Caroline blushed and raised her hand, showing the ring on her finger. “Draven proposed to me, and I said yes.”
I nodded solemnly and continued where Caroline left off,”And after some complications, we discovered that I’m Liam’s biological father.”
Our rapid-fire confessions hit them like a surprise attack,we basically ambushed them with life-changing news. Lena gasped while Robert’s brow furrowed deeply.
“But when we asked Caroline before…” Robert began.
“We didn’t know,” I explained. “Caroline and I met at a masquerade ball three years ago. We were wearing masks and never exchanged names. When she came to work for me months later, neither of us recognized the other.”
I told them everything-about my parents’ accident shortly after the ball, my fruitless search for the woman I’d met, and the joy of discovering Liam was mine.
“Well,” Lena said with a small smile, “this would certainly make quite the movie.”
Her attempt at lightening the mood worked, and we all chuckled softly.
“You two certainly did things differently,” Robert remarked, shaking his head but smiling. “But as long as my daughter and grandson are happy, that’s what matters. I’m just glad my grandson’s father is a good man who loves him.”
“There’s something else, Dad,” Caroline said, looking down at our intertwined fingers.
“What? That you’ve moved in with him?” Robert asked.”I understand that,I wouldn’t want my child far from me either.”
“That too,” I replied. “But once we knew Liam was my pup,Caroline and I plan to marry. And…” I glanced at Caroline, who nodded. “We’re expecting another pup.”
Robert’s serious expression made Caroline tense beside me. Then his face broke into a warm smile. “I’m going to be a grandfather again? That’s wonderful! Our family is growing.”
Caroline relaxed and embraced her parents.
“He treats you well?” Lena asked her daughter quietly, though I could still hear with my enhanced hearing.
“Better than I ever dreamed possible, Mom,” Caroline assured her.
Lena’s eyes fell to the engagement ring on Caroline’s finger. “Well, if you’ve already accepted his proposal, I suppose our opinion doesn’t matter much anyway,” she teased.
“Of course it matters,” Caroline insisted,”Your blessing means everything to me.”
Robert turned to me,”You’ll take care of my little girl?”
“With my life,” I vowed, my wolf Alaric rumbling in agreement. “She and our children are my world. Father-in-law, once we find Liam, we’ll set a wedding date. You have my word.”
“Then I’m happy to entrust her to you,” he said, extending his hand again. This time when we shook, it felt like more than a greeting; it was a pact between men.
Caroline smiled through her tears, and for a moment, the darkness surrounding us lifted slightly. We were a family, united in love and determination to bring Liam home.
Draven’s POV
After we finished talking with Caroline’s parents, we went back to the main hall. Clara had set up our search headquarters there. The room was busy with activity. Maps were laid out on tables, and pack members were working together to find Liam. They used mind-links and phones to share information.
Alpha Gerald was already working his contacts in law enforcement, while Eleanor’s mother comforted both her daughter and Caroline.Mabel and Carlos were ready to help in any way they could.The pack house was filled with determined energy. Everyone there was committed to finding our missing pup.
After lunch, I went to my office with Beta Robert and Alpha Gerald.Two police officers were present, along with Alpha Arthur, Leo, Ryan, Nate, and Kyle. Caroline stayed with her mother and Eleanor, needing the feminine comfort they provided.
My phone rang with an unknown number.Instinctively, I put it on speaker so everyone in the room could hear.
“Draven Thorne,” I answered, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Oh, handsome, what a sexy voice,” came Ella’s sickeningly sweet tone. “Missing me?”
My blood ran cold. Alaric snarled inside me.
“Where are you?” I asked, fighting to maintain control.
“Just spending some quality time with a certain violet-eyed little boy.He’s having such a wonderful time playing with me.” Her laughter sent chills down my spine.
“You’re insane! Where’s my son?!”I slammed my fist on the desk,the wood splintering under my strength.
“Oh, calm down, handsome. The brat isn’t yours. He might look like you, but he belongs to that little bitch who stole you from me.” Ella spoke as casually as if discussing the weather.
“Ella, let me speak to Liam.” I demanded.
“Easy there, Alpha,” she purred. “First, let’s discuss my conditions for returning the little bastard in one piece.”
Ryan placed a hand on my shoulder, silently urging me to stay calm. One of the officers was already signaling to his partner to try tracing the call.
“First, I want that bitch back in the hole she crawled out of-that backwater town of hers. Second, you’ll tell her you love me and that you’re going to marry me. Third, you’ll be my mate in every way, if you know what I mean.” Her voice turned sultry, making my stomach turn. “Fourth, we’ll live in your pack house. And fifth, you’ll hand over the company to my father. After you do all that, I’ll return the brat to his mother. But if you don’t…”
Her voice hardened. “I’ll kill the little pest. Got it, handsome?”
“You’re completely insane, Ella!” I roared, unable to contain my rage any longer.
“Oh, to show you I’m serious, listen to this.”
My heart stopped as I heard Liam crying, calling for his mommy.
“Mommy, I miss you so much. Daddy Draven, where are you…”
The sound of my son in distress nearly broke me. Behind his cries, I heard a male voice saying “hang up”-the voice was familiar but I couldn’t place it in that moment.
“I’ll give you twenty-four hours to think about it. Kiss kiss, handsome.” She ended the call.
The room exploded into action. Kyle was immediately on her phone while the officers radioed in the new information. Beta Robert looked ready to tear someone apart, and I didn’t blame him-I felt the same way.
“We couldn’t trace the call,” Leo, the IT technician, reported grimly. “She used a burner phone and blocked the location tracking.”
“What do I do now?” I asked, feeling utterly helpless for the first time in my life.
“I seriously doubt this lunatic is working alone,” Ryan said, pacing the room. “She’s not smart enough for this.”
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