Chapter 126 126
Damien POV
An alarm clock, a mind-link, or my own internal clock usually drags me out of sleep.
Never fingers.
Tiny, persistent fingers poking at my eyes and ears.
I crack one eye open to find Dominique and Delphine crouched in front of me, giggling uncontrollably as they prod me awake. I let out a low, playful growl, and they shriek with laughter, bolting back to the bed and disappearing beneath the duvet.
Ah yes. The big, scary wolf from childhood stories.
I hadn’t planned on falling asleep out on the balcony. The intention had been to return to my own room but my wolf had refused to let me go far from Aurélie.
Every day, he pressed harder. Urging me to mark her. To claim her.
But she wasn’t ready.
And no matter how badly he wanted it, he would have to wait.
It wouldn’t be easy he was as stubborn as I was but this… she… was different. Everything about this was unfamiliar territory.
Aurélie.
The children.
None of it was anything I’d ever experienced before.
I’d kept in regular contact with the Bloodnight pack. Everything there was stable, running smoothly. I would have to return soon but not yet.
Not now.
Aurélie was only just beginning to soften toward me. If I left now, every ounce of progress I’d made would vanish.
“Oh no,” I rumble theatrically, adding a dramatic howl for effect. “I seem to have lost Dominique and Delphine…”
I stretch my neck, wincing slightly. Sleeping on outdoor furniture probably wasn’t my best idea but I’d been unable to pull away from her.
If she’d asked me to leave, I would have.
But she hadn’t.
She’d been content—letting me stroke her legs, letting my arms wrap around her.
“Where could they be?” I continue, feigning confusion. “Oh look… a very comfortable bed to jump on…”
With a grin, I whip back the duvet.
They’re huddled together beneath it—Delphine clinging to Dominique with her eyes squeezed shut. Dominique springs into action immediately, launching himself at me. I barely manage to catch him mid-air.
Delphine, however, just stares at me—hesitant. Uncertain.
I soften instantly. I would never want her to feel uncomfortable around me.
“Come on,” I say gently, ending the game. “Let’s go find your mum.”
Delphine is already in her pyjamas. Dominique, on the other hand, is still dressed in his party clothes—mud splattered everywhere.
Oh well.
Aurélie can deal with that after breakfast.
Dominique opens the bedroom door and waves Delphine forward. She slips past me cautiously, keeping a wide berth, eyes lowered.
I really do have my work cut out for me.
I spot Aurélie immediately.
She’s in Fabrice’s arms.
And she had the audacity to be jealous of Geneviève and me.
Calm down, Damien, I order myself. He has a mate. They are family.
Keep the possessiveness in check.
“No. She is mine.”
My wolf snarls, surging forward, his rage sharp and consuming. He wants to rip Fabrice’s arms from her. To ensure he never touches her again.
“She is,” I snap back internally, forcing control. “Now calm the fuck down.”
My glare locks onto Fabrice’s and he returns it. I proved four years ago he was no match for me. I’d happily remind him again if needed.
It’s Dominique who shatters the tension.
He wrinkles his nose, inhales deeply and calls us out on my scent clinging to his mother.
Kids had an uncanny way of doing that.
Breakfast follows Florence, Maurice, Élodie, Simon, Quentin, and his Luna all gathered around the table.
Aurélie refuses to look at me.
Fine.
Two can play that game.
When she stands to make herself a cup of tea, I follow. I reach past her deliberately, my fingers brushing her arm just enough to remind her of the tingles.
Of the bond.
Of the truth.
That no matter how hard she tried to deny it…
We belonged to one another.