Caroline’s POV
"Please, Caroline, just think about it one more time," Draven’s voice was low, almost pleading. "You and Liam belong with me—in my home, in my life, in my pack."
"Draven, I told you I need time," I said softly, my resolve already beginning to slip under the weight of his voice. "This weekend away is supposed to help me clear my head."
"I miss you both more than I know how to say, Carrie. It hurts."
I ended the call and sat quietly for a moment, letting his voice linger in my mind. Over the past week, Draven hadn’t kept his distance, no matter what we had agreed. He called every day, asking how Liam and I were doing, his tone always gentle, never pressing. My apartment was filled with flowers he sent, their scent a constant reminder of him, and his afternoon deliveries always arrived just when I needed a break. But it was the nights that unraveled me most. After Liam fell asleep, we’d talk for hours, his voice low and warm through the phone, wrapping around me like a comfort I didn’t know I craved. Each conversation made it harder to hold on to the space I said I needed. And now, as silence settled around me, I couldn’t help but wonder if I had ever truly wanted the distance in the first place.
Even when we weren’t talking about us, he made sure I still felt connected to his world.
He told me that after Rose’s revelations, the financial audit was moving much faster, with him and Ryan working late into the night at Ryan’s house. But he remained frustratingly vague about exactly what Rose had disclosed, only saying she knew much more than she realized.
Eleanor established Tuesday as our girls’ night, so we returned to Blood Moon Pack’s Social Club for dinner. The conversation flowed easily between us, with guaranteed laughter and gossip. Ava had started her new position with Draven and was loving it, though she couldn’t stand Linda. She had plenty of office drama to share.
"Seriously, Carrie, it’s like Linda has ’manipulative, backstabbing troublemaker’ stamped on her forehead—how did you not see it?" Ava asked, taking a sip of her wine.
"Carrie always sees the best in people," Elle rolled her eyes. "God, I got so tired of warning her about that cousin. The one who stole her boyfriend. I told her Selina was bad news, but Carrie just thought I was overreacting."
"In the end, she did me a favor by ending up with Marcus," I admitted with a shrug. "Best mistake I never made."
"I still don’t understand how you started dating that loser," Elle said, making the girls laugh. "The guy is completely unattractive and such a jerk."
"Hey Ava, what’s Linda been doing at work these days?" I asked, actually wanting to know.
"Something juicy happened yesterday," Ava leaned in like she had gossip. "I was having lunch at this café near Thorne Enterprises. You know Whispered Grounds? That place with the killer cranberry scones?"
We all nodded, familiar with the cozy spot.
"So I was sitting in this corner spot when Linda and Ella walked in. They couldn’t see me because of this bookshelf thing between us, and they sat like right next to me. I wasn’t trying to listen in or anything, but they were being super loud talking about Draven. Like, I couldn’t help but hear everything."
"What were they saying?" Ruby asked eagerly.


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