Chapter 261 261 The Man Who Would Not Let Her Go 2

Chapter 261 261 The Man Who Would Not Let Her Go 2
Malcolm beamed at him, and this time the joy looked genuine.
“It is my pleasure. Our fathers were friends. It was only normal that we helped. He would have wanted Leah to help. Besides, she does not seem like she wants to come home,” Malcolm said.
Joseph knew why now, thanks to what Adam had told him on the drive.
“I assure you she is in good hands,” Joseph said.
Malcolm nodded, looking oddly proud.
“I know. Gamma Brian Smith. They are fated, you know,” Malcolm said.
Joseph looked at Adam at once, because Adam had not told him that part. Adam looked just as surprised.
“I am surprised he did not tell you,” Malcolm said, laughing jovially.
He clearly enjoyed knowing something Joseph did not. Joseph brushed it off like it meant nothing, because truly, Brian and Leah were not his business. If they were fated, then the Goddess had already made her decision, and that might actually be one less complication in the mansion.
“You seem happy for someone that has lost everything. I guess Sebastien isn’t a pain in the arse like Cynthia,” Joseph said.
Malcolm laughed.
“Far from it,” Malcolm replied.
Joseph frowned.
“Is there something I need to know? Because you seem okay with everything happening,” Joseph said.
Malcolm shook his head.
“Things aren’t always as they seem, Joseph,” Malcolm said.
Joseph knew then that Malcolm would not volunteer much. The man was hiding something, and the casual way he said it only confirmed it. There was an awkward silence between them after that. Malcolm seemed like he was wasting time, delaying for reasons he had not bothered to explain. Joseph did not know that he was waiting for Sebastien to tell him when to bring them over.
Seeing that Malcolm was not going to offer more, Joseph decided to ask about Ashley. He was still angry at her for running into danger like that, but he kept the anger hidden. The last thing he needed was Malcolm using emotion against him.
“A pack member of mine fled here. Her mother has been searching for her. Please, is she okay? Her name is Ashley Gaston. She used to be my fiancée, but we split up. She is very harmless. I do not know why she would come here. Is she all right?” Joseph asked.
Malcolm laughed, which annoyed Joseph a little until the man answered.
“Ashley is fine. She has made friends here, too,” Malcolm said.
Joseph felt relief immediately. The last thing he wanted was to return to Maya with terrible news about her daughter.
“May I see her?” Joseph asked.
Malcolm stood up. He linked Sebastien, and Sebastien agreed.
“Follow me,” Malcolm said.
Joseph rose, and Adam got up too.
“Your Beta can come too,” Malcolm added.
They left the chalet together, and Joseph remained alert as they walked. Malcolm led them to a lounge where Ashley and Sebastien had been, but Sebastien had excused himself before they arrived. When Joseph entered, he saw only Ashley. She wore a turtleneck, so her neck was covered, but she looked radiant. Happy even. That confused him. He had expected fear, anger, distress, something that matched the danger she had walked into. Instead, Ashley looked alive in a way he had not seen from her in a long time.
Ashley turned and saw him. Joseph was so glad she was alive and well that he smiled without thinking.
“Ashley,” he said.
She stood slowly.
“Joseph,” she replied.
She walked towards him gradually, and when she reached him, Joseph looked her over carefully. He needed to see for himself that she was truly okay. He touched her upper arm and tried to link her, but nothing happened. The link did not open. That meant she was no longer in his pack.
“What were you thinking?” Joseph asked.
Ashley looked away, ashamed. At the time, her plan had seemed bright, almost brave. She had wanted to do something useful, something that would redeem her, something that might make Joseph see her differently. But now that she stood there with him looking at her like that, the idea felt stupid. Worse than stupid. Suicidal.
“Your mother came to the hospital yesterday hysterical. She said you said you would call, but you didn’t,” Joseph scolded her.
Ashley lowered her eyes.
“Why would you want to risk your life like this?” he asked.
He was not shouting, but the anger and concern in his voice made it worse.
“I didn’t break up with you because I felt you were useless. The feeling wasn’t right, and I felt it would be wrong for us to keep forcing it. You didn’t have to do this, Ashley. I know you are sorry about Cynthia, and I believe you did not help her. You didn’t have to do this,” he said.