CHAPTER 115: CHAPTER 115 AGREEING TO THE MATING CEREMONY

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. Something felt wrong about the whole thing, it wasn’t just too much drinking. I had a strong feeling there was more to it, maybe some kind of mistake or someone messing with me.

Would I have to wait until the child was born to learn the truth? By then, Caroline would likely hate me completely and leave my life forever. The thought of losing her made Alaric howl in agony inside me.

I stood on the rooftop of my penthouse, surveying Harbor Bay spread beneath me 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 immediately.

"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 mess 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 me into this mess in the first place. Nothing alcoholic tonight. I’ll follow Nate’s example."

"Then we’re going with soda, lime and ice," Nate offered with a bartender’s flourish. "I’ll fix us something."

"I’m still having a beer," Luke said, making everyone chuckle except me.

"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 members, and establishing a lineage. The fact that I was considering this with someone 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 me 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 me 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 time 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 involvement.

Now he was threatening Caroline to control me. 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 confirmed 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 me from the child and blame 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 remember, 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 tremendously," 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 me.

Nate gave me 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 me, Liam’s father was someone she couldn’t resist. She only remembers him as a nice memory. 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 me. Something about Nate’s words triggered a strange response in me, 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 someone I cared about. The old wolf didn’t realize he was backing an Alpha into a corner, and there was nothing more dangerous.

"Give me a month," I told my friends.