Chapter 142 142
Damien POV
“It’s my happy place. I could spend days there, just watching the gentle ripples on the water.”
The second half of the journey had softened into something warmer. Aurélie spoke easily now, telling me about the lake house she’d stayed at as a child how it had never stopped feeling like home. She still went there often with Dominique and Delphine, retreating to it whenever the world became too loud.
I kept stealing glances at her. I couldn’t help myself. There was something almost painfully endearing about the way her face lit up as she spoke, like she was stepping back into those memories as she described them.
“Once things calm down, I want to take the kids again,” she continued. “Maybe let them swim in the lake. I learned to swim really young, and I think it’s important for children to know how. Maybe… you could come with us?” She turns to me then, hope flickering in her eyes, her smile small but sincere.
“I’d like that,” I admit. “I haven’t been swimming in years.”
“Then you’ll have to come,” she says gently. “The kids would love it.”
The SatNav interrupts the moment, instructing me to turn off the main road and onto a narrow side track leading toward what looks like a derelict farm building in the distance. As we draw closer, the details sharpen an old hay store and a barn that had clearly seen better days. Half the roof is gone, whether torn away by years of harsh weather or simply surrendered to neglect.
“Is this it?” Aurélie asks quietly, her gaze scanning the area for any sign of human presence.
“I think so,” I reply, doing the same.
“Look that’s a pack car. That’s what Théo took.” She points toward a vehicle parked near a rusted farm gate.
I pull in beside it and shut off the engine.
She slips her phone into her hand. I leave mine behind. My men have a trace on it if this turns out to be a trap, at least they’ll be able to locate the car. Our last known position. A precaution, but a necessary one.
We step out of the car together.
I want to reach for her hand, to draw her close, keep her within the safety of my arm. But she’s an alpha and I let her lead. All I can do is stay alert, watchful.
She surpassed my father’s life’s work in just four years. That kind of achievement demands respect.
We walk side by side toward the barn, but as we near it, my wolf urges me forward, pushing my steps just ahead of hers.
I reach the door first and pull it open, positioning myself between her and whatever waits inside though I’m not prepared for what greets us.
Despite the daylight and the gaping hole in the roof, the interior is dim, heavy with shadow. The barn hasn’t been used in years. High wooden beams stretch overhead, casting long, uneven darkness into the corners.
“Théo!” Aurélie gasps from behind me, relief flooding her voice as she steps past me and inside.
“Alphas,” Théo greets, nodding once to both of us.
He lets out a sharp whistle, and instinctively I move closer to Aurélie as another man emerges from the shadows.
He looks worn like life has been a constant fight. His hair is streaked with grey, his black beard threaded with silver. A thick gold chain rests heavily against his chest. He’s dressed in an oddly patterned polo probably meant to be designer and blue jeans.
“Alphas?” he repeats, glancing back at Théo, confused.
His gaze slides to Aurélie, and understanding dawns.
“A female alpha? Now I get it…”
He scoffs, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it with practiced ease. I can already smell the rogue on him that sour, spoiled scent, like milk turned on itself. The cigarette is habit, a way to mask what he is.
“Understand what?” I snarl, my eyes hardening as I release just enough of my aura to make him twitch with discomfort. I keep my full King aura tightly leashed. He doesn’t need to know exactly who he’s dealing with.
He’s a rogue which means loyalty only to himself.
And that means we can’t trust him.