Chapter 24 24
Aurélie POV
Now, all that’s left is time. Time to reveal whether every decision I’ve made has been enough or whether I’ve miscalculated yet again. Deep down, though, I can’t ignore the nagging certainty that part of Élodie’s release from Damien’s pack had nothing to do with mercy and everything to do with keeping the Saint Wolf firmly tethered as an ally.
Only now do I fully grasp why Alpha Quentin was so hesitant to step out from under the Bloodnight pack’s so-called protection. It’s a safety net, yes but one that can tighten around your throat the moment you forget who wove it.
Élodie’s laughter drifted faintly from the kitchen, where she was helping Dominique and Delphine decorate cupcakes. Fabrice and Théo kept watch nearby more for the children’s sake than hers while I sat in my office with Simon, the weight of diplomacy pressing between us.
“We can leave tonight if it makes you uncomfortable having us here,” he offered gently. I wasn’t sure how much Élodie had told him, but he treaded with the caution of a man trying not to open the wrong door.
“Not at all,” I assured him.
“She thought you were dead. They all did.” His frown deepened.
“My parents were murdered,” I said quietly, “along with so many of our pack during a brutal attack.”
His posture stiffened, sympathy tugging at his features. “Alpha… I’m sorry. That must’ve been unbearable.”
“For four years, I’ve rebuilt this pack from the ruins,” I continued. “I gave my people a reason to rise again after losing nearly everything. I hid my identity so other packs could safely break from Bloodnight’s grip. And then Alpha Quentin tells me their luna dared to threaten your pack.”
He nodded slowly. “We’ve had a longstanding if uneasy truce with Bloodnight. Finding Élodie only solidified it. But I know Quentin wants out. And… after what I’ve seen here today, if you can guarantee support warriors, reinforcement, whatever might be needed then I’m prepared to recommend Saint Wolf joins the Darkvale alliance.”
“I give the same guarantee I give every pack under our alliance,” I replied. “If you call for aid, we answer and the others will stand with you as well.”
“In that case,” he said with certainty, “I believe Alpha Quentin will choose your side. And I will support that decision.”
“Thank you, Simon.”
His gaze softened. “She truly believed you were dead, you know. She’s in that kitchen right now blaming herself convinced she should’ve protected you, that she should’ve done more.” He didn’t need to elaborate; the strain of his mate bond with Élodie told him everything she felt.
“Élodie has always been loyal to me,” I murmured. “But leaving was the only way to stay alive.”
A smirk tugged at his lips. “Everyone thinks you’re a man.”
“That was exactly the intention,” I replied dryly. “And I expect it to stay that way.”
“Not a word from me, or from Élodie, or from Alpha Quentin,” he promised.
I was more than ready for business talk to be over mostly because the last thing I needed was Simon or Élodie probing into the parentage of my twins.
“Come,” I said, rising. “Let’s see what kind of disaster they’ve made of my kitchen.”
We stepped in just in time for Delphine to whirl toward me, face lit with excitement. “Mummy! Élo said I can lick the bowl!”
“It’s Beta Female Delphine or Élodie,” Dominique corrected with a dramatic sigh.
“I’m not that formal, Dominique…” Élodie laughed, ruffling his hair playfully.
“All good?” Fabrice’s voice slipped into my mind as I watched Élodie help my children systematically undo the cleanliness of the room.
“Yes,” I answered through the mind-link. “I think Saint Wolf will be on board.”
“Daddy, you can have first pick!” Delphine announced proudly as she began to ice her cupcakes.
“That’s very kind, princess,” Fabrice chuckled.
“Delphine, guests first. Uncle Fabrice second,” Dominique countered and the moment the words left his mouth, Élodie’s eyes flashed in warning. A ripple of dread curled in my stomach.