I rushed to the cashier and paid our bill while Ryan and Joseph ran after the women. By the time I caught up, it was too late. They had all piled into Eleanor’s car and sped away. None of them answered our calls or responded to our mind-links.
“Man, we were already in trouble, but now they’re going to skin us alive,” Ryan groaned.
“What a complete disaster,” Joseph growled, his eyes flashing with anger. “I’m going to make those three pay for this. I don’t know how yet, but I’ll make sure they never play these games again.”
“Caroline was just starting to trust me again,” I said, my voice rough with emotion. “I want to rip that woman apart limb by limb.” Alaric howled in agreement inside me.
“Let’s go to my place and wait for news from Luke and Nate,” Ryan suggested. “I bet the girls have put them in the doghouse too.”
At Ryan’s apartment, we received messages confirming our fears. Luke and Nate had indeed been banned from the bedroom until further notice. Their mates were refusing to sleep with them.The women had apparently advised everyone else to send us “straight to the depths of hell.” Not that it mattered-I was already there, judging by the expressions on Ryan and Joseph’s faces, they were too.
Joseph remembered we needed to sign the software contract with Puma Global the next day. It would be our best chance to see Caroline and Ruby. I promised I’d call Ava and insist she accept my job offer, which would not only give Joseph more opportunities to see her but also create a more comfortable environment for Caroline if she decided to return to Thorne Enterprises.
The next morning, before heading to the office, I called Ava. She answered, likely because she didn’t recognize my number.
“Ava, this is Draven Thorne.”
“You’ve got some nerve calling me after what happened,” she snapped.
“Please don’t hang up,” I said quickly. “This is about the job offer. It still stands, and I genuinely believe it would benefit both of us.” I meant it, but I also wanted Caroline to feel supported by her friends if she ever returned.
After a moment of silence, Ava sighed. “Fine. Do I need to come in for an interview?”
“No. Just accept the offer and let me know when you can start.”
“Okay, I accept. It is a great opportunity. I’ll talk to my manager about being released early. But I’m also going to talk with the girls-if they’re against it, the deal’s off.”
“That’s wonderful news,” I replied, genuinely pleased. I was certain her friends wouldn’t stand in the way of such a good career opportunity. “About last night with those women-“
“Don’t even try, Draven,” she cut me off sharply. “Or I’ll change my mind about the job right now.”
“Fair enough,” I sighed in defeat. “Just text me when you can start.”
For the rest of the morning, I tried repeatedly to reach Caroline. All my calls went straight to voicemail, and my messages remained unread.
At four o’clock, Ryan, Joseph and I arrived at Puma Global for the contract signing. My heart pounded with anticipation at seeing Caroline again. When she walked into the conference room, my breath caught in my throat. She looked breathtaking in a dress,the same one she’d worn when we first met. Alaric whined with longing inside me.
The meeting was mercifully brief since we had already agreed on all terms. After signing the documents, Joseph concluded the formalities, and I seized the opportunity to speak with Eleanor and Caroline about Ava, knowing business matters might break through their wall of silence.
“Eleanor, Caroline, Ava has accepted my job offer,” I announced, hoping they would be pleased.
“We already know,” they replied in unison, their voices icy.
“Caroline, please, can I have a moment of your time?” I asked, barely containing my desperation. “I need to explain about yesterday.”
“Don’t waste your breath,Alpha Draven,” Caroline spat, her green eyes flashing with hurt and anger. “Go discuss your ‘wonderful night of passion’ with that insufferable daddy’s girl.” She stormed out.
“Man, you’re completely screwed,” Joseph muttered, and I shot him a death glare.
“We all are, you idiot,” Ryan fired back. “Ruby told Eleanor to tell me that if I even think about showing up on their floor again, she’ll quit and file a harassment complaint. And my goddess won’t even acknowledge my existence.”
“Welcome to my personal hell,” I said without a trace of humor.
“You know what? Let’s go to my place and get drunk,” Joseph declared. “They won’t listen to us today anyway.”
As we left the building, heads bowed in defeat.
Caroline’s POV
I was back to crying myself to sleep, my heart shattered after finding out Draven hooked up with that bitch Ella while begging for my forgiveness. The betrayal hit harder than I thought possible. I was completely drained, and Rory kept whimpering inside me, sharing my pain.
The day had barely started when I was at my desk talking business with Mr. Reeves and Ruby. Ruby was all excited, going on about her brother’s place.
“Mr. Reeves, you gotta take your mate to my brother’s bar,” Ruby said, beaming. “It’s perfect for chilling after a rough week.”
“Sounds like it might become her new favorite spot,” Mr. Reeves smiled. “She’s been saying we need more date nights.”
Eleanor popped up suddenly, looking like she had some urgent news to share.
“Sorry to cut in, Mr. Reeves, but can I steal these two for a sec?” she asked, trying to sound casual but her eyes saying something else.
“Sure thing, Eleanor,” Mr. Reeves nodded. “They were just telling me about Ruby’s brother’s bar for a date night with my mate.”
“Oh you’ll love it,” Eleanor said with a polite smile. “Didn’t you say your mate loves dancing? The music’s amazing there.”
Ruby jumped in, “Mr. Reeves, just let me know when you want to go, and Jax will hook you up with a sweet table. Got some super romantic spots upstairs if it’s just you two, or if you’re bringing friends, we’ll put you near the dance floor.”
“I’ll talk to her tonight and let you know, Ruby. Thanks for the tip,” Mr. Reeves said as he walked off, humming to himself.
“Does that guy ever stop humming?” Eleanor asked as we watched him walk away.
Ruby and I looked at each other. “Nope,” we said together, laughing.
“Way too happy,” Eleanor said before getting serious. “Heads up, girls. Ryan, Draven, and Joseph are trying to trap us at lunch.”
“What are you talking about?” Ruby’s eyes got big.
Eleanor leaned in close. “That idiot Joseph is setting us up. I caught him on the phone with those assholes. He told them to wait outside where I wouldn’t spot them. When we go for lunch, they’re gonna stalk us and corner us at whatever restaurant we pick, thinking we won’t make a scene in public,” Eleanor explained their plan. “And they’re making it look random so we can’t threaten them with harassment.”
I let out a tired sigh. “Guess we’re doing takeout in the office today.”
“Hell no!” Ruby said, her eyes lighting up. “We’re not letting them push us around with this high school bullshit. And we’re definitely not hiding.”
“You’ve got something evil planned, don’t you?” Eleanor grinned, and Ruby smirked back.
Ruby grabbed her phone and called someone, putting it on speaker.
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