Ashes Of Desire

CHAPTER 10

Draven POV

She strode into the room, long brunette hair falling in waves, minimal makeup, and a tailored suit that did nothing to hide her curves. My eyes locked onto her, drinking her in.

At thirty, I still hadn’t found my mate. Not that I’d ever truly expected the Moon Goddess to bless someone with as much blood on his hands as I had. But a man could dream.

I didn’t do love. It was better this way.

“My apologies for being late,” she said, dropping into the seat opposite me.

“You're right on time.” I assured her.

“I’d assumed our next meeting would be in your office, as usual,” she continued, a faint grin tugging at her lips. “Why the change, Draven? Hoping to lure me into some sinister plan?”

I let a slow smirk form. I had plenty of sinister plans for her. But I’d unravel them slowly. No rush.

“You have a wild imagination. I expected nothing less. Still, let’s get to business. This is my hotel, my property—what better place for private matters? No distractions this time.” The smirk lingered.

My phone buzzed. Moving my hands to the sidetable, Jason popped on the screen.

“Shoot,” I answered, irritation bleeding into my voice. Every damn time I got Cara alone, something interrupted.

“Alpha, Edward is on his way up with the documents.”

“Send him in when he reaches the top floor.”

“Will do.” I hung up and turned my full attention back to her.

She was studying the room again, deliberately avoiding my gaze.

“So you won't tell me why you moved the meeting here,” she said, eyes flicking to the ring on my right hand. “Thats fine. Tell me about yourself instead.”

“Anything in particular you’re curious about?” I already knew where this was going.

“That ring.” She nodded toward it. “Years ago I read an article about one that looked almost identical. It's a family heirloom, right?”

My fingers brushed the band. She was lying—no such article existed. I’d known she’d ask eventually, but I still didn’t know why she cared. It had nothing to do with her parents death.

Apart from the guilt I felt towards her, I still wanted her company. What better way to crush your rival than take everything they had leaving them with nothing.

“Yes,” I said, holding her gaze.

“It belonged to my grandfather. He passed it down to me.”

“Why you? Why not your father first?”

“Because I’m better than my father ever was. Grandfather knew who the real Alpha in the family would be.” I smirked as she rolled her eyes.

“Cocky bastard,” she muttered under her breath.

“So what does it mean?” she pressed. “He wouldn’t give you something that important without a reason.”

“Sadly, he didn't tell me. You would have to ask my grandfather yourself.” I answered her as my gaze was serious.

“Oh…well that will be easy since we will be married soon.” She nodded to herself.

“Make sure you take flowers with you when you go to ask him. He loved tulips”. I said with a sigh as I watched her face contour in confusion.

“Loved? What does that mean? Wait…is he dead?” Her eyes widened a little at the realization.

“Yes he is, but you could still ask. Maybe his spirit can come out and answer you. You can never tell.”

If looks could kill, I was sure to be dead by now. Her glare could have melted steel.

“You asshole. Why didn’t you just say he was dead?”

“And ruin your little fantasy? Never. That would be wicked of me.” I said, as the smirk returned.

“You—”

A sharp knock cut her off.

“Come in.”

Edward stepped inside and inclined his head. “Alpha Draven. Alpha Cara.” I gave a slight nod as he acknowledged Cara's presence.

“Cara, this is Edward, my lawyer. He’s here to oversee the paperwork. Unless you have objections, you’ll be my wife in a few minutes.”

She gave a tight nod, but I knew that mouth of hers wouldn’t stay quiet for long.

“Who’d have thought you were so eager to make me Mrs. Draven?” she said sweetly.

“Or is there another motive I should know about?”

“You’re making a habit of questioning everything I do. You seem to forget which one of us is holding all the cards.”

She scoffed. “Sounds like I hit a nerve. Can’t even give me a straight answer.”

“Pass her the documents, Edward.”

Cara scanned them quickly, lips moving as she read. “Everything looks… surprisingly fair. I’m shocked.”

“I’m a fair man, Cara. And you’re my wife now.”

Another eye roll. Classic.

We signed. Thirty minutes later, Cara Scarlett was legally Cara Wilson.

Edward gathered his copies. “You may kiss the bride if you wish, but I’ll leave you two to it.” He gave me a knowing look and left.

“When do we go public?” she asked, already reaching for her bag.

“Soon. Before that, we need to inform the Elders and business associates before the packlands. We will be one after all and it includes our business and packs.”

“Whatever you do, don’t even think about leaving me out of the loop, Draven. I want every detail.” She stood ready to leave.

“Of course, wife.” I let the word hang in the air just to watch her jaw tighten. “Speaking of which—when are you moving in?”

She flashed a smile. “You’ll know when you see me walk through your front door, husband.”

The way she spat the word ‘husband’, like it was a sinful word, which if people heard, they would have her tongue.

She twisted the doorknob and was gone.

Finally, I had her exactly where I wanted her.

I rubbed my temples. The full moon was days away and my wolf was pacing like a caged animal. I needed a run.

I just needed to get the business associates and pack Elders on the same page as me.

Picking up my phone, I dialled Jason's number, and he picked after the second ring.

“Did it go well? She agreed, right?” He asked the second he picked up, but I knew he was already aware of the answer to the questions he was asking.

“What do you think?” I said pouring myself a glass of whiskey, swirling it a little and swallowing it in one gulp as the burn grounded me, giving me the slight satisfaction I needed.

“That's a relief then. So what's next? The Elders or business associates? For the Elders, they might want the marriage real and a piece of paper won't convince them and the business associates, that will be up to your brain.” he stated analyzing the possible outcomes between the two.

“Let's start with the elders first. I need them off my back. The business associates can come later. Schedule a joint council meeting with Henry—Cara’s guardian. I’ll handle our side.”

“I will get to it. When do you want it scheduled?”

“The day after tomorrow.”

“Sounds good. Keep me posted, Alpha.” He said hanging up. I stared at the screen for a few seconds.

I stood up and left the room heading to my pack house. More of a mansion, I would say.

Walking past the hall, I heard muffled screams. Not thinking much of it, I continued my pace heading towards the exit of my hotel when my eyes caught a glimpse of a woman. I ignored it but my gut kept pushing.

On closer inspection, her side profile looked like that of Cara's.

Then I saw her.

Long dark waves, same height, same posture and same tailored suit. Cara?

It couldn't be. She couldn't be here.

I followed the sound to one of the guest-floor hallways.

I decided to turn back. A lot of men take women here and do whatever they want with them. I only cared about my money.

The screams grew clearer now and her voice came,

“Get off me, you psycho! You're delusional. I was never yours and I never will be!”

Rage exploded through me.

I didn’t knock. I slammed my shoulder into the door a few times and watched as wood splintered like paper under Alpha strength.

The scent of the bastard hit me first, ‘a beta’—then the sight of him pinning Cara face-first against the wall, her hands held tightly behind her back as his teeth bared, ready to force a mating mark on my wife.

My vision went red.

“What the f**k,” I snarled making him pause his actions.

The man jerked his head toward me, fangs still extended, eyes wild.

I knew that face.

And when he gave me his full attention and I confirmed who it was, my anger turned into something far deadlier.