Chapter 173 173
Fabrice’s POV
“How is Florence?” Aurélie asks, finally lifting her gaze to meet mine.
“She’s good…” I pause, then exhale. “Actually, that’s why I’m here. I wanted to talk to you about us.”
“Us?” Her spine straightens instantly. “You mean you and me?”
The movement doesn’t escape Damien’s notice.
“No,” I shake my head. “The other us. Florence and”
I clear my throat. “I’ve been thinking about it for some time, but last night was the wake-up call I needed. I’m going to mark Florence.”
Talking about something this personal with Damien and Lucas present makes my skin prickle with awkwardness. But the truth is, they’re part of our future now. Better I get used to that reality sooner rather than later.
“She’s a member of the Saint Wolf pack,” Damien says, leaning back in his chair, his fingers steepling together. His voice cuts cleanly through the silence that follows.
“Yes. That means you’ll have to mark her on Saint Wolf land,” Aurélie says thoughtfully. “I’ll need to contact Alpha Quentin. Simon and Élodie will likely organise the”
“Organise?” I cut in sharply, swallowing. “Organise what?”
“A ceremony. A beta marking is significant unless…”
She hesitates.
“Unless?” Damien prompts.
“Unless she doesn’t wish to join the Darkvale pack.” Aurélie frowns, clearly trying and failing to hide her concern.
“I don’t see why she wouldn’t,” Lucas says, finally glancing up from his laptop. “She’s already carrying the next generation of wolves.”
He isn’t wrong. Florence loves her work at the hospital. She adores Aurélie and the children. Staying makes sense there is no alternative I could accept. Anything else would feel pointless.
“There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about,” Aurélie adds, her cheeks warming.
“Oh?” I reach for a chilled bottle of water. I keep forgetting to hydrate hospital life makes time blur too easily.
“I think it’s time we tell the children the truth. Something is happening with Dominique, and I believe he’s ready to know.”
“Aurélie…” Damien leans forward, reaching for her hand. When his fingers lace with hers, her full attention shifts to him.
“Maybe it’s too soon,” he murmurs gently.
“No.” She shakes her head. “I think he already knows. And I feel ready like this is the natural next step. But Fabrice… I would only do it with your blessing.”
She looks at me openly, honestly. She means every word. She wouldn’t say anything if I wasn’t ready.
But how could I mark my mate and expect the children not to ask questions? How could I deny them the truth that another man stands as their father? Because he is their father.
“Your relationship with them won’t change,” she continues softly. “You’ll always be Delphine’s Daddy, and Dominique’s Uncle. But something inside me is yearning to tell them.”
“Will he mark you?” I ask quietly.
“He’s spoken about it,” she replies through the mind-link with a soft chuckle. “Just not since returning. We’ve been busy dealing with rogues.”
I sit with the weight of it, sorting through my emotions. Dominique and Delphine were always meant to be a family with him. I was meant to be their uncle their friend.
Cruel schemes stole that from Damien. Stole him from them.
I can’t deny them that bond any longer.
I love those children. Blood or not, all I want is what’s best for them. They deserve to know their father. Aurélie deserves the time and space to truly feel the mate bond.
“You have my blessing,” I say at last, smiling, my voice steady enough for Damien to hear.
His eyes lock onto my face, searching for hesitation, for doubt any sign that I’m lying.
“Thank you, Fabrice.” Aurélie rises and wraps her arms around my shoulders, holding me tightly.
“Are you sure you want Élodie planning your ceremony?” Lucas chuckles, throwing Damien a sideways wink.
“It’ll end up much bigger than you want.”
Before I can respond, the office door opens.
“Who’s having a ceremony?” Maurice asks cheerfully as he strides in, clapping me on the back.
“Fabrice is marking Florence,” Lucas answers for me. “Since she’s from the Saint Wolf pack, it’s their responsibility to organise it.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Maurice beams. “We could all use some happiness right now.”
Then he turns to Damien, smirking. “And you? When are you marking Aurélie?”
Aurélie’s cheeks instantly turn a brilliant shade of red.