CHAPTER 111: CHAPTER 111 ALPHA DRAVEN, WE ARE OVER

Caroline’s POV

The door to the office burst open, and Ruby rushed in, followed by Kyle, Ruby, Eleanor and Nina. The look on their faces told me they already knew what was happening upstairs.

"Is everything okay in here?" Ruby asked, her eyes darting between Draven and me with concern.

Eleanor saw my red, tear-stained eyes and snapped. "I told you not to hurt my friend." She sat down beside me and pulled me into a firm hug."Go wait outside, your pack members are in the reception area. We’ll take care of Carrie. Move it!"

Draven rubbed his face with both hands, looking completely drained. He leaned down to kiss my forehead, his lips staying there for a moment, then left the room reluctantly. The moment the door closed behind him, Rory let out a soft whine in my head.

"Eleanor called right after it happened, and we came as fast as we could," Ruby said, sitting on the edge of my desk. "Kyle told us everything."

I felt surrounded by these women who had become my pack, my family, dropping everything to be here for me.

"My world is falling apart again," I said, fresh tears rolling down my cheeks.

"Carrie, take a breath. Draven did the smart thing sending Ryan to get that witch tested at a proper lab. Let’s just wait for the results, okay?" Ava said softly, placing her hand on my knee.

We stayed in my office, time dragging by painfully slow. Draven had food sent in, burgers and fries, and Kyle took the delivery, telling us to eat so we wouldn’t feel worse.

"Elle, we need to go. Liam. We need to pick him up from daycare," I suddenly said.

"Don’t worry, Carrie. I already mind-linked Nate. He’s picking Liam up and taking him to my place for the weekend," Eleanor said calmly. "He even ordered pizza. You know your little cub loves pizza."

"What would I do without you?" I asked, my voice shaky. "Without all of you."

"Oh, you’d be some sad little wolf lost in the woods," Eleanor joked, trying to cheer me up. "Now eat. Whatever happens, you can’t get sick. Think of Liam."

With my son in mind, I forced down a few bites, though I couldn’t taste anything. The girls stayed there talking about random things, trying to ease the tension. I had finally stopped crying when we heard a commotion in the reception area, raised voices and what sounded like a growl.

Draven entered the room, looking messy, his hair out of place and his eyes red.

"Ladies, I need to talk to Caroline. Please." His eyes landed on Eleanor, who was already about to object. "And Eleanor, no. I want to talk to her alone." His Alpha tone came through, firm and commanding.

One by one, they hugged me before leaving. Eleanor was the last, giving Draven a glare sharp enough to scare any wolf. Draven sat next to me and took my shaking hands in his.

"My love, nothing between us is changing," he began.

"She really is pregnant," I said. It wasn’t a question.

He nodded slowly. "Yes, she is. But that doesn’t mean the pup is mine. In our wolf ways, we can’t test who the father is until after birth. Testing now would harm both mother and pup, and even as Alpha, I can’t break this law. The pack rules are clear. We must wait until the pup is born to know the truth."

"Okay," I said, my voice flat.

"But nothing changes between us, Caroline. I love you," he said again, gripping my hands tighter.

"Everything changes, Draven." I looked him in the eyes. "A child means you’ll always be tied to her. She won’t leave us alone. She’ll use the baby to keep you close, and we both know she’s the type to do it. We wouldn’t survive that."

"Caroline, I won’t let that happen," he said firmly.

"There’s something else." I took a breath. "I’m a single mom. I know what it means when a child grows up without their dad. Even though Liam is loved, I see what’s missing. I won’t take you away from your child, Draven."

"What are you saying?" His voice cracked.

"We’re done," I said, trying to keep it together. "And this time, it’s final. No coming after me. You’ll do what’s right because you’re a good Alpha. You’ll protect and raise your child."

Rory howled in pain.

"You can’t do this to me," Draven whispered, tears filling those beautiful violet eyes I’d come to love so much.

"I’m doing this for you. It’s the right thing. You won’t be happy with me while your child is still with that woman," I said, leaning forward to kiss his lips one last time.

"I’ll always love you, but we can’t be together."

I stood up and walked toward the door.

"I’ll ask Joesph for my job back at Puma Global. I can’t keep working here, it would only make things worse for both of us."

When I opened the door, our friends were waiting outside, their faces showing the same sadness we felt.

I walked over to Joseph, who had clearly been called in.

"Joseph, do you think you would take me back if I needed to return?"

"Of course, Caroline. Anytime," Joseph said kindly, holding my hand with a warm smile.

"Take a few days off. We can reactivate your contract on Monday, but clear your head first."

"No way, Caroline," Ryan said right away. "We need you here."

"Ryan, I can’t keep working with Draven," I replied, my voice firm.

"But you could work with me," Kyle offered, glancing between us.

"We’ll switch, I’ll assist Draven and you’ll work with Ryan. You won’t have to see him."

"Kyle, that’s not fair," I said, meeting her eyes.

"Caroline, it’s the best plan. Please!" Ryan added quickly.

"Caroline, Puma Global would gladly take you back," Joseph said honestly.

"But what Kyle is offering might be a better option right now."

"Girl, don’t throw away everything you’ve built at work because of this mess," Eleanor said strongly.

"I think staying and switching roles with Kyle is your best bet."

"You’re right," I said, looking at her.

"But it’s not fair to Kyle."

"Don’t be silly," Kyle said with a steady look.

"I don’t mind working with Draven, and I’ll make sure he pays for it a little."

That almost made me smile.

"You all think this is the best choice?" I asked, looking at each of them.

They all nodded.

"I trust you. I know you only want what’s best for me. I’ll start with you on Monday, Ryan."

"Caroline, take a few days off," Ryan said gently.

"No. Not even a single day. I’ll be here Monday morning, like always," I answered firmly.

"When you get here Monday, I’ll already have moved your things to Kyle’s office," Ava promised.

"Now we’re heading to my place for a girls’ night to cheer you up," Kyle announced as we got into the elevator.

"Luke can crash at Ryan’s tonight."

"No problem," Luke called out from where he stood with the others.

"We’ve got to be here for Draven too."

As the elevator doors closed, Rory kept whimpering in my mind.The bond we had almost formed with the Storm Valley Pack, with Alaric and Draven, had been cut before it even had a chance to grow.And like me, she was heartbroken over the loss of what could have been our new pack.