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.
Caroline’s POV
I woke up feeling warm hands on my skin. I knew it was Draven without looking. His fingers moved softly across my stomach, going up to my breast.
“I know you’re awake,” he whispered in my ear. “Your breathing changed.”
I smiled, eyes still closed. “Maybe I’m just enjoying being touched by my handsome Alpha.”
I felt his warm chest against my back as his lips left hot kisses from my neck to my jaw. “Good morning, my beautiful mate.”
I opened my eyes to meet his purple ones, hot and wanting. We were naked under the sheets after making love all night. He’d pulled off my nightgown, wanting to feel my skin, and I loved how his warm body felt against mine.
“How are you so perfect in the morning, my love?”I asked, reaching up to trace my fingers along his strong jawline.
He caught my hand and pressed a kiss to my palm.”I was just thinking the same about you.” His eyes darkened as he pulled me closer. “Say it again.”
“Say what?” I teased, knowing exactly what he wanted to hear.
“You know what,” he growled playfully, nipping at my earlobe.
“Good morning?” I offered innocently.
He rolled on top of me, supporting his weight on his forearms as he stared down into my eyes. “Are you teasing your Alpha,baby?”
“Maybe just a little… my love.”
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