I heard the door slam and was completely mortified and frozen in place when Draven burst out laughing. I stared at him in disbelief. Had he gone crazy, laughing at this embarrassing situation? He noticed my discomfort and stroked my face, his touch soothing both me and my agitated wolf.
“Honey, it’s not like Ryan doesn’t know what’s going on, right?! Relax, he didn’t see anything. When I heard the door open, I covered you. A werewolf’s senses are good, but even he can’t see through fabric.”
He gave me another quick kiss and sat me down on the couch. I was buried in my shame. Ryan had seen more than he needed to, and I dreaded facing him tomorrow.
“I’ll go see what Ryan wants,” he said and stood up, heading toward the door without concern for the massive erection straining against his pants.
He left the office, closing the door, and I took the opportunity to quickly get dressed and leave. When I got to my desk, I heard my phone ring and saw a message from the babysitter,
“Caroline, when I picked Liam up from daycare, I noticed he was feverish. I’ve already given him fever medicine and he’s sleeping now, seems like he might be coming down with a cold. I thought you should know.”
“Our pup is sick!” Rory snarled inside me. “We need to leave NOW.”
I quickly gathered my things and turned off the computer. Just as I grabbed my purse, Alpha Draven walked in.
When he saw me, his smile faded, and he asked, “Where do you think you’re going? We have unfinished business.”
“Draven, I’m sorry, but I need to go. There’s an emergency at home.”
Seeing the concern in my eyes, his expression softened immediately.
“Just a minute, I’ll drive you. You’ll get there faster that way.”
He went into his office and came back wearing his suit jacket, the scent of cedarwood and musk wafting around him.
“Let’s go, Caroline,” he said, his hand finding the small of my back as he guided me toward the elevator.
Draven’s POV
During the ride, I noticed that Caroline was incredibly tense and worried. Whatever had happened, it had completely changed my assistant’s demeanor.
When we arrived, she practically leaped out of the car and took off running. Alaric urged me to follow her, a strange protective instinct I hadn’t felt in years. I was right behind her as she turned to look at me questioningly, her green eyes filled with concern.
“I’ll go with you,” I said firmly. “I don’t know what the emergency is, but you might need help.”
She didn’t speak, just nodded gratefully. When we entered her apartment, a woman hurried to greet us, worry etched across her features.
“Caroline, I’m so glad you’re here. I was about to call you,” the woman said anxiously.
“Where is he, Mabel?” Caroline asked.
“He’s in the bedroom, and his fever’s gotten worse. I was just getting him some water,” the woman replied while I wondered who the hell “he” was. My wolf was suddenly alert, sensing something important.
Caroline rushed down the hallway, and I couldn’t help but follow. When I entered the bedroom, I saw her pick up a small child and say with such tenderness it made my chest tighten, “It’s okay, my love. Mommy’s here.”
Mommy? She’s a mother? My head was spinning as I watched the scene unfold before me. How did I not know she had a child? The scent in the room was strange; the boy seemed to have no distinct wolf scent.
The woman entered the room and said, “I think it’s better to take him to the doctor. It might be nothing, but fever in young cubs could mean anything.”
“Yes, I’ll take him, Mabel. I’m going to put warmer clothes on him. Could you pack his bag for me?”
“Of course, dear. I’ll get his things for you.”
I stood there motionless, watching their interaction, still struggling with the revelation that she had a child. Suddenly, Caroline’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“Draven, thank you so much for bringing me, but I need to take my son to the hospital.”
I blinked twice at her before saying, “Let’s go. I’ll drive you both.”
“Alpha, you don’t have to. I can get a taxi.”
“No way, Caroline,” I said firmly, my Alpha tone slipping out. “Let’s go!”
The decision was already made, and Alaric wouldn’t have let me walk away even if I’d wanted to.
I left and helped them get into the back seat of the car. I drove as fast as I could to the hospital, watching Caroline’s worried expression in the rearview mirror. Her arms cradled her son, and something about the sight stirred in me.
I dropped them off at the hospital entrance and went to park. When I found her inside the hospital, she looked at me as if she was seeing a ghost.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, confusion evident in her voice.
I sat down calmly beside her, looked at the sleepy little boy clinging to his mother’s lap, and met her eyes before saying, “I’m not going to leave you two alone.”
“That pup feels familiar,” Alaric rumbled inside me. “Being near him feels… right.”
I frowned, confused. I felt it too. But this is our first time meeting him, isn’t it?
Alaric and I attributed these feelings to our Alpha instincts to protect cubs and their mothers. Though Caroline wasn’t officially part of my pack yet, she had submitted her application, and soon I would perform her joining ceremony.
She looked at me with tears in her eyes and thanked me, the vulnerability in her expression making my heart hurt.
“So, Carrie, when were you going to tell me you have a son?” I asked.
She looked at me confused, and then understanding dawned on her face. “It’s not a secret. I would never hide my son. In fact, Clara knows him, but the subject just never came up.”
“Clara knows him?” I was genuinely surprised.
“Yes, the day we declined dinner with you guys was because we were having dinner at my house with Elle and Liam.”
I looked at her surprised, with a smile beginning to form on my face. “Your son’s name is Liam?”
“Yes, Alpha Draven, this is Liam Bennett. This little man is the sunshine of my life,” she replied, smiling with unmistakable motherly pride.
“What a coincidence, Liam was my grandfather’s name,” I said with a hint of nostalgia. “Why did you choose that name?”
“Because Liam means strong-willed warrior and protector, and my son is my strength. He gives me courage every day to keep going.”
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