CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31 GO FOR IT

Caroline’s POV

I left the office unable to believe what had happened between Draven and me, but it had been absolutely amazing. Rory purred contentedly inside me.

Rory whispered, "His touch made us burn with desire."

"God, yes. Absolutely."

I still had doubts about whether he could be my true mate, but whatever. Live in the moment, Caroline.

I decided to take a taxi to get home faster to see my son. When I arrived, Liam came running to me all smiles, with his slightly stuffy voice happily shouting, "Mommy." My son filled my heart with love, his violet eyes just like his father’s.

Eleanor hadn’t arrived yet. I chatted a bit with Mabel—she was truly wonderful, had already prepared everything, including dinner, and Liam had already taken his medicine.

"Mabel, I don’t even know how to thank you," I said sincerely.

"There’s nothing to thank me for, Carrie. Your son is the most adorable cub I’ve ever taken care of. He’s no trouble at all, even with this cold. Besides, when Luna Marla called saying she needed me to look after her grandson, I was very happy—I get very lonely at home."

I smiled at what she said. Eleanor’s mother really did consider my son as her grandson and had made sure he would be well cared for while we worked.

"Luna Marla is a wonderful person. I’m very grateful to Elle’s family—they’ve been so good to me," I commented to Mabel.

"But you deserve that kindness, Carrie. You’re a very special she-wolf."

"Thank you, Mabel."

"Now go take a shower and put on something comfortable. I’ll stay with Liam until you’re done."

I thanked her and did exactly what she said. When I returned to the living room, Eleanor had already arrived and was covering Liam with kisses while he excitedly waved a bag of candy in his hands.

"Elle, you’re going to leave this boy toothless with all this candy and chocolate," I said with a smile.

"I’m his godmother. I can spoil my little cub as much as I want," she replied with a huge grin.

"Well, girls, I’m heading out now. Take care of my little one, okay?" Mabel said, smiling at us.

"Oh no, Mabel, won’t you stay for dinner with us?" I pleaded like a child.

"Yeah, please stay longer, Mabey!" my son said with an adorable face and cute little smile.

"Oh, my sweet boy, I can’t today." She stroked his little face and kissed his cheek, making my heart grow even fonder of her.

"Mabel, I have to work tomorrow. Could you come and stay with Liam?" I remembered to ask before she left.

"No need, Carrie. I’m not working tomorrow and can spoil my godson all day long. Right, little one?" Eleanor said, drawing a giggle from my son.

"Isn’t Nate coming this weekend, Elle? I don’t want to mess up your plans," I asked worriedly.

"What plans are you talking about, silly? Nate’s coming next week because he’s moving here for good," she said with a huge smile. "Tomorrow it’ll be just me and my little cub. And we’ll postpone our outing until next week, right, since Liam has a cold. That way we can give Mabel time off."

"Yes, that’ll be better, especially since Nate will be here by then. So Mabel, we’ll see you on Monday," I said with a smile to our nanny.

"See you Monday then. But if you need me over the weekend, just call me," Mabel replied, blowing a kiss to Liam before leaving.

After Elle showered, we had dinner. Mabel had cooked for us, and the food was delicious. I put Liam to bed, and while my friend and I were washing the dishes, I started telling her what had happened with Draven.

When I finished, Elle was looking at me very seriously.

"Elle, I messed up, didn’t I? I need advice. How do I fix this? Because when that Alpha touches me, I stop thinking straight."

"You didn’t mess up," Rory assured me. "Our bodies know what they want."

"Carrie, you absolutely didn’t mess up. What was messed up was your resolution to never be with anyone after getting pregnant. And let’s be honest, your boss is a smoking hot Alpha! Actually, you’re surrounded by gorgeous males, because Ryan—my goodness, he’s absolutely stunning!" She said, fanning herself, and I had to laugh.

"Elle, this fire I feel when Draven touches me—I’ve only felt it once before, and that was with my son’s father. Not even my ex-boyfriend ever made me feel this way." I paused, gathering courage to ask the question burning inside me. "Do you think... do you think it could be a mate bond? Even though I can’t sense him because I’m scentless?"

Eleanor’s eyes widened. "That’s... actually possible. Mates aren’t just about scent, Carrie. There’s also the pull, the fire, the way your wolves respond to each other."

"What does it feel like with Nate? How did you know he was your mate?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Elle smiled dreamily. "It was like everything clicked into place. Like my wolf had been searching for something all her life and suddenly found it. The scent was part of it, but the connection was beyond physical. When our wolves recognized each other, it was like coming home."

"But Rory couldn’t feel Draven’s wolf," I said with disappointment.

"Well, friend, if it’s that intense, let it happen. Even if he’s not your destined mate, you’re happy with him, aren’t you?"

I nodded.

Eleanor continued, "Besides, you said he already guaranteed it won’t affect your job, and if it does, you can find another one. The Blood Moon Pack would take you back in a heartbeat."

"You think so, Elle? I’m afraid of getting hurt. I think I’m already kind of falling for him, but I know he’s way out of my league. He’s an Alpha, for Moon’s sake!"

"Oh, stop it, Caroline! Don’t give me that ’he’s out of my league because he’s rich and powerful’ nonsense. That’s the garbage those jerks from our pack put in your head, and you need to forget it. They were all idiots," Eleanor said seriously.

"Besides, we have to take risks in life. It’s better to get hurt than to live wondering what could have been. And this time you don’t even have to worry about protection. Though a cub between you and Draven would be just as beautiful as Liam," she said and burst out laughing.

I playfully swatted her with the dish towel, but I was laughing hard too. After I had Liam, Elle insisted that I start taking birth control. At first, I refused, saying no one would ever touch me again, but she persisted, arguing that I might meet someone or simply have physical needs. I assured her that wouldn’t happen because I had no intention of sleeping with anyone ever again. I only gave in when she pointed out that I also hadn’t planned on having sex with a masked stranger at a costume party, but it happened anyway. I was grateful my friend was so persistent and that I finally listened.

"Carrie, get yourself ready, go to work tomorrow and drive that Alpha crazy all day long. Then after everyone leaves, rock his world so hard that no female will ever make that hottie forget you," she said, holding me by the shoulders.

"She’s right," Rory agreed eagerly. "Let’s take what feels right."

With even my wolf Rory on board, there was no point in holding back anymore.

"You think I can do it, Elle?" I was laughing and tempted to follow my friend’s advice.

"Oh Caroline, you really don’t know the power you have! And you’ve already let the guy go down on you—now stop being silly and get some action, girl. Your wolf deserves it too. Rory’s been alone too long."

My god, but Eleanor was impossible. However, she wasn’t wrong. You know what? I was going to take her advice. I looked at her with a naughty smile and said, "Help me pick out an outfit?"

"Woohoo! I’m going to make you look so hot that I doubt that Alpha will be able to work. His wolf will be howling for you all day!"

She ran her hand along my arm as we headed to the bedroom to choose the look that, according to her, would give my boss a heart attack.