Draven’s POV
Standing outside the restaurant after dinner, I took a deep breath of the cool air. Nate had gone to bring the car around while Eleanor waited beside me, her arms crossed but her expression softer than before.
"You know," she said thoughtfully, "I think your flower arrangements were actually a good idea. Caroline always lights up when fresh flowers arrive."
"Really?" Alaric perked up at this information.
Eleanor nodded. "Don’t just send them to the office. Make sure she receives them at home too. Women notice when someone really tries."
"I’ll have the florist deliver twice a week," I replied, already planning to call them first thing tomorrow.
"And those little snacks you’ve been sending to the office? Smart move. Caroline’s new friend Ruby has been singing your praises because of them."
I smiled, glad my strategy was working with at least one person. "I feel like I’ve become Jay Gatsby, throwing my wealth around to win Daisy back."
Eleanor laughed. "Maybe you should just host an extravagant ball and invite Caroline to your mansion while you’re at it."
"Don’t tempt me," I replied with a half-smile."At this point, I’d do just about anything."
"Just keep showing up," Eleanor advised. "Text her, call her, even if she doesn’t answer. Show her you’re not giving up."
"You really think this will work?" I couldn’t hide the doubt in my voice.
"I’ve known Caroline for years," Eleanor said. "She’s hurt, but she’s also someone who believes in second chances when she sees real remorse." She paused, her expression becoming more serious."I’ll help create opportunities for you two to meet, but you need to do exactly what I say."
Nate pulled up in their car, giving me a supportive nod through the windshield.
"Thank you," I said to Eleanor with complete sincerity. "I won’t waste this chance."
After they left, I immediately called my florist and arranged for another bouquet of tulips to be delivered to Caroline’s home the following morning.Alaric rumbled contentedly within me, approving of this plan to win back our mate.
Back at my penthouse, I poured myself a whiskey and pulled out my phone to compose a goodnight message to Caroline. I knew she probably wouldn’t respond, but Eleanor had emphasized consistency. I needed Caroline to know I was thinking of her, always.
The next day, I implemented my full strategy. Good morning texts, afternoon snack deliveries for both Caroline and Eleanor, and evening messages asking about her day. I called her three times every day - in the morning, at lunch, and in the evening. Each time when she didn’t pick up, I left her messages telling her how I felt.
"Caroline, it’s me again," I said into the phone Thursday evening. "I just wanted to tell you that I’m deeply sorry for how I treated you. My actions were unforgivable, but I’m hoping someday you’ll give me the chance to make it up to you. I love you and Liam more than I ever thought possible. Goodnight."
Alaric whined after I hung up, missing our mate.
"I know," I whispered to my wolf. "I miss her too."
Later that evening, my phone buzzed with a message from Eleanor:
[Ryan had lunch with Joseph and Caroline today. She’s warming up to him. Wait until she completely forgives Ryan before you show up. Things are looking good. Keep sending those flowers.]
I growled in frustration.While I was glad Caroline was forgiving Ryan, I was desperate to see her myself. But I trusted Eleanor’s judgment,she knew Caroline better than anyone.
When Ryan got to my penthouse that evening, I yanked him through the door.
"Took you long enough," I grumbled, leading him to the living room where I’d been pacing for the last hour.
"Easy, Alpha," Ryan said with a grin. "It went really well! Eleanor knows exactly what she’s doing. And I’ve got to say, it’s a huge relief that Caroline forgave me."
"That’s great," I replied, trying to sound genuinely happy for my Beta. "Now tell me everything. How was she? How did she look?"
Ryan sat on my couch and spent the next hour telling me about his dinner with Caroline. Joseph had arranged for them to "accidentally" run into Caroline and Eleanor at the mall’s food court. Ryan had asked if they could join their table, and the women had agreed.
"After dinner, when we were walking through the mall, I asked Caroline if we could talk privately," Ryan explained. "We sat on one of those benches, and I apologized sincerely. I told her I was just trying to protect you because I saw how devastated you were,but that I should have investigated properly first.She understood completely,said she’d do the same for Eleanor."
"She forgave you that easily?" I asked, running a hand through my hair.
"Not easily," Ryan clarified. "She made me work for it. But she said she understood loyalty to one’s Alpha. Eleanor’s right,Caroline has a big heart."
I nodded, feeling a surge of hope. "Then maybe she’ll forgive me too."
"She will, Draven, but you hurt her more deeply than I did. She needs time, and frankly, she needs to see that you’re suffering too. Most importantly, she needs to know your remorse is genuine."
And how genuine it was. Alaric and I were in complete harmony about our need for Caroline and Liam in our lives.
The next morning, Joseph called.
"Alpha Draven, we’re taking the girls dancing tomorrow night at a bar downtown," he said. "I’ve already mentioned to the girls that Ryan might join us, so it would be natural if you came along too."
"Eleanor hasn’t mentioned this to me," I said, surprised.
"That’s because it was my idea," Joseph replied. "Eleanor approved it but thought it would seem more natural if it appeared spontaneous. This is your chance, Alpha. In a relaxed setting, you might be able to talk to her."
"Joseph, you’re a genius," I said, grateful.
"One more thing," he added, his tone light. "I hope you remember how to dance. Caroline apparently loves it, and I’ve heard Alpha Draven Thorne isn’t exactly known for his dancing skills."
I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. "I’m quite the dancer, my friend. You’ll see."
As I hung up, Alaric purred with anticipation. We were finally going to see our mate again.