Chapter 105 105
Aurélie POV
I had been avoiding Damien.
The sparks we’d ignited in the office refused to leave my thoughts, lingering like an unwelcome ache beneath my skin. Keeping my distance felt like the only sensible choice. He irritated me arrogant, infuriatingly self-assured and worse… he made me restless.
He and his warriors had arrived with little more than the essentials. Packed light. Temporary.
Which meant once Geneviève was found or once she made the first move—he would be gone.
And then what?
The question unsettled me more than I liked. For four years, my life had been fueled by revenge, my heart hardening, darkening with every passing season. I had shut myself off from the world, leaving warmth only for Delphine and Dominique.
Could I return to that existence?
Did I even want to?
That all-consuming hatred wasn’t it soul-destroying?
He had left early this morning. I’d heard Théo come for him at six. I lay in bed, listening to his footsteps move through the house, waiting until he was gone before allowing myself to breathe properly.
Only then did I realize how trapped I felt like a prisoner in my own home, navigating my movements carefully so I wouldn’t be caught off guard.
In the office, my anger had been blinding. So intense that everything had bled red at the edges. My breathing had been heavy, unsteady and if he hadn’t intervened…
That was another thing.
How had he managed to calm me?
He’d sworn he wouldn’t stop until she was caught. I wanted to believe him. But belief didn’t mean complacency. I would still put measures in place.
My measures.
Breakfast was already prepared, the children eating at the kitchen table. As I watched them, I decided I would at least extend the courtesy of informing Damien and Lucas.
They were still at training longer than usual this morning. No doubt the warriors were eager to test themselves in front of the notorious Alpha King.
As I made my way toward the training grounds, the sounds of sparring still echoed through the air. I hoped Théo wasn’t pushing them too hard. I’d need to adjust the rotas again, ensure the borders remained fully covered.
When I stepped onto the field, my gaze locked instantly onto Damien.
He was sparring with one of the younger warriors.
My pace quickened, concern flaring until I realized he wasn’t attacking. He was blocking, deflecting, teaching. His head snapped toward me just before he blocked again, not even glancing at his opponent.
His focus shifted fully to me.
Born warrior king.
As he swept the warrior’s leg and sent him crashing to the ground, my eyes dropped to Damien’s bare back.
I gasped.
Three wounds still visible, tinged faintly green with poison.
He hadn’t waited to heal.
Of course he hadn’t.
Fool.
He turned at the sound of my footsteps footsteps that slowed despite myself, my traitorous attention caught on the lines of his body. Chiseled muscle. A defined six-pack. An Adonis belt disappearing beneath his training shorts.
My throat went dry.
His smirk told me he noticed.
Arrogant prick.
“What is going on here?” I demanded as I reached them, my Alpha aura rolling out unchecked. The younger warrior stiffened, retreating quickly into the ranks.
“I was checking your warriors’ techniques,” Damien said calmly. “They’re good.”
“Of course they’re good,” I snapped. “They were trained by the best.” Then my eyes narrowed. “What is that on your back?”
My jaw clenched, fury tightening my chest. How could he be so reckless?
“That’s where I was shot,” he replied evenly, pulling his T-shirt back on. Sweat clung to his skin, darkening the fabric as it stretched over his injuries.
I could see it now what he tried to hide.
He was struggling.
He’d barely managed with one bullet before. This time there had been three.
The cold bitch had turned on him fast.
“Théo,” I commanded sharply, “training is over.”
“Yes, Alpha,” he replied at once, contrite.
“That’s not necessary,” Damien said with a low chuckle. “I was looking forward to a rematch.”
“Alpha Damien,” I cut in, voice firm as steel. “Here, I am in charge. Here, I am responsible for your well-being. Here I am Alpha.”
The words rang across the grounds, unmistakable.
This was my land.
My pack.
And he was under my protection whether he liked it or not.