Draven’s POV
The mont I scrolled past Ella’s wedding dress photos on social dia, my stomach dropped like a rock. For two straight nights, I’ve been jolted awake in a cold sweat, haunted by nightmares.In them, she’s standing before the pack mbers in that awful dress, covered in ruffles and cheap beading, yelling "I do" like it’s a competition.
Alaric whines every ti I think about it.
"Make it stop," I groaned.
I hadn’t slept worth a damn and felt like I’d been hit by a truck. My brain was foggy, and I desperately needed caffeine. I decided a trip to the break room might help clear my head. Maybe chatting with Ryan and Kyle would wake up a bit.
I was heading down the hallway when Caroline suddenly burst from her office.She looked white as a sheet, pressing her hand over her mouth as she rushed to the bathroom. I wanted to go after her, but Kyle grabbed my arm.
"Let her go," Kyle said,her face worried. "She’s been like this all week."
I frowned. "Is she sick?"
Kyle sighed."Caroline’s been feeling really nauseous lately, always running to the bathroom. I think it’s her stomach. Could be stress, but I’m starting to worry."
Ava cut in. "I might get Eleanor to force Caroline to see a doctor. She’s so stubborn about it. She keeps brushing it off."
My wolf whined, worried about Caroline. "Is she okay?"
"No idea. And don’t even try to check on her,she runs away every ti she sees you lately." Kyle gave a look.
I sighed. She wasn’t wrong. Caroline would duck into any room to avoid , leave etings super early, even run the other way in the hallway.
"She’ll get over it," Ryan said, coming up behind and patting my back. "But dude, you look awful. Those bags under your eyes,rough night patrolling?"
"I haven’t slept for shit," I admitted. "Every ti I close my eyes, I see Ella in that ridiculous wedding dress. "
Ryan snorted. "That dress looks like soone skinned a wedding cake."
We were sipping coffee in the break room when my phone buzzed with a ssage from Nate,"eting with my uncle, Dr. Molina from Starlight Pack, on Wednesday. He’ll help with your situation."
I felt a surge of hope. "Finally," I breathed, sending back a quick thanks.
On Wednesday, I t Nate and his uncle at Bella Vita restaurant. Dr. Molina stood tall and confident, carrying himself like soone who knew exactly how good he was at his job. His reputation as one of the best doctors preceded him.
"Alpha Draven," he greeted with respect."My nephew filled in on the ss that’s landed in your lap."
"Call Draven," I insisted, taking a swig of soda. "And yeah, one night of drinking turned my life into a complete shitshow. I’m sticking to the soft stuff now."
Dr. Molina laughed."Smart man. Nothing wrecks a life faster than too much liquor and poor judgnt. From what Nate says, you don’t rember anything from that night?"
I shook my head, frustration bubbling up. "Nothing after a whiskey on the balcony. Complete blank."
"How did you feel when you had that drink? Anything unusual?" His eyes sharpened with professional interest.
"I’d only been there maybe half an hour. Barely touched anything. Though I did get hamred the night before, so my tolerance was probably shot."
Dr. Molina leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Has it occurred to you that soone might have drugged you?"
My jaw clenched."At my own company party? That’s..." But the idea wasn’t as far-fetched as I wanted it to be. Soone had gotten close enough to slip sothing into my drink, and I’d been too distracted to notice.
"I see this more often than you’d think," Dr. Molina said grimly. "Even at family gatherings. People get desperate, especially around powerful Alphas."
"Even if that’s what happened, it’s been months," I argued, feeling like an idiot for not considering this possibility sooner. "Any evidence would be long gone."
"Not necessarily. Many substances leave traces in hair follicles for up to six months." He tapped his fingers on the table. "A toxicology test could give you answers."
My eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
"Completely. We could head to the hospital after lunch if you’d like. Results usually take a couple of days, but I can put a rush on it."
"I would owe you big ti, Doc, but I’ve got etings all afternoon," I said. Having concrete proof would be a ga-changer.
"Just stop by when you can. But don’t wait too long." He took a sip of his water. "Now, about the DNA test Nate ntioned. There are options. The traditional amniocentesis carries a small miscarriage risk, but we have non-invasive tests now that only require a maternal blood sample. They analyze fetal DNA in the mother’s bloodstream,one hundred percent accurate."
"She’ll never agree to it if she knows what it’s for," Nate cut in. "Ella will find a way to weasel out."
I nodded grimly. "I still can’t believe I supposedly slept with that..." I caught myself before saying sothing truly vulgar. "Woman."
Dr. Molina’s expression softened. "I know Caroline.Lovely girl. Smart, kind, beautiful inside and out." He gave a knowing look. "Most wolves would never choose soone like Ella Howard after spending ti with Caroline."
Heat rushed to my face. "Caroline is... incredible," I admitted.
"Now, I assu you’re drafting a prenuptial agreent?" Dr. Molina asked.
"My lawyers are all over it. In a farce like this, it’s non-negotiable."
"Excellent. Add a clause requiring dical examinations at my hospital. I’ll oversee everything personally." His eyes twinkled."My wife’s nephew faced a similar paternity question once. We resolved it quickly."
Nate grinned. "Told you my uncle would know what to do."
Dr. Molina’s expression turned serious. "There’s sothing else you should know. That doctor Ella’s been seeing—Vale Cruz? His reputation would make anyone blush. False diagnoses, selling prescriptions, faking test results. He’s facing both dical board sanctions and a criminal investigation." He fixed with a solemn stare. "Either you’re being set up, or that girl has chosen a very shady doctor."
"Son of a—" I slamd my fist on the table. "I’ve been played like a damn fiddle!" Alaric snarled in my mind, ready to hunt.
"Easy, Draven," Nate said quietly. "We’ll sort this out."
We spent the rest of lunch discussing dical advances and pack healthcare. Dr. Molina was clearly brilliant,I could see why the Nate valued him so highly.
Back at the office, I buried myself in etings until late afternoon, then called my lawyer to add the dical examination clause to the prenuptial agreent. I wanted it airtight. No way for Ella to get out of it.
"One more thing," I said before hanging up. "I need you to investigate a Dr. Vale Cruz. Discreetly."
After that call, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. The path forward was finally clearing. But one question kept gnawing at , if soone had drugged that night, who had done it and how had they pulled it off?
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