Chapter 287 287
Damien POV
“Alpha?”
Lucas calls to me from the surveillance station, his attention locked on the live feed of the pack grounds.
“Yeah?” I answer, already moving toward him. As I pass, I lean down and press a kiss to Aurélie’s head. She doesn’t pause in her discussion with Fabrice, still deep in conversation, but her hand briefly tightens around mine—a silent acknowledgment.
“Look,” Lucas says, pointing at the screen. His finger taps the exact spot I need to focus on.
I see it immediately.
Clémence.
Jérôme’s bitch of a daughter the same one who had been far too friendly with Geneviève.
She’s standing in the courtyard just outside the Alpha house, phone pressed to her ear, her voice clearly raised even though I can’t hear her. She’s animated, furious. Her gaze flicks toward the Alpha house, then back to her car, pacing as she argues with whoever’s on the other end of the line.
Shit.
I need her to stay here. I won’t wait for her to come back before launching the raid.
Frustratingly, she ends the call, pockets her phone, and storms straight to her car. Seconds later, she’s tearing out of the central pack grounds like a fucking maniac.
Dust explodes behind her tires, clouds of it rising into the air. Pack children scatter, literally jumping out of the way as she barrels through without slowing. There’s a supply truck ahead of her, but she doesn’t bother waiting—she swerves violently onto the pavement instead.
I stare at the screen in disbelief.
I can’t believe what I’m watching.
“She’s leaving… fuck!” I groan, dragging a hand down my face. “We won’t be able to pin anything on her if she leaves.”
“Do you want me to get someone to follow her?” Lucas asks, already shifting as if to issue the order.
“No.”
The word comes out sharp, final.
Every instinct in me screams not to let a snake slither away, but Clémence wasn’t the head of this rot. She was part of the problem not the one leading it.
I give the order for us to move in closer to the grounds. The warriors advance on foot, silent and disciplined, while I remain firm on one thing Aurélie stays in the car with me.
The plan is simple. We arrive like latecomers to a meeting. Expected, but delayed. Nothing suspicious. Aurélie and I rein in our auras completely, dampening our presence. Lucas creates a distraction at one of the border fences, drawing the guards away from the main gate.
Perfect timing. Clean entry.
“Sweetheart,” I say quietly, casting her a sideways glance as we idle farther down the road. “I’d feel better if you sat this one out.”
It’s my last attempt. One final effort to make her change her mind.
“I know you would, Damien,” she replies calmly, not even looking at me at first. “But I’m pregnant not incapable of holding my own. I promise I won’t get physical unless it’s necessary… but I am an Alpha. And I’ll handle things as I see fit.”
I huff out a breath. “That’s not the answer I wanted.”
I pull the car to the side of the road and switch off the lights, plunging us into shadow.
“Well,” she says, smirking as she leans back against the headrest, “that’s the answer you’re getting.”
She’s exhausted I can see it now that we’ve stopped. Still breathtaking. Still utterly irresistible. Her skin glows softly, her breasts already fuller with pregnancy. But behind her eyes… there’s a weariness she doesn’t voice.
After everything she’s endured, how could there not be?
What a fucking nightmare she’s lived through.
I have faith absolute faith that once I find Father, I’ll finally be able to give her the safety she deserves. I won’t fail her. Not in punishing him for what he’s done to her. To my children.
Who the fuck did he think he was?
Trying to steal my throne while tearing at her alliances at the same time?
Aurélie and I have fought too hard, survived too much, to be shaken now. We’re stronger than ever. Our mate bond has fused our souls together. She’s already given me two pups and now she’s carrying another.
“If something happens”
“Sshhh.” She cuts me off gently, then corrects herself with a small smile. “It won’t.”
She reaches for my hand. “I just want you to know how much I love you.”
“I love you too,” I say, and she smiles soft, dreamy, like the world isn’t about to burn.
“Alpha?” Lucas’s voice enters my mind as I open the pack link. “I’m in position and ready.”
“Launch the attack,” I command through the link.
At the same time, Aurélie gives the same order to her warriors.
And everything moves.