekeeper already prepared dinner.”

“It’s fine. I’m going to take care of you. If the fever doesn’t break, I’m taking you to the hospital.” He nodded weakly.

It was heartbreaking to see such a powerful Alpha brought down by the flu, but his condition must be severe because he looked absolutely wretched.

“Come on, let me help you to bed. You shouldn’t be sleeping on the floor.” I reached for his arm.

“No, Ava. I don’t want to give you my flu.” His concern for my wellbeing even while sick made my heart melt.

“Oh baby, I don’t care. I just want to take care of you.”

He looked at me, his expression almost like a pout.

“I don’t deserve your care.” His voice was soft, vulnerable in a way I’d never heard before. My heart melted completely at his words.

“Either you come to bed with me, or I’ll lie on the floor with you.” I stood my ground, and he sighed.

“Alright, let’s go to bed.” He finally surrendered.

After settling Joseph into bed, I took a quick shower and went downstairs to make him some soup. While the soup was simmering, I seized the opportunity to call Elle—she should have told me he was sick earlier.

“Ava, I’m sorry, I’ve been stuck in the archives all day. The last time I saw Joseph, he was taking medicine for a headache,” Eleanor explained, sounding genuinely surprised.

“Elle, he’s really sick. I even feel guilty because I think he might have gotten sick from that cold shower.”

“Yeah, Ava, we might have gone too far this time,” Eleanor conceded with a sigh. “But take good care of him, give him some tender loving care, and he’ll be fine by the weekend.”

I said goodbye to Eleanor and prepared a tray to take upstairs. When I entered the bedroom, Joseph was curled up under the blankets.

“Joseph, I made you some soup,” I said gently. “Let’s remove some of these covers to help bring your fever down.”

I pulled back the blankets and discovered Joseph was completely naked. He was breathtaking when clothed, but naked, his body was a work of art that stole my breath away. I’d been craving him since last night, so seeing him naked and shifting position on the bed had me practically salivating.

The defined muscles of his chest gleamed with a light sheen of sweat from the fever. My eyes traced the ridges of his abs down to the V of his hips, and lower still. Even in his weakened state, his length was impressive.

I bit my lip, trying to focus on the task at hand rather than the rush of heat pooling between my legs.

“What is it, Ava?” he asked weakly, noticing my lingering gaze.