CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48 NOT GIVING UP ON HER

Draven’s POV

I watched Caroline walk out of Joseph’s office without even looking back,and my heart shattered into a thousand pieces. I sat there,slumped in Joseph’s chair,feeling more defeated than I had ever felt in my life. Alaric was howling in agony,feeling the pain of Caroline walking away.

Joseph returned and silently handed me a glass of bourbon. "Drink this. It’ll calm your nerves. After you’ve collected yourself,we can talk about what happened."

I accepted the glass with trembling hands as Joseph picked up his phone. "Reeves,I’m giving Miss Bennett the rest of the day off. Thank you."

He hung up and sat across from me,pouring himself a drink as well. After three shots of the burning liquid,I finally managed to speak.

"I’ve destroyed everything,Joseph. I ruined my only chance at happiness. I love her,and I’ve made her hate me."

Joseph took another sip of his bourbon and spoke thoughtfully. "Since when is the mighty Alpha of Storm Valley Pack a defeatist who gives up after the first rejection?"

I stared at him as if he’d grown an extra head. Didn’t he understand? Caroline despised me. The look in her eyes was unmistakable—hurt,betrayal,and anger.

"I’m going to call Ryan later,and the three of us are going to properly drown your sorrows at my place," he said,standing up. "Give me your car keys. You’re in no condition to drive."

I handed him my keys. Joseph called Ryan,and we left the office in my SUV.

Ryan was already waiting in Joseph’s driveway when we arrived.

"Holy moon goddess,what happened?" Ryan exclaimed when he saw me. "You look like you’ve been dragged through hell,Drave!"

"From what I gather,Caroline basically told him to take a hike," Joseph said with a slight smile that earned him my death glare. "Let’s go inside. I still don’t have all the details,and I’m dying to know."

After Ryan helped Joseph set out drinks and some food,we settled into Joseph’s den with its floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and leather furniture. They both looked at me expectantly.

I recounted everything—my desperate apology,Caroline’s cold rejection,the tears in her eyes that broke me.

"I hurt her beyond repair. She’ll never forgive me. I’ve lost her."

"What do you really want with Caroline,Draven?" Joseph asked calmly,taking another sip of his drink.

"She’s the love of my life,Joseph! I want her as my mate,and more than that,I want her as the Luna of my pack!Ever since that woman from the masquerade disappeared,nothing felt real anymore. No one else ever made me feel alive.I became the stereotypical playboy Alpha,moving from one woman to another.But then Caroline walked into my office... confident,beautiful,dressed like she owned the damn room. And just like that,everything changed.I didn’t even see it coming,I just fell for her. And now,without her,I feel like there’s nothing left of me."

"Goddess,you’ve got yourself into quite a mess,my friend," Ryan said seriously. "The worst part is that I didn’t even try to stop you when you went all dictator on her. I should have,but I didn’t. Caroline is an exceptional woman,she raised a child alone,built a career from scratch. She might be hurting now,but she won’t let you back in easily."

"Don’t you think I know that?" I growled,my frustration bubbling over. "I was an absolute monster to her. Now I’m paying the price. She’ll never forgive me,and I’ll spend my life as a shell of myself without my mate."

"For moon’s sake,what a drama queen!" Joseph laughed. "Draven,we’ve known each other our whole lives. You’ve always been impulsive and hot-headed,but you’ve never been a coward. You’ve never given up on anything you truly wanted just because you didn’t get it on the first try."

"Joseph’s right," Ryan agreed. "Even when that woman from the masquerade ball disappeared,you didn’t give up. You drove everyone in the pack crazy,searching for her. You hired three different supernatural detectives. You personally visited every eligible female wolf in Blood Moon Pack and four neighboring territories,trying to find that unique blend of vanilla and wild berries that had you enchanted."

I remembered those desperate days. "You know what kills me? That night at the ball,her scent was intoxicating,but it was more than that. The sex was mind-blowing,unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Every touch,every moment felt like pure electricity. It was as if she was made for me,like our bodies were perfectly matched. I’ve never found that kind of passionate connection before or since.For years,I believed she was my fated mate.I only gave up last year when the third detective told me it would be impossible."

"And then I was just existing in the shadows until Caroline walked into my life. Everything felt right again. But I had to ruin it all,didn’t I?" I said,staring into my empty glass.

"Yeah,you royally screwed up,and Eleanor wants to tear your throat out for it," Joseph chuckled. "That woman is fiercely protective of her friend. But here’s the thing,Caroline is hurting. And if she’s hurting,it means she feels something for you. Are you really going to surrender without a fight?"

I looked at Joseph,his words sinking in. He was right,I wasn’t fighting for her. I was just accepting defeat. The Alpha in me rebelled against this realization.

"You’re right,both of you. I’m being pathetic," I said,straightening my shoulders. "I will do whatever it takes,for however long it takes,to earn Caroline’s forgiveness. But she doesn’t even want to see me. I need a strategy."

"Now that’s the Alpha we know," Ryan raised his glass in a toast. "And don’t worry,we’ll help you."

"First things first," Joseph said. "You need to give her some space.Then show her with actions,not just words,that you’ve changed."

"I could start by investigating who was really behind Linda’s betrayal," I mused,my mind beginning to clear. "Proving to Caroline that I’m committed to finding the truth."

Ryan nodded. "And perhaps arranging for some ’accidental’ meetings that don’t look like you’re stalking her."

"Whatever it takes," I vowed,feeling resolve harden within me. "I’m not giving up on her."

We spent the rest of the night planning my plan to win back the woman I loved.