Chapter 41 41
Aurélie POV
Every instinct in me screamed to leave immediately but instinct alone wouldn’t get my son back. I had to be precise. Calculated. Everything needed to be planned with ruthless care.
By the time the sun crept higher, my warriors were ready. After a solid breakfast, I made my expectations unmistakably clear: we would drive straight through. No unnecessary delays. No stopping except to refuel the vehicles.
The Bloodnight pack was several hours away. If everything went according to plan, we would arrive just after midday.
I took a quarter of my warriors with me and immediately called upon a neighbouring alliance pack to reinforce Darkvale’s borders in our absence. My wolf was restless at the thought of leaving our people vulnerable and she was right. Every move had to be measured.
Meticulously planned.
The hardest decision was Delphine.
Fabrice wanted her to remain behind where it was safe. But I knew the truth without her close, I wouldn’t function. Not as an Alpha. With Dominique taken, I needed her near me. I needed both of my children to survive this.
We departed in six large SUVs. Five carried warriors, armed and ready. The lead vehicle held Delphine, Fabrice, Théo and me.
The drive was hell.
It was the longest journey of my life, each mile stretching endlessly ahead. My wolf paced and snarled beneath my skin, struggling to stay still, making my body twitch with restless energy. It was Delphine who calmed her soft reminders that Dominique was safe, that he was alright.
I clung to those words.
I never imagined I would return here.
I didn’t need Théo to announce our proximity. The moment we crossed onto the surrounding lands, I felt it. The air shifted. The ground knew me.
This time, I brought fire with me.
And I would make sure it burned fiercely for stealing my son.
Our arrival was detected long before we reached the gates. Wolves ran alongside the road, darting through the thick trees and bushes, eyes trained relentlessly on our convoy. This was the King’s pack its security had always been formidable.
Théo slowed the car to a stop at the manned gate and wound down his window.
“We are here to see the Alpha King,” he announces boldly.
The guard snarls in response. “Is he expecting such a convoy? I think not!”
I don’t have the patience for this.
I lean forward until I’m fully visible.
“Tell your Alpha that Luna Aurélie stands at his gates,” I say coldly. “And I am demanding entry.”
“L-Luna?” the man gasps.
Shock ripples across his face. His eyes glaze as he reaches for Damien or Lucas through the pack link.
“He will allow entry,” the guard finally stammers, “but your vehicles will be escorted.”
We are given no room. No space to exploit. Bloodnight warriors swarm around us as we’re escorted slowly toward the heart of the pack, all the way to the Alpha home itself. Warriors walk in front of the convoy, dictating our pace.
As we creep deeper into the pack, members begin stepping out of their houses, drawn by curiosity.
They can’t see me through the blackened windows but I see them.
I scan the grounds, searching for something that isn’t there.
Children.
They’re no longer playing near the Alpha home like they once did. I used to enjoy stopping to speak with them, listening to their excited stories about school.
Now… everything here feels different.
Muted.
Grey.
No longer vibrant or thriving like it was when I left.
A sharp pang twists in my chest.
Had I done this to them?
Had my vengeance stretched beyond its target and wounded innocent pack members who had nothing to do with my parents’ deaths?
That was never my intention.
Steady your breathing.
In. Out.
I repeat it like a mantra as I step out of the vehicle. The moment I do, his scent crashes into me leather, dominance, power overwhelming now that I stand once more on his land.
I order my warriors to assemble behind me in the courtyard.
Delphine is secure in Fabrice’s arms on my left.
Théo takes position on my right.
And I stand at the center of it all ready to confront a King.