Ava’s POV 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

I cried until my eyes were swollen and my throat felt raw. Eventually, exhaustion took over and I fell asleep. The sound of knocking woke me up, sending panic through my body.

My heart hammered against my ribs. Was it Isaac? Or worse, Steward Garcia coming to threaten me again?

The knocking continued, each sound against my door making me curl deeper into myself.

I grabbed my phone with shaking hands, ready to call 911, when it suddenly lit up with an incoming call.

Kenneth Flynn.

I answered immediately. "Hello?"

"Ava, I’m outside your door," his deep voice came through the phone. The knocking stopped. "Please let me in. I’ve been trying to reach you all day."

Relief washed over me. I walked to the door, checked the peephole to confirm it was Kenneth, and unlocked it.

Kenneth stepped in wearing a suit that looked comfortable on his tall frame. His eyes were filled with worry instead of their usual calm.

He looked at my tear-stained face and puffy eyes before closing the door behind him. Without a word, he pulled me into a gentle hug.

"I heard you crying on the phone last night," he said softly. "Then you weren’t answering my messages today. I got worried something had happened to you."

His concern broke something in me. Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks as I buried my face against his chest. Kenneth seemed awkward for a moment, patting my hair before guiding me to the sofa.

"Here," he handed me a handkerchief from his pocket, looking uncomfortable with my emotional state. "Take a deep breath. What happened?"

Between shaky breaths, I told him everything.

"I thought they were my friends," I whispered, twisting the damp handkerchief between my fingers. "But when things got difficult, they blamed me without hesitation. I understand why they did it, but I really felt helpless and alone. Am I so pathetic that I’m just a burden to everyone around me?"

Kenneth’s face hardened slightly. "You are not pathetic, Ava. Far from it."

His voice held the quiet authority of an Alpha. "Young Alphas and Betas can be impulsive and short-sighted. They react first and think later. That doesn’t excuse what they did, but don’t take their actions as a reflection of your worth."

"But Nina and the girls didn’t even stand up for me properly," I said, fresh pain going through me.

"They’re caught between loyalty to their mates and loyalty to you," Kenneth said calmly. "It doesn’t make what they did right, but people are complicated. "

I slumped back against the cushions. "My whole life is falling apart. I don’t have a job. I’ve lost my friends. I don’t know what to do anymore."

Kenneth was quiet for a moment, studying me. Then he leaned forward, his expression serious.

"Come to my pack," he said simply.

I stared at him. "What?"

"My pack doesn’t have the same progressive policies as Alpha Draven’s," he said with a slight smile. "But as Alpha, I can promise you protection. Anyone who tried to hurt you would answer to me personally."

"You’d kill someone for me?" I asked, half joking.

"Without hesitation," he replied, completely serious.

I couldn’t help but laugh. "Isn’t that a bit extreme? I’m not looking to star in some ’evil queen corrupts the ruthless king’ drama."

Kenneth’s expression softened into a smile. "As I’ve told you before, Ava, you’re intelligent and capable. My company would be fortunate to have you. I’d be the one benefiting from this arrangement."

The room felt warm and comfortable despite my earlier distress. Something about Kenneth’s presence always put me at ease. Like I could tell him anything.

"You know," I said quietly, "from the moment I met you, I felt this connection. Like you were already family to me somehow."

Kenneth chuckled. "Quite the compliment, considering most people find me cold and intimidating."

"You’ve never been that way with me," I said, gathering my courage. "I want to tell you something that might sound ridiculous, but I’ve been keeping it inside for too long."

"I’m listening," he replied, his expression open.

I took a deep breath. "My mother raised me alone. I never knew my father. We moved constantly throughout my childhood, and I always suspected she was running from something or someone. She told me my father was human, but I know that’s a lie." My voice dropped lower. "I saw wolves hunting us once."

Kenneth’s eyebrow arched slightly, but his face remained calm.

"When my mother left city, you appeared in my life," I continued, my heart racing. "And your last name is Flynn. I don’t know if I ever mentioned it, but my full name is Ava Flynn."

Kenneth remained perfectly still.

"I know this sounds crazy," I said, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. "But sometimes I wondered if..."

"You think I might be your father?" Kenneth finished for me, his voice gentle.

I nodded, suddenly feeling incredibly foolish.

Kenneth’s eyes softened as he looked at me. "I never imagined you saw me that way, Ava. I understand why you might make that connection, but I need to be clear. I’m not your father."

My face burned with embarrassment. "I didn’t mean to imply... It’s not because you’re successful or anything like that. I just felt this connection and thought maybe..."

"Ava," Kenneth interrupted, taking my hands in his. "You don’t need to explain. I’m actually touched that you feel such kinship with me."

He sighed softly before continuing. "I had a fated mate once, many years ago. She passed away before we could start a family. I never remarried."

"I’m so sorry," I whispered, feeling terrible for bringing up such painful memories.

"Don’t be," Kenneth squeezed my hands. "You make me feel comfortable, Ava. I enjoy your company. While I may not be your father, I’d be honored to be your friend." His eyes met mine. "If things become too difficult with your current situation, my offer stands. You’ll always have a place with me."

Something in his words touched me deeply. Even without biological ties, Kenneth was offering me the safety and belonging I’d craved my entire life.

"Thank you," I said softly, truly grateful for his presence. Maybe I wasn’t as alone as I thought.