“Linda, escort Mr. Howard to the elevators and schedule a meeting between us for tomorrow morning, first thing. The meeting will be in his office. Report back to me after he’s gone.”
“Of course, Alpha. Mr. Howard, this way please.” Linda’s tone was professionally courteous, but her eyes gleamed with satisfaction at Howard’s humiliation.
“One more thing, Howard,” Draven’s voice dropped to an even more dangerous register. “If you ever lay a hand on Ms. Bennett or any other member of my pack or company again, you’ll answer to me not as CEO, but as Alpha. Do you understand?”
Draven, still holding me protectively against him, guided me into his office and closed the door. His grip remained firm as he led me to the chair opposite his desk and gently seated me.
Caroline’s POV
Ryan handed me a glass of water, which I accepted with trembling hands. It wasn’t until Draven’s fingers gently brushed across my face that I realized tears were streaming down my cheeks.
“Easy, Caroline,” he murmured, his voice a soothing rumble as he rubbed small circles on my back. “Howard has no power to harm you. You’re safe here; that worthless elder can’t touch your position.”
I felt my wolf, Rory, stir inside me, unusually comforted by his touch despite not being a member of his pack yet.
“That’s right, Carrie,” Ryan chimed in supportively. “Don’t pay any attention to Howard. The man’s a complete ass. You’re a strong she-wolf; don’t let him intimidate you.”
Draven’s head snapped toward his Beta. “Since when do you take the liberty of using nicknames with my executive assistant?” His eyes flashed violet, jealousy evident in his tone.
“Since we became friends,” Ryan replied with an easy grin, completely unfazed by his Alpha’s possessive growl. “And don’t be a knothead of an Alpha yourself!”
Despite everything, I couldn’t help laughing at their familiar banter, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. Draven stood up and gently cupped my chin, tilting my face until our eyes met.
“Not a knothead,” he smirked, flashing a smile. “Just protective of what’s mine.”
Moon goddess, why did this infuriating Alpha have to be so breathtakingly handsome? My body remembered all too well what those hands were capable of, even if my mind couldn’t place the memory properly.
“For Moon goddess’s sake, you two are dancing around the inevitable!”
Ryan exclaimed with a knowing smirk. “Carrie, I was just telling your Alpha that I’ve made reservations for our dinner tonight, and he’s not allowed any excuses. We’re going to enjoy the company of two amazing women. We’re going to Golden Petal; it’s Clara’s favorite restaurant, and you’ll love it there.” He paused, eyebrows raised. “But Alpha Draven, I can’t figure out why Carrie thinks you’d object to her joining us tonight.”
“As if I’d have a problem with that,” Draven replied. “On the contrary, having Carrie at dinner tonight will be… absolutely delightful.” The way he used my nickname felt intimate, almost claiming, while his eyes held mine with mischievous intent. “And they serve an extraordinary chocolate cake there, Carrie.”
His scent-cedarwood and musk-intensified slightly as he leaned closer.
“What’s with your obsession with chocolate cake today?” Ryan laughed. “You had a slice this morning, I saw the plate on your side table. You ordered another during the video conference, and now you’re already thinking about having more at dinner? You’ll end up getting fat, pretty boy Alpha.”
“Oh, my friend,” Draven replied with a suggestive smile that made my cheeks flush hot, “I’ve developed quite an addiction to… chocolate cake.”
The intensity in his gaze told me he wasn’t talking about dessert at all.
A gentle knock interrupted the charged moment, and Clara entered followed by Linda.
“Carrie, are you alright, honey?” Clara asked. “Howard has always been unpleasant, but he’s crossing serious pack boundaries now, Draven.” The older woman’s usually calm demeanor was clearly ruffled.
“I’m fine, Clara, thank you,” I assured her, squeezing her hand gratefully. “It was unsettling and caught me off guard, but I’ll be okay.”
“Don’t worry,” Draven’s voice carried that commanding Alpha tone that made everyone instinctively straighten. “I’ll handle this personally. Clara, tell me, does Howard behave this way with others?”
“He’s far worse than just rude,” Clara’s voice burned with unusual anger. “He’s arrogant, abusive, and particularly vicious toward female staff. He’s outdated, Draven. I know his financial expertise is valuable, but staff morale is suffering under his behavior.”
Draven’s eyes darkened to midnight violet. “Linda, I want immediate restrictions on floor access. Pack rank doesn’t override protocol, and I won’t have my staff endangered.”
He activated the speakerphone. “Jake, implement new security measures for the executive floor. Linda will provide authorized personnel lists. Set unique codes for the core team: Ryan, Kyle, Caroline, Clara, Linda, and myself. All others need explicit clearance from Linda, and visitors require authorization from code holders. Elevator access requires verification, and secure the emergency stairwell from inside. Announce this directive to all employees now.”
“Yes, Alpha,” a deep voice responded from the other end. “It will be implemented today.”
Draven ended the call and looked around the room, his gaze lingering on me protectively. “This should deter the more audacious ones. Linda, thank you, that will be all.”
Linda nodded respectfully before leaving and closing the door behind her.
Ryan immediately took the opportunity to bring Clara into the dinner plans, and we spent a few minutes chatting while Ryan recounted how Alpha Draven had come to my rescue. His storytelling had us all laughing, the tension from earlier dissolving into something more comfortable. But I couldn’t ignore the way Draven’s eyes kept finding mine across the room.
Caroline’s POV
I returned to my desk near the end of the workday, trying to focus on completing my remaining tasks despite the lingering tension from Howard’s confrontation. I was just finishing up when Kyle came in singing, “Oh! Pretty Woman.”
“Kyle, you’d make it big as a singer,” I smiled at her, grateful for her lighthearted presence after such a stressful day.
“Maybe, maybe,” she grinned, “but I like the vibe in this office. Linda told me everything; I was on the third floor making copies. Are you okay?” Her eyes searched mine with genuine concern.
“Yes, I am. Thanks for asking.” I appreciated how quickly I’d been accepted into this tight-knit pack, even if I wasn’t officially part of it yet.
“Well then, my friend, I’m heading out. My mate called; he got home early and said he has a surprise waiting for me.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “I love his surprises; I can’t wait!”
“Look at you, lucky wolf. Have a great night!” I teased.
“Thanks. I’ll tell you what he was up to at lunch tomorrow. Oh, should we plan something for the weekend? I told him about you, and he’s excited to meet you.”
“That would be great! Can I bring Eleanor?” I asked, knowing my best friend would love to meet more members of the Storm Valley Pack.
“Of course you can. See you tomorrow, pretty she-wolf!”
I smiled at the playful nickname she gave me, and then felt a warm breath against my ear as a deep voice rumbled, “What am I going to do with you, Caroline?” Draven’s rich scent sent shivers down my spine. “My beta Ryan howls like a lovesick pup whenever he sees you, Kyle calls you ‘pretty she-wolf,’ I can’t control myself around you, and now I’m addicted to chocolate cake. How will this end?”
His scent, that intoxicating blend of cedarwood and musk, enveloped me completely.
“Be careful with those addictions, Alpha Draven,” I replied without turning around. “They have a way of becoming quite unmanageable.”
Rory preened inside me, pleased with my response. “That’s right. Let him chase us.”
“Hmm, perhaps I don’t want to manage this particular addiction,” he murmured, so close I could feel the heat radiating from his body. “Come, let’s show off your beauty at Golden Petal. Let’s enjoy dinner and a pleasant evening after such a tense day.” His fingers brushed lightly against my shoulder. “But don’t think I’ve forgotten about our unfinished conversation.”
He winked and strode toward the door where Ryan and Clara were already waiting by the elevator. The knowing look Ryan gave me suggested he saw right through our little dance.
The dinner was genuinely pleasant and fun. Golden Petal’s ambiance was intimate without being overly romantic, with soft lighting and elegant d?cor. The food was absolutely delicious, and after dinner, Draven ordered a slice of chocolate cake and leaned in to whisper in my ear, “Share this cake with me?”
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