CHAPTER 228: CHAPTER 228 BREAKTHROUGH IN THE INVESTIGATION

Caroline’s POV

It had been a week since we brought the babies home. After the terrifying hospital incident, I couldn’t bring myself to take them anywhere, so Dr. Molina made daily house calls instead. The quadruplets were developing perfectly, hitting all their milestones right on schedule.

Draven hired two nannies that Mabel recommended to help us manage our suddenly very full house. My parents had returned to Maplewood, and we were slowly establishing some semblance of a routine. Liam was absolutely smitten with his little siblings, and every evening our friends came over for dinner to spend time with their godchildren.

The living room was filled with laughter and the soft cooing of babies as everyone lounged on the plush sofas. Toys littered the floor, and bottles stood in various stages of emptiness on the coffee table.

"I think it’s completely ridiculous that you’ve already given Lucas to Jace as his godson, while the rest of us are still waiting," Ryan complained, bouncing one of the twins on his knee.

Eleanor dramatically pressed a hand to her chest. "You think you’ve got problems? At least you’ll get assigned to one of them. What about me?"

"Hey, drama queen, you already have Liam!" Draven reminded her, gesturing to where she sat with my oldest cuddled in her lap.

"I know, you big oaf!" Eleanor squeezed Liam tight and peppered his face with kisses until he giggled uncontrollably. "And I love my little man more than anything. But we wanted another recruit for Team Eleanor." Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "So when are you popping out more pups, bestie?"

Everyone burst into laughter while I nearly choked on my drink.

"Absolutely not! Have you counted lately? We already have five!" I pointed around the room at all the babies. "Draven’s getting a vasectomy, end of discussion."

"Why me?" Draven’s eyes widened in mock horror. "Why not consider getting your tubes tied? Or maybe we could flip a coin?"

Rory snickered in my mind. "He looks genuinely terrified at the thought of someone coming near his manhood with a scalpel."

I rolled my eyes at both my mate and my wolf. "Because this prevents another she-wolf from claiming she’s carrying your pups!" I reminded him about the Ella incident, making him wince.

"Fair point," he conceded. "But what if we decide we want another baby someday?"

I shot him a look that could’ve frozen fire. "Are you serious right now?"

Our friends burst out laughing at Draven’s suddenly pale face.

"Listen up, Alpha Draven," I leaned forward, jabbing a finger in his direction. "Until you schedule that appointment, you’re sleeping alone."

"Calling the doctor first thing tomorrow!" Draven quickly promised, then clapped his hands together. "Now for the important business. Let’s assign godparents to the rest of the brood."

Ryan immediately scooped up the oldest quadruplet. "No debates necessary. You always promised I’d get your firstborn. Since Elle stole Liam from me, which I might contest legally, I’m claiming August as mine. He was firstborn of this batch, so case closed." He was already settling in with the baby and a bottle.

"Well, since Ryan’s throwing his weight around, I guess we’ll just roll with it," Joseph chuckled. "Come on, Ava, let’s surround ourselves with mini-Carolines."

The scene turned into cheerful chaos as everyone grabbed a baby. I watched as Liam wiggled down from Eleanor’s lap and toddled over to where the twins lay on their play mat. He carefully sat beside them, placing his small hand on each of their tummies.

"My babies," he announced proudly.

"That’s right, buddy," Draven knelt beside him. "You’re their big brother. You’ll teach them everything you know."

"I teach wolfy stuff!" Liam nodded seriously, making us all laugh.

The warm moment was interrupted when Investigator Magnus and his wife entered. They’d come for a friendly visit, but I could tell by Magnus’s expression that he had updates on the investigation.

"The woman who tried to kidnap your baby was hired by Howard," Magnus informed us, tension immediately filling the room. "Unfortunately, she’s not giving us much; she only mentioned Howard hired her through someone called ’Joker.’ We’ve checked every criminal database, but none of the Jokers we have on file match the person from the hospital security footage."

Magnus ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. "It’s like trying to catch a ghost. Every time we get close, he disappears. But we did find out something important, Marcus was the one who caused your parents’ car crash. Howard ordered him to do it."

Draven stiffened beside me. "How did you confirm that?"

"I spoke with Caroline’s parents," Magnus explained. "They confirmed Marcus disappeared for chunks of time during his own wedding reception. A maintenance worker at the parking garage remembers seeing him there and even asked if he’d run away from the wedding."

Magnus sighed. "But the evidence is circumstantial at best. I need his confession. With so much time passed, security footage is gone. I’m hunting for other witnesses, but we need stronger evidence."

"Will he cooperate?" Draven asked.

Magnus hesitated. "That’s where things get complicated."

"He won’t talk," I guessed, already knowing where this was headed.

"Actually, he’s agreed to tell everything, including how he and Howard connected, but only under one condition." Magnus looked directly at me. "He insists on speaking with you, Caroline."

"Absolutely fucking not!" Draven was on his feet instantly, violet eyes flashing dangerously. "My mate isn’t going anywhere near that bastard."

"Alpha Draven," Magnus said carefully, "if Marcus refuses to talk, even if we prosecute him for your parents’ murder, conviction chances are minimal. He’ll only face charges for his role in Liam’s kidnapping, and with his clean record and stable residence, he could get out quickly. Plus, he might know how to find Howard."

"I’ll go," I stated firmly.

"The hell you will!" Draven snapped.

"Who’s going to stop me?" I challenged, standing to face him.

"Caroline, I’m your mate!" Draven’s eyes burned with fury and fear.

"But not my keeper," I countered. "I won’t sit back if I can help put the monsters who killed your parents in jail. This isn’t negotiable. Magnus, set it up and tell me what I need to do."

Magnus glanced at Draven, silently seeking permission. Draven was literally vibrating with anger.

"Fine," he eventually ground out. "Arrange it. But make damn sure it’s completely secure for Caroline."

"I’ll handle everything personally and let you know the details tomorrow," Magnus promised, clearly uncomfortable. "I’m sorry for asking this of you."

"It’s okay," Draven sighed, defeat evident in his slumped shoulders. "I know you wouldn’t ask if there was any other option. I just want this nightmare to end."

The room had gone completely silent. Our friends exchanged worried glances, the lighthearted atmosphere from moments ago vanished. Liam sensed the shift and crawled into my lap, wrapping his little arms around my neck.

"Mama safe," he whispered.

"Yes, baby," I kissed his forehead. "Mama will be safe. I promise."