CHAPTER 195: CHAPTER 195 LEGACY OF LOVE

Draven’s POV

The bank manager personally escorted us to a private room adjacent to the vault. After I entered the password and used my key, an attendant brought in my safe deposit box and left us alone.

Opening the drawer unleashed a flood of emotions I wasn’t prepared for. My fingers trembled slightly as they brushed over the numerous velvet boxes containing my family’s treasures. My wolf Alaric whined softly within me, feeling my pain and nostalgia.

These were my mother’s jewels, my father’s watches and cufflinks—items deeply personal to my family, each carrying its own history.

As happy as I was to be marrying my mate, the knowledge that my parents’ deaths were no accident reopened wounds I thought had healed. Howard had robbed them of witnessing this moment. He had stolen their chance to meet their grandson, to watch Liam grow, to be the wonderful grandparents I knew they would have been.

Howard’s treachery had altered more than just my parents’ fate—it had completely changed the trajectory of Caroline’s life and Liam’s. If not for that sabotage, I wouldn’t have lost Caroline that night at the masquerade. We might have remained together, or at least stayed connected. I would have been there for my son’s birth, his first words, his first steps.

Caroline and Liam wouldn’t have endured those difficult years, facing prejudice and cruelty from narrow-minded pack members who looked down on an unmated mother with a pup.

It could have been so different. But it wasn’t.

A growl rumbled in my chest as my wolf’s protective instincts surged. From now on, I would allow no one to hurt my family again. Every moment with Caroline would be treasured. I would make my mate and pup happy,this I swore on my wolf’s honor.

Lost in these thoughts, I didn’t notice the tears tracking down my face until Ryan placed a steadying hand on my shoulder, bringing me back to reality. My Beta reminded me silently that I was never alone. Just as he had done throughout our lives, especially after my parents’ passing, Ryan offered his unwavering support. I looked at him gratefully and embraced him, thanking the Moon Goddess for giving me such a loyal packmate.

I carefully selected the items we needed—my mother’s engagement ring, the pair of wedding bands, the cufflinks my father wore when he mated my mother, my grandfather’s watch, and a special gift box for Caroline. While searching, I discovered a small forgotten box at the bottom of the drawer.Opening it,I immediately recognized the piece—a silver pendant with our pack’s symbol, traditionally given to the Luna by her mate on their union. I decided to take that as well.

From the bank, we went to the jewelry store. I needed to have all the pieces polished, engrave the wedding rings, the engagement ring, and the jewelry from the little box, and I also needed them to check the watch’s mechanism. The owner, an old friend of my parents, knew all the pieces and was moved when he learned what I would do with them, reminding me how proud my parents were of me and that wherever they were, they were happy for me. He would deliver the pieces to me at the end of the day.

From there, we went to the tailor, another old acquaintance. Mr. Caius used to make my grandfather’s suits; his business was passed from father to son and now to grandson. They all knew me very well. Caius Jr. suggested a light blue suit, a really beautiful cobalt blue. It was a three-piece suit. He suggested I wear it with a white shirt and no tie. It would be perfect for a daytime wedding in the garden.

In addition to Ryan, Nate,Joesph,Jace,and Nate would also be my groomsmen, and I left them free to choose whatever they wanted without bothering them with combinations or rules. At the suggestion of Caius Neto, they decided to wear blue pants in a slightly darker shade than my suit, ties of the same color, white shirts, and suspenders. Caius, who was very excited, decided that Liam should wear the same as the groomsmen, with the difference in the tie - my son’s would be a bow tie. Caius would have everything ready by Friday.

Ryan decided to let Eleanor know right away that we had already bought Liam’s outfit. She threw a fit, of course, but Caroline calmed her down by saying that I had already missed many things in my son’s life and that it was only fair that I choose his outfit for the wedding, and that she trusted my good taste. This made me very happy.

"Now let’s go to Alfredo’s. No way you’re getting married wearing old shoes," Joesph said, making me laugh. There were so many details; I would never remember everything if it weren’t for my friends.

At the shoe store, I bought a brown pair, following Caius’s advice. And I bought an almost identical model for my son. It was so small, and it was the first pair of shoes I had bought for him; in fact, it was the first thing I had bought for him since discovering he was my son. I was very emotional.

After a busy and hectic day, we stopped by the jewelry store in the late afternoon. Everything was ready and had turned out perfectly. I thanked everyone for their efforts to get everything done so quickly.

Everything was organized; now I just had to get ready for dinner.