Chasing His Scentless Mate (Caroline) novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Chapter 27 Wait... Caroline Has a Son?!

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?"

The doctor said he would contact her as soon as the test results came in, but the boy couldn’t go to daycare until he was better to avoid spreading the virus, ending the consultation. We thanked him and left.

"Draven, thank you for everything. You can’t imagine how much you helped me today." Her voice was soft.

"Don’t thank me, Caroline. You’re going to tell me the whole story about your son. Now come on, I’ll take you both home," I said.

We drove in silence.

I stopped at a pharmacy and, despite her protests, took the prescription from her hands and bought the medications. When we arrived, she was surprised once again because I didn’t leave. We entered her house, and Eleanor came running.

"Friend, what’s wrong with Liam? Why didn’t you call me? I just got home from work and saw your note."

"It’s just a cold, Elle. Sit down, Alpha Draven, make yourself comfortable. I’m going to give my son his medicine and put him to bed. I’ll be right back. Help me, Elle?" she said to her friend, who was looking at me with a knowing little smile on her face that made me wonder what she knew that I didn’t.

They went inside, and I sat down. The apartment was very beautiful and had a lovely view of the city.

When Caroline returned, she was wearing a long navy blue dress that made her eyes stand out even more, though exhaustion was evident on her face.

"Draven, would you like some coffee?"

"Caroline, you’re tired. I should go now since Eleanor is home and you won’t be alone. If you need anything, call me," I said.

I brushed my fingers against her cheek and walked toward the door, Alaric reluctant to leave.

"Thank you for everything, Draven," I heard her say. I turned around and smiled at her.

I went home with millions of questions hammering in my head. I felt a strange connection with that boy that could only be because I was becoming attached to Caroline. While she held him in her arms, his eyes had briefly opened, and though I couldn’t place it, there was something eerily familiar about them.

But I didn’t understand why I was so restless. Why did I feel such a need to not leave them alone? Why was Alaric so intensely interested in this cub? Who could be the father of her child? My head was spinning with many questions and no answers.