h4Chapter 170: Chapter 170 Family Bonds Amid Crisis/h4

    Draven’s POV

    I returned to the guest bedroom where Caroline was sleeping. The medication Dr. Molina had given her was wearing off, and I could see her face was filled with worry even while she slept. She made soft crying sounds and tears rolled down her cheeks. My heart ached watching my mate suffer like this.

    "Caroline," I whispered, gently stroking her hair. "Wake up, love."

    Her eyes fluttered open, still glossy with tears. "Draven? Did they find Liam?" Hope and fear battled in her voice.

    "Not yet," I said softly, pulling her into my arms. "But your parents are here. I thought you might need them."

    She buried her face against my chest, her tears soaking through my shirt. ric whined inside me, desperate tofort our mate.

    "You called them?"

    "Yes. I sent the private jet for them. Eleanor’s parents came too." I kissed the top of her head. "I know this isn’t how we nned to tell them everything, but they need to know."

    Caroline nodded against my chest. "Thank you. I... I do need my mom right now."

    I helped her freshen up, giving her a few moments topose herself before leading her toward the elevator. My arm remained firmly around her waist, supporting her physically and emotionally. As the elevator doors opened, Caroline’s eyes lit up at the sight of her parents.

    "Mom! Dad!" She broke from my embrace and rushed into their waiting arms. Beta Robert held his daughter tightly, his eyes meeting mine over Caroline’s shoulder with a mixture of gratitude and concern.

    Eleanor was already embracing her parents, Alpha Gerald and his Luna looking just as worried as Caroline’s parents. The bond between pack families was strong, especially in times of crisis.

    "Thank you for bringing us here, Alpha Draven," Beta Robert walked over to me with his hand out after Caroline went to hug her mother.

    "No need to thank me, father-inw" I replied, epting his firm handshake. "You’re family."

    Beta Robert frowned slightly when he heard what I called him and looked at Caroline strangely. Although thest time I visited Caroline’s home I was still a suitor, now I was Caroline’s fiancé.

    Lena, Caroline’s mother, approached with red-rimmed eyes. I hugged her, feeling the motherly warmth she gave off.

    "We’ll find Liam," I promised, though my voice cracked slightly.

    After briefly updating everyone on the situation, Dr. Molina took Caroline aside for a quick examination. When she was done, I asked if we could have a moment alone with her parents.

    "You’re so thoughtful, Draven. I didn’t expect you to bring my parents here to be with me," Caroline said, tears glistening in her eyes again.

    "Sweetheart. I can only imagine how much I’d want my own parents here if they were still alive," I exined. "I thought having your family close would help."

    "Thank you, Draven," she whispered.

    "But we need to tell them everything," I said gently.

    In Caroline’s temporary room, we sat facing her parents. Caroline’s hand found mine, squeezing it nervously.

    "What’s going on?" Beta Robert asked.

    I took a deep breath. "Father-inw, I don’t know where to begin..."

    Beta Robert hurriedly cut in, "Though it’s very rude to interrupt you, Alpha Draven, but you’ve been calling me father-inw since we met, and I’m quite bewildered."

    Lena smiled at Robert and said, "Then let your son-inw start by exining why he’s calling you like that."

    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 someplications, 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 exined. "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 monthster, neither of us recognized the other."

    I told them everything—about my parents’ ident 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 d 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 n to marry. And..." I nced 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 rxed 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 epted 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 ric rumbling in agreement. "She and our children are my world. Father-inw, 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.