41 Chapter 41 Unable to Accept Her Betrayal
Draven’s POV 1
I sat in the dark, the day’s betrayal heavy on my chest. The city’s distant glow was the only light, casting long shadows across the floor.
I couldn’t look at my bed without remembering the incredible night I had with Caroline, feeling despair consume me knowing it had all been a calculated lie. How could she do this to me? Alaric paced restlessly within me.“This can’t be real… She wasn’t supposed to do this.”
“How could she? After everything…”
His pain echoed mine, raw and unwilling to accept what happened.
“We trusted her. We were wrong.”I said to him.
Ever since that Alpha Gala at the Blood Moon Pack three years ago, the night those savage Rogues took my parents from me, I haven’t let
anyone get close.
That same night, I had one unforgettable night with a woman I didn’t even know. One night. Hot, reckless, desperate. And by morning, she was gone. Like she never existed. I searched. I hunted. Nothing. No mate. No trace. I swore I’d never let myself fall again.
Then Caroline showed up, out of nowhere. No scent, no rank that mattered. But I didn’t care. I was ready to make her my Luna anyway. I
was willing to give her everything.
And just when I was about to bring her into my pack, to ask her to stand at my side…
She betrayed me.Turned out she was the fucking snake that sank its fangs in and finished off whatever trust I had left.I was in heaven
today and suddenly got dragged to hell. 1
When the security specialist called saying that only Ryan, Clara, and I should attend the meeting because he had already traced where the information had leaked from, I couldn’t imagine it had been her, the she–wolf I was falling in love with.
Reading those emails felt like getting slammed by a freight train I never saw coming.The first one I could maybe have handled and listened to her explanation, but the second one, realizing she had planned to seduce me just to use me, that was devastating. I was blind
with rage and pain, my wolf howling for vengeance.
I kicked her out of my pack, my company, and my life. She betrayed me in the lowest way possible. But why did I feel so awful? Why did I fall in love with a woman who turned out to be false? Why did I lower my guard and let her into my heart.
I walked out the second she did. I couldn’t breathe with anyone around. If I stayed, Ryan and Clara would be on my back, asking questions I didn’t want to answer. I blocked all mind–links for the first time in my life and wasn’t answering the doorbell or intercom. I
wanted to be alone and feel my pain all at once, let Alaric’s agony wash through me.
But then the light turned on and I heard my Beta say, “Forgot we have the key?”
Ryan sat beside me and Clara positioned herself in front of me.
I glared at them, letting a low growl escape my throat. Clara immediately raised her chin, unimpressed.“I’m not afraid of mean looks or
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growls, young man. You’ve already yelled, raged and been alone, now you’re going to listen to us, and quietly”
This woman talked like my mother had once done. But I wasn’t willing to talk about Caroline. When I opened my mouth to protest, Ryan held up a silver chain and wolfsbane in front of my eyes and said, “If you won’t listen the easy way, it’ll be the hard way, but you will listen, Alpha or not.”
And you think I’m going to let you use restraints on me?” I asked grumpily, my eyes flashing their violet color in warning
“You don’t need to let me. Now shut up and listen Ryan said, his own eyes flashing in response. “Clara and I talked and concluded that it makes no sense for Caroline to have leaked the information. She was vetted, Draven, by you and Clara Moreover, the idea of how to audit the company was all hers. She recommended Arthur, and he’s been friends with your parents all his life, he’s extremely trustworthy to our pack. We talked to him too, and he’s certain someone set Caroline up, he’d stake his life on it. We should give her the benefit of the doubt, Draven
“What? You think someone entered the executive suite and sent the email from her computer just to harm her? Even though I restricted access before the emails were sent? You’re not that naive.” I said mockingly.
“No, Draven, I’m saying the traitor could be someone else inside the executive suite! Ryan said patiently.
Ryan, everyone in that circle has been with the Pack Corporation for over a decade. That kind of betrayal? It’s unthinkable. My voice came out sharp, raw with frustration. I could feel Alaric bristling inside me, ready to snap.
But Ryan didn’t back down. He never did
“Is it really that unthinkable, Draven?” he shot back. “Someone’s been siphoning money from the Pack for years, and we just caught wind of it now. You really believe it’s impossible that one of those polished, long–time executives has been playing us from the inside?”
I paused. Just for a second.
*At first, I was sure Caroline was involved Ryan continued quieter this time. I mean, everything pointed at her. But when I confronted her with those emails… I didn’t see guilt. I saw confusion. Hurt Fury, even. But not guilt. And her woll Rory, she was shaken, genuinely. I et it in my bones”
I sighed, reflecting on what he was saying. But it didn’t make sense. Nothing made sense. I heard Clara speak calmly, ‘Draven Ryan and I started an investigation. I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t investigate and left Caroline bearing gult that isn’t hers. The security cameras were already installed today, but the one in Caroline’s office had a defect. Still they’re being reviewed, and the security
specialist will try to recover something. But we had an idea and put it into action‘
I looked at her suspiciously and asked “What idea. Clara?”
“We’re going to test each member of the board, including Kyle. And we’ve already started with Linda We asked her to take some documents to Ryan’s office since Kyle wasn’t around. When she entered, we continued talking and let it sip, let’s say, that we would be checking last year’s accounts. As you know, we already have the documents, but if anything disappears, we’ll know she leaked the
information Arthur and the team will check tonight.*
“Linda? What a waste of time, Clara! You know how long she’s been with the pack and company, for Moon’s sake! I protested.
“It’s easier to accuse Caroline than admit we’re big idiots who’ve been deceived for years by someone on the pack members we thought
was loyal to us. But there are wolves who’ve worked in that company for years who are stealin
are stealing.” Ryan spoke wearily. “Caroline told me this today, and she’s absolutely right. Let’s investigate, Alpha. Open your mind before you make a decision you’ll regret.”
I sighed, exhaustion tightening my chest as I considered their words.
“Fine. Investigate. Make sure,” I commanded, my Alpha voice leaving no room for discussion. The kind that made wolves submit without
question.
“Draven, one more thing,” Ryan added. “One of the detectives is from Maplewood. I asked him to look into Caroline. Just so you know who you’re really dealing with.”
That felt like a step too far. But it was already done.
I nodded, jaw tight.
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