Chasing His Scentless Mate Chapter 172 The Mother’s Sacrifice

Caroline’s POV

I was sitting next to my mother when Ryan ca in. The mont I saw his face, I knew sothing had happened. My heart sank as he told us everything—about the call from that deranged woman, my son crying for , the impossible demands she’d made. With each word, tears stread down my face, my wolf Rory whimpering in shared agony.

After Ryan left, Eleanor’s mother explained to my mom who Ella Howard was. I’d already told them about her obsession with Draven, but hearing the detailed history of her unstable behavior made my blood run cold.The room felt too small, too suffocating with all this information.

My phone rang unexpectedly, and I quickly answered without checking the caller ID, desperate for any news about Liam.

"Don’t say anything," ca Dennis’s voice, sending a chill down my spine. "If there’s anyone near you, leave and only let know when you’re alone."

I felt my wolf bristle with suspicion, but the thought that he might have information about Liam overrode everything else. I lowered the phone and started moving away from the room. When I reached the door, Eleanor called out to .

"Carrie, what’s wrong?"

"I’m going to see Draven, Elle. I need to spend so ti with him," I lied.

When I reached the corridor between the elevators and the room, I put the phone back to my ear.

"Where’s my son? Why did you do this?" I demanded, keeping my voice low.

"Calm down, beautiful," Dennis said in a cold, scary voice."Your son is still breathing, but let’s make things clearer, because your Alpha mate won’t accept the conditions Ella set. So, you’re going to do everything I tell you without talking to anyone, and then you can see your son again."

"Why should I trust you?" I whispered harshly.

"Because you don’t have a choice," he replied coldly.

Suddenly, I heard Liam’s terrified voice in the background. "Mommy, I miss you! It’s cold and dark here. Mommy, help !"

My heart shattered. "Liam! Baby, I’m coming! Mommy’s coming!"

"Want to save your pup?" Dennis’s voice returned, taunting. "Then you better follow my instructions. Otherwise, I might have to send you a little gift... perhaps one of your son’s tiny fingers?"

Liam’s piercing scream filled the line, and I nearly collapsed against the wall.

"Stop! Please stop!" I begged, tears streaming down my face. "Don’t hurt him! Do whatever you want to , just leave him alone!"

"That’s more like it," Dennis said smugly. "First, get out of the pack house without being seen. Your mate has his warriors everywhere, so be careful. et outside the bistro where you had lunch yesterday. Keep the line open, and don’t talk to anyone."

I looked around frantically. The main hall was bustling with pack mbers and police,I’d never make it through unnoticed. I thought fast and went to the ergency exit at the end of the hallway. I went through it and walked down three flights of stairs.

The cold air hit my face as I hurried down the street toward the bistro two blocks away. Rory was howling inside , torn between the instinct to protect our pup and the knowledge that we were walking into a trap. But what choice did I have?

As soon as I reached the bistro door, a black car pulled up alongside . The window lowered to reveal Dennis’s smiling face as he motioned for to get in. The mont I sat down, a sweet-slling cloth was pressed against my face, and darkness consud .

I woke up with a bad headache in a small, dark room. The window was blocked with bricks, with only a tiny opening to let air in. I was on a dirty mattress with a filthy sheet, and there was one chair in the corner. The walls were bare and the floor was just cent. One light bulb hung from the ceiling, making scary shadows. The room slled terrible, like mold and sothing even worse.

The door was locked, of course, with a small viewing window that could only be opened from outside. I tried the handle anyway, confirming what I already knew—I was trapped.

I slumped against the wall. How could I have been so reckless? But when I heard Liam’s screams... any rational thought had vanished. My baby needed , and I’d do anything,absolutely anything to save him.

The door creaked open, and Dennis entered, closing it firmly behind him.

"You’re awake, beautiful!" His voice was mockingly cheerful. "Here, I brought you sothing to eat."

"Where’s my son, Dennis?" I demanded, ignoring the paper bag he held out. "I already did what you told to."

"It’s not that easy," he said as he sat down in the chair. "Eat sothing. You look like you’re going to fall over."

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, looking at him to see if there was any kindness I could reach.

He laughed bitterly. "Your mate has the entire territory searching for us. His warriors are everywhere, the police are involved. I need insurance, and you’re it."

"Dennis, please," I begged, "give back my son. He’s just a baby."

"I told you, he’s with that crazy woman. But relax—the kid is still alive and unhard... for now." He placed the sandwich and soda on the chair. "Don’t bother screaming. We’re miles from anywhere."

As he turned to leave, I noticed how nervous he seed, constantly checking his watch and phone.

"You know you can’t escape Draven," I said, watching his reaction carefully. "He won’t stop until he finds us."

Dennis’s smile faltered. "Maybe. But by then, I’ll be long gone with enough money to disappear forever. And if I can’t escape... well, having the Alpha’s mate as my hostage might be my only way out alive."

After he left, I went to the small gap in the window and peered through, seeing nothing but tall grass stretching into the distance. I picked up the sandwich hesitantly. It seed safe enough, and I needed to keep my strength if I was going to find a way to escape and save my son.

As I ate, I closed my eyes. "Draven, please find us. Liam needs you. I need you."