CHAPTER 163: CHAPTER 163 THE MOVE

Caroline’s POV

I woke up alone and heard noise coming from the kitchen. Following the sounds of cheerful chatter, I found my two men having an animated conversation about the "new house."

Draven and Liam were sitting having breakfast. Draven had prepared hot chocolate and a grilled cheese sandwich for Liam, who was smiling and chewing while listening to his dad talk. The table was beautifully set with fruits, juice, yogurt, bread, cold cuts, eggs, and cookies. I leaned against the doorframe and watched them - they were already dressed and showered. Had I slept that long? I didn’t even know what time it was.

"Mommy!" Liam was the first to spot me and sound the alarm.

"Good morning, sweetie!" I walked towards my little boy and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "Good morning to you too." I turned and gave Draven a quick kiss.

"Good morning, love! Come, we made breakfast, right Liam?" Draven’s violet eyes sparkled with happiness.

"Yes, daddy!" Liam was in his morning happiness mode that I never understood where it came from.

"I didn’t want to wake you, you were tired." I sat down and Draven poured me some coffee.

"Thank you!" I said.

He smiled at me.

"So, what were you guys talking about?"I asked Liam.

"About the new house," Draven said. "Have your coffee and get ready. I’ve already mind-linked the pack,Ryan and the others will be here soon to help us with the move."

"And you already talked to Liam about this?" I asked, not believing his enthusiasm.

"Sorry, I couldn’t wait. You said you would." Draven looked like a boy who had been caught doing something naughty. I smiled at his expression.

Last night after our mating, Draven had brought up the subject of moving.

"I understand we still have the wedding ceremony to plan, but I don’t want to spend another night away from you and my son."

"Draven, you can see Liam anytime you want," I had said.

"I want all three of us together in my home,our home," he had corrected himself. "Every day. Caroline, whatever your reasons, I want you with me. So either you move into my place, or I move in here. Your choice."

"Draven..." He hadn’t let me finish.

"Caroline, anywhere. Here or there.I don’t care where as long as I’m with both of you." He wouldn’t budge on this.

"I want you to move into my penthouse in the city first, and after we get married, we’ll move right back to the pack house on the territory. Since my parents died, living there has been nothing but emptiness and pain. Now that you’ve agreed to marry me and become my Luna, we’ll definitely need to move back there."

"Alright, we’ll move to your place," I had agreed.

Now we sat having coffee and talking. Liam chatted away, asked questions, and laughed. Draven was amazed by every little thing his son did. I went to take a shower, and when I came back, Draven had tidied up the kitchen. It wasn’t long before there was a knock at the door.

"So you’re really stealing my friend and my little one, you mighty Alpha?" Eleanor walked in, pretending to be angry.

"You’ve had them for long enough. Now it’s my turn." Draven smiled teasingly, his Alpha confidence shining through.

"I’m not sure I like you, Thorne!" Elle said with feigned disgust, making everyone laugh.

After greeting us and chatting for a while, Draven and Eleanor decided to keep Liam’s room set up so he could come sleep at his godmother’s from time to time. We’d only take some toys and clothes. Then the men went to Liam’s room while us girls went to mine.

"Elle, I know I should have talked to you first. I’m sorry." I felt guilty for agreeing to move without discussing it with my friend.

"Caroline, you crazy woman.I’m not your mother,you don’t need my permission." Eleanor smiled. "Carrie, of course Draven wants to be with you and his son. I won’t be upset. I’ll miss you guys, but I want you to be happy, and you will be - now you have your family, a beautiful family. I’m so happy for you, my friend."

"Oh, Elle, thank you! You’re the best friend ever."

"I know. And besides, Nate got excited and asked if he could move in with me. We’ve already emptied his apartment, and the guys should be bringing up the boxes." Eleanor shared excitedly.

Suddenly,Eleanor grabbed my hand, her eyes widening as she noticed my engagement ring sparkling in the light.

"Goddess above! Is that what I think it is?" She squealed, examining the stunning blue diamond surrounded by smaller white stones.

"Draven Thorne, you really are determined to keep her by your side, aren’t you?"

Draven appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with a smug smile. "Naturally," he declared, his violet eyes finding mine. "Which is why I’m immediately taking my fiancée to her new home."

"Oh guys, at this rate I might end up agreeing to move in with my hottie too. Ever since I’ve been alone, he’s been insisting on it." Ruby commented, joining our conversation.

"If I were you, I’d go for it. Ryan is a great man and he’s head over heels for you. And I know you’re crazy about him too." Kyle supported. "It’s wonderful to wake up next to someone you love. And you, Ava, how are things going with Joseph?"

"I don’t know, girls. We’ve been kind of distant." Ava sighed.

"What do you mean, Ava? You haven’t said anything." I asked, concerned.

"Oh, Carrie,you had much bigger problems,I didn’t want to burden you."Ava confessed.

"Hey, friendship is about give and take, you know? We share our lives." I said seriously. "What happened?"

"Yeah, tell us, Ava, so I can go kick Joseph’s ass." Eleanor spoke in her not-so-gentle way.

"I’m not exactly sure. But he grew distant, and the other day I went to his house to surprise him, and a woman answered the door wearing only his shirt. I was kind of petrified, and I heard him saying ’is that the pizza, babe?’ and then he appeared behind her in just his underwear." Ava said, crying.

"That son of a bitch! I’m going to rip Joseph’s head off!" Eleanor went into full protective mode.

"No, Elle, please. It’s fine. Don’t say anything, it was embarrassing enough." Ava pleaded.

"I have a better idea, Elle." Ruby grabbed her phone and made a call on speaker.