Chapter 154 154
Aurélie POV
“Maurice… this is quite the surprise.”
“You’re unhappy?” He pauses, studying my face apparently searching for something I didn’t realize I was showing. I thought I was smiling.
“Never unhappy to see you,” I reply, honestly. “But a few things are starting to make sense.”
“Such as?”
“Such as Damien’s sudden willingness to take his warriors back.”
A knowing glint flickers in his eyes. “Ah. He just wanted a few extra eyes around.”
“How on earth did we manage before Damien entered our lives?” I mutter, rolling my eyes as I lead him toward the alpha home.
He joins us for breakfast fortunate timing. Anyone would think he and Damien had coordinated this brief surge in security.
I can’t decide whether to feel insulted or oddly appreciative of Damien’s secrecy.
Still, his dramatic vow to keep us safe had been unnecessary.
I’ve done a damn good job over the past four years. The only reason Dominique was ever compromised was because Geneviève was psychotic.
“How long do we have the pleasure of your company, Maurice?” I ask bluntly as we stroll across the pack grounds.
“A week.”
“Unbelievable,” I sigh, turning my head away in frustration.
“You’re unhappy.”
“I’m annoyed,” I correct. “I don’t need additional security. My warriors are the best. That’s not to say yours aren’t but we’ve managed just fine so far. A week wouldn’t have changed anything.” Not when I have allied packs I can summon at a moment’s notice.
“I’ve never seen him like this,” Maurice muses.
“Like what?”
“Whipped.” He chuckles, his laughter infectious enough that I find myself laughing too.
“He isn’t whipped,” I tell him firmly. “Believe me. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here.”
The words sound rude, ungrateful even to my own ears. Maurice had taken time to be here. I need to redirect before my irritation festers.
“How long have you known him?” I ask, steering the conversation elsewhere.
“Damien? All my life.”
“Really?” That surprises me.
“We were friends as children. His father wanted mine to join the alliance. When my father finally refused, Damien and I were forbidden from seeing each other. Then our paths crossed again as teenagers…” He grins. “Let’s just say we both had a crush on the same girl. I didn’t see him again for years until the day he arrived on my land carrying you, unconscious.”
“I had no idea you two shared a history.” The revelation stuns me.
“Ah boyhood nonsense,” he waves it off. “Ancient history. Though I must admit, I was slightly offended not to receive an invitation to your wedding.” He stops beside a tree, admiring the autumn leaves as they begin to turn.
“Did you meet his father?” I ask.
I search my memory. He’d been present at the wedding, yes but he never once approached me. My father handled everything on my behalf. The man looked nothing like Damien, and I doubt I’d recognize him now.
“Not really…”
“Take that as a positive, Aurélie.” Maurice smiles at me. “I’m glad to see Damien forging his own path. I think you bring out the best in him.”
“I don’t know about that,” I scoff.
“Of course you do. How could you not?” His gaze sharpens knowingly. “He’s quite taken with you.”
“Where is his father now?”
“He had connections up north in shipping, I believe. I imagine he focused his efforts there.”
Shipping.
That’s odd.
Too coincidental, perhaps, given Geneviève’s own links to that same shipping town.
“Alpha Maurice!”
Delphine barrels toward us, shattering my train of thought.
“Miss Delphine!” Maurice beams.
“They’re ready!”
“Who’s ready?” He blinks, clearly unprepared for her boundless enthusiasm.
“The guests,” she announces proudly. “They’re here for the tea party.”
“Oh, how delightful,” he laughs. “Then lead the way.”
I chuckle as she takes his hand and tugs him back toward the house, where she will undoubtedly have arranged a tea party complete with teddy bears.
I follow more slowly, my thoughts turning inward once more.
That’s when I feel it pressure against my mind-link.
Not Fabrice. Not a warrior.
“Émilie?” I grant her access instantly, dread already creeping in.
“Alpha help! I’m bleeding!”
Her terror crashes into me, sharp and suffocating. Pain echoes through the bond as she screams.
I link Fabrice without hesitation and break into a run, racing toward her house.