Chasing His Scentless Mate

Chapter 377 Family Alliance

Joseph’s POV

While everyone was busy resolving their issues with Ava, I decided it was time to talk with my mother. I needed to stop Steward Garcia, but I couldn’t do that without first speaking with mom and Flora. So I invited her to lunch.

"Look at my adorable son, back from his travels for three days and only calling me now!" my mother playfully complained as I greeted her.

"Mom, but I invited you to your favorite restaurant," I said, kissing her cheek before pulling out her chair.

Dean growled softly in my mind. "She’s right, you should have called her sooner."

"Ah, you’re forgiven!" She laughed. "So, son, how was your travels? Did you clear your thoughts?"

"That, and I closed some business deals too."

"You were gone quite a while."

"I hope not too long. I heard Ava’s seeing someone else."

"Son, she loves you. If she’s with someone else, fight for her. Are you really going to give up so easily?"

"No, I won’t," I smiled.

The waiter approached, and we placed our orders. Mother watched me calmly, with that knowing maternal gaze that sees right through her child’s intentions.

"Speak, Joseph. What do you want? I know you better than you know yourself."

"Mom, Steward’s causing trouble again," I took a deep breath.

"You should have kicked him out long ago. Like you told him, he’s nothing but a sperm donor."

"How did you know about that?"

"You were at George’s restaurant, where everyone we know goes. A friend of mine was present and told me what happened."

"Mom, what should I do?"

"Talk to Kyle. She has what you need to put your father in prison!"

"You mean Kyle has what I need?"

"Evidence."

I stared at her blankly.

"When it happened three years ago, Alpha Draven’s father helped me handle it. I made a mistake, but remember, Flora wasn’t well then. Your father’s actions were making her sick—he controlled her emotions."

"Yes, I remember we even considered sending her to a psychiatric hospital. She was severely depressed."

"Exactly. As a mother, I worried about her and protected that bastard. But Alpha Draven’s father eventually resolved everything, with Kyle’s help. Shortly after that, he passed away, but Kyle kept all the files, including video of the abuse," my mother explained, disgusted by the memory.

"Joseph, this wasn’t his first time, and I doubt it will be his last."

I felt frustrated, stressed, and concerned.

"You know what? He pulled strings to silence the girls at the social club who accused him of sexual harassment. Even judges were persuaded to silence the victims."

"No, I didn’t know about that," I replied, growing angrier.

"So if you’re going to act, be smarter than him. Have solid evidence ready."

"I understand. Well, I have two Alpha Council investigators willing to help."

"That’s good."

"But what about Flora?"

"I’ve already spoken with her. It was an extremely difficult conversation, but she wants us to do the right thing this time. We need to protect Ava."

"You already knew," I sighed.

After lunch, my mother and I returned to the pack house to find Flora. To my surprise, she was remarkably calm and determined about what we needed to do.

"Brother, I’ve completely removed him from my life. It took a long time, and I’m still working on it, but after learning everything about him, I just want him far away from me," Flora said firmly, touching my arm. "I have a daughter, Joseph. I can’t imagine how I would feel if a scumbag like him did to her what he’s done to women. Don’t let him near Ava. End this now!"

"Okay, Flora. I just wanted to make sure you’re prepared for what’s coming and can handle it."

"Of course. Scott has developed a strategy. And cut off his allowance immediately. Leave him with nothing."

"Flora, if I do that, he’ll go crazy!" I said.

"Don’t worry, Joseph," Scott approached, having caught the end of our conversation. "I’ve increased security here and protected the children. And you, Hedi," he moved closer to my mother, giving her a warm kiss on the cheek, "who gets more beautiful every day, by the way!"

"You’re such a gentleman, Scott," Mother laughed.

"I’m lucky my wife looks like her mother and grows more beautiful with age," Scott kissed Flora, who smiled tenderly.

"My only problem is Joseph. You need to reconcile with Ava soon. We need help watching the kids so we can sneak away. And I don’t trust my sisters—they’re absolutely crazy!"

"I’m working on it," I grinned at him.

"Well, look at this family gathering!" Antonio walked in with his backpack.

"Oh, my prince, come kiss your grandmother!" Mom extended her arms to my nephew, who approached with a brilliant smile.

"The most beautiful grandmother in the world!" he declared, making her laugh heartily.

"Such a brown-noser!" I teased him.

I hadn’t stayed long when I received a message from Draven asking me to come to his company.

"I have to go," I sighed. "Scott, I’ll have my PR team coordinate with yours. We need to align our crisis management strategy. Things will get ugly!" Scott agreed, and I left.

When I arrived at Alpha Draven’s company, everyone was already gathered there, including Jace and Investigator Magnus.

"Did you resolve things with Ava?" I asked anxiously.

"Yes, she forgave all of us," Alpha Draven spoke first. "But she wants an extended leave, which I approved."

"Good, thank you!" I sighed with relief.

"But there’s an issue, she refuses security," Draven informed me, which irritated me a bit. Ava was too stubborn.

"Joseph, we’re investigating the threats from her ex-boyfriend. We need to find out who’s helping him," Jace said.

"Yes, my pack members are investigating too," I replied. "I’ll connect your contacts with them so they can talk." Jace nodded.

"Now let’s address the second issue," Kyle spoke up first. "Hedi must have already told you about it, so I won’t repeat everything. Here’s all the evidence that Draven’s father collected, including videos and voice messages."

"How do you have so much, and I knew nothing about it?" I asked.

"I would never betray Hedi’s trust," Kyle explained. "She wanted to protect the children, as did Draven’s father, and I simply helped."

"Have you spoken with Flora about this?" Ryan asked worriedly.

"Yes, I just came from pack house. She’s finally free of that bastard," I said simply.

I opened the folder Kyle handed me. Inside was a complete report, photos, videos, audio files, message records, and confidentiality agreements signed by two women who received substantial compensation to keep the matter private.

"Kyle, who negotiated the agreements with them?" I asked.

"Your father. He followed the instructions precisely. Your mother paid. But he has no copies of the agreements. He was just the front man. I went with him and spoke to the girls," Kyle explained.

"Can you reverse all this? Can you protect yourself from this mess?" I asked.

"Of course, I’ve already spoken with them," Kyle confirmed.

"Excellent!" I began reading the report, but each page disgusted me more than the last.