CHAPTER 59: CHAPTER 59 DOING MY BEST FOR HER

Draven’s POV

I got to the office early today. The internal audit was going well, and the first report showed some worrying signs. Just as I thought, Howard was one of the suspects. I’d been watching that Elder closely for months.

I turned off my laptop and put it in the safe. The information was too important, so I’d changed the code and kept everything locked up. I took all important papers home with me every day. An Alpha had to be careful when looking into his own pack members.

I spent the morning dealing with pack business. Ryan came to my office at lunch time, asking if I wanted to eat.

Before leaving, I decided to reach out to Caroline. I pulled out my phone and typed:

[I fell asleep with the taste of your kiss haunting me, dreamed of you all night, and now my wolf howls for you. I miss you both terribly. Forgive me, Caroline. We’re meant to be together.]

I put my phone away and went to the elevator with Ryan. When we got to the ground floor past security, someone grabbed me from behind. I jumped back instantly, Alaric growling inside me. These weren’t Caroline’s hands. I pulled them off and pushed them away.

"Goddess, what do you want, Ella?" I snapped, not hiding how annoyed I was.

"Don’t be like that, darling," Ella Howard said sweetly, flipping her dark hair. "I came to see you, but security won’t let me in. Fix it, Draven."

I looked at Ryan, who rolled his eyes. He tried to leave, but I grabbed his arm. No way was I staying alone with this woman.

"Listen," I said coldly. "You’re not getting into my building. You were at Friday’s party because your father is an Elder and the financial director. He only brought you because your mother was sick. That’s all."

"You can’t treat me this way, Draven!" she started shouting, making everyone in the lobby stare. "We spent the night together and now you’re rejecting me! You can’t do this!" She began crying, tears running down her face.

"Stop this now," I growled, pulling her aside, losing my patience. "If anything happened between us that night, it was your doing. I was completely drunk. If anyone took advantage, it was you."

"Draven, I love you! My wolf would die for yours! You can’t do this. I would be the perfect Luna." She kept going with her fantasy.

"Ella, forget it. My wolf has never wanted yours. There’s no chance we’ll ever be mates," I said firmly, my Alpha voice coming through.

"Your parents wanted us together," she whispered through her sobs. "They wanted me as your Luna, to join our families. My father, Elder Howard, and your father planned it when we were young."

That was too far. Using my dead parents to manipulate me made me furious.

"Don’t talk about my parents," I snarled, my eyes flashing. "My father may have considered political alliances with your family, but he would never force me into a loveless bond. Now get out of here. Stay away from me."

I turned my back and stalked away, Ryan following close behind.

"That woman is completely unhinged," Ryan muttered, and I couldn’t help but agree.

During lunch at the private executive dining room, we discussed the audit findings.

"I can’t wait to remove Howard from the Council," I told Ryan, regretting certain decisions I’d made when I first became Alpha. "I should have followed my instincts about him years ago."

"Be patient, Alpha," Ryan said. "Let the audit finish. Looks like a lot of secrets will come to light before this is over."

After lunch, we walked past a fancy cake shop. Looking at the beautiful chocolate cake in the window, I remembered how much Caroline loved chocolate. Suddenly, I had an idea.

Back in my office, I called La Belle Patisserie, Harbor Bay’s most expensive bakery.

"This is Draven Thorne," I said to the owner. "I want to arrange daily deliveries to Puma Global. Each day, send Ms. Caroline Bennett three different chocolate cakes, your signature ganache, the triple chocolate mousse, and the dark chocolate truffle. All with gold decorations. Also, send a box of luxury chocolate pastries to Ms. Eleanor Larson."

Next, I called the best coffee shop in town and arranged for premium hot chocolate and coffee to be delivered every morning.

Finally, I dialed Harbor Bay Florist. "I need your finest rose arrangements delivered daily. Make them big, make them impressive."

I added notes to the orders. For Caroline: "Sweet as these cakes are, they don’t compare to your kiss. Forgive me. My wolf and I need you." For Eleanor: "Help me win back your friend. I promise to make her happier than chocolate ever could."Around three in the afternoon, my private line rang.

"Alpha, Joseph Taylor is calling," Linda informed me through the intercom.

"Put him through," I replied curtly.

"My friend, you’re laying it on thick with my employees," Joseph chuckled through the phone.

"Joseph, good to hear from you," I said casually. "I’m not sure what you mean."

"Caroline and Eleanor are currently in our break room surrounded by what looks like half a patisserie. The entire office at Puma Global is talking about your extravagant gesture. You’ve got quite a strategy there."

"First of all," I growled lightly, "I’ve already warned you to keep your distance from Caroline. Second, I’m simply treating her and her best friend with the respect they deserve."

"Very clever, Alpha Draven," Joseph laughed. "Softening Eleanor up to gain an ally. You’re quite the strategist."

"Since you called, I need a favor," I said, cutting to the chase.

"Oh no, don’t drag me into this. The girls are excellent employees here, and I’m very satisfied with their work."

"Of course, the system Caroline implemented is worth a million dollars alone. So no arguments, you’re going to help me."

"What do you want, Draven?" Joseph sighed.

"Eleanor’s cell number."

"If she finds out I gave you her contact information, she’ll kill me. That woman has quite an attitude."

"She doesn’t need to know the source," I assured him.

"Fine. Let me give you the number..."