CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 60 GATHERING ALLIES

Draven’s POV

After my conversation with Joseph,I found myself strategizing about how to convince Eleanor to help me win Caroline back. Then I remembered her boyfriend. The most effective approach to reach Eleanor would be through him. They were Caroline’s closest friends, and I needed them to believe I was genuinely committed to her happiness.

I picked up my phone and dialed the number Joseph had given me. She answered quickly.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Eleanor. This is Draven Thorne. Do you have a moment to talk?"

I heard a frustrated sigh before she responded.

"Draven. How exactly did you get my number?"

"I’m an Alpha and a businessman, Eleanor. I have ways of acquiring any information I need."

"Too bad you couldn’t get the information that Carrie never betrayed you before you humiliated her, huh!"

Damn feisty woman! Joseph had warned me about her protective nature.

"I deeply regret my actions, Eleanor."

"Yeah, sure you do. So, Draven, let’s be straight with each other? Don’t try charming me because I know exactly what you want, and the answer is no. I won’t help you get Carrie’s forgiveness."

"I understand," I said carefully. "But I’d appreciate talking to you in person, Eleanor. I hurt your friend, and I feel I owe you an apology as well. Could we have dinner tonight? Of course, with Nate too, please."

I could sense her confusion through the phone, and I seized the opportunity to persuade her.

"It’s just dinner, Eleanor. You won’t be betraying your friend’s trust."

"Fine, Draven. You make the reservation, and you pay. Text me the restaurant name and time. Nate and I will be there."

She hung up, and I felt happy. She had agreed.I would approach this dinner fully prepared to convince her. I called Ryan to join me; two wolves could strategize better than one, and my Caroline wasn’t pleased with him either. He also needed to make amends. I made the reservation and sent the details to Eleanor.

Ryan and I arrived at the restaurant early. We ordered whiskey, and right on time, we spotted Eleanor and Nate walking in.

"Good evening, you jerks," Eleanor greeted us with a scowl while Nate tried to hide his amusement.

"What can I say, you’re absolutely right," I agreed, standing to greet them properly.

"Are we really in that much trouble?" Ryan looked at Nate questioningly.

"Look, I know these she-wolves well. Caroline has self-respect, thank the Moon Goddess. She might forgive you guys, but it won’t be easy, and if it’s up to Eleanor, she’ll make you suffer," Nate replied, running a hand through his hair.

"Then we’ll face our trial and endure whatever comes," I said with determination, meeting Eleanor’s fierce gaze.

"We’ll see about that!" Eleanor retorted skeptically, her wolf’s distrust evident in her eyes.

The dinner was surprisingly pleasant as we discussed neutral topics. Nate was genuinely likable, going out of his way to attend to his mate. He was talkative, intelligent, and excellent company.

I understood why Eleanor and Caroline were such close friends,they were equally sharp-minded and quick-witted. Eleanor had all the makings of a spoiled Alpha’s daughter, but she was remarkably grounded, aware of her place in the pack hierarchy without abusing it. It was clear she judged people by their character rather than their rank or background.

After we ordered dessert, Eleanor’s patience ran out.

"Come on, Draven, you didn’t invite us to dinner just for pleasantries. And I came because I wanted to see how far your nerve would take you. Tell me, what do you really want?"

"Eleanor, I want to apologize to you. I hurt your friend, and that hurt you. I was unfair and hasty..."

"You were an arrogant, pretentious Alpha with his head up his ass!" Eleanor snapped. "And you too, Ryan."

"Eleanor, you’re supporting your friend, aren’t you?" Ryan asked, and she nodded firmly. "Well, I’m supporting my Alpha, who’s like a brother to me. He felt betrayed, and that upset me. But we were wrong, and you’re absolutely right, we treated Caroline unfairly. We should have investigated first."

"Eleanor, I’m truly sorry. I love Caroline in a way I never imagined possible. My wolf howls for her every night. I’m desperate. Please, forgive me and help me fix my mistake. I’m willing to spend the rest of my life proving myself worthy of her," I pleaded, letting my sincerity show.

"You hurt my friend badly, Draven. And you, Ryan, you made it even worse." Eleanor’s voice was full of pain, and she had every right to be angry.

Nate took his girlfriend’s hand and, looking into her eyes, said,"Elle, they messed up badly, but who hasn’t? Remember when we first started dating and you believed I was cheating because Amber told you she scented me with another woman? You didn’t trust me. Later you discovered it was a setup, and we worked things out. That was a second chance for us. I think Draven deserves a second chance, and Ryan too."

"It’s not the same, Nate.What happened between us was nothing compared to what these two did to Carrie.Draven practically cast her out of the pack!" Eleanor was furious.

"And you told me my wolf wasn’t worthy of yours. Elle, when we’re angry, we say things we shouldn’t," Nate spoke patiently. "Everyone deserves a second chance. And you’re not thinking about Carrie, about how much she’s suffering."

"Of course I’m thinking about Carrie! She’s suffering because of them. I won’t let them hurt her anymore."

"But don’t you think her love for Draven might run deeper than this pain? That it might be harder for her to lose her mate forever than to forgive him?" Nate was advocating for me; without trying, I had gained a valuable ally. My wolf felt hopeful about getting Eleanor’s help.

"Nate, are you seriously defending these two idiots?" Eleanor asked incredulously.

I had to admire Eleanor’s loyalty. I was grateful Caroline had someone like that in her life, a true packmate who would defend her with everything she had.

"I’m advocating for our friend’s happiness. I’ll just tell you one more thing, have you considered that he might be her true mate, the only one who could truly make her happy?"

Eleanor huffed and lowered her eyes to the dessert in front of her.

"I don’t know, Nate. Maybe you’re right, but I can’t help.I would be betraying Carrie. Besides, this Alpha already has the best ally in the world and hasn’t even realized it. Liam is the easiest path to Caroline’s heart," she said as if I were a clueless wolf who couldn’t see what was obvious.

"Eleanor, I would never use Liam to win Caroline over. That would dishonor us both. I genuinely feel something special for that pup, I can’t even explain it, but there’s a connection there, probably because he’s the son of the woman my wolf recognizes..." I spoke with complete honesty, Alaric rumbling in agreement within me.

"You wouldn’t be betraying Carrie, Eleanor. You’d be helping your friend find her true happiness," Ryan caught her attention. "I would do anything to see my Alpha happy. And if you include me in the forgiveness package, you and Carrie will gain the most loyal Beta friend, I promise by the Moon Goddess."

Eleanor looked at each of us seated around the table and sighed heavily.

"I might be getting myself into trouble with my best friend, and I might really regret this, but alright, I’ll help you. Only because I’m tired of seeing Caroline’s wolf suffering, and I can tell you truly care about Liam, Draven."

"You won’t regret it. I’ll make your friend happier than she’s ever been," I said, Alaric purring with satisfaction.

"You better, because if you hurt her again, my father’s entire warrior team won’t be enough to protect you," Eleanor threatened, her eyes briefly flashing her wolf’s gold. "And I’m going to want another slice of that chocolate truffle cake too."

"You can have the entire cake if you want,"I said, grinning widely, feeling for the first time that Caroline might truly forgive me.