Chapter 158 158
Damien POV
Hot steam rolled over my skin as the steady rush of water beat against my shoulders, and I felt my muscles finally begin to loosen. I let the heat work its way deep, using the quiet of the shower to think about Aurélie, about the twins, about everything waiting for me beyond these walls. I needed this moment. My warriors had pushed me hard today, relentless and unforgiving, and I’d come away caked in mud and blood.
Their blood.
Not mine.
When I stepped out of the shower and reached for my towel, the sound of my phone ringing carried from the main bedroom. I wrapped the thick fabric firmly around my waist and strode toward the bed where I’d left it.
The fucker was calling.
“Maurice?”
“Damien… back so soon from training?” His tone carried that familiar edge, the subtle jab meant to irritate me. He couldn’t help himself. He loved to train all day, but unlike me, he didn’t have multiple packs to manage. No real responsibilities. No real pressure. He knew it. He also knew I was the superior male.
“What is it?” I snapped, already bristling from his comment.
“I think you should be here,” he said. “Come back earlier than scheduled.”
His voice was low, controlled too controlled. No emotion bled through to explain the vagueness, and that alone set my nerves on edge.
“Why?” My pulse kicked hard, blood rushing loud in my ears as unease began to coil in my gut. Maurice and I weren’t friends he’d made that perfectly clear the day he punched me in the face. But I wasn’t blind. I’d seen his soft spot for Aurélie. It irritated the hell out of me, and part of me suspected he leaned into it just to provoke me, but beneath all that… he cared. He wouldn’t be calling me like this if something wasn’t wrong.
“I don’t want to betray her trust…” He hesitated, and the pause grated on my nerves.
“Damn it, Maurice, then why the fuck call me?” I barked. I knew I was being a prick but calling me only to speak in riddles was pushing me too far.
Silence stretched between us.
“Maurice,” I said again, forcing the edge out of my voice. “Tell me.”
“I’m only telling you because I’m fond of her,” he finally said, his voice tightening, “and I can’t believe your bloody luck that she turned out to be your mate. You don’t deserve her.”
The audacity of the growl he sent down the line raw with resentment over the fact that fate hadn’t chosen him almost made me laugh.
“I know this,” I replied evenly. Calm. Honest. I didn’t deserve her. Or them. He didn’t need to remind me.
“Théo’s wife had an accident. She’s in hospital,” he continued. “Aurélie requested Théo return with the rogue. He’s under house arrest, but something doesn’t sit right with me. I think you should find an excuse to come back early.”
I went still, absorbing every word. Why hadn’t my men reported Théo’s return?
“When did they get back?”
“Two hours ago. I’ve done a border check and I’m helping keep an eye on security. The house has hidden cameras and microphones installed at Aurélie’s request. She’s doing everything I would.” A pause. “I just wanted to keep you in the loop… because I imagine she hasn’t.”
No. She hasn’t.
My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, already clawing for control.
As Maurice finished speaking, another call cut in one of my trackers. I glanced at the ID.
“Maurice,” I said firmly, “I don’t need a reason to be at my mate’s side. I’ll be there tonight.”
I moved to hang up, but Aurélie’s face flashed through my mind her smile, that look that always told me to be better than I was.
“And… thanks, Maurice.”
“Hm,” was all he gave me before ending the call.
I answered the incoming line immediately.
“Alpha,” the voice said. “The head warrior has moved on.”
“And why the fuck am I only hearing about this now?” I growled, letting my aura bleed into my voice. They were too far away to feel my command but they would hear it. “Why didn’t you follow him?”
“We were following,” he replied quickly. “We confirmed he returned to the Darkvale pack to Alpha Aurélie with the rogue. But”
“This but better be fucking good,” I roared, “for you to go against your primary orders of watching them at all times.”
“A group of rogues has formed a few miles out. We broke off to conduct reconnaissance. They’ve just started moving again.”
“Where to?” I asked, though I already knew.
The answer came anyway.
“In the direction of the Darkvale Pack.”