“Bruno, you’re nice. It was fun being with you,” I said honestly. “But you don’t compare to Draven. He’s a powerful Alpha with his own empire. And you’re just… you. Cute but boring, still working for daddy. It’s time you moved on because as soon as I get out, I’m marrying Draven.”
“My Goddess, you’re delusional!” Bruno laughed.”Let me update you on the world outside. That little boy you kidnapped? He’s Draven’s biological son. Apparently, Draven and Caroline met at a masquerade ball years ago. They didn’t know each other’s identities, and Caroline got pregnant. They only discovered the truth days before the kidnapping.”
“What are you talking about?” I screamed.
“They had sex at the party without knowing names or seeing faces behind their masks,” Bruno continued. “Caroline got pregnant and, by some twist of fate, ended up working for her baby’s father.”
“That’s impossible,” I whispered.
“But there’s more,” Bruno’s expression turned smug. “Caroline is pregnant again with Draven’s child. Actually pregnant this time!”
“You’re lying!” Tears of rage burned my eyes. “It’s all lies!”
“No, Ella, it’s true. The best part? Draven and Caroline got married and are moving into the pack house.”
“I don’t believe you!” I screamed uncontrollably. The guard burst into the room, threatening to throw me in solitary if I didn’t calm down. I immediately shut my mouth. The punishment cell was another level of hell I couldn’t face again.
“I brought something for you,” Bruno pressed a newspaper against the glass. There it was in black and white – photos of Caroline and Draven, her hand over her stomach, his arm around her waist. The headline trumpeted their wedding and impending new addition. When I finished reading, Bruno took the paper back.
“They’re very happy together,” he said softly. “Alpha Draven deserves someone decent like Caroline. She’s wonderful.”
“Shut up!” I hissed. “I don’t want to hear any more.”
“Fair enough. I just needed to confirm what I meant to you. Thank you for your honesty. Now I can move on, knowing how truly unhinged you are, how little you’re worth.”
“You’re weak, Bruno. A mama’s boy she still controls. I would never have seriously considered you.”
“Again, thank you for the clarity.” His voice turned cold. “I hope dungeon reforms you into something better than this.”
As he prepared to leave, a thought occurred to me. “Wait, Bruno. Since you’re so well-informed, have you heard from my parents? My father hasn’t sent any lawyers.”
Bruno’s smile vanished. “You don’t know?”
“Know what?” Dread pooled in my stomach.
“Despite everything, I didn’t want to be the one to tell you this…” He hesitated, clearly uncomfortable.
“Just tell me!”
“Your father is a fugitive, wanted for numerous crimes including the murder of Alpha Draven’s parents.”
“But that was an accident,” I protested.
“The car was sabotaged. Your father also contacted rogues to orchestrate the attack. Your father bribed an investigator to conclude the investigation as an accident.”
“What else are they accusing him of?”
“Kidnapping the boy, abducting Caroline…”
“My father kidnapped her?” This was news to me.
“Yes. You didn’t know?”
“Obviously not!”
“Why did you get involved in this mess, Ella?”
“I just wanted to marry Draven,” I admitted. “I wasn’t going to hurt the kid. I just needed leverage to make Draven marry me, then I’d return him to his mother. Is there anything else?”
“You really don’t think…” Bruno sighed heavily. “Yes, there’s more. Your father is accused of massive fraud at Thorne Enterprises, using forged documents, and… this will be hard to hear… he’s also charged with murdering your mother.”
“WHAT?” I screamed, jumping up and knocking over the chair.
The guard returned, and Bruno explained what he’d just told me. She must have felt some pity because she simply righted the chair, told me to control myself, and left again. I collapsed onto the seat, overwhelmed by pain, anger, and disbelief. I knew my father didn’t love my mother, but kill her? This was too much.
“Your mother’s body was found Tuesday in a shallow grave on a farm outside town,” Bruno continued gently. “She was suffocated with a plastic bag. They found your father’s fingerprints on it. She’d been dead about three days when they found her.”
“How could he do that to her?” Tears streamed down my face.
Bruno pressed another newspaper against the glass. An entire page detailed my father’s crimes, complete with photos of the crime scene where my mother was found. When I finished reading, Bruno removed the paper. I felt hollowed out, utterly alone.
“I’m sorry, Ella,” Bruno’s voice softened. “I don’t think your father is coming to help you. Honestly, you brought this on yourself. I’m sorry it ended this way.” He paused, studying my blank expression. “This is goodbye. After today, I’m removing you from my life completely. Good luck. I hope this experience changes you for the better.”
I barely registered returning to my cell. I functioned on autopilot. Linda immediately bombarded me with questions, demanding details of my visit. I ignored her completely, lying on my bunk and turning to face the wall.
Everything I thought I knew had crumbled. My father, a murderer. My mother, dead by his hand. Draven, married to that bitch Caroline, with a son and another baby on the way. And me? Abandoned, alone, locked in a cell with no one coming to save me.
I needed to think. I needed a plan. This couldn’t be how my story ended.
Caroline’s POV
Since finding out Howard killed his mate, Draven hasn’t let me out of his sight for a second. He’s been dragging me everywhere-pack meetings, company conferences, even bathroom breaks seem negotiable to him. I can barely breathe without him hovering nearby.
Ryan’s started teasing us mercilessly about it. Just yesterday during lunch he smirked, “Looks like my position as Alpha Draven’s Beta might need some adjustments. Unlike some people, I can’t manage 24/7 surveillance duty.”
“At least you’re useful for something besides bad jokes and eating all my food,” Draven shot back with a grin. “Besides, Caroline’s company is significantly more pleasant than yours.”
I secretly appreciated Draven’s protectiveness. With Howard still on the run, knowing my mate was constantly watching over me and Liam eased my anxiety considerably. Rory was also calmer when Draven was around, though she still bristled occasionally at his domineering attitude.
“He’s only trying to keep us safe,” I reminded her.
“I know, but would it kill him to give us five minutes alone?” Rory grumbled back.
The week passed quickly. We worked hard, but thankfully everything remained calm. Friday morning, Carlos informed us the pack house renovations were complete.
“Everything from your penthouse has been moved to the pack house,” he told Draven. “We’ve upgraded the security system and completely renovated the nursery.”
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