CHAPTER 244: CHAPTER 244 FULL CIRCLE MEMORIES

Caroline’s POV

Time had flown since the Howard Ashford incident. Draven and I gradually established a rhythm managing both Storm Valley Pack and Thorne Enterprises. The company had become even more structured and regulated after the investigation. Everything was thriving.

The best news? Our quadruplets were going to be turning one year old next week.

I smiled, thinking about our beautiful children. They were perfect blends of us.

Lucas and August inherited my golden hair while displaying their father’s striking violet eyes. Aurora and Layla had Draven’s golden-brown hair with my emerald green eyes. All four were growing healthy and happy under Liam’s protective big brother watch. He was especially gentle with his sisters.

After much heated debate among their loving aunts and uncles, we finally settled on godparents. Lucas became Jace’s godson, while Ryan claimed August. Ava proudly became Aurora’s godmother, and Kyle absolutely adored little Layla.

Eleanor pouted about not securing a spot among the godmothers.

"You already have Liam," Ryan had teased her during our family dinner last month. "Don’t be greedy!"

Everyone was pouring tremendous energy into planning the perfect first birthday celebration. After much deliberation, Draven made the final call—we’d celebrate at my parents’ small farm in Maplewood.

"The kids should bond with their grandparents," he’d insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Alpha’s orders?" I’d teased, earning a playful growl from him.

Beyond the birthday, we’d also be attending Blood Moon Pack’s traditional annual masquerade ball. The thought made butterflies dance in my stomach.

I was packing our bags when Draven emerged from the closet holding a black box. He pulled me to sit beside him on our bed, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"What’s that?" I asked curiously.

Draven’s lips curved into a seductive smile. "Mementos from our first night together."

He opened the box, revealing a black mask, a white handkerchief, and torn panties. I burst out laughing.

"I told you I kept your panties," he said triumphantly, looking ridiculously pleased with himself.

"And the handkerchief?" I asked, confused.

Rory stirred inside me. "Men and their strange trophies," she commented, making me suppress another laugh.

"It needed washing," Draven admitted, "but I kept it anyway. I used this to clean you up after our encounter that night." His smile was absolutely wicked.

"You know, I actually looked for those panties after you left me in that room," I confessed. "Never imagined you’d keep them as souvenirs."

"I’ve kept all the others I’ve torn off this delicious body too." Draven suddenly pulled me onto the bed, covering my body with his. "But those are in our apartment, where I make you scream while I’m inside you."

"Oh really?" I grinned up at him. "Someone’s being naughty."

"You’re the naughty one," he countered. "I have to cover your mouth when you’re riding me on this bed so we don’t wake our children."

Draven laughed against my neck, his hot breath sending shivers down my spine. His hands began exploring my body, finding all my sensitive spots.

"What can I do? My husband is a sexy pervert," I sighed, already surrendering to his touch.

"Good to know," Draven murmured before claiming my lips in a passionate kiss.

We spent more than half the night awake, lost in each other’s arms.

***

In Maplewood, we left our children with the nannies at my parents’ farm. Robert and Linda were absolutely delighted to have all their grandchildren for the weekend. Draven and I decided to stay at Eleanor and Nate’s parents’ house since Alpha Gerald and Marla were traveling, and their spacious home was conveniently close to the venue.

All the women gathered in Eleanor’s old bedroom to prepare for the ball. Eleanor, Ava, Ruby, Kyle, and I were busy with final touches on our outfits.

"We’re going to absolutely slay this ball tonight!" Eleanor exclaimed, examining each of us with critical eyes.

"Especially Carrie in that perfect dress," Ava commented as I did a small twirl, smiling.

I’d chosen to wear the same dress from five years ago—the one I’d worn when I first met Draven at this very masquerade.

"Do I look the same?" I asked nervously.

"Better," Eleanor assured me. "Now you’ve got that post-baby glow and confidence."

We put on our masks and descended the staircase where our men waited in the living room. When Draven spotted me, his violet eyes widened and darkened with desire. He walked toward me, his focus entirely on me.

"My angel, you’re perfect," he whispered before giving me a quick kiss. He took my hand and placed it against his chest. "Do you feel that? That’s exactly how my heart reacted when I saw you walk into that ball five years ago."

"I kept everything," I confessed softly. "The dress, mask, shoes... They were memories of a wonderful night that gave me one of life’s greatest gifts—Liam."

Draven’s eyes grew emotional. When he’d suggested attending the ball, I immediately knew I would wear the same outfit. But I hadn’t anticipated how moved he would be.

At the ball, Eleanor immediately dragged our group to the bar where we started doing shots. The familiar atmosphere brought back a flood of memories - the music, the laughter, the anticipation of what the night might bring.

When we returned to our table, Draven wasted no time taking my hand. Just like five years before, he repeated the line that had first captivated me, "Surely the most enchanting woman in the room won’t refuse me this dance, will she?"

As we swayed together on the dance floor, I marveled at how much had changed. Draven remained every bit as charming and seductive as he’d been that night, but now I knew the man behind the mask—the loving father, the dedicated Alpha, the passionate mate who’d claimed my heart completely.

Suddenly, his lips curved into a mischievous smile.

He pulled me toward an empty room I remembered all too well.

"Feeling nostalgic?" I teased as he pressed me against the wall.

"Some memories deserve recreation," he growled before capturing my lips in a hungry kiss.

Our bodies remembered this dance perfectly. His hands slid beneath my dress, finding me already wet with anticipation. With a familiar sound of tearing fabric, Draven ripped my panties away just as he had five years before.

But this wasn’t about strangers finding release in the darkness anymore.

We were husband and wife, Alpha and Luna, bound by love and shared children. Our movements were both familiar and entirely new, more intense because of everything we’d built together.

Draven lifted me against the wall, entering me in one powerful thrust that made me gasp. I wrapped my legs around his waist, clinging to his shoulders as he drove into me with increasing urgency.

"Quiet, angel," he whispered against my ear when my moans grew louder. "Unless you want an audience."

The danger of discovery only heightened our pleasure. I bit his shoulder to muffle my cries as waves of ecstasy crashed through me. Draven followed moments later, his body tensing as he growled my name.

We stayed there, leaning against the wall, completely breathless. His forehead pressed against mine as we both struggled to regain composure.

"You’re truly incredible," Draven murmured, his violet eyes glowing behind his mask. "But this time, beautiful, I know your name." His thumb traced my cheek tenderly. "And I’ll never lose you again. I love you, my angel."

"I love you too, Alpha," I whispered back, my heart full.

END