Chasing His Scentless Mate (Caroline) novel Chapter 340

Chapter 340: Chapter 340 The Panic of Disconnection

Ava’s POV

I stared at my phone for the hundredth time, scrolling through the unanswered texts I’d sent to both my mother and grandmother. Ten days of silence. Not a single response. Not even a "busy, talk later" text.

"Come on, Mom," I whispered, hitting the call button again. The phone rang endlessly before going to voicemail. I hung up without leaving another message—what was the point? All the previous ones had gone unanswered.

"Seriously, what the hell?" I muttered, tossing my phone onto the couch.

Something was wrong. Very wrong. My mother and I had our occasional arguments and squabbles, but she would never go this long without contacting me. Even when I had a cold war with my mother over my ex-boyfriend Isaac and ran away from home, my mother never cut off contact with me.

"Talking to yourself again?" Nina’s voice startled me as she walked out from her bedroom, looking fresh. Her hair was wrapped in a towel, and she wore a fluffy bathrobe that made her look smaller than she was.

"Just checking my phone," I mumbled.

Nina plopped down beside me, immediately sensing my distress. "Okay, spill it. You’ve been acting weird for days now. Checking your phone every five minutes, barely sleeping, and I swear I heard you crying in the bathroom yesterday."

"I wasn’t crying," I lied.

"Cleo says you were," Nina retorted, referring to her wolf. "She heard you."

I forgot about werewolf senses.

I sighed, knowing Nina wouldn’t let this go. "It’s just... family stuff. My mom and grandmother aren’t answering my calls or texts."

Nina frowned. "For how long?"

"Ten days."

"Ten days?" Nina’s eyes widened. "Why didn’t you say something sooner? That’s serious, Ava!"

I shrugged, trying to appear casual despite the worry tightening in my chest. "My grandmother lives far away, and sometimes reception is bad in Silver Creek. Plus, my mom can get really caught up in her work."

The half-truths felt bitter on my tongue. I couldn’t tell Nina the real reason for my concern—that my witch grandmother and my hybrid mother might be in danger because of their magical abilities.

"Have you tried calling anyone else in Silver Creek? Neighbors, friends?" Nina suggested.

I shook my head. "We keep to ourselves mostly." My grandma had always maintained distance from others, a necessary precaution when you were hiding magical abilities in a wolf community.

Nina looked unconvinced but didn’t push further. "Well, we have to be at Caroline’s in an hour for bridesmaid duties. Maybe focusing on something else will help clear your mind."

"Yeah, maybe," I agreed halfheartedly.

Nina stood, squeezing my shoulder gently. "Whatever’s happening, Ava, you don’t have to face it alone. I’m here for you, so are Eleanor, Ruby, and Caroline."

I managed a smile. "Thanks, Nina."

As she disappeared back into her room to get dressed, I felt a pang of guilt for not being completely honest with her.

I couldn’t. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

The Storm Valley pack house was buzzing with activity when we arrived. Located on the outskirts of Harbor Bay, the massive mansion stood as a testament to the pack’s wealth and power. Surrounded by acres of forest and protected by state-of-the-art security.

Caroline greeted us at the door, her face glowing with happiness. "You’re here! Thank God. I’m going insane with all these preparations."

Despite my worries, I couldn’t help smiling at my friend’s enthusiasm. Caroline had transformed since accepting Alpha Draven’s proposal. The once-insecure woman who’d been ashamed of her scentless status now carried herself with confidence. Love looked good on her.

"Where do you need us?" I asked.

"Everywhere," Caroline laughed, leading us through the entrance hall. "The florist is setting up in the ballroom, the caterers are in the kitchen, and I still haven’t decided which tablecloths look better."

"They’ll be fine," Ruby assured her. "They raised you, didn’t they? Clearly they’re made of strong stuff."

Caroline smiled gratefully. "Speaking of strong stuff, let’s talk bridesmaids’ duties. Eleanor, you’re in charge of the guest book. Ruby, you’ll manage the gift table. Nina, you’ll coordinate with the ushers, and Ava, I need you to help my mom when she arrives tomorrow."

The word "mom" made my breath catch. I nodded automatically, but all I could think was Odelia. Where was she? Was she safe? The worry gnawed at my insides like a hungry beast.

"Ava?" Caroline’s voice pulled me back to reality. "Are you okay with that?"

"Of course," I replied quickly. "Happy to help your mom."

The next few hours passed in a blur of wedding preparations. Throughout it all, I kept checking my phone, hoping for any message from my mother or grandmother. Nothing.

I didn’t dare go home, afraid that once I returned, I might never be able to leave again.

By mid-afternoon, my anxiety had reached a breaking point. I needed to do something, anything, to find out what was happening.

"I need to make a call," I told the others, slipping away to find a quiet corner of the massive house.

I gathered my courage and dialed my mother’s workplace—Apex Pharmaceuticals. My mother worked as a pharmaceutical researcher, developing new medications.

"Apex Pharmaceuticals, how may I direct your call?" a cheerful voice answered.

"Hi, this is Ava Flynn, Odelia Trollpoe’s daughter," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I’ve been trying to reach my mother for several days without success. I was wondering if she’s been at work?"

There was a slight pause. "Oh, Ms. Flynn," the receptionist’s tone changed subtly. "Your mother isn’t currently at the office."

I pressed. "When will she be back in the office?"

Another, longer pause. "I’m sorry, but your mother has taken an indefinite leave of absence."