CHAPTER 117: CHAPTER 117 ALPHA’S WARNING

Draven’s POV

"How’s Caroline doing now?" I asked, stopping at Ava’s desk, trying to control my anger.

"Really bad! She’s been crying so much! But Rose made her some special tea that helped her calm down," Ava said with an angry look. "She’s finally resting after crying a lot. I’m busy with work now, but I gave her stuff to do and haven’t heard crying, so I haven’t checked on her."

"I need to talk to her. She needs to know why I have to do this," I said as I walked to Caroline’s office.

"Draven, don’t make my friend more upset. I don’t think anything can make this okay," Ava warned me, clearly protecting Caroline.

"I’m sorry, but I need to talk to her," I turned and went into her office.

Inside, Caroline had her head down on the desk, eyes closed. I said her name softly, but she didn’t move. I tried again, but nothing. I picked her up, she was completely asleep. Alaric whined worried about how light she felt in my arms.

I opened Ryan’s office door; he was working and just looked up at me. I put her on his couch carefully, kissed her forehead. I waved for him to come outside.

"I didn’t take her to my office; she might get scared if she wakes up there. I came to talk to her, to tell her everything, but found her sleeping at her desk," I told Ryan.

"It’s okay, Alpha," Ryan said quietly. "I’ll watch her for you. Let her sleep. Elle said she hasn’t slept well for days."

We left Caroline’s office and I went to Ava.

"Ava, what tea did Rose give Caroline? She’s totally asleep. I tried to reach her mind but couldn’t. Should I worry?" Ava looked surprised.

"Wait."She sent a mind-link to Rose. "Rose, what did you give Caroline?" She smiled at the answer. "Yeah, she needed it. Thanks, Rose, she’s really sleeping now."

Ava hung up and smiled a bit at me. "She made a special tea to help Caroline sleep. She said Caroline needs good sleep to help her wolf, and I agree."

"But what’s in that tea? Will she wake up or is she in some kind of deep sleep?" I asked, worried about her.

"Chamomile, lemon balm, passion fruit, valerian, and some secret herbs only pack healers know!" Ava said. "That, Alpha, works better than any human sleeping pill. Caroline might sleep all day. But she really needs it."

"Okay," I sighed, fixing my hair. "Watch her for me."

"What did you do with those ugly flowers?" Ava asked, her eyes angry.

"They’re in my office, but I’m dealing with them now. I kept the card for proof," I said, my jaw tight as I made my plan.

Thirty minutes later, I parked at Howard’s house. I got those awful funeral flowers from my car, Alaric growling as I walked to what felt like enemy ground.

When I went into that ugly house with its bad decorations, my body got tense. The place looked awful. I stood in a room with dark green walls and gold furniture with leopard print. Moon Goddess help me! Who has such bad taste? There were too many colored vases, photos in fancy frames, and dark red curtains. My wolf felt as sick as I did. I froze when I heard Ella’s sharp voice behind me.

"Draven, honey! You came to see me! I knew you’d come back." Ella nearly yelled while walking to me, her strong scent hurting nose. As she came closer, I stepped back twice and held out the funeral flowers.

"I just came to give these back and tell you something," I said, my voice turning to an Alpha tone that made her jump.

"If you or your family threaten Caroline again, these are the flowers I’ll put on your graves."

"Ugh, those awful flowers." She said with a sick face before understanding my words. Her eyes got big. "Don’t talk to me like that because I’m having your pup and I’ll be your Luna. Always Caroline! You’re mine now, get it? MINE!" She screamed.

My eyes changed to wolf eyes, the purple light showing in her now scared face as I stepped forward. My Alpha power made her step back.

"Listen good, I’ll say this once," I growled. "I said yes to this mating ceremony only if you and your father stay away from Caroline. Don’t even say her name. That’s our deal and you know it. So don’t threaten her again, or I won’t just end our deal, I’ll end you."

"I want that weak, scentless Beta far away from you, away from our pack company," Ella said angrily, though she looked scared. "You’re mine and, like it or not, you’ll be tied to me. You can’t get away! I want her gone."

"Thorne Enterprises is MINE!" I yelled, my Alpha voice making the windows shake. "You stay out of there! You don’t go there! Our deal was just about the mating and the pup, nothing else. Pack law or not, if you hurt Caroline, I will kill both you and your father, I don’t care what happens after."

I turned from her scared face and started to leave. "Tell your father my words.Because I promise, if Caroline gets hurt, I won’t follow pack law, I’ll follow the old way. Blood for blood."

I left angry, with Alaric’s rage still in me. No one threatens my mate. No one. Not even the woman possibly carrying my pup.

As I walked to my car, I mind-linked with Ryan.

"Have Kyle put more guards around Caroline. I want someone watching her always."

Ryan responded immediately, "I will, Alpha. I’ll send more pack warriors to protect Caroline."

I had to keep Caroline safe, even if it meant staying away from her until I could find a way out of Howard’s trap.