CHAPTER 145: CHAPTER 145 OVERHEARING THE TRUTH

Ryan’s POV

I couldn’t stop thinking about Caroline’s reaction to my scent.It hit me hard.She’d complimented my scent before.But today? She looked like she was going to be sick.

"Something’s definitely wrong with her," I muttered as I dug through my desk drawer and grabbed a small bottle of scent blocker spray. Most people hated using this stuff because it messed with their natural vibe, but Caroline’s health came first.

After spraying myself, I headed out to my meeting at social club. Alpha Draven had asked me to handle this one with the Henderson Group. He trusted me to keep things smooth and protect our interests.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off all day.

"Focus," I told myself quietly as I shook Mr. Henderson’s hand on the tennis court. "We’ve got business to take care of."

The match went well,I let him win just enough to boost his ego without being obvious. But halfway through lunch, his phone rang.

"Family emergency," he said. "Can we push the contract talk to next week?"

I nodded. "Of course. Family comes first."

With two hours to kill before my next meeting, I decided to treat myself to a massage at the club’s renowned spa. The path to the wellness center cut through a secluded grove of pine trees that provided peaceful isolation from the main facilities.

As I rounded a bend in the path, I heard a familiar voice that made me freeze.

I slowed my steps, instinctively moving into a quiet, cautious stance. Through the trees, I could see Ella Howard, who claimed to be Alpha Draven’s fiancée, in what sounded like a heated argument with Bruno.

Curiosity got the better of me. This might be important for Draven. I hid behind a big bush and started recording on my phone.

"I can’t believe you’re actually going through with marrying Thorne," Bruno spat, his face contorted with rage. "Does he know how many times you’ve been in my bed these last three months, Ella?"

I nearly gasped aloud. Maverick’s hackles rose within me. "I knew that female was trouble!"

"Keep your voice down," Ella hissed, looking around nervously. "You should be grateful I even gave you attention."

"Oh yeah? Well, the problem is you’re not going to marry that Alpha," Bruno replied, stepping closer to her.

"Oh no? And who’s going to stop me?" she mocked, tossing her hair.

"I am, because Rafael told me you’re pregnant." Bruno’s face had turned an alarming shade of red. "But you know what, Ella? I seriously doubt that pup is Thorne’s. I’m sure it’s mine, and you’re not going to marry him. My child won’t be raised by another Alpha!"

My hand trembled with excitement as I steadied the phone. This was exactly what we needed—proof that Ella’s baby wasn’t Draven’s. This could save both my friend and Caroline from heartbreak.

"Rafael really needs to learn to keep her mouth shut," Ella raged. "But listen, Bruno, you’re always saying you love me, that you’d do anything for me. So do this for me,keep quiet." Her voice had changed from angry to persuasive.

"And what do I get out of this? I’m crazy about you, but I won’t lose you. Tell me, am I the pup’s father?" Bruno’s voice had turned pathetically needy.

"Look, baby," Ella purred, running her fingers through his hair, "my father wants me to mate with Draven to unite our packs. You know how Alphas are about bloodlines and territory. But we can keep seeing each other. You can still have me."

"And another wolf is going to raise my pup? Never!" Bruno exploded.

"Oh, Bruno baby, do it for your little Ella, please?" She pulled him toward a nearby bench, and suddenly they were kissing passionately.

When they began fumbling with their clothes, I’d seen enough. I quickly ended the recording and backed away, no longer interested in my massage. My heart was racing with both disgust and excitement.

"Draven needs to see this immediately," Maverick urged.

I rushed back to my car and sped toward the Thorne Enterprises building, mind-linking Kyle along the way.

"Kyle, meet me in Draven’s office ASAP. I’ve got something huge."

"On my way," she replied instantly.

When I arrived at headquarters, I practically sprinted to the elevator, impatiently jabbing the button for the top floor. The moment the doors opened, I rushed past Clara’s desk with a quick nod and burst into Draven’s office where Kyle was already waiting.

"For you to burst in here like the building’s on fire, something serious must have happened," Draven said, looking up from the report he was reviewing.

"Alpha, you won’t believe what I have to show you," I said, trying to contain my excitement.

"And what would that be, Ryan? You spent the morning at the club, what could possibly be so incredible there?" Draven asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I saw your fiancée," I said with a triumphant grin.

"For Moon’s sake, don’t start talking about that woman," Draven groaned.

"Oh, but you’ll want to hear this. Watch this interesting little video. Kyle, watch it with him." I pulled up the video on my phone and handed it to them.

"No way," Draven whispered, his violet eyes widening as he watched.

"Watch all of it," I insisted.

"What a deceitful bitch!" Kyle exclaimed.

When the video ended, all three of us broke into relieved laughter. This was better than we could have hoped for!

"Ryan, how did you manage to get this?" Kyle asked, looking impressed.

"Pure luck. I heard that woman’s voice and decided to record it thinking I might catch something useful. Never thought it would be this damning," I explained.

"How didn’t she sense you?" Draven asked, his Alpha instincts always alert to security concerns.

"Downwind, plus I had just applied scent blocker because of Caroline’s reaction earlier." I tapped the bottle in my pocket. "Felt like a real spy."

"More like a nosy pack brother," Kyle teased.

"This is pure gold!" Draven stood up and clasped my shoulder firmly. "You’ve just saved me from a fate worse than death."

"What fate?" Kyle asked.

"Being tied to that manipulative woman for life," Draven explained with visible relief.

"Now we just need the DNA test results. Send me that video so I can combine it with the results when they come in," Draven said. "This charade ends today."

"When will the test results be ready?" I asked, eager to see this situation resolved so Draven could finally be with Caroline.

"Dr. Molina was supposed to send them today, but he had to take an emergency trip. He messaged saying he’d forward them as soon as possible," Draven explained.

"Hope it doesn’t take long," I sighed. "Caroline doesn’t look well, Alpha. Whatever’s going on with her, she needs you—without Ella in the picture."

Draven’s expression softened at the mention of Caroline’s name. "I know. And after this, nothing’s going to keep me from her."

"Good,"Maverick rumbled approvingly inside me. "Our Alpha needs her mate."

And I had a feeling Caroline needed Draven just as much, especially now.