“What is it, Mother-in-law?” Eleanor asked, suddenly alert.
“I visited Maplewood today to see an old friend. We went to the salon in town together. Sitting right next to me was a woman, the same woman from that photo I Sent!”
Everyone in the room stopped working, listening intently.
“She was blonde before, but today she dyed her hair black and got it cut into a bob. Looks completely different now.”
“Mother-in-law, are you certain it’s the same person?” Eleanor asked.
“Absolutely certain! I have an excellent memory. Plus, this woman was acting nervous, constantly looking around. She told the stylist she needed a complete makeover because she was meeting someone important.”
I realized Linda was deliberately changing her appearance to avoid detection. “Mother-in-law, what happened next?”
“I found her behavior suspicious, so I followed her discreetly. After leaving the salon, she actually met with Marcus, Caroline’s ex-boyfriend. The two of them were all lovey-dovey, so I secretly took photos. Then they drove to that abandoned farm at the edge of town.”
“That farm near the forest that’s been abandoned for years?” Eleanor asked.
“Yes, that very one. They went inside, and after a while, a tall man came out. I’m hiding in my car on a side road watching, and Linda hasn’t come out again. What worries me most is that I think I heard a child crying.”
The room fell silent.
“Mother-in-law, where are you now?” Eleanor asked tensely.
“Still here keeping watch. Nate told me what happened to Caroline and Liam. I saw Marcus with that woman. They were acting sneaky. My gut told me they were up to something bad. I couldn’t let them escape. Not if Caroline and the child are really in there…”
“Mother-in-law, you’re better than James Bond, but I need you to leave immediately. We’re sending people there. It’s too dangerous!”
“I’m not leaving, Eleanor. If that woman truly kidnapped them, I won’t let her escape.”
“Fine, but stay on the line with us and don’t put yourself in danger.”
“I will,” Nate’s mother agreed.
“Ryan, contact Alpha Sebastian and our search teams immediately,” I commanded.
Ryan relayed all the information. They promised to send people to the farm right away. The waiting would be torture.
“My mom has completely lost her mind,” Nate muttered, more to himself than anyone else, but I was grateful for her courage.
Just then, Leo, who had been staring intently at his computer screen, said, “That’s strange… this is really confusing!”
“What is it, Leo?” I asked.
“I don’t think Caroline is in Maplewood,” Leo said, turning his screen toward us.
“They’re not together?” My heart raced with anxiety.
“Possibly not!” Leo confirmed.
“Take a deep breath, Draven. Leo, what did you find?” Eleanor moved to the computer. “Look at these cell tower signals. The phone that called Caroline hours ago was picked up here.”
She pointed to a location on screen that was quite distant from Maplewood.
“We need to confirm this location,” Kyle said.
“Then let’s move!” Eleanor commanded. “Draven, stay calm. We’re making progress.”
My wolf Alaric howled inside me, desperate to find our mate and pup. The thought that Caroline and Liam might be separated made my blood run cold. If anyone had harmed them, they would face my wrath as Alpha.
Ella’s POV
God, what kind of dump was this place? My father promised me he’d found the perfect hideout, swore that working with Linda would get us what we wanted. Take Liam, he said, and we could use him to make Draven give me everything I deserved.
But Dad disappeared just hours after we grabbed the kid. Now I was stuck with this crazy woman and a screaming brat.
Daniel and Dennis, the brothers who helped us kidnap Liam, were like obedient bodyguards. Daniel looked so proper,you’d never guess he’d betray his pack. Dennis seemed more reckless, casual about everything.
When we lost contact with my father, Daniel immediately confronted Linda. “I don’t need millions. Just two hundred thousand for me and my brother. I’m risking Alpha Draven’s wrath to help you.”
Dennis nodded, frowning.”Alpha Draven isn’t someone you mess with. We need some payment upfront.”
Linda laughed it off.”We have his only child.Don’t you think you’re selling yourselves short? Once we reach Howard, we can squeeze millions out of Alpha Draven.” She smiled sweetly. “I’m family, your benefactor. Without me, would you ever have gotten into a company as prestigious as Thorne Enterprises?”
Daniel hesitated, uncertainty crossing his face.
Linda pressed her advantage. “Especially you, Daniel. With my help, you became head of security at Thorne Enterprises. Two hundred thousand is nothing,barely a few years’ salary there.”
Dennis saw his brother wavering and pulled at his arm. “Daniel, if you don’t want yours, I’ll take my share.”
Daniel remained silent. Dennis tilted his head, equally quiet. I suspected they were communicating through their mind-link.
Linda must have realized she couldn’t overpower them because she quickly gave in. “Fine, I’ll transfer the money now. When this is over, you’ll get much more. We’re family, after all.”
But soon after I made my threatening call to Alpha Draven, the brothers vanished. At least they hadn’t taken Liam with them.
Now I was stuck with this crying brat. His howls were ear-splitting.
The door to our hideout creaked open. Linda and Marcus walked in, wrapped around each other, his hands wandering all over her body.
I rolled my eyes. “Get a room.”
Linda pulled away from kissing Marcus. “Ella, shut that snot-nosed kid up. You can hear him crying from outside.”
“That kid never stops crying. When I first met him, he was much quieter,” Marcus commented.
“Oh, just give him some Xanax. I have some in my purse if you want,” I suggested.
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