Chapter 103 103
Damien POV
We’d missed the warrior and pack training that took place at first light. That much was standard training always came early. What wasn’t standard was the turnout. Every pack member attended if they were physically able.
That alone spoke volumes.
The aftermath of the attack and the brutal murder of her parents hung heavy over this place. Aurélie wasn’t leaving anything to chance. She wanted every single member of her pack capable of defending themselves if hell ever came knocking again.
Theo, one of her Head Warriors and as I’d learned, Roland’s father had invited me to join the training the following morning. I found myself looking forward to it. I wanted to see her warriors in action… and I intended to have a quiet word with him about his son’s friendship with Delphine.
After the tour, we returned to the Alpha home for lunch. One location had been conspicuously skipped the hospital. Aurélie hadn’t seemed keen to bring us there.
Was that what she and Fabrice had been mind-linking about earlier?
Either way, I’d make a point of seeing it for myself tomorrow.
Dominique had been determined to show me his room, and after lunch, both he and Delphine took it upon themselves to give Maurice and me a full tour.
What caught me off guard was that they shared a room. It wasn’t as though space was an issue there were plenty of spare rooms. Perhaps it was a twin thing.
Somehow when exactly I couldn’t pinpoint Delphine managed to manipulate both Maurice and me into sitting on the bedroom floor participating in a tea party. She even went so far as to plonk a glittering tiara on Maurice’s head.
He didn’t protest.
Instead, he leaned into it fully, conversing with the stuffed teddies arranged in our circle as if they were members of a royal court.
About an hour in, she declared it was time to wash up and insisted we both put on aprons to help.
Maurice groaned theatrically. “One minute I’m royalty, the next I’m doing the dishes.”
She merely shrugged, entirely unbothered. “My bunny is king now,” she announced. “And he said so.”
“I need tea towels,” she muttered to herself before darting out of the bedroom and thundering down the stairs.
I took the opportunity to turn to Dominique, who had been playing along quietly.
“So,” I said casually, “you two share a room, huh?”
“She used to have lots of nightmares,” he replied. “She’d come into my bed at night.”
“And now?” I asked, my brow furrowing. Nightmares… at that age?
“Now I have the nightmares.” He frowned, his gaze drifting to his bed.
Of course he did.
For a four-year-old, he’d lived through more than most adults ever should. Bravery could carry you through the day but night had a way of dragging everything back.
I knew that well enough. Especially after my mother died.
Following his line of sight, I spotted a football tucked beneath the bed. An idea took root.
“How about we have a kick-about outside once we’re done with tea parties?” I suggested. “See if you’re a striker or a goalie.”
“Definitely a striker,” he said instantly, beaming.
“Ah, a glory man,” Maurice teased.
“No,” Dominique protested seriously. “I just like scoring goals.”
“See?” Maurice chuckled. “Glory man. Nothing wrong with teamwork, though or being a midfielder, for that matter.”
Footsteps thundered upstairs then, and Delphine reappeared tea towels in hand.
She wasn’t alone.
Aurélie followed her in, stopping short as she took in the sight: Maurice and me seated on the floor, dressed in pink unicorn aprons, surrounded by stuffed animals mid-tea party.
Her laughter burst free, bright and unrestrained.
I woke at five the next morning, eager for a strong cup of coffee before observing the warriors’ training session. Theo collected me at six, and together we headed to the training grounds.
Like the rest of the pack, the facilities were impressive modern, well-designed, and clearly well funded. Aurélie had invested heavily in equipment, and I suspected the hospital would impress me even more.
Training was divided into two groups: the warriors and the pack members.
The pack trained as normal.
The warriors, however, were clearly being put through their paces for my benefit.
They were about to show me exactly what they could do.