Chasing His Scentless Mate-Chapter 319 Hungover and Helpless

Joseph’s POV

I left Ava’s place knowing she needed friends but wouldn’t call them herself. So I called Eleanor, explaining everything. I didn’t even finish before she promised to gather the girls. But first, she tore into me like I haven’t been torn into for years, calling me every kind of idiot imaginable. And she wasn’t wrong.

My fears, insecurities, and all the toxic bullshit my father represents had made me completely fall apart. Ava might never forgive me, but I had to keep trying.

Not long after, Ryan, Nate, and Luke burst into my penthouse. They informed me the girls were having an overnight with Ava, who needed her friends, and they were here to support me and drag me back to reality. We talked. We drank. Heavily.

The next morning, I dragged myself to the office just after ten, feeling like death warmed over. Julia took one look at my disheveled appearance and shook her head in resignation. My tie was crooked, jacket hanging limply from my arm, hair uncombed, and I was wearing sunglasses indoors. A complete mess.

When I entered my office, I found Eleanor putting some folders on my desk.

"Well, well, Alpha Joseph looks like someone had quite the party," Eleanor approached, her voice seemingly amplified to jackhammer levels.

"Elle, please speak quietly," I whispered as she sniffed around me like a bloodhound.

"I’m not speaking loudly, Joseph!" she shot back. "I warned you I never wanted to see your hungover ass in this office again. Not only are you late, but you reek of alcohol. Someone of your professional status should know better. Is getting wasted all you boys do when you get together?"

Eleanor was gearing up for one of her lectures about maintaining an image befitting my professional position.

"Elle, please, not today." I sighed. "Tell me how Ava’s doing instead."

"She’s fine. She’s even going to the movies with Theo today," Eleanor mentioned casually. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"She’s what?" I demanded.

"I said I’ll get you pills and strong coffee. You’ll lie on that couch until lunchtime, and we’ll start working this afternoon," Eleanor continued issuing orders.

"I’m going to Ava’s place right now." I stood up, but she pushed me back into my chair.

"You’re going nowhere. Sit your ass down and listen. Leave Ava alone today. Just for today, let her watch her movie and have some fun. Tomorrow, don’t show up drunk or late. Got it, Joseph?" Her tone was like a general ordering troops into formation.

"Eleanor, if you think I’m letting my mate go to the movies with another man, you’re seriously mistaken!"

"I’m never mistaken, Joseph! Technically speaking, Ava isn’t your mate. Did you propose to her? Did you have a ceremony? Did you mark her?"

Her rapid-fire questions left me speechless.

"You don’t get to disappoint her again. You’ve screwed up royally this time, and now Ava’s going to see a movie with a friend. I don’t want to hear another complaint."

Eleanor left my office, leaving me frustrated and defeated. When she returned, she carried a tray with orange juice, two pills, and a cup of black coffee. She instructed me to consume all three items before lying down on the couch.

When I woke up later, my hangover had improved significantly. I went to the bathroom for a shower—thankfully my office had its own bathroom where I kept spare clothes and toiletries for emergencies. After showering, I visited Eleanor’s office, finding Antonio chatting with my assistant.

"Antonio, are you hitting on Eleanor again?" I asked, drawing his attention.

"Come on, Uncle!" Antonio gave Eleanor a mock-offended look. "Sweetheart, I’m not hitting on you... unless you want me to."

"Guys, this is getting worse by the minute!" I rolled my eyes while Eleanor laughed. "Have you had lunch yet?"

"Calm down, kitten! I’ve never seen someone so eager to spread gossip," Eleanor said with a smirk.

"Baby, if you need help , I’m available anytime," Antonio quickly offered.

"Is there something I don’t know?" I asked, noticing Eleanor’s body briefly tense, as if hesitating whether to speak. I caught the shift in her emotions, sensing more behind it. "What don’t I know, Eleanor?"

"You mean besides the fact you’re an idiot who slept with some random woman because you didn’t trust your girlfriend?" Eleanor gave me a cold smile.

"Eleanor Larson..." I started to warn her, but she quickly reminded me who really ran this office.

"Don’t you dare, Joseph!" Eleanor stood up, raising her voice. "You’ve really pissed me off now, and if you make me worry about one more thing, I’ll make your life hell until Ava forgives you—which might take a lifetime!"

I knew she wasn’t joking and that she could be scarier than any monster. It was best to let things cool down or see if Antonio knew something. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and counted to ten. Was I afraid of my assistant? Yes, I was afraid of my assistant. Sometimes Eleanor was genuinely psychotic, ready to dismember her victims while cackling with laughter.

Dean growled in my head. "She’s right though. We screwed up badly."

"I know," I replied silently. "But I can’t stand the thought of Ava with another man. She’s OURS."

"Then we need to fix this, not make it worse," my wolf insisted. "And getting into a fight with Eleanor won’t help."

I sighed, knowing they were both right. The hangover was still clouding my judgment, and I needed to think clearly if I was going to win Ava back.