CHAPTER 230: CHAPTER 230 CONFRONTING THE PAST

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.

"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.

"Still beautiful, Carrie, even after having four kids," Marcus said, his eyes lingering on me. The violation in his gaze made me want to slap him.

But I was afraid that slapping him might feel like a reward rather than punishment to him, so I forced down my disgust and continued questioning him.

"How do you know about my babies?"

"Your pathetic cousin visits me. Tells me everything." He leaned forward. "She’s always hated you, you know. Always been jealous."

"I figured that out when you proposed to her after rejecting me," I replied calmly.

"Still hurt about that, bunny?" he taunted, using the pet name that once made me feel special.

"Don’t call me that!" I snapped. "And hurt? Please. Selina did me the biggest favor of my life by showing me what garbage you really are. Breaking up with you led me straight to my true mate." His face darkened.

"Yeah, you did well for yourself, didn’t you? Married an Alpha, living the high life. But family helps family, Carrie. I’m locked up, dealing with your trashy cousin’s visits. You need to help me."

"I don’t owe you anything, Marcus. You chose this path."

"You know, I only fucked your cousin because she’s a whore. That’s what us men do when a woman throws herself at you. Just like I did with that secretary Linda." His smug expression made me want to vomit.

"Disgusting! You’re such a creep! You’re not a wolf worthy of any pack. You’re a clueless, sexist, pathetic excuse for a man," I spat.

"Wow, so many loving nicknames!" he mocked.

"What do you want from me?"

"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.