Draven’s POV
I couldn’t believe the trouble I’d gotten into. What exactly happened at that stupid farewell party for Clara? Why did I drink so much that night? That night is still unclear in my mind, so different from how I usually stay in control. Sothing felt wrong about the whole thing, it wasn’t just too much drinking. I had a strong feeling there was more to it, maybe so kind of mistake or soone ssing with .
Would I have to wait until the child was born to learn the truth? By then, Caroline would likely hate completely and leave my life forever. The thought of losing her made Alaric howl in agony inside .
I stood on the rooftop of my penthouse, surveying Harbor Bay spread beneath like a kingdom - my territory, yet I felt powerless. The cool night air did little to clear my troubled mind as I searched the stars for answers.
"Alpha Draven?" I heard Ryan calling from below.
"Up here!" I called back.
I heard footsteps approaching as my Beta and friends made their way up. I’d mind-linked Ryan earlier, my voice tight with controlled emotion, asking him to bring the others imdiately.
"What’s happening? Your mind-link sounded urgent," Ryan asked as he approached with Joseph, Luke and Nate following close behind.
"I’m in deep shit,"I admitted, clasping forearms with each of them in greeting, keeping a straight face despite the ss I was in. Alaric paced nervously.
"Well, then let’s drink!" Joseph suggested, rubbing his hands together.
"Not a chance," I cut him off. "It was drinking that got into this ss in the first place. Nothing alcoholic tonight. I’ll follow Nate’s example."
"Then we’re going with soda, li and ice," Nate offered with a bartender’s flourish. "I’ll fix us sothing."
"I’m still having a beer," Luke said, making everyone chuckle except .
"What happened?" Ryan pressed, his eyes showing the concern of a loyal Beta.
I squared my shoulders and faced them. "I’m getting married," I announced grimly. "I’m taking Ella as my Luna."
The words tasted like poison in my mouth. In our world, taking a Luna wasn’t just marriage - it was binding a female wolf as your life partner, second-in-command of the female pack mbers, and establishing a lineage. The fact that I was considering this with soone who wasn’t Caroline felt like betrayal to my very core.
"No fucking way," Joseph growled. "We won’t let you make that mistake!"
"There’s no alternative," Nate said quietly, handing a glass. "Howard and his daughter are using this to force your hand while threatening Caroline, right?"
I nodded, taking a long drink."I’ve spent days trying to negotiate.Howard says he’ll go to the Council of Elders if I don’t agree. And he told straight out he would do whatever it takes to make sure Caroline disappears for good if I don’t give in."
"You’re just giving in?" Joseph asked.
"For now," I replied.
What I didn’t add was that I planned to use this ti to investigate Howard’s dirty dealings. The financial fraud in the pack business and the theft of pack assets all pointed to him as the primary suspect.I even had growing suspicions about my father’s death and Howard’s possible involvent.
Now he was threatening Caroline to control . I needed to play along temporarily to protect her while gathering evidence. After all, I couldn’t risk Caroline’s life.
"Wait, what did I miss?" Joseph asked, looking confused.
"Ava didn’t tell you?" Ryan questioned.
"Ava’s been so worried about Caroline that we’ve barely seen each other lately. Caroline has needed all the support she can get," Joseph explained.
"It’s true, I haven’t seen Elle either," Nate added with a hint of sadness. "And Luke lives at my place now," he jabbed at Luke who raised his glass in mock salute.
"Howard and Ella are cornering Caroline, pressuring her to leave the company and disappear from Draven’s life," I explained. "They keep insisting I have to marry Ella because of the baby. They’re terrorizing Caroline. I’ve assigned my personal driver to her and have security following her everywhere."
"I can’t believe they have the audacity!" Joseph growled.
"Ella trapped Caroline in a restaurant and created a public scene, acting like Caroline was destroying her ’happy family,’" Ryan added with disgust. "Caroline is terrified and heartbroken."
"Howard has threatened her repeatedly," Nate confird quietly.
"I tried talking to them, brought in lawyers to help, but they won’t change their minds," I explained, my jaw tightening. "Ella threatened to keep from the child and bla everything on Caroline. She promised to make Caroline feel like it was her fault for keeping a child from their father. I know exactly how they’d twist this to hurt her."
The bond between wolves and their children was important in our world. Using a pup to get what you want was low, but it worked.
"This is blackmail and criminal intimidation!" Joseph snarled.
"Yes, but because of one night I can’t even properly rember, I’m trapped," I said, my resolve hardening. "I won’t let Caroline suffer for my mistakes."
"I’m sorry, Draven, but she’s already suffering trendously," Nate said gently. "When Marcus cheated on her, she was disappointed, but nothing like how devastated she is now."
"What about when Liam’s father abandoned her?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of .
Nate gave a weird look before answering, "You don’t know? Liam’s father was just a one-night thing, which really isn’t like Caroline. She’s never been into casual stuff, but from what Elle told , Liam’s father was soone she couldn’t resist. She only rembers him as a nice mory. It was just one night that led to a pregnancy, and since she had no way to find him, she moved on and raised her son alone. She gave up on dating after that. That was her life until you showed up. With you, it was different—she let her guard down completely. I’ve never seen her like that before."
I felt Alaric howl in pain inside . Sothing about Nate’s words triggered a strange response in , but I couldn’t understand why.
"I hate causing her pain," I admitted."But the consequences will be far worse if I don’t go through with this marriage. They’ll destroy her."
"Will they really be able to?" Nate questioned thoughtfully.
"When is this cursed ceremony supposed to happen?" Ryan asked.
"They’re pushing for within a month," I replied, my gaze hardening as I looked out over the city.
My mind was already formulating plans. As Alpha of Storm Valley Pack, I had resources and allies. Howard was powerful as an Elder, but he’d made a critical mistake in threatening soone I cared about. The old wolf didn’t realize he was backing an Alpha into a corner, and there was nothing more dangerous.
"Give a month," I told my friends.
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