CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39 FALSE ACCUSATIONS

Caroline’s POV

Two hours after leaving, Draven returned looking disturbed.

He passed by me, his violet eyes stormy as if he’d confronted his worst nightmare, and growled, "In my office, now, Caroline!"

I froze at his tone, Rory whimpering inside me. Ryan and Clara were following him, and I heard them pleading with him to calm down. But Draven ignored them, his dominant Alpha energy filling the entire floor. Confused, I got up and entered his office, with the other two following behind me and closing the door.

I stopped when his angry gaze fell on me, his furious voice slicing through the air.

"How could you, Caroline! You came into my pack territory like an innocent lamb, but you’re nothing more than a treacherous rogue! You betrayed my trust in a way no one ever has. And after everything that happened between us... You’re the biggest disappointment of my life!" he snarled at me, rage emanating from every pore.

"Draven, what’s going on? What are you talking about?" I asked, already feeling my throat tighten as tears started streaming down my face. Rory was desperately trying to make sense of what was happening.

"Don’t play innocent with me—not anymore!" He paced back and forth like a caged predator, rubbing both hands over his face. "You know exactly what you did. I want you out of my company and out of my pack territory now! And consider yourself lucky, because the only reason you’re not leaving here in handcuffs is that I feel sorry for your son!"

What was he talking about? I didn’t understand! Handcuffs? I was already in shock. I was trembling, and when he released another Alpha growl, I nearly collapsed under the weight of it.

"Get out now! Out of my company! I guarantee you’ll only work in this territory again if it’s in the sewers, where rats like you belong. You’re despicable. I regret the day I let you into my pack. Out!" he roared, slamming his hand on the desk hard enough that I heard the wood crack.

I felt a hand on my shoulder gently pulling me out of that office. I was paralyzed, my eyes burning, my chest aching with a pain that Rory and I shared. We couldn’t understand what was happening.

Clara grabbed my purse and took me to Ryan’s office. They both sat down with me and finally explained.

"Caroline, remember when I mind-linked Draven on Saturday saying we suspected information had been leaked?" Ryan spoke seriously, his usually friendly demeanor replaced with the stern expression befitting a Beta.

"Yes, and you were going to thoroughly check everything. Did you find who it was? But what does this have to do with me?" I asked, confused.

"Well, Carrie, it turns out our tech team found two emails sent from your computer. They were sent and deleted, but our specialist managed to recover them," Clara explained calmly, her eyes showing compassion despite the gravity of the situation.

"What do you mean, two emails? What emails?" I looked at her, not understanding.

Ryan handed me two sheets of paper. The first one contained an email dated from last Thursday with the following message:

From: Caroline Bennett

To: [email protected]

Subject: Warning

Sir,

The board had a closed-door meeting. They’re suspicious. Take necessary measures.

Caroline Bennett

CEO’s Assistant

Thorne Enterprises

The second email was dated from this morning. It contained a horrible message that read:

From: Caroline Bennett

To: [email protected]

Subject: Plan working

Sir,

Everything’s going as planned. That idiot Draven is falling for my charms and eating out of my hand.

Caroline Bennett

CEO’s Assistant

Thorne Enterprises

I looked between the two sheets, confused and horrified. How were these emails sent from my computer? Still crying, I looked Ryan in the eyes and said,

"Ryan, I never sent these emails. I swear on my wolf’s honor! I don’t know how they were sent from my computer, but it wasn’t me. I would never do something like this, especially not to Draven. You need to believe me and investigate this because I didn’t do it!"

I felt Clara’s hand on my back as she spoke firmly to Ryan.

"I’m certain it wasn’t her, Ryan. When I hired her, I checked with the Blood Moon Pack. She’s absolutely trustworthy. Alpha Gerald also spoke highly of her. It’s impossible that Caroline would do this!"

"Clara, I don’t know what to think. Caroline is the only pack member who’s been here for a short time; everyone else has been bonded to this pack for ten years or more. On the other hand, the fraud we’re investigating has been going on for a long time. I don’t know what to think. And you need to understand that Draven is blind with rage," Ryan explained calmly.

"But Ryan, he didn’t even give me the benefit of the doubt! He should at least investigate properly instead of treating me with all that hatred! That’s not how an Alpha should behave toward a member of his pack!" I said, hurt and angry at the injustice.

"Caroline, please try to understand my friend. He’s got a lot on his mind with the rogue attacks and this corporate sabotage. Besides, understand that the executive floor now doesn’t receive anyone without prior authorization, and you’re the only newly arrived pack member. How can we explain that someone who’s been loyal to this pack for so long suddenly betrayed us?" Ryan tried to justify his Alpha and himself.

The pain I felt at that moment transformed into absolute anger. I wiped my tears, feeling Rory’s strength surge through me. I handed my work phone and badge to Clara, grabbed my purse, and stood up.

I looked Ryan in the eyes and spoke in an icy voice that carried determination,

"Of course, it’s easier to accuse than to investigate. And it’s easier to blame the newcomer than to accept that you’re all big idiots who’ve been fooled by the real culprit for years. But fine, Ryan. I understand, and I’m leaving this pack territory immediately. You won’t see me again. I just hope that when you realize the injustice you’re committing, the real culprit hasn’t had time to leave you in ruins."

I turned to leave, but halfway to the door, I turned back and said sarcastically,

"Would you like to search me, Beta Ryan, to make sure I’m not stealing any pack secrets?"

"Oh, Caroline, please don’t take things this way..." Ryan said nervously, while I kept my eyes firm, demanding his answer to my question.

"No, Caroline, I won’t search you. You can go home, and I’ll have them send your settlement for the days worked and your documents later."

"I don’t want anything from this pack, just my employment record cleared so I can look for another job—even if it’s in the sewers!" I said with a cold look, turned around, and left.

When I left Ryan’s office, Linda came running.

"Caroline, what happened?"

I looked at her as if I were looking at a hyena eager to snap at its prey, turned my back, and pressed the elevator button, which opened just as she was about to persist. She made a move to enter with me, but I raised my finger and said,

"Stay there! I’m no longer part of this pack."

I pressed the elevator button and the doors closed. The security guard let me through the turnstile without questions when I explained I didn’t have my badge. Once I reached the street, I jumped into the first taxi I spotted and gave my home address. Only when I got to my room did I allow myself to collapse on the bed, Rory howling in misery inside me as I sobbed uncontrollably until I had no strength left.