CHAPTER 237: CHAPTER 237 SETTLING THE SCORE

Caroline’s POV

Mathias appeared, "Luna Caroline, we have help."

Beta Ryan, Investigator Magnus, and Jace entered, their expressions grave as they spotted me.

My shoulders sagged with relief.

"Thank the Moon Goddess," I breathed.

"Howard has Draven in the office," I explained quickly. "He injected him with wolf suppressant, so Draven can’t shift or access his wolf strength. Howard wants two billion dollars and the private jet."

"Caroline, you need to go back upstairs immediately," Ryan whispered urgently.

"No," I replied firmly. "I won’t leave my mate."

"And putting yourself in danger helps him how exactly?" Ryan asked, looking at my blood-stained clothes. "Caroline, you’re injured—"

"I’m already healing," I cut him off.

Jace started to speak up to persuade me as well.

"I’m staying," I insisted again. "Howard is holding my mate hostage, and I won’t hide while Draven’s life is at stake."

Magnus approached me. "We’re preparing to enter the office, but we need to know where the children are first."

"They’re upstairs with Mabel and another nanny," I said quickly. "But you can’t just storm in there. Howard has a gun to Draven’s head, and the wolf suppressant in his system means he can’t defend himself."

"We understand the situation," Magnus assured me. "We’ll handle this carefully."

"I’m coming with you," I stated.

Jace sighed heavily. "Fine. But you stay back, understood?"

We moved silently down the hallway toward Draven’s office. The door was slightly ajar, and Howard’s voice drifted out.

"You know, Draven, I’ve always loved this pack house," Howard was saying. "It’s magnificent. But it’s not just about money—you need the right bloodline, the right connections. You privileged Alphas with your exclusive little world."

Howard laughed harshly. "My plan was perfect. Ella would have married you, and I would have moved in. Then when I destroyed your company, I’d have taken over your pack and this house. But you and this no-scent bitch ruined everything."

Magnus silently tossed a small device into the room.

It landed with a soft thud, and when Howard instinctively turned to look, Jace shouted, "Down, Alpha Draven!"

Howard immediately fired shots toward Draven, and I instantly pulled out my gun and aimed it at Howard.

Three gunshots rang out in rapid succession.

When the smoke from the device cleared, I could see everything in the room clearly.

Draven lay on the floor near his desk, blood spreading across his chest. Howard was also down, cursing as investigators handcuffed him despite the bullet wounds in his leg and hand.

"Draven!" I screamed, dropping to my knees beside him. "Draven, please, stay with me." I cradled his face in my hands, tears falling.

"Caroline," he whispered, his voice weak. "My love...You’re safe."

Jace knelt beside us, pressing his wadded-up jacket against Draven’s chest wound.

"Stay with us, Alpha," Jace urged. "Keep your eyes open. I know it’s hard, but you need to stay awake. Focus on Caroline. Focus on your mate."

Draven’s violet eyes remained fixed on mine, and I could see him fighting to stay conscious.

The minutes until the paramedics arrived felt like centuries. When they finally came, they gently moved me aside to work on Draven.

As they prepared him for transport, I walked over to Howard, who lay handcuffed on the floor, grimacing in pain.

Part of me wanted to kill him—Rory certainly did, snarling for blood within me.

But death would be too merciful for what he’d done. I wanted him to suffer for years, to grow old in a cell, knowing he’d failed.

I stared directly into his hateful eyes and pressed my foot down on his bullet wound. Howard screamed in agony.

"You know, Howard," I said in an ice-cold voice, "I could kill you right now, and everyone in this room would swear it was self-defense." I increased the pressure, watching him writhe. "But that would be too kind. I want you in prison. I want you locked in a filthy, freezing cell with no visitors, no comfort. I want you to lose your mind from isolation. And I’ll spend every cent of my fortune if necessary to make sure you never see daylight again. I hope you live a very long, very miserable life."

When I stepped back, I noticed the investigators around me smiling with satisfaction.

Jace stood behind me, nodding approvingly.

"Consider it done, Luna Caroline," he said. "Our friend here will become very popular in prison, and you won’t need to spend anything to ensure he receives a proper welcome. Now go with Alpha Draven. I’ve already contacted Nina to get help with the children."

"Thank you, Jace. Thank you all," I said gratefully before rushing to join Draven in the ambulance.

His face was pale, but he was still conscious, his eyes finding mine.

"The children?" he whispered.

"Safe," I assured him, squeezing his hand. "Everyone’s safe."

In the ambulance, the paramedic worked quickly to stabilize him. "The bullet missed his heart, but it’s close to a major artery. We need to get him into surgery immediately."

When we reached the hospital, they whisked Draven away, leaving me in the waiting room where Ryan, Joseph, Clara, and Eleanor were already waiting. Eleanor rushed forward, embracing me tightly.

"He’ll pull through," she whispered fiercely. "Draven’s too stubborn to let that bastard win."

Joseph was already on his phone. "I’m arranging blood donors. We’ll have more than enough."

Clara took my hand. "The children are safe. I’ve spoken with Mabel. Extra security is at the house, and both Luke and Kyle are there helping with the little ones."

"Thank you," I whispered, my legs finally giving out as I collapsed into a chair. Now that the adrenaline was fading, the reality of what had happened hit me with full force.

Eleanor sat beside me, holding my hand tightly. "Breathe, Carrie. Just breathe."

Six agonizing hours later, a surgeon in blood-stained scrubs approached us. I rose to my feet, my heart pounding.

"Luna Caroline? I’m Dr. Wright. I performed Alpha Draven’s surgery." He looked exhausted but offered a small smile. "The surgery was successful. We removed the bullet, and while his condition remains critical, his prognosis is good."

"When can I see him?" I asked, my voice breaking.

"He’s in recovery now. Once he’s moved to the ICU, you can sit with him. He’ll likely remain unconscious for 24 to 48 hours while his body recovers from the trauma and blood loss, but he’s strong."

"When will we know he’s out of danger?" Ryan asked, his arm around my shoulders.

"If he remains stable for the next 12 hours, we can be cautiously optimistic," the doctor replied. "His wolf healing will help enormously once it returns;the suppressant should wear off within 24 hours."

I closed my eyes, relief washing over me. "Thank you, doctor."

As the doctor walked away, Eleanor squeezed my hand. "See? He’s going to be fine."

I nodded, tears streaming down my face. Draven was alive. My mate, my love, the father of my children was going to survive.

Now I just had to wait for him to open those beautiful violet eyes again.