“I’ve already updated the team,” one of the officers reported. “Detectives are heading to the Howard residence now and will bring the couple in for questioning. We’ve also updated the search alert with the kidnapper’s identity and requested court orders for her bank records.”
“She hasn’t used her cards,” Kyle noted, looking up from her tablet. “I’ve already checked.”
I asked Ryan to keep Caroline and the others informed; I needed a moment alone. The walls felt like they were closing in, and Alaric was dangerously close to taking over. I headed to the terrace at the back of the pack house, seeking fresh air and solitude.
Standing under the open sky, I finally allowed myself to feel the full weight of my fear. My son was in the hands of a deranged woman. The sound of his cries echoed in my mind, tormenting me.
Ryan walked over to me, “Alpha Draven, don’t lose heart.”
I nodded, “Ryan, I’m not going to hesitate anymore. Liam is my child.”
Ryan looked into my eyes, “Draven, you’ve always been the Alpha of the pack. You can do what you want to do. I think when necessary, a little violence is needed, isn’t it? We’re fierce wolves, not nice guys.”
I stood up and sent a message through mind-link to my pack warriors, whom I had stationed near the Howard house early on. “Before the police arrive, bring Howard to the pack dungeons, and bring his wife to the pack interrogation room.”
“I will personally interrogate both of them.”
Caroline’s POV
I was sitting next to my mother when Ryan came in. The moment I saw his face, I knew something had happened. My heart sank as he told us everything-about the call from that deranged woman, my son crying for me, the impossible demands she’d made. With each word, tears streamed down my face, my wolf Rory whimpering in shared agony.
After Ryan left, Eleanor’s mother explained to my mom who Ella Howard was. I’d already told them about her obsession with Draven, but hearing the detailed history of her unstable behavior made my blood run cold.The room felt too small, too suffocating with all this information.
My phone rang unexpectedly, and I quickly answered without checking the caller ID, desperate for any news about Liam.
“Don’t say anything,” came Dennis’s voice, sending a chill down my spine. “If there’s anyone near you, leave and only let me know when you’re alone.”
I felt my wolf bristle with suspicion, but the thought that he might have information about Liam overrode everything else. I lowered the phone and started moving away from the room. When I reached the door, Eleanor called out to me.
“Carrie, what’s wrong?”
“I’m going to see Draven, Elle. I need to spend some time with him,” I lied.
When I reached the corridor between the elevators and the room, I put the phone back to my ear.
“Where’s my son? Why did you do this?” I demanded, keeping my voice low.
“Calm down, beautiful,” Dennis said in a cold, scary voice.”Your son is still breathing, but let’s make things clearer, because your Alpha mate won’t accept the conditions Ella set. So, you’re going to do everything I tell you without talking to anyone, and then you can see your son again.”
“Why should I trust you?” I whispered harshly.
“Because you don’t have a choice,” he replied coldly.
Suddenly, I heard Liam’s terrified voice in the background. “Mommy, I miss you! It’s cold and dark here. Mommy, help me!”
My heart shattered. “Liam! Baby, I’m coming! Mommy’s coming!”
“Want to save your pup?” Dennis’s voice returned, taunting. “Then you better follow my instructions. Otherwise, I might have to send you a little gift… perhaps one of your son’s tiny fingers?”
Liam’s piercing scream filled the line, and I nearly collapsed against the wall.
“Stop! Please stop!” I begged, tears streaming down my face. “Don’t hurt him! Do whatever you want to me, just leave him alone!”
“That’s more like it,” Dennis said smugly. “First, get out of the pack house without being seen. Your mate has his warriors everywhere, so be careful. Meet me outside the bistro where you had lunch yesterday. Keep the line open, and don’t talk to anyone.”
I looked around frantically. The main hall was bustling with pack members and police,I’d never make it through unnoticed. I thought fast and went to the emergency exit at the end of the hallway. I went through it and walked down three flights of stairs.
The cold air hit my face as I hurried down the street toward the bistro two blocks away. Rory was howling inside me, torn between the instinct to protect our pup and the knowledge that we were walking into a trap. But what choice did I have?
As soon as I reached the bistro door, a black car pulled up alongside me. The window lowered to reveal Dennis’s smiling face as he motioned for me to get in. The moment I sat down, a sweet-smelling cloth was pressed against my face, and darkness consumed me.
I woke up with a bad headache in a small, dark room. The window was blocked with bricks, with only a tiny opening to let air in. I was on a dirty mattress with a filthy sheet, and there was one chair in the corner. The walls were bare and the floor was just cement. One light bulb hung from the ceiling, making scary shadows. The room smelled terrible, like mold and something even worse.
The door was locked, of course, with a small viewing window that could only be opened from outside. I tried the handle anyway, confirming what I already knew-I was trapped.
I slumped against the wall. How could I have been so reckless? But when I heard Liam’s screams… any rational thought had vanished. My baby needed me, and I’d do anything,absolutely anything to save him.
The door creaked open, and Dennis entered, closing it firmly behind him.
“You’re awake, beautiful!” His voice was mockingly cheerful. “Here, I brought you something to eat.”
“Where’s my son, Dennis?” I demanded, ignoring the paper bag he held out. “I already did what you told me to.”
“It’s not that easy,” he said as he sat down in the chair. “Eat something. You look like you’re going to fall over.”
“Why are you doing this?” I asked, looking at him to see if there was any kindness I could reach.
He laughed bitterly. “Your mate has the entire territory searching for us. His warriors are everywhere, the police are involved. I need insurance, and you’re it.”
“Dennis, please,” I begged, “give me back my son. He’s just a baby.”
“I told you, he’s with that crazy woman. But relax-the kid is still alive and unharmed… for now.” He placed the sandwich and soda on the chair. “Don’t bother screaming. We’re miles from anywhere.”
As he turned to leave, I noticed how nervous he seemed, constantly checking his watch and phone.
“You know you can’t escape Draven,” I said, watching his reaction carefully. “He won’t stop until he finds us.”
Dennis’s smile faltered. “Maybe. But by then, I’ll be long gone with enough money to disappear forever. And if I can’t escape… well, having the Alpha’s mate as my hostage might be my only way out alive.”
After he left, I went to the small gap in the window and peered through, seeing nothing but tall grass stretching into the distance. I picked up the sandwich hesitantly. It seemed safe enough, and I needed to keep my strength if I was going to find a way to escape and save my son.
As I ate, I closed my eyes. “Draven, please find us. Liam needs you. I need you.”
Draven’s POV
After giving my warriors orders to bring in the Howard couple, I stayed on the terrace with Ryan for a while. The weight of everything happening pressed down on me, but I couldn’t allow myself to break. Not when Caroline and Liam needed me to be strong.
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