Chapter 285 285
Aurélie POV
Geneviève had taken advantage of them used them without a shred of remorse. I wanted to prove that not everyone was like her, that there were still people in this world who cared, who offered more than manipulation and cruelty.
I was in the middle of replying to emails when the phone line in my office rang.
“Yes?” I answer, already expecting one of my regular suppliers calling with a delivery update.
“Alpha Aurélie, how are you? It’s Simon.”
“Simon,” I reply warmly, “how are you? And how is Élodie doing?”
The Saint Wolf pack was a strong ally within my alliance. They had left the Bloodnight alliance to join mine something I knew Damien was still quietly sulking about. More at them than at me.
I’d learned from retired Alpha Quentin some time ago that Élodie was pregnant. By now she must be showing.
“She’s doing well, thank you. Sorry, Aurélie, but is Damien there?”
“He is but you called my number.”
“He said this was the safest number. That it’s protected?”
“Oh, has it now…” That was news to me. What else, exactly, had my mate been doing behind the scenes?
“Please hold. I’ll see if he’s available.” I slip into a deliberately sarcastic, overly polite secretary voice. Petty, I know but I couldn’t help myself.
I leave my office and walk into the kitchen, where I find Damien and Lucas laughing about something. The laughter dies the moment I enter. Both are lounging back in their chairs, far too comfortable, coffee mugs in hand.
“Please, don’t mind me…”
“Just something Dominique said this morning,” Damien replies easily. “What’s up?”
He flashes that infuriatingly charming smile one that, annoyingly, still works on me.
“Excuse me, Sir, but you have a phone call,” I say sweetly. “Alpha Simon from the Saint Wolf pack.”
“Oh, great. Thanks.” He completely misses my sarcasm, clearly believing I’m being genuinely helpful.
“Perhaps we should get you a sexy secretary outfit too,” his low, teasing voice slides into my head through the bond just as his hand squeezes my ass.
Oh. He noticed after all.
I follow him back into my office and take a seat at the meeting table while he settles into my chair behind the desk.
“Maybe I should take this alone?” He glances up at me, then immediately changes his mind when my irritation brushes against him through the bond.
“No need,” I say flatly. “This is my office. I’ll hear whatever he has to say.”
“Simon, what news?” Damien asks, a smug smirk aimed squarely at me, daring me to challenge him.
“Damien, the first meeting will take place tonight at the Black Mist pack. Alpha Jérôme will be running it. Do you want me to attend?”
Damien’s eyes never leave mine as I listen.
Meeting? What meeting? And since when did Jérôme have the authority to lead alliance gatherings?
“No,” Damien replies. “I have someone who can attend. Stay clear I wouldn’t want this blowing up in your face. I’ll keep you posted.”
He ends the call.
“Damien, what the hell is going on?”
“I didn’t want to worry you,” he says with a tired sigh.
For all his arrogance, I know it’s partly a façade one he uses to hide how deeply he worries about me and the children. Once, he only had himself to think about. Now he has a family to protect.
What I wish he’d understand is that I’m here to protect them too. Him included.
My parents were a team. That’s what I want for us to stand side by side, not in the dark.
“Tell me,” I say quietly. “No matter what it is. I’ll try to understand. But this is your chance no more half-truths.”
I rise and move toward the desk, leaning against it. His hands immediately slide to my hips, pulling me closer until I’m perched against the desk between his legs.
“I let one rogue go,” he admits. “He’s undercover. Waiting on confirmation to attend the meeting. He’ll use it to gather intel what’s being discussed, and ideally where Gaston might be.”
“You think he can be trusted?”
“Lucas does. And I trust Lucas’s judgment.”
“Why are the packs gathering?”
“There’s still talk of Gaston trying to take over.”
“Using me to control the Darkvale pack…”
“Aurélie,” Damien says fiercely, “I promise you he won’t get anywhere near you. I’d die before I let him hurt you again. The packs still loyal to Father are gathering to cut Gaston off. There was never any doubt about Father’s leadership. Gaston’s greed for power crossed the line, and these packs were forced to choose. They either stand with him or they’re traitors.”
I meet his gaze, my resolve hardening.
“Then we descend on them,” I say, “and remind them exactly who their true Alpha King is.”