CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 58 SURPRISE VISIT

Draven’s POV

The airport was busy as Ryan and I walked Clara to her gate. I felt sad watching her check her ticket. She wasn’t just an assistant, she was family. Having her move across the ocean left an empty feeling in my chest.

"I’ve got a private jet ready for you in London once a month," I told her, fixing her bag strap. "Don’t argue. I need my best advisor to visit."

Clara smiled warmly and touched my cheek. "Draven, I had lunch with Caroline and Eleanor today," she said quietly. "Liam has a message for you."

Alaric stirred instantly at the pup’s name. "He does?" I couldn’t help smiling. That kid had somehow become important to me so quickly.

"He wants you to play with him again," Clara said, watching me closely. "That pup really likes you."

"I like him too," I said, surprised by how much I meant it.

Clara squeezed my arm."Caroline’s still hurt, Draven. But that boy... there’s something special there. Don’t give up on them."

I hugged her tight. "I won’t. I promise."

She pulled back, smiling. "I also met Eleanor’s mate. Everyone says Nate is perfect for her. And Caroline... she’s trying to move on, but I can tell she misses you."

Alaric growled at the thought of Caroline moving on from us. It had only been two days since we last saw her, but it felt like forever.

After Clara left for her flight, Ryan and I walked to the car. While we got in, I had an idea.

"Want to meet Liam?" I asked suddenly.

Ryan smiled. "The pup just invited you to play, right?"

"Yeah. I think we should go."

"After you, Alpha," Ryan grinned. "But maybe we should get something first? Can’t visit empty-handed."

Twenty minutes later, we parked at Evergreen Toys, the best toy store in Harbor Bay. I spent an hour picking out the perfect gift,a train set with tracks that could be built different ways. Something he could play with for years.

When we got to Caroline’s building, I saw the same doorman from last time. He smiled when he saw me.

"Back again, Mr. Thorne? Persistence is key with the ladies," he said with a wink.

"Following your advice," I replied with a grin.

He looked around carefully. "I might have stepped away for a minute. Shame I didn’t see who went up during that time." He nodded toward the elevator.

I approved of the doorman’s help as Ryan and I went up to Caroline’s floor.

The door opened to a tall, strong man with friendly eyes - Nate, Eleanor’s mate.

"Can I help you?" he asked politely.

Before we could answer, a small blur of golden hair came running from behind him.

"Draven!" Liam yelled, jumping into my arms with so much trust that my wolf howled happily inside. His small arms hugged my neck tight, making my chest feel warm in a new way.

"Looks like someone was waiting for you," Nate laughed, stepping back. "I’m Nate Kellan, Eleanor’s mate."

"Draven Thorne," I said, holding Liam with one arm while shaking hands. "This is Ryan Cole, my Beta."

"Ah, the ’perfect boyfriend’ we keep hearing about," Ryan joked as they shook hands.

Nate blushed a bit. "Can’t escape that name. Come in. The girls are in the kitchen,I’ll tell them you’re here."

We went inside, and I put Liam down to give him his gift. His violet eyes, just like mine,got big with excitement as he opened it.

"Choo-choo!" he shouted, jumping up and down at the train set. "Draven, can we build it now? Please, please, please?"

I knelt down beside him, smiling at how excited he was. "Of course we can, buddy."

"Really, Draven? Are you trying to outdo Elle and Nate in spoiling my son?" Caroline’s voice came from behind me, making Alaric excited.

When I turned around, I couldn’t breathe for a second. She was wearing a simple white sundress that fit her perfectly, her blonde hair falling loose. Without thinking, I pulled her into a hug, breathing in her scent. When I let go, we both had tears in our eyes.

"I’m sorry," I whispered, "but I missed you so much."

"Clara told me about Liam’s message," I said, stepping back a little. "Ryan was with me, so I brought him too. Is that okay?"

"Of course," she said softly. "You’re both welcome here."

Before we could talk more, Liam pulled on my hand. "Draven! My train! Let’s build it in my room!"

Eleanor came from the kitchen, looking surprised but happy. She gave Caroline a knowing look before saying hi.

Liam pulled me, Ryan, and Nate to his room, holding my finger tight. We spent an hour putting the train set together on his floor, with Liam talking excitedly the whole time. I felt so... happy.

Ryan kept taking pictures on his phone. When Liam’s face lit up watching the train go around the track for the first time, my heart felt full.

"Having fun?" Caroline stood at the door, arms crossed but smiling. "I ordered pizza if you’re hungry."

After dinner, with lots of talking and laughing, Liam climbed into my lap and told me stories about his dinosaurs. He got sleepier and sleepier until he fell asleep on my chest, completely trusting.

"I’ll help put him to bed," I said quietly to Caroline.

She nodded and led the way to his room. I laid him carefully in his race car bed, tucked him in, and kissed his forehead. Watching him sleep made me feel so protective.

As we left his room, I took Caroline’s hand and pulled her close. "Which is your room?" I whispered in her ear, feeling her tremble. "Tell me, or I’ll have to check them all."

She paused before pointing to the right door. I led her inside, closed the door, and pulled her into my arms for a kiss. I put all my feelings into it - how much I missed her, how sorry I was, how much I loved her.

When we pulled apart, breathing hard, I rested my head against hers. "Caroline, please forgive me," I begged. "Come back to me. I can’t stand being without you and Liam. I promise I’ll never let you down again."

She cried, shaking her head. "Draven, I can’t... not yet."

"I won’t give up," I promised, wiping her tears away. "I’ll show you we belong together, all three of us." I gave her one last soft kiss before stepping back.

I went back to the living room, wiping my eyes. Eleanor, Nate, and Ryan were laughing about something.

"Ryan, time to go," I said. My Beta looked worried when he saw my face.

After goodbye, we walked quietly to the elevator. Inside, Ryan turned to me.

"She said no again?"

I nodded, running my hand through my hair. "For now."

"Are you giving up?" he asked.

"Never," I growled. "I want her more than ever."

Ryan watched me. "Good. She’s meant for you. But that kid..." he stopped.

"What about him?" I asked quickly.

"He’s amazing. And have you seen how much he looks like you? His eyes are exactly the same, and how close he is to you... it’s like you’re connected."

I thought about it. "I know. I feel it too. Even if Caroline never forgives me, I want to keep seeing Liam."

Alaric whined in my mind. Something about that pup feels familiar.

Ryan gave me a long look as we got to the car. "Yeah, I noticed," was all he said, but he seemed to be thinking hard.

"Let’s go," I said, starting the car. "We have that internal audit meeting tomorrow morning."

Driving Ryan home, I kept thinking about Caroline and Liam. Something about that boy called to my wolf side in a way I couldn’t explain. And I saw how Caroline looked at me, she wanted me too.

One way or another, they would be mine.