Page 144 of Knot my Alphas

“Did you hear that?” Caleb says.

“Yeah,” Damon’s voice comes through the phone’s speaker.

“Go after them,” says Caleb. “You can still catch up to them.”

“On it,” says Damon and switches off the call.

“She’s breathing,” Raiden says, gently hugging his unconscious mother.

“Let’s get the ropes off her and take her inside,” I say as a sliver of relief spreads through me.

Raiden gently picks her up in his arms. Julian shirks off his jacket and drapes it over Caroline’s body.

Julian and Caleb come to my side. Together, we follow Raiden as he carries Caroline inside the house.

The hallways are thankfully quiet and empty. All the guests must’ve left the moment they heard about the hostage situation at the school. It’s a good thing we have everyone focusing on Caroline right now.

We’re about to go up the stairs when we’re spotted by Gerald.

“Where did everyone go?” he asks, stomping toward us. It’s only when he gets closer that he notices Caroline in his son’s arms. “What happened to your mother?”

“It’s a long story,” Raiden says.

“Caroline, honey,” Gerald calls in the softest tone. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

“Dad, we’ll tell you everything but she needs to be taken upstairs,” says Caleb. “In the meantime, could you call Dr. Lafayette?”

Gerald stares at his son. “Why do we need to call Lafayette? Why won’t you tell me what happened to her?” His voice continues to rise until it’s booming all around the hallway. “There’s something going on here, isn’t it, Caleb?”

Before Caleb can reply, he makes his own assumption. “I knew something was up the moment I saw the bomb squad with their dogs. What the hell are they doing inside the house?”

Caleb rubs at his forehead. “We received an alert but it’s all right. There’s no bomb here. We just wanted to be a hundred percent sure.”

“Does it have anything to do with what happened to your mom?”

Frustration rises inside me.

Stepping forward, I stand directly before our pack’s patriarch. “Will you stop asking questions and help?” I shout. “Caroline needs a doctor. We don’t know what they did to her but we have to find out. She needs us right now. Just help us, okay?” My voice cracks as a loud sob tears out of me. “I’m so scared right now. Why won’t you help us?”

My outburst seems to have the right impact.

Gerald shuts up and reaches for his phone inside his pocket. Moving aside, he lets Raiden go up the stairs.

Caleb, Julian and I stay back as he finishes up a call with their doctor.

“He’s on his way,” says Gerald as he hangs up.

“Good,” I say, releasing a heavy sigh. “Thank you.”

Moving closer, Gerald squeezes my shoulder. “You don’t look so good yourself,” he says, his keen eyes detecting the tension rolling off me. “If you tell me what’s bothering you, I promise to listen and help.” His voice is so gentle and soothing, I feel myself growing calmer.

“I’ll explain everything,” Caleb says as he steps up beside me. “Just give me some time to gather all the facts. I’m still waiting to hear from Damon.”

“He’s not home?”

Caleb shakes his head.

“Is everyone safe?” Gerald asks.

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