CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 52 I WON’T GIVE UP

Draven’s POV

I hadn’t chased after Caroline or forced her to stay. With my Alpha strength,I could have easily prevented her from leaving if I’d wanted to,but seeing those eyes filled with both love and pain,I lost all my strength and clarity of thought. I could only watch as she walked away.

I sat there stunned,thinking about how Caroline had just kissed me like she couldn’t live without me. I stared at the door in confusion.

It wasn’t until Ryan and Joseph walked in that my head started to clear. But one thing was clear-that kiss.She hadn’t just kissed me back,she’d melted into me. Her body couldn’t lie,the way she trembled against me,wanted me. A smile spread across my face. No way was I giving up now.

"Caroline ran out of here pretty fast,Alpha Draven," Ryan said.

"She still loves me," I said confidently. "She’s hurt and angry,but she loves me."

"Alright,Romeo.So what exactly happened?"Joseph asked,always needing to know everything.

"We kissed." I couldn’t help grinning. "And trust me,that wasn’t a goodbye kiss. She loves me,and I’ll never give up on her."

I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to reach her. She kept rejecting my calls until finally turning her phone off completely. But if she thought that would stop me,she was wrong.

"She’s stubborn,but so are we," Alaric growled within me.

I left work with one goal,to see her at her house.We had to talk this out.She was going to listen to me,even if I had to wait outside all night. I needed her to tell me how she felt,to let out all her anger. Maybe then she could forgive me.

On my way,I stopped at the mall. I remembered how much Liam loved his building blocks,so I bought him a big new set. God,I missed that kid. The first time we met,we clicked right away and played for hours. He’s such a bright,friendly little boy. I’d promised to come back and play with him again,and I intended to keep that promise.

"There’s something about that pup,"Alaric murmured in my mind,his tone thoughtful. "He feels like pack... like ours."

"He’s Caroline’s son," I reminded Alaric.

"It’s more than that," Alaric insisted,but fell silent when I couldn’t understand what he meant.

Passing by a chocolate shop,I decided to go in and buy a huge box,maybe they could help sweeten my Caroline’s heart.

At her building,I told the doorman I’d stay outside howling her name if she wouldn’t see me. He looked at me with an amused smile. "You really screwed up,huh?"

"Like you wouldn’t believe."

"Want some advice from someone who’s been around?"

"Please."

"Big mistakes need big apologies. And don’t give up. Caroline’s special,worth fighting for." He gave my shoulder a friendly pat before calling her apartment. I could hear the laughter in his voice as he passed on my message. "You can go up. But fair warning,she’s pretty mad."

"Thanks for the advice. I brought chocolates,hoping they’ll help."

Leaving the chuckling doorman behind,I headed for the elevator. Standing at her door,I got what might be a stupid idea,but it felt right. Like the doorman said,the size of the apology should match the size of the mistake. I’d been a complete idiot about everything with her,so maybe being an idiot while begging for forgiveness was exactly what I needed to do.

I rang the doorbell and dropped to my knees,putting on my best puppy dog eyes while holding up the bag of chocolates in front of my face.

The door opened to Eleanor’s laughter from inside. "Oh my god,Draven,get up! You look ridiculous!" Caroline said,snatching the chocolate bag from my hands. She rolled her eyes at me. "I’ll take the chocolates,but don’t think this means anything."

She turned and walked back inside,leaving the door open. Before I could even get up,I heard Liam yell my name and felt him crash into my arms. My heart melted as I hugged him back. It was crazy how much I loved this kid after meeting him only twice. But then again,he was Caroline’s son,part of the woman I loved. Of course I would love him too.

"There’s more to it," Alaric growled softly. "He must be connected to us somehow."

I brushed off Alaric’s comment. The boy was simply adorable,and my wolf was probably just projecting our feelings for Caroline onto her son.

"Liam,my little buddy,I missed you! How are you?" I asked,completely focused on that beautiful boy.

"I’m good,Draven. And you?" He looked at me with those big eyes that reflected the color of my own eyes and a huge smile on his angelic little face. "Are you coming to play with me?"

"Of course I am. I said I would. And look what I brought for you." I said,handing him the wrapped present.

"Is it for me?" he asked with sparkling eyes. I got so emotional with him at that moment.

"Of course it’s for you. Shall we open it?"

"Yeeeesssss!" He shouted excitedly. "Come,Draven,come." I stood up and entered,closing the door.

"Low blow,Draven!" Eleanor said,dying of laughter.

Liam was already on the floor opening his present,and I joined him,sitting on the floor near Caroline’s legs as she sat on the couch with chocolate in her hands. I glanced at her sideways and noticed she was emotional watching her son so happy. There was something in her eyes as she watched me interact with her son. A flash of relief,maybe even gratitude. It was fleeting,but I caught it.

"Look,godmother,a building set!" Liam shouted excitedly,showing Elle his new toy.

"What do we say when someone gives us a present?" Caroline reminded him gently.

Liam put the box down and ran to me,throwing himself into my lap for a big hug.

"Thank you! I love it. But I’m happier that you’re here!" he said,resting his head on my shoulder.

As I held him,my heart felt so full I couldn’t help the tears that came. Like mother,like son - they both had this way of making me emotional. Eleanor caught my eye and smiled knowingly.

"Can we build something together?" Liam asked,pulling back.

"If your mom says it’s okay," I said,quickly wiping my eyes.

"After dinner," Caroline said,standing up. "I’ll get another plate."

I caught her hand. "You’re inviting me to stay for dinner?"

"Looks like my son already did," she said with a quick glance at me before heading to the kitchen.

Once she left,Eleanor leaned closer. "You really love that boy,don’t you?"

"More than I can say," I answered honestly.

Dinner was filled with Liam’s stories and laughter. He was such an amazing kid. After we ate,we spread out on the living room floor to play. Being there with him somehow made all the stress from the past few days melt away,giving me new hope.

He said goodbye with more hugs and went to bed with Eleanor. Caroline sat down and finally said,"Thank you for what you did for my son today. He was very happy."

"I could do more every day," I said,giving her assurance that it would be perfect for us to be together.

"Don’t use my son,Draven," she warned me.

"I would never do that. Liam is captivating,Caroline. I’m absolutely enchanted by him. And I didn’t bring him a present and play with him to get your forgiveness. I’ll earn your forgiveness another way," I said with conviction.

"You’re very sure I’ll forgive you. In fact,you’re always very sure about everything," she said with sadness in her eyes.

I was sitting on the carpet,then I knelt in front of her and took her hands that were crossed in her lap,kissed them gently,and spoke calmly,"I’ll spend my whole life begging for your forgiveness if I have to. But I know what you feel in my arms,I felt you today,your heart beats with mine,Carrie."

I ran my hand across her face and she sighed. I brought my face closer to hers and continued looking into her eyes,"I love you,Caroline,and I won’t give up. No matter how much I have to crawl,how much I have to beg,I won’t give up."

I gave a warm kiss to her lips,kissed her hands again,and whispered in her ear,"Please come to the party tomorrow. Forgive me,I’m begging for your forgiveness."

"You didn’t trust me,Draven. You didn’t even want to hear me out. You didn’t give me the benefit of the doubt either. You attacked me cruelly,humiliated me,drove me away. So,you’d better go on with your life and leave me alone. I won’t come back to you."

My heart shattered into millions of tiny pieces. Alaric howled in pain within me.

I got up and left,desperate with pain. As I left the building,I took out my phone and called Ryan.

When I arrived at his house,Joseph was already there. My friends listened to me and drank with me again.

"The bond is there," I told them."I can feel it. Alaric can feel it. But she won’t forgive me."

"Give her time," Joseph counseled,his hand firm on my shoulder. "She’s hurt,but the Moon Goddess doesn’t bring mates together without reason."

"The boy," Alaric whispered in my mind as I took another drink. "There’s something about the boy we’re missing."

I didn’t understand what Alaric was trying to tell me,but as the alcohol numbed my pain,I promised myself I wouldn’t give up on Caroline. Not now,not ever.