CHAPTER 112: CHAPTER 112 LIES DON’T COME TRUE

Draven’s POV

I sat on my living room couch, a sharp pain stabbing through my chest, hearing Alaric howling in despair deep inside me.Each breath was hard, my eyes stinging with tears that wouldn’t stop.I had only felt this kind of pain once before, when my parents were killed by rogue wolves.It was a loss that couldn’t be fixed, the kind that made Alaric want to scream at the sky until we had no voice left.

The familiar emptiness crept back in. Without Caroline, without the possibility of her as my Luna, I was dying inside.

"Draven, Howard and his daughter are waiting for you in the building lobby," Ryan said, pulling me from my trance. "I know you’re devastated, but they won’t leave until they speak with you."

I looked up at my Beta through red-rimmed eyes. "Ryan, she broke up with me," I said, my voice rough. "She said there’s no future for us now. That she won’t take me away from my kid if he’s mine. And she’s going back to work for Joseph."

"Easy, Alpha," Ryan said, his calm voice keeping me grounded. "We’ve already fixed one thing, she’s not leaving Thorne Enterprises."

I stared at him, confused for a second.

"She’ll be working with me, and Kyle will work with you starting Monday. It’s not ideal, but it keeps her close. Kyle came up with it, and I think it’s smart."

A small bit of hope stirred in my chest. "At least I’ll still see her," I said quietly. "Tell security to bring Howard and Ella to the first-floor conference room. I’ll go talk to them."

I stood up, trying to steady myself. "Will you come with me?"

"Of course. We’re pack, I’ll always be with you. And after that, we’re heading to my place. Luke and the others are waiting," Ryan said, putting a steady hand on my shoulder.

"What about Caroline? And Liam?" I asked, my chest tightening at the thought of the little boy who already meant more to me than I could explain.

"Eleanor and the girls are at Kyle’s place with her. They’ve got her covered," Luke said. "And Eleanor said Nate is with Liam."

"Alright then, let’s get this over with," I said, my Alpha instincts kicking in again as we walked to the elevator.

When I entered the conference room, I saw Howard and Ella looking smug and victorious, like wolves who had trapped their prey.

"What is he doing here? This is pack business," Howard said, waving dismissively toward Ryan.

"This is much more than pack business, Howard. Ryan is my Beta and my right hand," I said coldly. "Now sit down."

"Draven, darling," Ella purred, stepping closer with a smile. "Aren’t you excited about our baby? I’m sure the pup will have your beautiful violet eyes." She reached for my face.

I caught her wrist before she touched me. "Don’t. Sit down."

My voice held the power of an Alpha command. Her smile faded as she and her father took their seats.

"Let’s be clear," I said. "I seriously doubt this child is mine—"

"How dare you question my daughter’s honor!" Howard interrupted, half-standing. "You may run this pack and company well, but you’ve been without a Luna too long. The pack is talking, Draven. They say you’re unstable, unpredictable."

"Sit. Down." I didn’t raise my voice, but my Alpha tone filled the room. "I’m not done."

Howard reluctantly sat back, but his eyes still burned with anger.

"As I said, I doubt the child’s paternity. We will do DNA testing."

"I won’t allow any tests that could harm my baby while it’s in my womb," Ella said, one hand shielding her stomach. "It could hurt them!"

"Fine. That just makes me more sure this is a lie," I answered calmly. "But we’ll wait. When the pup is born, I’ll know if it’s mine."

"Draven, you won’t shame my daughter like this," Howard growled. "As Alpha, you have duties to the pack. Your reputation is already hurt because you’ve been without a Luna too long. The pack needs stability. Now my daughter is carrying what could be the next Alpha or Luna. You must mate with her."

"The pack has changed. Forced matings aren’t how it works anymore, Howard," Ryan said. "No Alpha worthy of the name forces a mate where there’s no bond."

"My daughter isn’t just any she-wolf," Howard said, leaning forward. "I demand you recognize her properly as the mother of your heir."

I placed both hands on the table, my eyes glowing violet as Alaric surged. "I will not mate with Ella, no matter who the father is. If the pup is mine, I will accept, support, and love them as my heir. But I love Caroline, and she’s the only one I will ever call my Luna."

Ella started crying loudly, sinking in her chair with her face in her hands. Howard quickly went to comfort her, shooting angry looks at me.

"Look what you’ve done! You’ve upset her and possibly the pup!" Howard snapped. "Quick, get water, help us!"

Ryan grabbed a glass from the sideboard, filled it with water, and handed it to Howard. The older wolf helped his daughter drink, whispering calm words until her loud sobs turned into soft hiccups.

"You can’t do this to our child, Draven," Ella said through tears, her makeup running down her cheeks. "You have to accept me, give our pup a proper home in the pack. They need both parents."

The sight of her crying didn’t affect me. If anything, her act only made me more sure of my decision.

"You’re stuck in the past, Howard," I said flatly. "These days,co-parenting is completely normal and respected. If the pup is mine, they will have everything they need without their parents being forced to mate."

"My decision is final," I went on, my tone firm with Alpha authority. "I won’t accept Ella as my mate. My legal team will contact you Monday to set up a formal plan for the pregnancy—medical support, my attendance at appointments, and everything the pup will need."

"Legal team?" Ella shouted. "I’m carrying your heir, the next Alpha of the Storm Valley Pack! This isn’t some contract!"

"For me, it is," I said, calm but firm. "Everything will be handled properly. I take responsibility seriously, which is exactly why I won’t fake a bond based on lies."

"Don’t say that! The baby will feel unwanted!" Ella cried out.

"I’m telling the truth. That’s all for now." I gave Ryan a nod. "Have security take them out."

"This is ridiculous, Draven," Howard snapped. "I’m a respected elder of this pack. And she’s carrying the next Alpha."

I stood straight, letting my presence fill the room. "Yes, Howard, you’re an elder, and that role demands wisdom and honor, which I’m not seeing from you today. And even if Ella is pregnant with my pup, that doesn’t give either of you the right to twist pack rules for your own gain."

I walked to the door, then turned back one last time. "One more thing, starting now, your ceremonial role on the Council of Elders is on hold while we review your actions. Maybe some time away from pack leadership will remind you what really matters."

Then I left, both of them too shocked to speak.

My heart might be broken over Caroline, but I was still the Alpha of Storm Valley, and no one would use lies to control me.