CHAPTER 5
1056 Words
Cara POV
‘Someone attacked me?’ I couldn't fathom what had happened. One minute I was talking to Draven, and the next, my life flashed before my eyes.
“Cara?” His voice softened — closer than it should’ve been.
His hand brushed my arm, warm and steady, sending a flicker of heat racing under my skin.
“You’re stiff,” he murmured, pressing a glass of water into my hand. His fingers lingered, just enough to make me forget how to breathe.
What was that? When did I get so sensitive to touch? This was Draven — the man I was supposed to despise, not react to.
I straightened, shoving down the strange flutter in my chest. “Don’t you have better security?” I shot back, my voice colder than I felt.
“You’re a billionaire,Alpha Draven. With all that power, you’d think you could afford guards who actually do their job.”
His brows drew together, confusion flickering across his face, but I didn’t stop. “Oh, I see. Maybe that’s part of your plan. Stage an attack, swoop in like some hero, and make me feel indebted to you.” Scoffing, my lips curled as my eyes flicked over him, cold and dismissive.
He blinked, disbelief hardening into anger. “What are you spouting, Cara? I just saved you. Can’t you see that? Or is your ability to see things clearly dormant—just like your wolf?”
His words sliced through me before I could even react. For a heartbeat, silence filled the air — heavy, suffocating.
I saw the regret flash in his eyes, but it was too late.
“I won’t stand here while you insult me,” I said, voice trembling only at the edges. I grabbed my bag, my shoulders straight, “Contact my lawyer for any other formalities.”
My heels struck the marble floor, sharp and unforgiving, echoing the fury pounding in my chest as I walked out.
********
“Can you believe that arrogant asshole?” I paced across the study, anger rolling off me like smoke. Abby sat quietly on the couch, watching me with a mix of confusion and concern.
“Cara…” she began, her tone calm.
“We have bigger problems right now. Someone attacked you. We need to know who — and why.”
“I already know who did it.” My voice was flat. “It’s Draven. Who else?”
Abby sighed, rubbing her temples. “I disagree. He may have crossed a line, but—”
“A line?” I snapped. “He planned this. He wants me to depend on him, to owe him something in this ridiculous marriage. Well, not in this lifetime.”
Her eyes softened. “He shouldn’t have mentioned your wolf. That was cruel. But you’ve survived worse. Why let this get under your skin?”
I froze. She was right. Why?
“I would have loved to march up to him and smack his face for saying such things to you but…we need him.”. She reminded me as if I had no idea about it.
“And you need this alliance. Elder Brett is circling like a vulture. He won’t stop until you fall.”
“He’s a fool if he thinks I’ll hand over my pack,” I muttered, forcing my voice to steady. “I’ve earned this. With or without my wolf.”
She placed a hand over mine, her warmth grounding me.
“And I hear you, but nobody knew I was going to his office. It doesn't make sense that anyone would try to kill me except —
My thoughts linger towards my parents' killer.
“The killer Abby. What if–” my words hung in the air.
“I don't know, Cara. It's been years. Besides, we don't know who he really is….but it's not an open suggestion to blame Draven”.
“I know that”. I stated, releasing a sharp breath as I smoothed the lines forming on my forehead.
“It's been a long day, Abby, can we have this conversation another time?
With a curt nod, she rubbed my shoulders, “Get some rest. Tomorrow’s going to be another battle.”
As she left, silence filled the room again — heavy, familiar, and unwelcome.
Everything is becoming too complicated, and now I have a target on my back.
‘Why don't you come out, huh. I keep getting insults because you have never shown up.’
I tried talking to my wolf as a tear rolled down my cheeks, and then a waterfall happened. I couldn't stop crying.
I thought about my parents. The reason why I am doing all this is because of them. I can't fail.
I skimmed through the marriage papers. Everything was fine except for our signatures.
Going through the files for tomorrow. A meeting was scheduled with the Elders. The thoughts of them make my head pound.
They all seemed fine with me being my father's successor but Elder Brett is hell bent on making things difficult for me. Somehow, he is convinced that without my wolf, I can't lead but he fails to see how much this pack has strived with me taking my rightful position as the Alpha.
Tomorrow is the last day. I just hope he doesn't create a scene when I tell my decision to the council.
My shoulders slumped as I headed straight to bed.
*****
"No..no..No, " I screamed as my eyes lay on my parents' lifeless bodies. The room reeked of iron and metal, so sharp my insides turned.
My knees buckled, unable to carry the weight of my body as tears rolled down my cheeks. I scanned the room, the three bloody claw marks on the wall engulfed my vision and everything blurred as it was the only thing I could see.
In the next second, I felt my body spin, and I was suddenly sitting in Draven’s office, everything seemed to come alive. The chairs, table and…and his gold ring. They all laughed at me, the sounds they made were mocking me, but they suddenly stopped, and I heard my name. The ring whispered my name “Cara”.
My eyes flew open as I sharply drew in a deep breath.
- Writer
