Chasing His Scentless Mate

Chapter 393 Fated Pull

Ava’s POV

The moment Beta Owen mentioned Joseph’s name, my heart stuttered in my chest. Joseph was here? At Pine Ridge Pack territory?

"Joseph?" I repeated. "Why would he come here?"

Beta Owen shrugged. "He claims he has business to discuss with Alpha Kenneth. Should I tell him you’re unavailable?"

"No," I answered too quickly, earning a curious glance from both Owen and Sarah. I cleared my throat. "I mean, I’ll go see him. Where is he now?"

"Still at the border checkpoint. Protocol requires Alpha Kenneth’s approval before allowing another Alpha on our territory."

I nodded, trying to calm the sudden flutter in my stomach. "I’ll speak with Kenneth first, then."

As I walked toward Kenneth’s office, my mind raced with questions. Why would Joseph come here? After everything that happened between us, what could he possibly want?

I knocked on Kenneth’s office door, entering when I heard his invitation. He looked up from his paperwork, his face brightening when he saw me.

"Ava," he said warmly. "I wasn’t expecting you so early."

"Alpha Joseph is at the border," I said, getting straight to the point. "He’s requesting permission to enter the territory. He says he has business with you."

Kenneth’s jaw tightened. "I see. And you want to meet with him?"

"I think I should," I said carefully.

After what felt like an eternity, Kenneth nodded. "Very well. Tell Owen to escort him here. I’ll meet with him."

"Thank you," I said, relieved.

I hurried back to Owen and delivered Kenneth’s instructions. Then I rushed to my room to quickly check my appearance in the mirror. My hair was still messy, and I was wearing simple jeans and a sweater. Not exactly how I’d pictured seeing Joseph again, but there wasn’t time to change.

Twenty minutes later, I stood in the pack house common room, my heart hammering against my ribs as I heard vehicles approaching outside. When the front door opened, Owen entered first, followed by Joseph.

The moment our eyes met, something extraordinary happened. Inside me, Leila suddenly roared to life with such force that I gasped aloud.

"It’s him!" Leila howled joyfully within me. "Our mate! Our true mate!"

For the first time, I could smell Joseph’s scent so clearly, like cedar and ocean air.

Joseph stopped walking. His green eyes widened as he stared at me. I knew his wolf, Dean, must be feeling the same shock. The connection between us was electric. It was a real, strong pull that seemed to draw us together across the room.

"Ava," Joseph breathed my name.

He looked even more handsome than I remembered—tall and commanding in his tailored suit, his strong jawline shadowed with a day’s stubble. His hair was perfectly styled, and those penetrating eyes held mine with an intensity that made my knees weak.

"Mate," Leila whimpered, urging me toward him. "Go to him."

I took a step forward without conscious thought, but Owen’s presence between us kept me from rushing into Joseph’s arms as Leila wanted.

"Alpha Joseph," I greeted formally, aware of the other pack members watching curiously. "This is unexpected."

"Is it?" he asked. "I came here specifically for you, Ava."

Before I could say anything, Kenneth walked into the room. His presence instantly drew everyone’s focus. He came forward with calm steps and held out his hand to Joseph.

"Alpha Joseph," Kenneth said. His voice was polite in a professional way, but not warm. "Welcome to Pine Ridge. Owen mentioned you have something to discuss?"

Joseph looked away from me to shake Kenneth’s hand. "Alpha Kenneth. Thank you for allowing me on your territory. And yes, I do have some business ideas to talk about. But first—" his eyes moved back to me, "I’d like to speak with Ava alone, if that’s alright."

Kenneth’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "Of course. "

Joseph’s gaze held a hint of unfriendly hostility as he looked at Kenneth. I didn’t want the atmosphere to get any more tense.

"Alpha Joseph, perhaps we should speak in private?" I said quickly, feeling trapped and uncomfortable between the two powerful Alphas.

I wanted Joseph to tone down his hostility, but Kenneth immediately responded.

"Of course, Ava. You can use the study down the hall," he said gently.

I led Joseph to the small room, closing the door behind us. The moment we were alone, he moved toward me, reaching for my hands.

"Ava," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I missed you."

I took a step back, needing space to think clearly despite Leila’s desperate yearning to be close to him. "Why are you here, Joseph?"

"Don’t you feel it?" he asked, his eyes searching mine. "The moment I walked in, Dean went crazy. You’re my fated mate, Ava. You’ve always been my fated mate."

"I know. I feel it too." I knew, but I also remembered why I left Harbor Bay. I couldn’t just throw myself at him the moment I saw him. I felt the strong mate bond, and I was struggling with Leila’s constant urging and longing for our mate inside me.

Joseph saw my coolness and looked hurt for a second. But then he took a big step forward and grabbed my hand, speaking with emotion. "I’ve been drawn to you from the first moment I saw you. I thought it was just attraction, but it was so much more. When you left Harbor Bay, I couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep. Dean has been going insane without you."

"Ava," Joseph went on, his voice softening. "I know I hurt you. I know I’ve made mistakes. But everything changed when you left. I realized what you meant to me, even before I understood you were my fated mate."

"It’s too late," I said, though the words felt hollow. "I’ve started a new life here."

"With Kenneth?" Joseph’s jaw clenched. "Are you two..."

"No," I answered truthfully. "We’re not together. But he’s been good to me, Joseph. He gave me a place when I had nowhere else to go."

"Come back with me," Joseph pleaded. His touch sent sparks racing up my arms. "Come back to Harbor Bay. Give us another chance—a real chance this time."

Leila whined pathetically within me, begging me to agree. And deep down, beyond the hurt and anger, I knew I still loved this man. The fated mate bond only confirmed what my heart had known all along.

"I can’t just leave," I said weakly. "I have responsibilities here."

"Do you love him?" Joseph asked bluntly. "Kenneth. Do you love him?"

"No," I admitted. "Not the way you’re asking."

Relief washed over Joseph’s handsome face. "Then come home with me. Please, Ava. I won’t pressure you into anything. We can take it slow, start fresh. But I can’t walk away from you again. Not now that I know what we are to each other."