Chasing His Scentless Mate (Caroline) novel Chapter 236

Chapter 236: Chapter 236 Fighting For My Mate

Caroline’s POV

No. I couldn’t let Howard kill Draven. I had to be strong for my children and my mate. The silver bullets burning through my legs and stomach made every movement excruciating, but I refused to give up.

"Rory, do you have any strength left?" I asked my wolf through our weakened connection.

"Barely," Rory replied weakly, her voice faint. "But enough to try. We can’t let him hurt our mate."

I closed my eyes and focused on partially shifting just my hands. My fingernails elongated into claws, and I bit down hard on my lower lip to keep from crying out as the silver coursed through my system,resisting the transformation.

With my heightened hearing, I could still hear Howard forcing Draven toward his office.

Working quickly, I began sawing through the ropes binding my wrists.

Every movement sent waves of agony through my bullet wounds, but I channeled all my fear and love into determination.

"Hold on, Draven," I thought desperately. "Just hold on."

When the ropes finally snapped, I immediately reached for my leg wound. The silver bullet had to come out or I’d never heal properly.

Taking a deep breath, I plunged my fingers into the wound and nearly passed out from the pain.

"Don’t scream," Rory urged. "Howard will hear you."

I knew it. I clenched my jaw, sensing the bullets embedded deep in my flesh.

Blood poured between my fingers as I dug deeper, probing for the bullet.

When I finally felt the hard metal, I gripped it and pulled. The bullet came out with a sickening squelch, and I had to stuff my fist in my mouth to muffle my cry of pain.

I repeated the process with my other leg and then my stomach, each extraction leaving me gasping silently, tears streaming down my face. But with each bullet removed, I could feel Rory growing marginally stronger.

"Mabel," I mind-linked to her where she sat tied up nearby. "I’m going to get you free."

I dragged myself across the floor toward her, my movements clumsy but determined. After I loosened her restraints, she looked at me with shock and fear written all over her face.

"There’s a gun in my bedroom nightstand," I mind-linked to her. "Top drawer. Can you get it without being seen?"

She nodded quickly and slipped away, moving silently up the stairs.

Just then, I sensed another presence and tensed, ready to defend myself.

The pack house security head, Mathias, entered the living room cautiously.

I received his mind-link and immediately connected.

"Luna Caroline, don’t make a sound."

I stared at him in shock.

"Draven ordered everyone to leave. Why are you still here?" I replied, confused and hopeful.

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?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

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.