“Mom, I…” Marcus choked up.
“Listen to me,” Lillian said firmly. “You need to tell them everything. About what you’ve done. It’s time to make amends while you still can.”
“But Mom-“
“No excuses.” She shook her head.”I failed you, Marcus. You were my youngest, and I indulged you too much. I should have been firmer when I saw you making poor choices.”
Marcus’s shoulders slumped. “This isn’t your fault.”
“Perhaps not entirely, but a mother always carries responsibility for her child’s path.” She leaned closer to the camera. “I’ll wait for you, however long it takes. I’ll visit when they allow it. But you must cooperate fully. Tell them what they need to know.”
“I know, Mom.” Marcus wiped his eyes with his shackled hands. “I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”
“Then prove it,” Lillian insisted. “Make this right. Show me the good boy I raised is still in there somewhere.”
The conversation continued for several more minutes, with Lillian alternating between maternal comfort and firm guidance. She extracted a promise from Marcus to cooperate, reminding him that redemption was still possible.
When the call ended, Marcus sat silently for a long moment, his face wet with tears. Then he looked up at us with red-rimmed eyes.
“I’ll confess everything,” he said quietly. “I’ll tell you everything I know.”
Caroline’s POV
Draven and Investigator Magnus returned to the room, and Marcus began his confession without further prompting.
“I met Howard through a friend from Maplewood who moved to Harbor Bay after turning eighteen. His name is Kai Capiberibe.” Marcus shifted restlessly in his chair. “I didn’t ask how they knew each other. Didn’t seem important at the time.”
“Capiberibe?” Draven frowned. The surname was clearly familiar to him.
“Howard paid me good money to sabotage the car that killed your parents,” Marcus continued, looking directly at Draven. “He even paid for me to take a vehicle maintenance course so I’d know exactly what to do.”
Draven’s fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. I placed my hand over his, offering silent support.
“I installed a tracking device on the car and damaged the fuel line. Howard wanted to make sure the rogues could track your parents and force the car off the cliff during the attack. After that, I did other jobs for him-finding front men, lending names and bank accounts for moving money around.”
“And my kidnapping?” I asked quietly.
“I was just the middleman. Howard paid me to arrange it, but I didn’t know they’d hurt you.”
“Bullshit,” Draven growled.
Marcus shrugged. “Believe what you want. I’ve told you everything about Howard. Kai will know where he’s hiding, he did most of the dirty work.”
Then he turned to me, his expression softening slightly. “Caroline, thank you for my mother’s treatment. I know I’m worthless, but she’s a good woman. She always liked you.” He paused, then added, “And if you can, forgive me for everything, including not telling you that this powerful Alpha here was Liam’s father.”
I froze. “What are you talking about?”
“Right after that masquerade ball, a detective came to Maplewood. I ran into him. Draven had sent him to look for a woman in a lavender dress who’d been at the party.” Marcus leaned back. “I recognized the description immediately. Selina had seen you leave Eleanor’s house in that dress and spent a week pestering me to buy her one just like it.”
My heart hammered in my chest. “You always knew Liam’s father was Draven and kept quiet?”
“Yeah.” Marcus shrugged. “But then, look at destiny.You ended up working for the guy anyway.”
“You disgusting piece of shit,” I spat, rising from my chair. “I hope I never have to see your face again.”
I stormed out of the room, my mind reeling with everything I’d just heard. How could I have been so wrong about Marcus? How could I have let him touch me, let him into my home and my life?
Draven followed me out, wrapping his arms around me. “Let’s get out of here.”
“How could I have chosen to be with someone like that?” I whispered, shaking my head. “How did I not see what he really was?”
“Carrie, you were young.” Draven’s voice was gentle. “We all make judgment errors. What matters is that you chose the right man to marry and have children with.” He flashed a confident smile that made me laugh.
“That’s what I like to see.” He kissed me softly. “Do you mind if we go to the office before heading home? I want to talk to Arthur about what we’ve learned.”
“That’s fine,” I agreed. “It’ll be good to see everyone.”
When we arrived at Thorne Enterprises, I decided to stop by Ava’s floor to check on her. She was still struggling after her breakup with Joseph, though they occasionally saw each other at our house. After a few minutes of chatting and trying to lift her spirits, Draven messaged asking me to join him and Arthur.
I said goodbye to Ava and headed for the elevators. When the doors opened, I was surprised to find someone already inside.
“Luna Caroline! Great to see you again.” Leo from IT greeted me with a wide smile. I vaguely remembered him from my first day when he’d given me my company phone and tablet.
“Leo, right?” I replied politely.
“That’s right. Glad you remember me.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Congratulations on the quadruplets. When is the pack celebration?”
I stiffened. The news about the quadruplets wasn’t public knowledge yet. We’d only discovered it during my last checkup, after which I’d immediately gone on bed rest. With Howard still lurking somewhere out there, Draven hadn’t wanted to announce anything publicly.This was supposed to be a secret, why would Leo know about it?
“Draven will notify everyone when the time comes,” I replied carefully. “By the way, Leo, I never properly thanked you for helping me on my first day.”
He chuckled. “Just doing my job, setting up phones and tablets for new employees. Too bad you didn’t tell me you were interested in dating… but in the end, you married Alpha Draven, didn’t you?”
His last words carried a hint of sarcasm that made me uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry, I think I don’t understand,” I said, playing dumb. I hoped he would reveal more.
“When we first met, you said you weren’t interested in romantic relationships,” Leo reminded me, referencing his awkward attempt to ask me out back then.
“Oh, right. But sometimes things don’t go according to plan,” I said with a laugh.
“Of course. Alpha Draven is such a charming Alpha. He could probably make a nun reconsider her vow of chastity.” Leo spoke with that seemingly friendly humor.
But I detected malice and discomfort beneath it.
Leo was definitely acting strange. I put on a confused and guilty expression. “I was pretty naive when I first started, you know. Being a scentless wolf from another pack, I was nervous and shy. I didn’t even remember your full name back then. You’re Leo…”
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