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?"

"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."

"That’s beautiful, Carrie. You know, after my parents died in that rogue attack, I decided that when I have my first cub, he’ll carry a strong name as a tribute to my lineage. My grandfather was my rock, Caroline."

She looked at me tenderly and placed her hand on my face, saying, "Your grandfather helped create a strong Alpha. I’m sure he’s at peace in the Moon Goddess’ embrace."

Those words brought me unexpected comfort. But I was overcome with a curiosity I rarely allowed myself—I wanted to know about her son.

"Carrie, what about Liam’s father?" Alaric tensed inside me, awaiting her response.

"He doesn’t know Liam exists. It’s a long and..." she hesitated, "embarrassing story. Can I tell you later?" She looked at me with pleading eyes.

"Of course," I smiled and put my arm around her shoulders.

The doctor quickly called us in, and I made sure to go in with her, carrying her purse and the bag with the boy’s things. The doctor closed the door and asked us to sit while he went through the routine questions. Caroline answered everything calmly.

The doctor asked her to place the boy on the examination table and turned to me, "Come closer, dad, you can watch the examination up close too."

Caroline looked embarrassed and was about to speak, but I jumped in first. "Oh, right, doctor. You know how it is, we get so worried we freeze up sometimes."

The doctor smiled at me indulgently and said, "I know what you mean, I’m a father of five, all teenagers now, but even being a pediatrician, I still get scared when they get sick."

Caroline watched the scene in confusion. She kept staring at me while the doctor examined her son. It was actually quite amusing, and I almost laughed at the situation, but I wasn’t going to correct the doctor’s assumption and embarrass Caroline.

After the examination, the doctor called the nurse and requested a blood test, explaining it was just a precaution, but what the boy had was just a stronger cold.

Since Caroline had mentioned he had started daycare, he probably caught it from another cub, and now that he would be in contact with other children, he would be more exposed to childhood illnesses, but it was normal and she just needed to stay alert.

He verified that the boy’s vaccines were all up to date and that the medical history sent by the pediatrician from their previous pack territory was very complete, praising her for taking the initiative to get the medical history when she moved to give to the new pediatrician. Caroline was an efficient mother, had everything in order, and even while working all day, knew every detail.

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.