Caroline’s POV
Investigator Magnus called to inform me that he’d scheduled my meeting with Marcus for the following afternoon. He explained it would take place at the Alpha Council’s investigation wing, where they’d also take Marcus’s formal statement. The secure environment was necessary for my protection.
The next day, at the appointed time, I arrived accompanied by Draven and several security guards from our pack. Magnus escorted us to his office and asked us to wait.
Rory shifted uneasily within me. "I don’t like this place."
"We’ll be fine," I assured Rory silently. "Draven’s here."
Minutes later, Magnus returned with two Council guards escorting Marcus.
My stomach churned at the sight of him. He had an unshaven face and a freshly shaved head, wearing the standard gray uniform of Council prisoners.Despite his circumstances, that familiar disgusting, lecherous smirk still played across his face. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
"Chain him there," Magnus ordered. The officers sat Marcus in a metal chair bolted to the floor, locking his handcuffs to a steel loop.
"Mr. Marcus, Luna Caroline is here as you requested," Magnus stated formally.
"Luna Caroline," Marcus sneered, emphasizing my title. "Look at you now, the powerful mate of an Alpha. How things change." His eyes raked over me. "I want to speak with her alone."
"That’s not happening," Magnus replied flatly.
"Well, too bad for you all. Keep chasing your tails looking for Howard then," Marcus said with casual indifference.
"I’ll talk to him," I said impulsively. Marcus’s smile widened, revealing teeth.
"Carrie, no!" Draven intervened, gripping my arm.
I stood and looked at my mate, using our mind-link. "Trust me. He knows something important."
Draven ran his hands through his hair in frustration before nodding reluctantly.
"Investigator, are those restraints secure?" I asked.
"Completely, Luna Caroline. He can’t reach you. We’ll be right outside, just call out," Magnus confirmed.
"Oh bunny, how am I supposed to touch that delicious body of yours now?" Before Marcus could finish, Draven lunged forward, landing two hard punches.
"Don’t you fucking speak to my mate like that!" Draven growled, eyes flashing violet with rage.
"Investigator! I’ve been assaulted! The Council will hear about this!" Marcus cried with mock outrage as Magnus pulled Draven back.
"The Council will hear you’re a liar when I submit my report showing you returned to your cell without a mark," Magnus countered as Marcus’s smirk faded. "Luna Caroline, maintain your distance from him."
When the door closed, leaving me alone with Marcus, I felt sick with disgust.
I sat down across from him, keeping the table between us.
"You wanted to talk. What do you want?" I asked coldly.
"I want you and your rich mate to pay for my lawyer. Plus weekly deposits for my commissary account and regular visits while I’m locked up."
I laughed in his face. "You can’t be serious."
"Then figure out how to find Howard on your own."
"Marcus, I truly regret every second I ever spent with you."
"We were happy, Carrie. If I hadn’t proposed to Selina at the Pack Hall instead of you, we’d be married now." His eyes gleamed. "Did you know I fucked Selina in your bed multiple times before you caught us?"
His words hit like a slap, confirming suspicions I’d buried deep. Back then, public rejection by Marcus had shattered me. As a scentless wolf, I’d believed he was the best mate I could hope for. I’d chosen to ignore the signs of his cheating, too afraid of being alone.How wrong I’d been.
Rory growled inside me. "We have Draven now. This worm means nothing."
"Marcus, we would never have worked. You’re a disgusting excuse for a man," I said. "But here’s some advice— confess. You’ll get a reduced sentence."
"Why would I do that?"
"Because my mate has the money and power to make sure you never see daylight again. He already hated you, but now knowing you helped kill his parents? He’ll ensure you rot in that cell."
"He has no proof! When that car crashed, I was at my wedding with your cousin." He smiled cruelly. "I chose that date specifically for the alibi!"
His shamelessness stunned me. I needed to find his weakness, something that would make him talk. Marcus didn’t care about anyone but himself, except... there was one person he still respected.

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