CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 71 TEACHING ALPHA A LOVE LESSON

Caroline’s POV

The girls looked at me in disbelief as I told them about the note I’d left on Draven’s nightstand before sneaking away.

"And now, after leaving that note, I’m sure he’ll forget me and move on. And I’m suffering even more than before," I concluded, feeling my heart ache with each word.

"Damn! Look, Carrie, I know what happened between you two was intense, but girl, you don’t easily find an Alpha who makes your wolf purr like that," Ava commented, refilling her mimosa.

"Anyone with eyes can see what you have is special! The way he looks at you, honey... that’s not just lust. I’ve been around enough Alphas to know when one is completely captivated," Ruby added.

"You really don’t plan to forgive him?" Kyle asked, her eyes soft with concern.

"I don’t know if I can," I said honestly, staring into my glass. "The way he accused me without even letting me explain... it broke something in me."

"Goddess help me, I hate to admit Nate was right about this," Elle groaned, rolling her eyes.

"What do you mean?" we all asked almost in unison.

Elle told us about the dinner with Draven and Ryan, and how Nate had tried to convince her that Draven might be my true mate - perhaps not in the traditional sense since I couldn’t be scented by him, but in every way that truly mattered. She’d already shared parts of this with me, admitting she’d falsely agreed to help Nate just to make Draven suffer more. She was also annoyed with Nate for trying to help Draven, certain the two were mind-linking and sharing information.

"Maybe Nate is right, seeing how devastated you are after leaving that note, facing the reality that it’s really over now," Elle added, squeezing my hand. "Perhaps you should forgive him... of course, after making him suffer a bit."

"Carrie, Alphas are idiots! Their dominant wolves make them mess up. But I think you two can fix this. You just need to make him grovel at your feet," Ava said with a wicked smile.

"Alpha Draven is hot-headed and stressed about protecting his pack, what he did was stupid and impulsive. But I’ve worked with him for years, and he doesn’t make the same mistake twice," Kyle affirmed, holding my hand. "And it’s written all over his face that he truly cares for you. I seriously doubt he’ll give up because of a goodbye note. Alphas don’t surrender what they consider theirs."

"Look, you could try to understand his side. At that moment, everything pointed to you being the leak. Put yourself in his place. What would you do if it were reversed, if someone told you he had betrayed the pack and all the evidence was against him?" Ruby reasoned, making me think.

"You’re right, Ruby.I would have fought first and thought later,"I admitted, considering for the first time that maybe, just maybe, I could forgive Draven.

"Honey, I know you, you’re amazing and have a huge heart. You’ll forgive him. In fact, you’ve already started to, otherwise you wouldn’t have gone to his house last night," Elle concluded, her eyes knowing. "Besides, he and Liam have a strong connection, you have to admit that works in his favor." I nodded in agreement, remembering how naturally Draven had bonded with my son.

"Do you truly love him, Caroline? Is this bond worth fighting for?" Ava asked, looking straight into my eyes.

"Yes," I whispered, then stronger, "Yes, I love him, more than I ever thought possible. He’s amazing with me, amazing with my son. Goddess help me! I want him back!" I finally admitted, accepting that I would forgive Draven.

"Well, ladies, let’s toast to that!" Kyle raised her glass. "But now, let’s plan the hell he’ll have to go through to deserve you and learn never to hurt you again."

I smiled at her words as we raised our glasses and made a toast. For the next two hours, we plotted and laughed, crafting the perfect plan to make Draven earn his way back to me.

"So, girls, that’s it! Alpha Draven will learn his lesson. And his little pack brothers will be punished too, including Nate. I’m sure they’re all mind-linking to help Draven," Elle said with conviction.

"We can’t trust any of them. We’ll extract information and make them suffer," Kyle concluded, her eyes gleaming.

"Oh, it’s easy for you two, you already have your mates wrapped around your fingers. But for us three, it’s tough. Even worse for me since I haven’t even had a proper chase with that gorgeous beta from Storm Valley Pack..." Ruby made us burst into laughter.

"Girl, you’re supposed to punish him, not avoid the hunt. It’s like training a wolf pup - good behavior gets a reward, bad behavior gets punishment," Kyle was cracking up.

"That’s the idea, ladies. We’re going to drive these males crazy, have them howling at our doors," Elle’s eyes were sparkling mischievously. "And after Carrie forgives that stubborn Alpha, we’ll all have them eating from our hands."