CHAPTER 14: CHAPTER 14 SHADOWS OF HIS PAST

Caroline’s POV

I shared with Clara about my encounter with Liam’s father, how that night changed everything, and my decision to avoid relationships afterward.

Her smile faded suddenly as a thought struck her. "You remind me so much of Draven. He’s the same way about love. He met someone special once, but lost her the same night his parents died. When he tried to find her later, she had disappeared completely. He couldn’t track her scent anywhere. He’s never recovered from either loss."

"What happened to his parents?" I asked, feeling Rory stir with interest.

"They were killed in a rogue wolf attack while returning from the Blood Moon Pack Alpha’s dinner. His father had received urgent pack business and needed to head back immediately. Draven was still at the ball with this woman, and when his parents couldn’t find him to say goodbye, they left a message through mind link with Ryan. During that ball, Draven learned about their deaths." Clara’s voice wavered with emotion. "He was never the same after that. He never truly connected with another female wolf again. He has his occasional encounters, but nothing beyond meaningless nights."

"That explains his intensity," I said softly, my heart aching for his loss. "Losing his parents so suddenly must have been devastating."

"It was. He wasn’t ready to take the Alpha position yet, but he had to face it. It was either that or leave it in Howard’s hands. As pack elder and financial director of Thorne Enterprises who worked closely with Draven’s father, Howard had the skills to assume leadership. At that time, Draven hadn’t even entered company management, still focused on Alpha training, but his father was always by his side teaching him everything about leading both the pack and company. He decided he wouldn’t leave his legacy and territory in the hands of others and would take over as Alpha no matter what. I remember Howard was very upset, saying he couldn’t handle it, that he was just a spoiled pup who would run the pack into the ground. They had a huge dominance fight, and since then he only tolerates Howard because he wanted to keep all the pack members who served his father. Howard thought he would become second-in-command then, but Draven brought in Ryan. They had always been friends, bonded like brothers since they were cubs. It was the best thing Draven ever did. The two of them breathed new life into the pack and business, and it’s grown even stronger since then. Ryan and I are the closest thing Draven has to family now."

Eleanor and I were stunned. Eleanor had tears in her eyes and asked Clara, "But Clara, how long ago was this?"

"About three years ago. Draven and Ryan are now thirty-one. They were very young when they took over leadership of both the pack and company."

"And how long have you been with them?" Eleanor was very curious.

"I’ve been with the Storm Valley Pack for thirty years. I changed Draven’s clothes after his first shift. I started as the ex-Luna’s advisor when I was twenty, having just completed my mating ceremony. Two years later, I gave birth to twin cubs. A year after that, my mate rejected me for some omega female. I raised my daughters alone, and Draven’s parents helped me tremendously. I soon became senior advisor to the ex-Luna. Before Alpha and Luna died, it was already settled that I would go to London to run the overseas pack branch there, but I didn’t want to leave Draven, and we agreed that once he had the reins of the pack firmly in his grip, I would go. And now the time has come."

"Clara, I didn’t know you had children. Do they live with you?" I asked, feeling guilty for not having taken the time to know her better.

"No, they live in London. They went to study at Oxford and found their mates there. They’re both mated now and have already given me three beautiful grandcubs," she said proudly, taking out her phone to show us the photos. "That’s why I’m moving to London, to be closer to my family. But my heart aches to leave my Alpha."

"That’s wonderful, Clara. Pack bonds are so important," I said, remembering my own parents and feeling a pang of homesickness for my birth pack. "But doesn’t Alpha Draven have any other family in the pack?"

"Only very distant relatives he barely acknowledges in the pack hierarchy. Like his parents, Draven is an only child. But Carrie, tell us how it was meeting Alpha Draven, because according to Ryan, it was quite a show of dominance."

Eleanor immediately raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the news. I told them everything that happened, and Clara kept highlighting parts of the story she had witnessed.

It was a lovely evening, sharing stories and laughing together like our own little pack. Eleanor had us in tears with tales from her workplace, especially about her boss’s embarrassing gift mix-up that had the whole company gossiping for weeks.

After lots of good conversation, Clara said goodbye and went home. While we were cleaning up, Eleanor was quick to ask, "Spill it, Carrie. I want to know all the details that Clara doesn’t know about."

"What do you mean, Elle?"

"Don’t play dumb with me, Caroline Bennett. You sent me a text saying your Alpha grabbed you—clearly there’s more to the story than what you just told. Come on, talk."

There was no escaping my best friend’s intuition. I told Eleanor about how worked up my Alpha got when he held me and how he got me all hot and bothered just by touching me. Eleanor looked at me and understood I was really in trouble, but she couldn’t help laughing at my situation.

"Elle, do you think Alpha Gerald would really welcome me back to Blood Moon Pack?"

"Girl, my father said if you want to return to Blood Moon territory, you’ll have a place. He wouldn’t leave you hanging as a rogue—you won’t be packless. But why? Do you think Alpha Draven is going to banish you?"

"I don’t know, Elle. But when he gets close, I feel different. My wolf Rory gets restless, like she recognizes something in him. I was instantly attracted to him in such an intense way. I kind of lose my human control."

"I’m not sure I follow, Carrie."

"You know how I am, Elle. I always think about the consequences of everything, never act on instinct, always keep my wolf in check, but around my Alpha, it feels like I’m going to lose control. I feel my body burning with something that feels deeper than desire, you know."

My friend let out a howl of laughter, put her hand on my shoulder, and looking into my eyes, said, "Carrie, that’s called being moon-touched by an Alpha. Your wolf recognizes something in him."

We burst out laughing. Eleanor always found everything so simple, seeing connections where I saw complications. But it was comforting to know I wouldn’t end up a lone wolf if this pack position didn’t work out.

"Oh, Carrie. I almost forgot, my mom recommended a caretaker for us since we’ll need someone for emergencies now. I’ve already hired her, hope you don’t mind. She’ll pick up Liam from the cub center every day and stay with him until we get home. I arranged for her to have him bathed and fed. And on full moons, she can stay if needed, including nights if we have to attend any pack gatherings. So I’ve already arranged for her to watch Liam on Saturday so we can run together. Don’t worry, she’s great and used to be my caretaker when I was a pup. She’s very experienced, has already met Liam, and they formed an instant connection. You’ll meet her tomorrow. And her payment is on me. Her name is Mabel."

"Elle, what would I do without you? I was worried about making it in time to pick up Liam from the cub center. It’ll be great to have someone to help with him. Thank you! But let me pay Mabel’s salary."

"No way! I’m paying. He’s my godson, and I want you to be able to run with me on full moons in the forest, so I’m paying."

I decided not to argue; it would be pointless with an Alpha’s daughter. I’d find a way to make it up to her later with expensive gifts. But it was a relief that she found this caretaker, and if Luna Marla recommended her, I could rest assured she’d be an excellent pack member to trust with my cub.