The look on their faces was priceless. I left them standing there with their mouths open and drove off. In my mirror, I could see Ella throwing a fit while her mom shoved her into the taxi. First real laugh I’d had all day.
I headed straight to Ryan’s place. He’d set up a guys’ night,probably trying to cheer me up after the day from hell. Everyone was already there when I walked in. Nate handed me a whiskey, just what I needed.
“So how was your date with the banshee and baby?” Luke grinned.
I took a long drink. “Man, it was like dancing with the devil herself.”
They lost it when I told them about ditching Ella and her mom with the taxi. But when I got to the weird feeling I got from the doctor, and how I felt nothing for this baby, the mood got serious.
“Look, I always wanted kids, especially after losing my parents,” I said, staring into my glass. “But I feel absolutely nothing for this one. Zero.”
“Maybe it’s because your wolf hates the mom?” Joseph offered.
I shook my head. “That’s the thing,I love Liam like crazy. My heart just explodes when that little guy runs at me for a hug. But my own kid? Nothing.”
“Could be because Liam’s Caroline’s,” Nate said quietly. “Your wolf sees him as part of her.”
I felt Alaric rumble in agreement.
“Maybe. But shouldn’t I feel something? Anything?” I ran my hand through my hair, frustrated. “When they played that heartbeat today, I felt empty. Isn’t an Alpha supposed to connect with his pup?”
“My dad always said he was over the moon when Mom was pregnant,” Ryan added. “Said he could feel me through their mate bond before I was even born.”
“Yeah, my dad was the same way,” I sighed, feeling my stomach twist. “That’s what’s eating at me.”
Luke looked up from his glass, his face dead serious. “What if it’s not yours?”
“I’ve been thinking the same thing,” Ryan leaned forward. “You were pretty wasted at that farewell party. Are you even sure you slept with her?”
“That crazy woman would totally pull something like this,” Luke’s eyes narrowed.
I downed my drink. “We tried that angle already. She won’t take a DNA test. Says it might hurt the baby.”
“Hold up,” Joseph frowned. “Don’t we wolves have different DNA tests? Less risky than human ones?”
“Hell if I know.” I ran my fingers through my hair for the hundredth time that night.
Nate sat up straight. “Give me that doctor’s name. My uncle runs the Lunar Medical Center. I’ll ask him about it.”
My heart jumped a little. “For real? That would be amazing.” I grabbed my phone and sent him the name right away. “If there’s a safe way to test, I can make her do it.”
“I’ll set up lunch with my uncle soon,” Nate grinned. “We’ll figure this out.”
Then I remembered something that made me laugh. “Oh yeah, get this-the secretary tried to pick me up. Gave me her number and everything.”
“Oh come on!” Luke threw his hands up. “Did the Moon Goddess sprinkle fairy dust on you at birth or something? Women just can’t help themselves around you, can they?”
We all cracked up at that. The guys kept the jokes coming, and somehow they turned my crappy day around. But in the back of my mind, I couldn’t shake thoughts of Caroline and Liam. Something felt wrong about all this. I could feel Alaric pacing inside me, more worried by the day.
Draven’s POV
The week had been absolute chaos.Nate still hadn’t managed to schedule an appointment with his uncle from the Lunar Medical Center, since he was at a werewolf medical conference in Geneva and wouldn’t return until the following week.
It was already Saturday, and we had our scheduled meeting about the company’s audit. Alpha Arthur had news.Almost everyone had already arrived at my penthouse, including Caroline, with only Arthur and Clara running a bit late. Besides Caroline and me, Ryan and Kyle were also present, along with the tech specialist Leo, and two more wolves from Arthur’s investigation team.
“Caroline, thank you for coming,” I said, approaching her as she sat on the couch. She looked beautiful in a flowing floral maxi dress, but she didn’t seem to be feeling well. Alaric immediately perked up at her presence, concerned by her pallor.
“I know you’ve been following the audit reports, but now in the final stretch, we thought it was important for you to be here.”
“Don’t mention it, Draven,” she gave me a weak smile. “I’m eager to finally uncover everything and put an end to these traitors’ schemes against the pack.”
In wolf society, betraying your Alpha and pack was one of the most serious offenses.
“Carrie, are you okay? You look a bit pale.”I couldn’t hide my concern.She looked like she was in pain, and it wasn’t because she was in my house.
“My stomach hurts,” she said, wincing. “I must have eaten something bad.” The pain on her face made Alaric stir inside me, worried about her.
I sent Carlos,my housekeeper, a quick mindlink asking for tea. He hurried to the kitchen and came back with a hot cup and teapot on a tray.
Carlos stepped forward with the cup. “These herbs are from our old lands, miss.” He shook his head with a gentle smile. “You young wolves and your fast food. No wonder your stomachs get upset.”
“You’ve got me there, Carlos.” Caroline’s whole face lit up when she smiled. “Thanks so much.”
Carlos nodded and went to get the door.
Everyone in the room went quiet when Clara and Arthur walked in holding hands. The way they were grinning at each other said it all.
“Why’s everyone staring?” Arthur laughed. His gray-streaked hair and Alpha presence usually made other wolves nervous, but not today.
Ryan smirked. “It’s because Clara makes you look less scary, Alpha Arthur. Maybe you should keep her around to soften that Alpha glare of yours.”
“That’s the plan,” Arthur said softly, his eyes stuck on Clara like she was the only person in the room.
After we all did our pack greetings, I couldn’t wait anymore.
“So when’s the mating ceremony?” I asked.
“Don’t be so nosy!” Caroline bumped my arm. Her touch sent sparks through my whole body.
“Hey, we all wanted to know that!” Kyle jumped in to back me up. “Even you, Carrie!”
Caroline gave us this sneaky smile. “Who says I don’t already know?”
“Okay, spill it.” I looked between Clara and Arthur. “What’s she hiding?”
Clara touched the fresh mark on her neck. “They know because they helped me get ready for the mating ritual yesterday. Gave me some good advice too.”
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply