CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 47 THE TROUBLESOME ALPHA CAME FOR ME

Caroline’s POV

"Yes,Mr. Donovan,I understand your concerns about the delivery timeline," I said into my phone,balancing it between my ear and shoulder while typing rapidly on my keyboard. "I can assure you that we can expedite the order and have it delivered by next Friday at the latest."

My new cubicle at Puma Global was starting to feel comfortable,with its colorful sticky notes and the small framed photo of Liam I’d placed beside my monitor. The commercial department was an open floor plan with cubicles arranged in groups of four,a refreshing change from the sterile environment at Thorne Enterprises.

"We value your business,and I’d be happy to offer a ten percent discount on your next order as well," I continued,noticing Reeves hovering near my desk.

Rory stirred within me. "Someone’s waiting for you. "

I held up one finger to Reeves,signaling I needed a moment to finish my call.

"Wonderful. Thank you for your understanding,Mr. Donovan. I’ll email you the confirmation right away. Have a great day." I hung up and turned to my supervisor with a smile. Mr. Reeves was a short,stocky man with round tortoiseshell glasses who hummed constantly throughout the day. Despite his quirks,he was incredibly kind.

"Miss Caroline,Mr. Taylor wants you to come to his office immediately," Mr. Reeves said,pushing his glasses up his nose. "You can go up now. Have you finished that list I gave you?"

I handed him several folders,nodding confidently. "Yes,Mr. Reeves,everything is organized here with the reports. Would you like me to explain anything?"

"No,you can go up to talk to the big boss. If I have any questions,I’ll ask you later. But go quickly,he seemed to be in a hurry to see you," my boss replied,gesturing for me to leave.

"Why would Joseph want to see you so urgently?" Rory asked.

"I don’t know,but I’m worried he might have changed his mind about hiring me."

I left my cubicle and headed toward Joseph’s office,my stomach knotting with anxiety. In the elevator,soft classical music played as I tried to control my breathing.

When I reached the president’s secretary’s desk,she smiled and gestured toward the door. "Mr. Taylor is expecting you,Miss Bennett."

I knocked,entered,and closed the door behind me. "You asked to see me,sir? How can I help?"

When I looked up,my heart stopped. The familiar scent of cedarwood and musk filled the air,a scent that had once intoxicated me.

Standing there alongside Joseph and Eleanor was Draven Thorne himself.

"He’s here!" Rory whimpered.

My world seemed to collapse around me. Had he come to destroy what little I had rebuilt? To ensure I couldn’t work anywhere in Harbor Bay? My eyes welled with tears as my body began to tremble involuntarily.

"Caroline,please come closer," Joseph spoke kindly. "Draven came here to talk to you,so I’d like to know if you want to speak with him."

I looked at Draven,confusion and hurt flooding my system. His violet eyes,normally so commanding,now seemed pleading,with dark circles beneath them and a haggard appearance that spoke of sleepless nights.

"He looks terrible," Rory observed. "Like he hasn’t slept in days."

"Good," I thought bitterly,though my heart ached at the sight.

"Mr. Taylor,with all due respect,if this isn’t about my work at this company,I have nothing to say to Alpha Draven," I said firmly,looking at Joseph while fighting back tears.

"Caroline,this has nothing to do with your work here. In fact,Reeves tells me you’re doing exceptionally well,and I’m happy I hired you. Draven’s matter is about what happened at his company," Joseph assured me.

I glanced at Elle,who was watching me with protective concern. When I turned back to Draven,the intensity in his eyes nearly broke my resolve. I steeled myself against the pull.

"Unless Alpha Draven has come with pack enforcers to claim I’ve broken some law,I have nothing to say to him. So,Mr. Taylor,if possible,I’d like to return to my work," I said firmly and heard Draven’s heavy sigh.

"I came to apologize,Caroline. Could you please hear me out? I made a terrible mistake." Draven’s voice was hoarse as he rubbed both hands over his face.

I stood frozen,conflicted. Eleanor came to me and took my hand. "Look,sweetie,if it were up to me,this arrogant Alpha wouldn’t even get near you,but it seems he won’t give up. Just listen to him once. Better here than at home with Liam around."

My friend was right. The last thing I needed was for this confrontation to happen anywhere near my son. I nodded stiffly.

"Fine,Alpha Draven,I’ll listen to you,but it’ll be after my working hours," I said firmly.

"Caroline," Joseph intervened gently,"as your boss and new friend,let me give you some advice. Talk to Draven now,use my office. Eleanor and I will be in the meeting room if you need anything. I’ve already made it clear to Draven that you’re not alone here."

I sighed and agreed.If that’s how it would be,let’s get this over with.

Eleanor and Joseph left,and I was alone with Draven once again.

My heart was racing; despite everything,my body still responded to his presence. Rory paced anxiously within me,torn between wanting to run and wanting to submit to her Alpha.

He walked toward me,and I stepped back instinctively. I couldn’t let him touch me because I knew my resolve would crumble.

"Carrie,please don’t pull away from me," Draven spoke,pain evident in his voice.

"Sit down,Alpha Draven. You wanted to talk,I’ll listen,but that’s all," I said harshly.

We sat across from each other,and the anguish on his face was unmistakable. But I refused to believe it meant he missed me as much as I missed him.

Draven sighed and began explaining everything they had discovered. He told me it was Linda who had set me up and that she was the one leaking information,but they had to maintain the charade until they could identify who was really behind Linda’s actions.

I wasn’t surprised that Linda was a traitor; she had always been lurking around,trying to discover everyone’s secrets.

"Caroline,please forgive me," he said,his violet eyes pleading. "I was a complete fool. I acted on impulse,I was unfair and cruel to you. I’m deeply sorry. When I saw those emails,I were so hurt that I didn’t want to listen to anyone. I didn’t give you a chance to defend yourself. Please forgive me!"

Rory whimpered at the sincerity in his voice,but I hardened my heart.

"Alpha Draven,you threw me out of your pack and company. You hurled vicious insults at me. You didn’t listen,didn’t even allow me to defend myself. You said the gutter was where I belonged." I couldn’t stop the tears that fell from my eyes. "Do you really think it’s that simple? That just asking for forgiveness will make everything forgotten? You broke the bond of trust between us in a way I never imagined possible."

He reached out to touch my hand,and I recoiled from his touch.

"Don’t touch me,please," I whispered,closing my eyes.

"Caroline,please," his voice broke. "Give me a chance. We can fix this. Alaric hasn’t stopped howling since you left. We both need you."

"Unfortunately,I can’t,Alpha Draven. I was thrown out,humiliated,trampled on. The words you said to me cut deeper than any physical wound ever could. I can’t simply forget that." I stood up straight,summoning every ounce of strength I had. "I appreciate that you took the trouble to come here and explain that you’ve cleared up the matter,and I’m sincerely happy that you’re making progress in discovering who’s been sabotaging you,but I can’t offer you anything more than that."

With that,I lowered my head,stood up,and left the room without looking back.

I went straight to the conference room and entered sobbing,tears flowing freely down my face. Eleanor ran to me and wrapped me in a embrace. Joseph gently placed his hand on my shoulder.

"You and Eleanor can go home whenever you want. I’ll let Reeves know. See you tomorrow. You have a friend in me,Caroline," he said softly before leaving me with my friend.

As Eleanor held me,I could feel Rory curling into a tight ball within me,mourning what might have been with our mate. But the wound was too deep,the trust too broken.