CHAPTER 97: CHAPTER 97 ENJOY WHAT YOU STOLE

Caroline’s POV

I waited at the gate and got into the car before Draven could open my door.

"What’s wrong, sweetheart?" Draven asked with worry.

I shook my head. "My aunt showed up without warning. It wasn’t nice. I’ll tell you later. Don’t want to ruin our day." I forced a smile. "Good morning, guys."

Liam talked the whole way there, proudly telling Draven how he stuck his tongue out at the "mean lady." Everyone in the car laughed.

"That’s my boy," Draven said proudly.

When we got to Eleanor’s house, her mom Marla ran to hug me as soon as we went inside. Then she knelt down to Liam.

"There’s my favorite little wolf!" she said with open arms.

Liam ran to her arms. "Gramma Marla!" he squealed with joy while she picked him up and twirled him.

Alpha Gerald came to the big entrance hall. He nodded at Draven.

"Alpha Draven," he said formally, then smiled. "Welcome to our home."

The two Alphas did the traditional wolf greeting. You could feel their power in the room.

After a huge lunch, Alpha Gerald stood up. "Alpha Draven, Nate, want to join me and Sebastian in my study? We have some pack stuff to talk about."

Sebastian, Eleanor’s brother and Blood Moon Pack’s new Alpha, nodded.

The men left, and we women went to the sunroom by the gardens.

"Now," Marla smiled,"tell me everything about Harbor Bay. And don’t skip anything about this Alpha of yours!"

Eleanor and I looked at each other and started telling the story, being careful what we said with Liam playing nearby. I told her about my job,my small apartment that I loved, and how Eleanor helped me in the new city.

"And Alpha Draven," Marla leaned in,"he really accepts Liam as his?"

"You should see them together," Eleanor said before I could. "They’re like real father and son. Draven loves them both so much."

"The Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways," Marla said softly, squeezing my hand. "Sometimes the path to happiness isn’t what we expect."

When the men came back, Eleanor had the servants pack her bags since we were heading back to Harbor Bay tonight.

After goodbyes, we went for ice cream with Liam. Eleanor and Nate came too.

"Mommy, ice cream?" Liam said excitedly, pointing at the cute shop as we parked.

"Of course, little wolf," Eleanor said, and Liam clapped happily.

Just as we ordered, I heard someone behind me.

"Well, if it isn’t the slut who got pregnant and doesn’t know who the father is. And look, the little bastard!"

I froze. But before I could turn, Draven stood up fast, his chair scraping the ground. The air got heavy with his Alpha power, making nearby werewolves shiver.

"Don’t ever talk about my mate and son that way," he growled angrily.

I turned to see Selina standing there, mouth open, with her two friends. They all looked shocked at Draven, his purple eyes glowing with fury.

Selina got over her shock quick and sneered. "You’re with her? Well, you should know she’s still chasing my husband! Yesterday she was begging Marcus to be with her, said she’d even be his mistress."

"Alpha, you should know how desperate Caroline is," one of Selina’s friends said sweetly, touching Draven’s arm. "I can tell you all about her... maybe over dinner?"

"Take your hand off me now." His voice made her jump back.

He looked at Selina with cold eyes. "You’re the one who betrayed Caroline in her bed. You’re the real slut with no honor. And your friends are just as desperate. Your husband lied because he cornered my mate at the store. Ask the manager who saw it all."

Nate had taken Liam inside for safety, while Eleanor stood by me, eyes angry.

"Who do you think you are talking to my wife like that?" Marcus showed up, stumbling and smelling like alcohol even from far away.

Draven laughed coldly. "I think you two deserve each other," he said, looking at them with disgust. "But since you asked, I’m Caroline’s mate and future husband. You should leave before I forget we’re in public."

Marcus looked at Draven, then at Liam through the window. "Wait, he’s the kid’s father," he slurred angrily. "You said you didn’t know who the father was, Caroline. Now you show up with this Alpha who looks just like the kid."

Quick as lightning, Draven grabbed Marcus’s shirt and lifted him up. "Don’t call my son that.Don’t talk to my family again. Don’t even look at my Caroline or my son."

"So you’re really his father?" Selina asked, sounding surprised and bitter.

"Of course he is, the kid looks just like him!" Marcus choked out while struggling.

I couldn’t speak. The whole thing was getting out of hand. Eleanor stood next to me ready to fight, and I felt Rory pacing inside me, wanting to protect our baby.

"Worry about your own life, Selina," I finally said, feeling stronger with Draven defending us.

"How is this possible?" Selina snapped. "You got pregnant, said you didn’t know who the father was, and my aunt and uncle helped you. Even the Alpha’s daughter gives your son everything. Then you go to college and get a dream job. Now you come back with this hot, powerful, rich Alpha who’s your kid’s father. Why does everything work out for you? I’m stuck with a drunk husband who cheats, a kid I never wanted, in this awful town!"

I took a deep breath, feeling Rory’s strength. "You get what you deserve, Selina. Enjoy what you stole."

"Selina, honey," her friend said with fake care, "this gold-digger trapped him with a baby, and this poor Alpha fell for it. So obvious!"

"Shut up, you pathetic woman," Draven growled, letting Marcus fall. "Caroline doesn’t need to trap anyone. She’s the most honest woman alive, and you’re all just jealous you can’t be happy like her. Leave now before I get really mad."

Draven held my hand, kissed my head, and called to Eleanor, "Let’s go inside. I want to have ice cream with my son."

We turned to leave, but Eleanor had to have the last word. She looked at them and said sweetly, "Die of envy! Kiss my shoulder, bitches!" She flipped her hair, kissed her own shoulder, and walked inside like a queen.

Inside, Draven gave me some water as I tried to calm down. Liam was having fun with Nate, looking at all the ice cream flavors.

"How did you know about Marcus at the market?" I asked Draven softly.

He smiled and fixed my hair. "That’s small town life, baby. Everyone talks. Mr. Aginor at the market loves to chat. We went there for fruit before going to your parents’ house. Nate said your mom loves berry cobbler, and I wanted to make her like me."

He touched my cheek gently. "Mr. Aginor knew who I was right away. Being an Alpha means everyone knows you. He told me everything and said it was good you had someone to protect you now."

Draven looked angry. "When he told me how that wolf cornered you and scared you... Caroline, I wanted to hurt him." His voice shook. "I don’t know how you ever liked someone like that."

"If I had met a perfect mate like you first," I smiled, "I wouldn’t have wasted time on him."

Draven’s face lit up. "I should thank him then," he said, giving me a soft kiss. "His loss is my win."

We enjoyed our ice cream after that. Liam shared his chocolate with Draven. I watched them together, feeling happy as Draven wiped ice cream from my son’s face so gently.

We went back to my parents’ house. Diana was gone, so we had a nice visit before leaving. Eleanor told them how Draven defended us, making my parents love him even more.

After the farm, we stopped at Nate’s house where his mom gave us snacks for the trip. Then we drove to the small airport where Draven’s private jet waited.When we got to Harbor Bay, Liam was fast asleep. Draven carried him up and tucked him in, looking happy doing it. After leaving Liam’s room, I took Draven’s hand to the living room.

"Stay tonight," I said softly. Draven’s eyes lit up with hope.

"Are you sure, Carrie?"

"Very sure," I moved closer. "We had such a good weekend. I don’t want it to end yet."

He pulled me into a hug. "Won’t Liam think it’s weird to see me here tomorrow?"

I smiled at how he cared about Liam. "He’ll probably love seeing you in the morning."

"Can I take him to daycare?" Draven asked.

"You’ll have to fight me for that," Nate said, coming from the kitchen and patting Draven’s shoulder. "I’m his godfather, and I’m staying here too."

"I’ll take Liam tomorrow, Nate," Draven said firmly. "You get to do this more than me."

"You boys can figure it out later," Eleanor yawned, pulling Nate to her room. "I’m tired from all that drama."

After they left, Draven looked at me seriously. He held my face gently.

"Caroline," he said softly. "I need to tell you something."

I nodded, my heart beating faster.

"When Mr. Aginor told me about the market... I realized something." His purple eyes got watery."I did the same thing Marcus did.I cornered you, blamed you, wouldn’t listen..."

"Draven..." I started, but he shook his head.

"Please let me finish." He took a deep breath. "I treated you badly, just like him. I hurt you when I should have protected you. I broke your trust when I should have kept it." A tear fell down his face. "When I think how I made you feel, how I pushed you away... I hate myself."

"I promise you, Caroline Bennett, I’ll make it up to you every day. I’ll never make you doubt me again. I’ll be the mate you deserve and the father Liam needs. I’ll love you both forever."

"I know you will," I wiped his tear. "And I forgive you, Draven. We both made mistakes."

He put his forehead against mine."I don’t deserve forgiveness yet, but I’ll earn it. Every day, I’ll earn it."

Right then, with him holding me and being so honest, I felt my last wall break down.

"Take me to bed," I whispered.

His eyes got dark with want, but they were also soft and loving. Without a word, he picked me up and carried me to my room, closing the door behind us.