Chapter 288 288
Aurélie POV
The moment Damien gives the order to launch the attack, his foot slams down on the gas pedal and the car roars back to life. We surge forward, tires gripping the road as he takes the corner hard, fast using every second of the distraction Lucas has created.
And it works.
By the time we reach the main gates, only two guards remain on patrol. They barely have time to register our presence before Damien’s kingly aura rolls over them like a crushing wave. They don’t resist. They can’t. At his silent command, they move to open the gates.
Their Alpha may be a traitor, but they are still bound by Damien’s alliance. Still subject to his rule.
Our car passes through first, closely followed by my warriors in their own vehicles, while the Bloodnight warriors advance on foot behind us, already breaching the grounds.
We don’t go unnoticed.
As soon as Damien parks outside the suspected meeting hall, pack members scatter. Mothers snatch up their children, retreating quickly into nearby homes, doors slamming shut behind them.
They’re bracing for bloodshed.
I hadn’t expected violence but preparation is never a mistake.
We don’t linger. Lucas has bought us minutes at most, and we can’t afford to waste them.
We move straight for the brick building positioned beside the Alpha House.
During the strategy briefing, Damien had explained that it once hosted grand balls and moon conferences back when Gaston ruled as King. If Jérôme was bold or stupid enough to gather alphas in secret, this would be the place.
Damien was right.
The instant he shoves open the heavy double wooden doors, every head in the room snaps toward us. Damien’s arm wraps tightly around my waist, pulling me in beneath his shoulder, anchoring me to him.
A low, menacing growl rolls from his chest as we advance deeper into the hall.
There are many here pack figureheads, alphas, men with power and ambition etched into their postures.
The room has been arranged like a wedding ceremony. Rows of chairs line either side of a central aisle, leading straight to Jérôme, who stands at the front, mid-address, as though he were delivering a sermon.
“My King,” Jérôme says smoothly, though his eyes dart wildly around the room, already calculating escape routes. “What a surprise.”
I feel the weight of eyes pressing into me.
To them, I am meant to be the sworn enemy of the Bloodnight pack. Yet here I stand not only an Alpha in my own right, but Damien’s mate. His wife.
Most of the stares don’t unsettle me.
Except one.
One pair of eyes makes something deep inside me shudder. Sharp. Assessing. Dangerous. He must be the son of one of these alphas.
Damien stops us in the center of the aisle. At my silent command, my warriors fan out behind us, spreading through the hall, claiming space.
“I imagine it is, Jérôme,” Damien says coldly. “This is quite the gathering of alphas to neglect informing the Bloodnight council.”
Though Damien is King, the council still exists elders who assist with alliance treaties and advise on looming conflicts. Lately, I know he hasn’t kept them as informed as he once did.
“What exactly are we discussing tonight?” he continues, venom thick in his voice as he glares at the snake standing before us.
Silence greets him.
Jérôme refuses to answer.
“Hm?” Damien presses. “Any volunteers willing to inform my wife and me?”
His irritation seeps into the air, his aura thickening, heavy enough to make the room feel smaller. Tighter. He needs to rein it in.
“You’re all here to discuss my leadership,” Damien continues, voice sharp as a blade. “To question whether I am still fit to rule. Before you choose to follow this traitor and swallow the lies he’s fed you”
“I’ve not”
“Silence!”
Damien’s roar explodes through the hall, echoing violently off the stone walls. Every spine straightens instinctively submission and respect demanded by the Alpha King standing before them.
He is gentle with me. Loving.
But among alphas, Damien is cold. Ruthless. His wolf often pushes forward in moments like this, unpredictable even to him.
“You,” he says, locking onto one of the alphas already bound to his alliance. His command slams down hard. “What is the purpose of this meeting?”
The alpha visibly struggles, but the command is too strong. His neck turns in submission.
“Questioning your strength as King, sire,” he admits, voice strained. “And whether your father should be reinstated…”
He doesn’t fight it for long.
“Why you little shit” Jérôme snarls, taking a furious step toward the alpha, forgetting just for a moment that my warriors now surround the room.
His gaze snaps toward the nearest exit.
Too late.
The door opens.
Lucas steps inside and takes his position, blocking escape entirely.
Jérôme’s shoulders sag.
The trap has closed.