The elevator doors opened, and Dr. Molina stepped out accompanied by two more people.
“Good morning everyone,” Dr. Molina greeted cheerfully.
We exchanged greetings,and Dr. Molina introduced the pediatrician and nurse accompanying him.The pediatrician nodded respectfully to me.
“Let’s go to the rest room, Liam is there,” I informed them and headed toward the location, holding Caroline’s hand.
When we entered, Dr. Molina greeted everyone present; he knew them all as he had a practice in Maplewood and had already followed Caroline’s pregnancy.
“So my sister-in-law played super secret agent?” Dr. Molina gave Nate’s mother a big smile.
“I’m thinking of becoming a private detective, brother-in-law. It’s exciting!” She replied enthusiastically.
Liam was awake in his grandmother’s lap, and when he saw me, he stretched out his little arms shouting, “Daddyyyyy!”
My heart clenched at the word, and Alaric howled with pride and possessiveness. This pup with his violet eyes was calling me daddy.
“Hi, my boy! Daddy is dying to see you!” I said, picking him up and pulling him close.
“Me too, Daddy! The bad wolf caught me, Daddy. And Dennis hit Auntie Mabel on the head,” Liam said, his little hands gripping my shirt tightly.
Liam launched into an animated conversation, recounting what had happened and how annoying, mean, and shouty the “bad wolves” were all the time. I asked gentle questions, trying to be attentive without making my son dwell on the traumatic experience.
“Liam, the bad wolves will never get you again. Daddy promises you that,” I said firmly.
“And no one will hurt Auntie Mabel anymore, right, Daddy? I didn’t like it!” His eyes searched mine for reassurance.
“That’s right, Auntie Mabel won’t be hurt anymore either.”I felt Alaric stir protectively within me.
“Daddy, Mommy said you and her work together,” Liam said, his curious little eyes eager for an answer.
“Yes, my son, that’s right. Do you want to see Daddy’s office?”
“Yessss!” he replied, raising his little arms in the air. “And can I work with you, Daddy?”
“Of course you can, when you grow up. But until then, you can come visit whenever you want.” My wolf howled with satisfaction at the thought of teaching our cub, showing him how to lead the pack business someday.
It was all as new to me as it was to him. I called Dr. Molina to examine Liam and Caroline in my room and carried my son in my arms, showing him everything, as he was curious and full of questions.
The pediatrician examined my son and took blood samples for tests, while Dr. Molina examined Caroline and also collected material for tests.I tried not to hover too protectively, but Alaric was on high alert, concerned for his mate and pup.
“Draven, you can rest assured. Your son and mate are fine,” Dr. Molina said, his tone professional but warm. “Caroline confirmed she didn’t suffer any aggression or falls, so her pregnancy remains protected. Besides, the doctor who treated her in the ER is a colleague of mine and did an ultrasound confirming everything is okay. She sent me the medical record. The Maplewood hospital also sent me Liam’s record. He’s a little dehydrated, but home care is sufficient,” Dr. Molina reassured me.
“Thank you, Dr. Molina. That’s a huge relief,” I said, my shoulders relaxing slightly for the first time in days.
“I’m glad! Well, we should be going. We have to get back to the hospital,” he said, gathering his equipment. He turned to Caroline and gave her a warm smile. “Caroline, I’m so happy everything is alright. As soon as the test results are available, I’ll be in touch.” He hugged her briefly and then turned to Liam, who was nestled in her lap. “And you, little buddy, keep taking care of your mommy.”
“Okay!” Liam replied with a little smile and high-fived him.
As they left, I looked at Caroline and our son, feeling the bond between us strengthen. Somehow, against all odds, I had found my mate and my heir in one miraculous day.
Joseph’s POV
I had been trying for days to explain myself to Ava, and her finding out that I was at the farm with Sophia last week only made things worse. I meant to tell her, but her discovering it by walking into the room while I was discussing it just complicated my already precarious situation. My day couldn’t possibly get any worse.
I was sitting in the reception area of Thorne Enterprises,contemplating how to approach Ava without her escaping or Eleanor threatening to rip my throat out again. After the chaos of the kidnapping and Howard’s arrest,everyone had gathered at Draven’s company headquarters to help sort through the mess. Despite the crisis being over, things were still really awkward between Ava and me.
What was I thinking when I fell for Sophia’s scheme? I was such an idiot.She came to my place saying she needed help, and trying to be a gentleman, I let her in.
Two bottles of wine later, with her provocative behavior and my judgment clouded by desire, I ended up in bed with a woman I don’t even like. As my mother often says, old habits die hard, and I’ve always been known as a playboy. But I genuinely care for Ava, much more than I’m comfortable admitting.
“Sweetie, I came on the first flight I could get! How is Draven doing after all this?” I heard that all-too-familiar voice. Yep, my day just got worse.
“Mom! What are you doing here? Weren’t you at a hot springs resort with your friends?” I asked as I stood and approached my mother, reluctantly allowing her to kiss my cheek.
“Sweetie, don’t be silly. Nothing is more important than family, and the Thornes are family! I came to show my support,” my mother said, as if her presence was the most natural thing in the world.
When I glanced behind me, I saw a line of women, Eleanor, Kyle, Ruby, Nina, and Ava. They were all looking at me with half-mocking smiles on their faces. Eleanor, being the worst of them and knowing my mother well, was the first to speak.
“Heidi! It’s so wonderful to have you here!” Eleanor stepped forward and greeted my mother with two kisses on the cheek. “Maybe with you around, your son will behave better.”
“Oh, Eleanor, I swear to the Moon Goddess that I tried to raise this boy well, but I don’t know what happened along the way,” my mother made a look of disgust at me and I just sighed. My wolf growled in frustration within me.
“Heidi, it’s not your fault,” Kyle, who also knew her, approached, repeating the same greeting as Eleanor.
“Now tell me, girls. Which one of you is Ava?” my mother asked immediately.
“Mom, aren’t you here to support Draven and Caroline after their ordeal?” I asked, trying desperately to divert her attention.
“But I have time to apologize to the young lady for you!” My mother gave me a stern look that would have made lesser wolves cower.
“I’m Ava, ma’am.” Ava approached and introduced herself.
“Oh my, you are indeed beautiful, dear!” My mother gave Ava a huge smile. “Sweetie, you need to earn her forgiveness quickly, because such a pretty woman must have a line of suitors howling at her door.” I was irritated by my mother’s comment,she didn’t need to remind me of the competition.
“I’d like to know how you know about this,” I remarked, already having an idea.
“Oh, sweetie,your mother and I keep in touch quite regularly!”Eleanor smiled cynically at me.
“Of course!” I snorted and turned my back, walking away. “So, my dear friend, deal with my sweet mama.”
I was leaning against the wall in the emergency stairwell, thinking about the disaster of my mother being here when Ava is furious with me. That’s when I heard Ava’s voice behind the door.
“Nina, I’m just going to grab a coffee. Won’t be long.”
I opened the door and with quick reflexes grabbed Ava’s arm and pulled her into the stairwell. I pressed her against the wall and molded my body to hers. She was so startled by being snatched that she stood motionless, staring at me like I was a rogue wolf invading her territory.
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