Chapter 207 207
Aurélie’s POV
It fit so seamlessly into the floor that anyone could have missed it. I watched, transfixed, as Gaston slid the metal sheet aside and gripped a hidden handle. With a sharp pull, a concealed passage opened beneath him.
Underground tunnels.
So that was how they’d been moving unseen.
He disappeared without so much as a backward glance, not even bothering to close the trapdoor behind him. The second he was gone, I began yanking at my chains again, rage and desperation fueling every pull.
Geneviève released a low, frustrated growl but only after she was certain Gaston had vanished. Then she turned slowly toward her rogue accomplice, a wicked smile curling her lips.
“Yeah,” she said lightly, “I’m not doing that.”
“He broke the deal,” the rogue snarled, teeth clenched. “Do whatever the fuck you want. I’m done. I told you he couldn’t be trusted.”
Geneviève grunted in agreement and strode toward my children, who were huddled on the floor.
She grabbed Delphine far too roughly and yanked her to her feet.
I pulled harder at the chains, uncaring if they tore through flesh or bone. I heard Fabrice hiss in pain as he did the same, forcing his restraints despite the damage.
“We’re going to play a little game,” Geneviève said sweetly.
She shoved the gun into Delphine’s shaking hands.
Delphine’s wide eyes flew to Dominique.
“You’re going to shoot Mummy!”
Geneviève shouted the words, making Delphine flinch violently.
My daughter’s gaze snapped to mine, terror flooding her face as sobs wracked her tiny body.
“Do it!” Geneviève snarled, stepping toward her in a threatening stance.
“Leave her alone,” Dominique growled, moving protectively in front of his sister until a sharp whistle sounded behind him.
The rogue stood there, his gun trained squarely on Dominique.
“You’re next,” Geneviève said casually, turning her back on the twins as she started toward me.
That single moment of distraction was all Dominique needed.
Still handcuffed, he lunged into the rogue, knocking him flat. The gun skidded across the floor as Dominique disarmed him in one brutal motion.
“Delphine, RUN!” Dominique shouted an Alpha command woven into his voice.
Her body obeyed before her fear could stop her.
I sucked in a shaky breath as I watched her sprint from the shipping container, freedom just steps away.
“You little brat!” Geneviève screeched, racing after her.
Dominique stepped into her path.
“Leave her alone,” he growled.
Her attention snapped back to him pure, murderous fury blazing in her eyes.
“You shoot,” she hissed, forcing the gun into his hands.
“Or I swear on the moon, I’ll go get her, drag her back here and shoot her in front of you.”
Thank the moon Delphine was out.
Now I just had to keep my son alive.
“I’m sorry, Mum,” Dominique whispered as he lifted the gun and aimed it at me.
My brave, beautiful little Alpha.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” I said softly, forcing a smile through the tears spilling down my face. “I love you. This isn’t your fault. Don’t you dare blame yourself not once.”
My heart shattered for the lifetime of guilt he would carry. The sentence he’d already begun serving. I knew that weight well memories that would haunt him in his darkest moments.
“Dominique! Dominique!” Fabrice shouted, ripping at his chains until blood streamed down his arms.
“Dominique, wait!” Florence screamed, wincing as the pain echoed through her from Fabrice’s suffering.
They were mates. They felt everything each other’s fear, pain, despair.
I couldn’t look away from my son.
He was doing this to save his sister.
She would never survive this.
He raised the gun fully now, hands trembling as he aimed straight at me.
He hesitated.
The rogue took a step closer, lifting his weapon once more, the barrel trained on Dominique’s back.
I drew in one final breath.
Then another.
Silver bullets.
Designed to tear through werewolf flesh. To heal slowly. To leave scars that never truly fade.
Dominique squeezed his eyes shut.
The gunshot thundered through the container.