CHAPTER 146: CHAPTER 146 WILLING TO BE THE FATHER

Caroline’s POV

The day had been awful. My morning sickness was getting worse, not better, and I felt like I was running on fumes. I was fighting to keep my eyes open at my desk when Ryan came back from the club and walked over.

"Hey, Carrie. Need your take on something," he said.

I looked up, trying to act a little more awake."What’s up?"

"You seemed... a bit off earlier," he said. "So I tried some scent blocker. Mind coming closer and telling me if it’s better?"

I leaned toward him, bracing for that wave of nausea. To my relief, the smell that had been making me sick earlier was barely there now.

"Way better," I said honestly. "Thanks for doing that."

His smile widened. "Anything for my favorite assistant. Can’t have you bolting every time I walk past your desk, right?"

Before I could answer, Kyle showed up in the doorway, watching us with that curious look of hers.

"What’d I miss?" she asked, leaning against the frame.

"Nothing big," I said. "Ryan’s scent was making me queasy earlier, so he switched things up."

"Nice bit of consideration," Kyle said with a nod. "Carrie, got a minute? We need to talk."

"Sure," I said.

"Good. Grab your bag,we’re going out," she told me.

Ryan gave me an encouraging nod before heading back to his office. I grabbed my things and followed Kyle to the elevator.

"Where are we going?" I asked once we stepped outside.

"Somewhere we can talk," she said with a little smirk. "Trust me."

A few blocks later, we ducked into a quiet little café off the main street. She got coffee, I ordered herbal tea, and once we sat down, she leaned in across the table, eyes locked on mine.

Kyle set her cup down, eyes steady on me.

"Have you told him yet?"

I didn’t need to ask who she meant. Just the thought of Draven made my chest tighten.

"There’s nothing to tell. He’s engaged to Ella. They’ll be mated soon."

Her fork hit the plate a little too hard. "What if I told you that’s not the whole truth?"

My gaze lifted. "What do you mean?"

"Suppose Alpha Draven isn’t with her by choice," she said slowly. "Suppose he’s being forced into it. Would that change anything?"

My pulse spiked. "Don’t, Kyle. Don’t give me hope."

"It’s not hope,it’s fact," she said, leaning forward. "He cares about you. He always has."

"Then why hasn’t he said so?"

"Because even an Alpha can be cornered." She studied me. "If he were innocent in all this... would you tell him about the baby?"

I looked down my tea. "I won’t use a child to keep him."

"And you really think Draven would only be with you because of a baby?And hiding his child is better?" Her voice softened. "Carrie, that man is crazy about you."

"Then why is he marrying someone else?" My voice was barely a whisper.

She reached across the table, fingers warm over mine. "Because there’s more going on than you think. Don’t shut the door completely. Promise me."

I sat back, overwhelmed. Could Kyle be right? Was there more to the situation than I understood?

"I’ll keep your secret for now," Kyle promised. "But Carrie, please think about telling him. You both deserve happiness."

I started crying like a child and the tears wouldn’t stop falling. Damn hormones. Kyle spent the next hour trying to calm me down. The rest of the afternoon dragged on and my head was spinning.

By the time I got home, I was exhausted. After putting Liam to bed, I collapsed on the couch. The doorbell rang, and I remembered I’d asked Jax to come over tonight.

Jax arrived looking handsome in suit, having come straight from his bar. He greeted me with a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"You look exhausted, beautiful," he said softly. "What’s going on?"

I gestured for him to sit beside me on the couch. "Jax, I need to tell you something that might change things between us."

He smiled, that easy, confident smile that had first drawn me to him. "The only thing that could change things between us is if you decide to give Alpha Draven another chance... or if you finally agree to be mine."

His optimism was endearing, but it made what I had to say even harder.

"It’s neither of those things," I admitted, my hands fidgeting nervously.

"Then relax and tell me," Jax said, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together."

I took a deep breath. "Do you remember when I told you about my relapse with Draven?"

"You mean your brief relapse?" he clarified. "Did something happen again?You haven’t agreed to be my mate yet, and as much as I dislike the idea of another man touching you, I won’t give up on you. Like I’ve told you before, you don’t owe me any loyalty yet."

"Thank you," I said, gathering my courage. "But Jax... I’m pregnant. With Draven’s baby."

I closed my eyes, bracing myself for his reaction. When several seconds passed in silence, I forced myself to look at him.

To my surprise, his expression wasn’t angry or disgusted—just thoughtful.

"Open your eyes fully, Caroline," he said gently. I did, and found him looking at me with the same warmth as always. "I don’t care," he said."I want you. I adore Liam. And I already love this little one because they’re part of you."

"You can’t be serious," I whispered, stunned.

"I’m completely serious," Jax confirmed, taking my hands in his. "I’m not running away, and I’m certainly not going to push you back toward Draven Thorne if that’s not what you want. You decide if you’ll tell him and if you’ll let him be involved. But if you want, I’m more than willing to be this baby’s father, just like I’ve been trying to be for Liam."

My heart swelled with emotion. "Even knowing it’s his?"

"Especially knowing it’s his," Jax said firmly. "Because that just means you need someone who’ll put you first all the more. You decide how this goes, Caroline. I’m perfectly content with how things are between us right now, no pressure. But the moment you say you want more, I’ll be there. I’ll hold onto you and never let go."

His words touched something deep inside me. Here was a man offering me simplicity, acceptance, and love without complications.

I looked at Jax, really looked at his eyes and the warmth in them. For a moment, I just wanted something simple, something good.I wondered if there could be more between us.

Moving closer, I settled sideways onto his lap, my legs stretched across the couch. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. It was warm, gentle, and comforting—everything I needed right now.

When we pulled apart, I caressed his cheek and whispered, "Let’s keep seeing where this goes, then."

Jax smiled, pulling me closer. "That’s all I ask."