“Forgive me, I should have let him kill me.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” I assured her softly. “None of us could have predicted this.”
“I need to check on my children,” I said, struggling to walk despite the burning pain in my legs and abdomen.
The nanny supported me, and I made my way upstairs to the nursery.
When I pushed open the door, my heart nearly broke at what I saw.
Liam was wide awake, sitting protectively between the cribs of his four younger siblings, his little face tense with worry.
“Mommy?” he whispered when he saw me, his eyes growing huge. “Are there bad people? I heard loud noises.”
His innocent eyes dropped to my blood-soaked clothes, and he gasped in horror. “You’re hurt!”
I knelt beside him, ignoring the pain that shot through my healing wounds.
“I’m okay, baby. The bad man hurt me, but I’m already getting better.”
I pulled him into my arms, feeling his little body trembling against mine. After his kidnapping experience, I knew this was triggering his trauma all over again.
“Is Daddy okay?” he asked, his voice small and frightened.
“Daddy is very strong,” I told him, stroking his hair. “And I’m going to help him. But I need you to stay here and be brave for your brothers and sisters. Can you do that for me?”
He nodded solemnly, and I kissed his forehead.
Mabel appeared at the doorway, the gun from my nightstand in her hand. She handed it to me discreetly.
“Stay with the children,” I instructed her and the other nanny. “Keep them safe no matter what happens.”
With the gun tucked into the waistband of my pants, hidden beneath my shirt, I made my way back downstairs,each step deliberate despite the lingering pain.
My mind raced with possibilities for saving Draven. The silver was slowly leaving my system, and I could feel my strength returning bit by bit, but I knew I’d be no match for Howard in a direct confrontation.
As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I heard footsteps at the front door.
Caroline’s POV
Mathias appeared, “Luna Caroline, we have help.”
Beta Ryan, Investigator Magnus, and Jace entered, their expressions grave as they spotted me.
My shoulders sagged with relief.
“Thank the Moon Goddess,” I breathed.
“Howard has Draven in the office,” I explained quickly. “He injected him with wolf suppressant, so Draven can’t shift or access his wolf strength. Howard wants two billion dollars and the private jet.”
“Caroline, you need to go back upstairs immediately,” Ryan whispered urgently.
“No,” I replied firmly. “I won’t leave my mate.”
“And putting yourself in danger helps him how exactly?” Ryan asked, looking at my blood-stained clothes. “Caroline, you’re injured-“
“I’m already healing,” I cut him off.
Jace started to speak up to persuade me as well.
“I’m staying,” I insisted again. “Howard is holding my mate hostage, and I won’t hide while Draven’s life is at stake.”
Magnus approached me. “We’re preparing to enter the office, but we need to know where the children are first.”
“They’re upstairs with Mabel and another nanny,” I said quickly. “But you can’t just storm in there. Howard has a gun to Draven’s head, and the wolf suppressant in his system means he can’t defend himself.”
“We understand the situation,” Magnus assured me. “We’ll handle this carefully.”
“I’m coming with you,” I stated.
Jace sighed heavily. “Fine. But you stay back, understood?”
We moved silently down the hallway toward Draven’s office. The door was slightly ajar, and Howard’s voice drifted out.
“You know, Draven, I’ve always loved this pack house,” Howard was saying. “It’s magnificent. But it’s not just about money-you need the right bloodline, the right connections. You privileged Alphas with your exclusive little world.”
Howard laughed harshly. “My plan was perfect. Ella would have married you, and I would have moved in. Then when I destroyed your company, I’d have taken over your pack and this house. But you and this no-scent bitch ruined everything.”
Magnus silently tossed a small device into the room.
It landed with a soft thud, and when Howard instinctively turned to look, Jace shouted, “Down, Alpha Draven!”
Howard immediately fired shots toward Draven, and I instantly pulled out my gun and aimed it at Howard.
Three gunshots rang out in rapid succession.
When the smoke from the device cleared, I could see everything in the room clearly.
Draven lay on the floor near his desk, blood spreading across his chest. Howard was also down, cursing as investigators handcuffed him despite the bullet wounds in his leg and hand.
“Draven!” I screamed, dropping to my knees beside him. “Draven, please, stay with me.” I cradled his face in my hands, tears falling.
“Caroline,” he whispered, his voice weak. “My love…You’re safe.”
Jace knelt beside us, pressing his wadded-up jacket against Draven’s chest wound.
“Stay with us, Alpha,” Jace urged. “Keep your eyes open. I know it’s hard, but you need to stay awake. Focus on Caroline. Focus on your mate.”
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