Ava’s POV

After I told the girls my secret, Caroline insisted on sending three of the Storm Valley Pack’s toughest warriors to take me home. As the pack’s Luna, her protective side had taken over completely.

Eleanor, though, had a different idea. She practically pulled me into her car and told the warriors to follow us.

"Listen, Ava," Eleanor sighed, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. "I promised I wouldn’t get in the middle of things with you and Joseph. You’re my friend, and he’s... well, technically my boss. But I can’t just watch you both be miserable anymore."

I nodded carefully. "So?"

"Alright, fine. I agreed to help Joseph out." She glanced at me, looking a little guilty. "Please don’t hate me for this."

I was confused as Eleanor drove way too fast down streets I knew. When I saw the house that used to be Joseph’s and mine, I stopped breathing for a second. As we got closer, my heart started beating hard against my chest. I could see a soft light coming from inside the windows.

"Ava," Eleanor said gently, "I agreed to do this before I knew your secret. Please, just hear him out. Give yourself a chance, too. Don’t let this moment pass you by."

I hugged her, thankful for her constant support. "I could never hate you, Elle. You’re brave and honest about how you feel—everything I’m not. Running away doesn’t fix anything."

With that, I got out of the car and walked slowly toward the front door. I looked back once and saw Elle give me an encouraging nod.

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

What I saw inside took my breath away.

The whole room was lit by soft lamps, giving off a warm light. Dozens of clear helium balloons hung from the ceiling. Each balloon had a white ribbon tied to it, holding tiny photos of Joseph and me, little notes with apologies or sweet words, and small red paper hearts. I walked around, reading every message and looking at each picture that showed our special times together.

Tears ran down my face as I walked into the living room. Joseph was standing there, in our favorite room where we used to watch the sunrise. It still had our soft rug and bright cushions. He stood with his hands in his pockets, looking nervous. The ceiling above him was full of balloons with photos, notes, and hearts. The small lamps made the room feel cozy and private.

On the table next to the cushions were wine, cheese, fruit, and chocolate. I looked around and saw the windows were decorated with a curtain made of white ribbons and white, pink, and red hearts. So many hearts.

"Not a single rose?" I asked, smiling through my tears.

"Not today!" Joseph laughed as he walked toward me. He gently touched my cheek, and I could see his eyes were shiny with tears he was holding back. "You have no idea how much I’ve missed you."

"I’ve missed you so much too," I whispered, putting my hand against his face.

"Ava, please forgive me for all my mistakes. I can’t live without you." He pressed my hand firmly against his chest, right over his heart.

I looked into his eyes. "Forgive me for being too proud to see that I was hurting you."

Joseph looked at me with deep feeling. "After thinking these past few days, I realized I was really wrong. I’ve been running away every time things get hard between us. When we argue, when you need answers, when you deserve explanations—I disappear. I’ve never really given you the security you should have in this relationship."

Leila stirred inside me, responding to our mate.

"You’re right," I admitted, feeling something inside me give way. "You disappeared for two weeks. Two weeks! And the moment you came back, I had to find out from a photo that you were with Sophia."

"I never went looking for her," Joseph insisted, his green eyes pleading. "She showed up when I was out with the guys. I pushed her away right away."

"But that’s not even the point!" My voice rose a little. "The point is you vanish whenever things get tough. You ran off after our fight."

Joseph’s face fell. "I was really hurting because you wouldn’t forgive me, and I thought about just giving up. I know that ’giving up’ attitude is cowardly. When things get complicated, I hide in work or drinking or—"

"Or other women?" I couldn’t help adding.

"Not anymore," he said firmly. "Never again. But yes, that was my pattern before you. When emotions got too real, I ran. I’ve never known how to handle real feelings, Ava."

"I don’t want pretty words or big gestures," I said softly. "I need to see real change, Joseph. I need to know that next time there’s a problem, you won’t just disappear."

"I won’t," he promised, taking my hands again. "I swear on everything that matters to me. No more running. No more hiding. No matter how hard or uncomfortable things get, I’ll be right here, facing it with you."

Leila hummed with approval in my mind. He means it, Ava. I can feel it.

I smiled. "Alright then. I believe you."

"Thank you, Ava! I’ve missed you so much," Joseph whispered, moving closer again. "These weeks without you... I drank until I ended up in the hospital trying to forget you, but it didn’t work. When I thought you had really forgotten me, my whole world fell apart."

"Why would you think I forgot you?" I asked, truly confused.

His voice was choked up. "When I saw you with Kenneth at the restaurant, I was crazy jealous. Not because I didn’t trust you, but because I felt I didn’t deserve you. Kenneth is so successful, so steady, and I..."

"And you what?"

"And I always hurt you. I was afraid you’d realize he was better than me, so I pushed you away first."

"Joseph," I said, "I never loved Kenneth. There’s only ever been you in my heart!"

His eyes lit up instantly. "Ava, there’s only ever been you in mine too!"

Joseph cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs gently stroking my cheeks. He leaned in slowly and kissed me. It started soft but quickly grew deeper, full of longing. As he kissed me, his hands moved to my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair. My hands slid up his strong arms in return.

Our kiss grew more intense as he parted my lips, becoming more passionate and impossible to resist with every second. His hands slid from my hair down my back, pulling me closer against him. Our bodies pressed together as my hands moved up to his shoulders and then to his neck, my fingers running through his short hair.

His warmth sent shivers through me. Our heated kisses left me breathless. My heart raced at the thought of this beautiful man being back in my life. In his arms, I felt completely safe. I never wanted to let go. I wanted to stay right there forever, wrapped in his strong hold.

When our lips finally parted, we held each other quietly for a long moment. The tension and worry from searching for him over the past day began to fade away. The insecurity and sadness that had haunted me for months seemed to disappear with every breath.

As we slowly loosened our embrace, a wave of love and safety washed over me. Joseph kissed my forehead and took my hand.

"Have dinner with me?" he asked softly, gesturing to the spread he’d prepared.

Over wine and cheese, we continued talking, filling in the gaps of our time apart. Joseph explained about his disastrous drinking binge that landed him in the hospital, while I told him about my growing connection with Leila.

"Promise me something," I said as we finished our meal. "From now on, we talk before we believe anything that might tear us apart. No matter what photos or messages or rumors come our way."

"I promise," he said, bringing my hand to his lips. "You’re right. We need better communication."

After dinner, Joseph led me back to the living room, putting on soft music and drawing me into a dance. It was a romantic ballad, and we swayed silently, savoring each other’s company. Joseph held me tightly against him and sighed.

"I want to take you to bed," he whispered, his voice barely audible yet filled with desire and urgency. "I want to love you, Ava. I want to reconnect with you completely."

I answered with a gentle kiss on his lips, then caressed his cheek, looking into his eyes.

"Right now, all I want is to feel your body against mine, hear your moans, and watch those beautiful green eyes cloud with pleasure as you enter me," I whispered back.

My words were like lighting a match to gasoline. Joseph swept me into his arms and carried me toward the bedroom, past balloons with their dangling messages and photographs, over floors scattered with paper hearts.