Draven’s POV
After taking Caroline to Puma Global, I went back to Thorne Enterprises. My mind was full of our perfect weekend. She had finally accepted being mine, and her parents welcomed me into their family. Even with Marcus and Selina causing trouble, our time together was amazing.
She came back to me and said she loved me. Those words warmed my heart like nothing had in years. And Liam made everything perfect. My parents would have loved them both if they were still here.
Thinking about my parents hurt, especially now that I knew their accident might have been planned. Alpha Arthur was looking into everything, but waiting for answers made Alaric restless. He paced inside me, wanting justice.
In my office, I couldn’t stop thinking about Caroline refusing to work with me again. She would join my pack and become part of Storm Valley pack,but she wouldn’t come back to Thorne Enterprises. That wasn’t enough. I needed her close, needed to see her every day.
I called Ava to my office and closed the door behind her.
"Ava, you already know that Caroline and I are back together," I began, leaning against my desk. "But she’s refusing to come work with me again. Says it would remind her of all the bad things that happened here."
"Of course, Alpha," Ava replied, glancing at the leather couch. "She probably wouldn’t feel comfortable, especially with... that."
"If I changed everything in here, made it completely new, would that help?" I asked.
"Honestly? We should probably burn that couch," Ava smiled.
"Ava," I growled mildly, "focus on the whole picture, not just the couch."
She grinned. "Look, Alpha, changing everything is a good start. A new environment without those memories would help."
"Excellent. You’ll handle the renovation," I said.
"Me?" Ava looked surprised. "Why not hire an interior designer?"
"Because you have good taste and I trust you. Spend whatever you need. Find me another office on this floor, and put your desk near mine while this happens." I tapped my fingers on the desk. "How long will it take?"
"A week, since we need to repaint everything. I already have ideas," she said excitedly.
"Perfect. Go through my schedule, then I’ll clear out so you can start. I’ll work with Ryan until you set up my new space."
After checking my appointments, I grabbed my laptop and files. At reception, I gave Ava my office key.
"Only you and the renovation crew can enter my office. Linda stays at reception during this project." Ava understood - keep Linda from snooping around.
I walked to Ryan’s office but still caught Linda’s eager voice asking Ava what I had requested. I couldn’t help but smile when I heard Ava’s curt reply, "None of your business.""I’m renovating my office and Caroline’s old one too. I want her to come back, but she’s refusing because of the memories. I’ve put Ava in charge of completely redoing everything."
"That’s brilliant!" Ryan exclaimed, looking excited. "Now I want to redecorate too."
"We should throw that snake Linda out and redo the reception area as well," Kyle added from her desk.
"Not a bad idea, Kyle," I mused. "While we’re at it, we need to come up with a plan to bring Caroline back. How’s Ava doing in her role?"
"She’s fantastic," Kyle evaluated. "Very competent, smart, catches on quickly. And she handles people well. She even made Mr. Richardson smile, and that man is perpetually grumpy."
"Sounds like we don’t really need Linda anymore," Ryan confirmed what I’d been thinking.
"True, but I’ll keep her on this week since Ava will be busy with the renovation," I decided reluctantly. "I don’t like it, but it’s practical. Plus, I still need to figure out how to fire her without revealing my true reasons."
Ryan leaned forward, eyes gleaming with interest. "Now tell us about Caroline. How was the weekend with her parents?"
"I’ll tell you everything at lunch. Joseph’s joining us, so I can share the details with everyone at once." I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as I thought about my weekend with Caroline.
They already knew we were back together. I’d been sending updates through our pack bonds and texts, but they wanted all the details. I was happier than I’d been in years, now I just needed my mate back working by my side.
"There’s something else I want to discuss," I said, lowering my voice even though we were alone in Ryan’s office. "Caroline has agreed to officially join Storm Valley Pack."
Ryan’s face lit up. "That’s huge, man! When are you planning the ceremony?"
"Soon. I want to do it this weekend," I replied, unable to contain my excitement. The thought of formally binding Caroline to our pack, creating that permanent pack bond that would allow us to mind-link anytime, anywhere, made Alaric howl with satisfaction inside me.
"A joining ceremony requires preparation," Ryan reminded me. "We’ll need to notify the pack elders, prepare the ceremonial grounds..."
"I know, I know," I cut him off. "That’s why I need your help. But there’s more." I leaned forward, my voice dropping even lower. "I want to propose to her at the ceremony."
Ryan’s eyes widened. "Seriously? That’s... wow. You’ve only been back together for what, a few days?"
"It doesn’t matter," I said firmly. "I love her and want her as my mate. Liam is my son in every way that counts. We’ve wasted enough time already."