Chapter 184 184
Damien POV
Lucas had gone the opposite way, back toward the Bloodnight pack, and with Théo absent from the security detail, it was clear Aurélie had decided against bringing him along. No matter. I could mind-link my own men easily enough, and knowing that both my warriors and I had constant eyes on the children gave me far more peace of mind.
Aurélie hadn’t wanted to ride in my red sports car she’s never liked that damn thing. She suggested one of the pack SUVs instead. But Dominique had practically begged her to let him and Delphine ride with me, and in the end, she hadn’t refused them. Good girl. I would have driven regardless whether it was my car or one of hers.
We arrived at the Saint Wolf pack with an impressive convoy in tow, not only my warriors and Aurélie’s, but Maurice’s as well.
The moment we pulled in, it was obvious just how much money had been poured into this event. It was excessive far too extravagant for a beta’s ceremony. Leaving Élodie in charge of organizing it had been a mistake on Aurélie’s part; she’d gone completely overboard. And I knew exactly where the funding had come from. Aurélie had financed it all herself, a realization that grated on me more than I liked.
Alpha Quentin, Simon, and Élodie greeted us formally before escorting us to our rooms. They’d assigned us the same ones as last time, only this time they’d assumed Aurélie and I would be sharing the master suite with the balcony.
They weren’t wrong.
Once we’d settled in, Élodie offered to take the children to the play park, mentioning that something “odd” was happening in Florence’s room.
“What’s going on down there?” I ask, leaning over the top banister and peering down at the seemingly endless stream of dresses and boxes being carried inside.
“Stylists for tonight,” Élodie replies with a shrug, as though this should have been obvious.
She quirks an eyebrow at me, a smirk following, before heading down the stairs with the children in tow. Delphine chatters happily at her side, while Dominique wears the expression of someone who would rather be anywhere else.
“I’ll come get you later,” I say to him. “You can help me with border security duties.”
His face lights up instantly at the invitation.
“Is that wise?” Aurélie’s voice murmurs behind me, her arms sliding around my chest. “He’s only four.”
“It’s a tactic,” I reply calmly. “Gets him away from too much girly stuff. I won’t go far.”
I love how fiercely protective she is of the children how I know, without question, that if anything ever happened to me, she’d still stand strong for them. She’s already survived so much without me.
“This is very extravagant…” she says softly.
I turn, lifting her easily into my arms. She instinctively wraps her legs around my waist, then immediately tries to squirm free, clearly worried someone might see.
“Damien,” she squeals as I drop her onto the bed, not releasing her.
“Did you pay for this event?” I press, letting my command slip into my tone. Her eye roll is answer enough.
“Why?”
“They deserve it,” she says. “I wanted to make amends.”
“Amends for what?” I lean closer, my nose brushing hers.
“Damien… her mate is the adoptive father of our children. Don’t you see? I ruined her mate bond before it even had a chance to begin. Geneviève’s deceit didn’t just affect you and me it hurt Fabrice too. I don’t know… this just felt like a small way to make it up to them.”
“Then I’ll pay.”
“What? No.” She tries to push me away, but I don’t allow it.
“Geneviève was my responsibility,” I say firmly. “I’ll pay.”
“I’m not arguing with you about money.”
“Then don’t argue with me at all.”
I lower my mouth slowly to the sensitive curve of her neck right where my mate mark will one day rest and suck gently. The reaction is immediate, the air around us thickening with her arousal, hormones flooding the space between us.
Maybe… just maybe… we had time for a quick one.