“Come on, Draven, you didn’t invite us to dinner just for pleasantries. And I came because I wanted to see how far your nerve would take you. Tell me, what do you really want?”
“Eleanor, I want to apologize to you. I hurt your friend, and that hurt you. I was unfair and hasty…”
“You were an arrogant, pretentious Alpha with his head up his ass!” Eleanor snapped. “And you too, Ryan.”
“Eleanor, you’re supporting your friend, aren’t you?” Ryan asked, and she nodded firmly. “Well, I’m supporting my Alpha, who’s like a brother to me. He felt betrayed, and that upset me. But we were wrong, and you’re absolutely right, we treated Caroline unfairly. We should have investigated first.”
“Eleanor, I’m truly sorry. I love Caroline in a way I never imagined possible. My wolf howls for her every night. I’m desperate. Please, forgive me and help me fix my mistake. I’m willing to spend the rest of my life proving myself worthy of her,” I pleaded, letting my sincerity show.
“You hurt my friend badly, Draven. And you, Ryan, you made it even worse.” Eleanor’s voice was full of pain, and she had every right to be angry.
Nate took his girlfriend’s hand and, looking into her eyes, said,”Elle, they messed up badly, but who hasn’t? Remember when we first started dating and you believed I was cheating because Amber told you she scented me with another woman? You didn’t trust me. Later you discovered it was a setup, and we worked things out. That was a second chance for us. I think Draven deserves a second chance, and Ryan too.”
“It’s not the same, Nate.What happened between us was nothing compared to what these two did to Carrie.Draven practically cast her out of the pack!” Eleanor was furious.
“And you told me my wolf wasn’t worthy of yours. Elle, when we’re angry, we say things we shouldn’t,” Nate spoke patiently. “Everyone deserves a second chance. And you’re not thinking about Carrie, about how much she’s suffering.”
“Of course I’m thinking about Carrie! She’s suffering because of them. I won’t let them hurt her anymore.”
“But don’t you think her love for Draven might run deeper than this pain? That it might be harder for her to lose her mate forever than to forgive him?” Nate was advocating for me; without trying, I had gained a valuable ally. My wolf felt hopeful about getting Eleanor’s help.
“Nate, are you seriously defending these two idiots?” Eleanor asked incredulously.
I had to admire Eleanor’s loyalty. I was grateful Caroline had someone like that in her life, a true packmate who would defend her with everything she had.
“I’m advocating for our friend’s happiness. I’ll just tell you one more thing, have you considered that he might be her true mate, the only one who could truly make her happy?”
Eleanor huffed and lowered her eyes to the dessert in front of her.
“I don’t know, Nate. Maybe you’re right, but I can’t help.I would be betraying Carrie. Besides, this Alpha already has the best ally in the world and hasn’t even realized it. Liam is the easiest path to Caroline’s heart,” she said as if I were a clueless wolf who couldn’t see what was obvious.
“Eleanor, I would never use Liam to win Caroline over. That would dishonor us both. I genuinely feel something special for that pup, I can’t even explain it, but there’s a connection there, probably because he’s the son of the woman my wolf recognizes…” I spoke with complete honesty, Alaric rumbling in agreement within me.
“You wouldn’t be betraying Carrie, Eleanor. You’d be helping your friend find her true happiness,” Ryan caught her attention. “I would do anything to see my Alpha happy. And if you include me in the forgiveness package, you and Carrie will gain the most loyal Beta friend, I promise by the Moon Goddess.”
Eleanor looked at each of us seated around the table and sighed heavily.
“I might be getting myself into trouble with my best friend, and I might really regret this, but alright, I’ll help you. Only because I’m tired of seeing Caroline’s wolf suffering, and I can tell you truly care about Liam, Draven.”
“You won’t regret it. I’ll make your friend happier than she’s ever been,” I said, Alaric purring with satisfaction.
“You better, because if you hurt her again, my father’s entire warrior team won’t be enough to protect you,” Eleanor threatened, her eyes briefly flashing her wolf’s gold. “And I’m going to want another slice of that chocolate truffle cake too.”
“You can have the entire cake if you want,”I said, grinning widely, feeling for the first time that Caroline might truly forgive me.
Draven’s POV
Standing outside the restaurant after dinner, I took a deep breath of the cool air. Nate had gone to bring the car around while Eleanor waited beside me, her arms crossed but her expression softer than before.
“You know,” she said thoughtfully, “I think your flower arrangements were actually a good idea. Caroline always lights up when fresh flowers arrive.”
“Really?” Alaric perked up at this information.
Eleanor nodded. “Don’t just send them to the office. Make sure she receives them at home too. Women notice when someone really tries.”
“I’ll have the florist deliver twice a week,” I replied, already planning to call them first thing tomorrow.
“And those little snacks you’ve been sending to the office? Smart move. Caroline’s new friend Ruby has been singing your praises because of them.”
I smiled, glad my strategy was working with at least one person. “I feel like I’ve become Jay Gatsby, throwing my wealth around to win Daisy back.”
Eleanor laughed. “Maybe you should just host an extravagant ball and invite Caroline to your mansion while you’re at it.”
“Don’t tempt me,” I replied with a half-smile.”At this point, I’d do just about anything.”
“Just keep showing up,” Eleanor advised. “Text her, call her, even if she doesn’t answer. Show her you’re not giving up.”
“You really think this will work?” I couldn’t hide the doubt in my voice.
“I’ve known Caroline for years,” Eleanor said. “She’s hurt, but she’s also someone who believes in second chances when she sees real remorse.” She paused, her expression becoming more serious.”I’ll help create opportunities for you two to meet, but you need to do exactly what I say.”
Nate pulled up in their car, giving me a supportive nod through the windshield.
“Thank you,” I said to Eleanor with complete sincerity. “I won’t waste this chance.”
After they left, I immediately called my florist and arranged for another bouquet of tulips to be delivered to Caroline’s home the following morning.Alaric rumbled contentedly within me, approving of this plan to win back our mate.
Back at my penthouse, I poured myself a whiskey and pulled out my phone to compose a goodnight message to Caroline. I knew she probably wouldn’t respond, but Eleanor had emphasized consistency. I needed Caroline to know I was thinking of her, always.
The next day, I implemented my full strategy. Good morning texts, afternoon snack deliveries for both Caroline and Eleanor, and evening messages asking about her day. I called her three times every day – in the morning, at lunch, and in the evening. Each time when she didn’t pick up, I left her messages telling her how I felt.
“Caroline, it’s me again,” I said into the phone Thursday evening. “I just wanted to tell you that I’m deeply sorry for how I treated you. My actions were unforgivable, but I’m hoping someday you’ll give me the chance to make it up to you. I love you and Liam more than I ever thought possible. Goodnight.”
Alaric whined after I hung up, missing our mate.
“I know,” I whispered to my wolf. “I miss her too.”
Later that evening, my phone buzzed with a message from Eleanor:
[Ryan had lunch with Joseph and Caroline today. She’s warming up to him. Wait until she completely forgives Ryan before you show up. Things are looking good. Keep sending those flowers.]
I growled in frustration.While I was glad Caroline was forgiving Ryan, I was desperate to see her myself. But I trusted Eleanor’s judgment,she knew Caroline better than anyone.
When Ryan got to my penthouse that evening, I yanked him through the door.
“Took you long enough,” I grumbled, leading him to the living room where I’d been pacing for the last hour.
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