Caroline's POV
Ryan handed me a glass of water, which I accepted with trembling hands. It wasn't until Draven's fingers gently brushed across my face that I realized tears were streaming down my cheeks.
"Easy, Caroline," he murmured, his voice a soothing rumble as he rubbed small circles on my back. "Howard has no power to harm you. You're safe here; that worthless elder can't touch your position."
I felt my wolf, Rory, stir inside me, unusually comforted by his touch despite not being a member of his pack yet.
"That's right, Carrie," Ryan chimed in supportively. "Don't pay any attention to Howard. The man's a complete ass. You're a strong she-wolf; don't let him intimidate you."
Draven's head snapped toward his Beta. "Since when do you take the liberty of using nicknames with my exec
