Chapter 138 138
Aurélie POV
I wasn’t sure how long I stayed curled on the floor, but eventually I found the strength to wipe my eyes.
My children.
They were my anchor. They always would be.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
The sharp beep of my phone finally drew me out of my thoughts. Still seated on the office floor, I reached up to my desk, grabbed my mobile, and opened the message.
It was from Théo.
I think I’ve found her.
My heart slammed violently against my ribs, adrenaline surging through my veins so fast it made me dizzy.
Another beep followed almost immediately.
I’ve located one of her men. He’s talking but I can’t keep him long. Not without holding him hostage.
What do you want me to do?
My fingers flew over the screen. I didn’t have time to hesitate especially if Théo believed this man might disappear at any moment.
Send me your location. I’m leaving now.
I didn’t even pause to think it through. I couldn’t risk Théo being exposed or endangered any longer than necessary.
His reply came quickly, a pinned location attached.
That’s not as far north as I expected.
Ninety minutes. If I left now, I could be there by midday.
“Fabrice?” I pushed into his mind-link, already moving.
“Aurélie?” he answered instantly. “I’m just finishing my morning rounds at the hospital.”
Not ideal timing.
“I’ve heard from Théo,” I said quickly. “He’s found someone willing to give information on Geneviève. I’m leaving now. I’ll update you once I meet him.”
I locked my computer and stepped out into the hallway as I spoke.
I grabbed a fresh bottle of water from the kitchen fridge just in case traffic slowed me down. I had no intention of stopping if I could help it.
“Hang on what?” His confusion was obvious. “Aurélie what’s going on?”
“I need to meet Théo.”
“Just wait,” he insisted. “I’m on my way back. Please wait until we can talk face to face. Don’t do anything. I’m nearly there.”
The urgency in his voice was unmistakable.
But I couldn’t wait.
We finally had a lead.
“I’ll be fine,” I said firmly. “Look after the kids. I’ll be back later.”
“Aurélie goddess damn it”
I cut the link before he could finish.
This was why I was Alpha.
To protect my pack.
To protect my family.
If Geneviève was planning something, I couldn’t afford to sit idle. I needed to know her next move needed to put safeguards in place before she struck.
She took my son from me.
That alone was unforgivable.
And though my heart was fractured where Damien was concerned, she had also left him for dead. The fire burning low in my stomach demanded retribution for that too.
I grabbed my phone, purse, and keys and headed into the courtyard.
Moments later, I slid into my black Mercedes SUV, started the engine, and pressed down on the accelerator.
Determination fueled every second as I pulled away, my only thought reaching Théo as fast as possible.
Damien POV
I had to leave.
I was furious consumed by it.
Furious at whoever was trying to tear Aurélie and me apart. Furious at the existence of that fake photograph. Furious that she hadn’t believed me.
Of course it was fake.
Clémence wasn’t my type anymore hadn’t been for a long time. My attention, my loyalty, my heart belonged to Aurélie alone.
Yes, Clémence had come to see me in Alpha Quentin’s office. And yes, she’d tried something.
But I’d thrown her out the moment I realised what she was doing.
Flashback
“Oh my apologies, Alpha,” Clémence said smoothly as she forced her way into the office, ignoring the growing weight of my Alpha command pressing down on her. “I didn’t realise you were in here.”
“Not now, Clémence,” I muttered, not even looking up as I continued reading through my emails.
“I won’t take much of your time,” she said, closing the door behind her. “I have a proposal for you.”
“A proposal?” I grunted.
She took the seat opposite me at Quentin’s desk and deliberately leaned forward, pressing her breasts together.
There might have been a time I would’ve taken her right there across the desk but that man no longer existed. The very thought of touching another she-wolf made my stomach churn.
“I imagine,” she purred, “that you’re missing Geneviève… and what she could have brought to the role of Luna”
“She was never Luna,” I snarled.
That finally had my full attention.