Chapter 149 149
Aurélie POV
“What do you both want to do next?”
Lucas is the first to speak, having absorbed everything we’ve told him every detail, every implication. His mind is already moving ahead, calculating consequences.
He needs to return.
He needs to secure his pack as their Alpha.
“Damien, you need to go back to the Bloodnight pack.”
I turn toward him. He’s standing so close that, if we were alone, I might have given in and kissed those lips—lips that have quickly become my newest weakness.
“I can’t leave you,” he says immediately, his voice firm, resolute. “It’s not safe.”
If I were merely his Luna, I would agree without hesitation.
But I am not.
I am an Alpha with equal authority, equal responsibility. An Alpha cannot abandon their first oath.
“This isn’t about us anymore,” I tell him quietly but firmly. “Don’t you see? She killed her own pack as their Luna someone sworn to protect them. She shattered the most sacred bond there is. Not just the pack bond, but the mate bond.”
My voice hardens as the truth settles deeper.
“If she could do that, what else is she capable of? She destroyed her mate. She destroyed her pack just to be with you. This is no longer only about the safety of the Darkvale pack. The Bloodnight pack is at risk too.”
I step closer, forcing him to hear me.
“You need to go home and secure your people especially with your Beta already here. You need to think of them.”
Damien POV
Aurélie’s lips are moving, but her words feel distant, muffled by everything roaring inside me.
She grows more beautiful by the day stronger, surer. And I don’t want to leave her. I’m not ready. I haven’t even marked her yet. We haven’t told Dominique or Delphine.
The woods earlier fuck, it was incredible. I wanted more. I need more.
Now that I know she’s truly mine, my wolf refuses to let go. If I leave, he’ll fight me every step of the way just to come back.
“Did you find anything on the financial firm that sent the picture to Aurélie?” I ask Lucas, tightening my grip on Aurélie’s thigh as I speak.
She has trust issues. Someone tried to manipulate her push her into reacting using lies.
False information meant to control her choices.
“Their system is heavily guarded,” Lucas replies, “but our men are the best. It’s only a matter of time before they crack it.”
“Financial firm?” Fabrice asks, turning to Lucas, clearly confused.
“Yes,” Lucas answers. “The picture Aurélie received we’ve confirmed it was fabricated.”
“What picture?”
Fabrice’s head snaps toward Aurélie.
I hear it instantly the hitch in her breathing, the quickened beat of her heart.
She never told him.
“It doesn’t matter,” Aurélie says smoothly, though guilt rolls off her in waves.
“What picture?” Fabrice presses. “Show me.”
Lucas hesitates only briefly before handing him his phone.
My eyes never leave Fabrice. He’d better not be stupid enough to think he can use this against me.
“Are you certain this is fake?” Fabrice asks.
“Of course it fucking is,” I growl, pushing back from my chair and standing to my full height.
The lesson from four years ago still burns vividly in my memory.
I’m dangerously close to reminding him of it right now.
“Fabrice,” Aurélie cuts in sharply.
Their gazes lock and then they slip into a mind-link.
Moments later, she turns back as though nothing just happened.
“Theo mentioned something about a shipping port,” she says calmly. “Why would she have any connection to a shipping port?”
“Shipping?” I echo, dread settling heavily in my gut.
“That’s what he said.” She shrugs lightly.
But the alarm bells are already screaming in my head.
I’m on my feet and moving before I consciously decide to storming out of the office and into the courtyard, yanking my phone from my pocket.
“Damien?” Aurélie calls after me.
I already know the smug look that’ll be on his face.
But this isn’t about pride.
It’s about her.
It’s about them.
And keeping them safe means swallowing my ego.
“Hello?” His voice answers smooth, smug, amused. I can hear the grin in it.
“Maurice.”
“Damien,” he replies with mock delight. “What a pleasure. How can I help you?”
“I need to call in a favour…”