Caroline’s POV
Draven and Investigator Magnus returned to the room, and Marcus began his confession without further prompting.
"I t Howard through a friend from Maplewood who moved to Harbor Bay after turning eighteen. His na is Kai Capiberibe." Marcus shifted restlessly in his chair. "I didn’t ask how they knew each other. Didn’t seem important at the ti."
"Capiberibe?" Draven frowned. The surna was clearly familiar to him.
"Howard paid good money to sabotage the car that killed your parents," Marcus continued, looking directly at Draven. "He even paid for to take a vehicle maintenance course so I’d know exactly what to do."
Draven’s fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. I placed my hand over his, offering silent support.
"I installed a tracking device on the car and damaged the fuel line. Howard wanted to make sure the rogues could track your parents and force the car off the cliff during the attack. After that, I did other jobs for him—finding front n, lending nas and bank accounts for moving money around."
"And my kidnapping?" I asked quietly.
"I was just the middleman. Howard paid to arrange it, but I didn’t know they’d hurt you."
"Bullshit," Draven growled.
Marcus shrugged. "Believe what you want. I’ve told you everything about Howard. Kai will know where he’s hiding, he did most of the dirty work."
Then he turned to , his expression softening slightly. "Caroline, thank you for my mother’s treatnt. I know I’m worthless, but she’s a good woman. She always liked you." He paused, then added, "And if you can, forgive for everything, including not telling you that this powerful Alpha here was Liam’s father."
I froze. "What are you talking about?"
"Right after that masquerade ball, a detective ca to Maplewood. I ran into him. Draven had sent him to look for a woman in a lavender dress who’d been at the party." Marcus leaned back. "I recognized the description imdiately. Selina had seen you leave Eleanor’s house in that dress and spent a week pestering to buy her one just like it."
My heart hamred in my chest. "You always knew Liam’s father was Draven and kept quiet?"
"Yeah." Marcus shrugged. "But then, look at destiny.You ended up working for the guy anyway."
"You disgusting piece of shit," I spat, rising from my chair. "I hope I never have to see your face again."
I stord out of the room, my mind reeling with everything I’d just heard. How could I have been so wrong about Marcus? How could I have let him touch , let him into my ho and my life?
Draven followed out, wrapping his arms around . "Let’s get out of here."
"How could I have chosen to be with soone like that?" I whispered, shaking my head. "How did I not see what he really was?"
"Carrie, you were young." Draven’s voice was gentle. "We all make judgnt errors. What matters is that you chose the right man to marry and have children with." He flashed a confident smile that made laugh.
"That’s what I like to see." He kissed softly. "Do you mind if we go to the office before heading ho? I want to talk to Arthur about what we’ve learned."
"That’s fine," I agreed. "It’ll be good to see everyone."
When we arrived at Thorne Enterprises, I decided to stop by Ava’s floor to check on her. She was still struggling after her breakup with Joseph, though they occasionally saw each other at our house. After a few minutes of chatting and trying to lift her spirits, Draven ssaged asking to join him and Arthur.
I said goodbye to Ava and headed for the elevators. When the doors opened, I was surprised to find soone already inside.
"Luna Caroline! Great to see you again." Leo from IT greeted with a wide smile. I vaguely rembered him from my first day when he’d given my company phone and tablet.
"Leo, right?" I replied politely.
"That’s right. Glad you rember ." His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Congratulations on the quadruplets. When is the pack celebration?"
I stiffened. The news about the quadruplets wasn’t public knowledge yet. We’d only discovered it during my last checkup, after which I’d imdiately gone on bed rest. With Howard still lurking sowhere out there, Draven hadn’t wanted to announce anything publicly.This was supposed to be a secret, why would Leo know about it?
"Draven will notify everyone when the ti cos," I replied carefully. "By the way, Leo, I never properly thanked you for helping on my first day."
He chuckled. "Just doing my job, setting up phones and tablets for new employees. Too bad you didn’t tell you were interested in dating... but in the end, you married Alpha Draven, didn’t you?"
His last words carried a hint of sarcasm that made uncomfortable.
"I’m sorry, I think I don’t understand," I said, playing dumb. I hoped he would reveal more.
"When we first t, you said you weren’t interested in romantic relationships," Leo reminded , referencing his awkward attempt to ask out back then.
"Oh, right. But sotis things don’t go according to plan," I said with a laugh.
"Of course. Alpha Draven is such a charming Alpha. He could probably make a nun reconsider her vow of chastity." Leo spoke with that seemingly friendly humor.
But I detected malice and discomfort beneath it.
Leo was definitely acting strange. I put on a confused and guilty expression. "I was pretty naive when I first started, you know. Being a scentless wolf from another pack, I was nervous and shy. I didn’t even rember your full na back then. You’re Leo..."
"Leo Capiberibe," he finished naturally.
Rory stirred restlessly inside . "Caroline! His surna!"
I realized it too—the sa surna as the Kai that Marcus had ntioned! But I couldn’t let on that I knew. I continued smoothly, "I’m so sorry. I’ll rember your na properly now."
The elevator ride to the fifth floor felt like an eternity with Leo.
Finally, as we reached our destination, he made one last comnt. "Well, it’s not too late to be rembered. If you ever get bored in Alpha Draven’s executive office, feel free to visit the IT departnt. I’d be happy to... entertain you."
His words were full of innuendo and disrespect. I hated that tone.
But all I wanted now was to rush to Draven and tell him I might have uncovered sothing major!
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