CHAPTER 92: CHAPTER 92 NEED TIME TO FIGURE OUT

Caroline’s POV

"Please, Caroline, just think about it one more time," Draven’s voice was low, almost pleading. "You and Liam belong with me—in my home, in my life, in my pack."

"Draven, I told you I need time," I said softly, my resolve already beginning to slip under the weight of his voice. "This weekend away is supposed to help me clear my head."

"I miss you both more than I know how to say, Carrie. It hurts."

I ended the call and sat quietly for a moment, letting his voice linger in my mind. Over the past week, Draven hadn’t kept his distance, no matter what we had agreed. He called every day, asking how Liam and I were doing, his tone always gentle, never pressing. My apartment was filled with flowers he sent, their scent a constant reminder of him, and his afternoon deliveries always arrived just when I needed a break. But it was the nights that unraveled me most. After Liam fell asleep, we’d talk for hours, his voice low and warm through the phone, wrapping around me like a comfort I didn’t know I craved. Each conversation made it harder to hold on to the space I said I needed. And now, as silence settled around me, I couldn’t help but wonder if I had ever truly wanted the distance in the first place.

Even when we weren’t talking about us, he made sure I still felt connected to his world.

He told me that after Rose’s revelations, the financial audit was moving much faster, with him and Ryan working late into the night at Ryan’s house. But he remained frustratingly vague about exactly what Rose had disclosed, only saying she knew much more than she realized.

Eleanor established Tuesday as our girls’ night, so we returned to Blood Moon Pack’s Social Club for dinner. The conversation flowed easily between us, with guaranteed laughter and gossip. Ava had started her new position with Draven and was loving it, though she couldn’t stand Linda. She had plenty of office drama to share.

"Seriously, Carrie, it’s like Linda has ’manipulative, backstabbing troublemaker’ stamped on her forehead—how did you not see it?" Ava asked, taking a sip of her wine.

"Carrie always sees the best in people," Elle rolled her eyes. "God, I got so tired of warning her about that cousin. The one who stole her boyfriend. I told her Selina was bad news, but Carrie just thought I was overreacting."

"In the end, she did me a favor by ending up with Marcus," I admitted with a shrug. "Best mistake I never made."

"I still don’t understand how you started dating that loser," Elle said, making the girls laugh. "The guy is completely unattractive and such a jerk."

"Hey Ava, what’s Linda been doing at work these days?" I asked, actually wanting to know.

"Something juicy happened yesterday," Ava leaned in like she had gossip. "I was having lunch at this café near Thorne Enterprises. You know Whispered Grounds? That place with the killer cranberry scones?"

We all nodded, familiar with the cozy spot.

"So I was sitting in this corner spot when Linda and Ella walked in. They couldn’t see me because of this bookshelf thing between us, and they sat like right next to me. I wasn’t trying to listen in or anything, but they were being super loud talking about Draven. Like, I couldn’t help but hear everything."

"What were they saying?" Ruby asked eagerly.

"Linda was telling Ella exactly how to get Draven. She was like, ’Trust me, he’ll do whatever you want. I already got that assistant out of the way, remember?’ They were being so nasty about it."

"Like, doesn’t Linda know we’re all friends?" I asked, thinking it was weird she’d talk about it so openly.

"No, thank the Moon Goddess," Ava explained. "On Saturday, Draven called me for a morning meeting at his house and filled me in on everything. We agreed not to let Linda know about our connection. Draven even warned Joseph to be careful when he visits the office."

"That was smart," Elle nodded.

"And wait, there’s more," Ava said, eyes all lit up. "After that lunch thing, Rose, the cleaning lady who’s worked there forever, she showed me something crazy. She caught Linda and Howard getting real nasty in the stairwell. Linda was on her knees if you know what I mean. I got pics and even a video."

"No way! Girl, I need to see that!" Kyle exclaimed immediately.

Ava pulled it out and we all looked. No mistaking it was Howard and Linda. She was on her knees sucking his dick in the stairwell. After she finished, she actually thanked him for sending her money.

"How absolutely revolting," Ruby grimaced in disgust.

"Have you shown this to Draven?" I asked, concerned about the implications.

"Both Draven and Ryan have seen it," Ava confirmed. "That bitch has messed with the wrong people, Carrie."

On Thursday, Jax and his friends invited us to lunch. This time, our guys didn’t know about it, so they weren’t there to interrupt. The meal was enjoyable and comfortable.

"So, Caroline," Jax asked while we waited for dessert,"have you and Draven really gotten back together?"

"Not yet," I said honestly, "but I should be straight up with you, Jax. What I feel for Draven... it’s hard to explain. There’s just something about him that feels right, even though I’m..." I stopped, not wanting to talk about my lack of scent in public. "I’m going to visit my parents in Maplewood this weekend. Need some time to think about everything, but when I get back, I gotta figure things out with him."

"And you’re going back to him." It wasn’t a question but a resigned statement, his eyes showing a flicker of disappointment.

"So you’re going back to him." He didn’t ask it like a question. He just said it like he already knew.

"I don’t know for sure, but I love him. That means a lot to me," I said quietly.

"Thanks for being honest," he said with a sad smile.

We finished lunch in a pleasant atmosphere, and they walked us back to the Puma Global building.