Chapter 301 301
Maurice POV
Damien was distracted deeply so. Bee was clearly the last thing on his mind right now.
I’d have to handle this myself. Quietly.
“Well,” I said lightly, masking my thoughts, “I was just passing through. I’ll be in touch soon.”
I turned and headed for my car without waiting for a response.
Damien already had far too much on his plate. He didn’t need to carry my mess on top of everything else.
Damien POV
I travelled to the Bloodnight pack alone, leaving Aurélie and the twins behind at Darkvale. They were secure well guarded. Lucas had remained behind, though he was already arranging a meeting with Gilles.
Seeing Maurice had caught me off guard. He was a good man. He’d come to check on me.
He forgot that his father had been a far better man than mine ever was.
Even a pig would’ve been a better father.
I couldn’t let Maurice stay not when I needed to speak with Gilles. What I was about to discuss could very well involve him too.
I led Gilles into my office. I didn’t like outsiders in my home, but this conversation couldn’t happen in the open. Once inside, he removed his sunglasses and only then did I realise how intense his gaze truly was. The lenses had acted as a barrier.
“Do you want me to put them back on?” he asked, a hint of amusement threading his voice.
“No.”
“You say that,” he drawled, “but we’ve been sitting here ten minutes already and you’re still staring at me like you’ve got the hots or something.”
He chuckled.
“Watch your mouth, pup,” I snapped, blinking hard and forcing my eyes away. They burned from holding his gaze too long.
He wasn’t wrong. There was something about his eyes something unsettling that had pinned me in place.
“How did you know Gaston would be in the caves?” I demanded. I didn’t have time for games.
“I know a lot of things, Alpha.”
Cryptic. As always.
I opened my desk drawer and pulled out my cigarettes. I’d been doing well better than expected but right now, I needed something to take the edge off his presence.
I offered him one. He accepted.
He placed it between his lips, pausing deliberately before reaching for the lighter.
“He’s dead,” I said flatly.
“So I’ve heard.”
The brevity of his answers grated on my nerves.
“You need to give me more,” I warned, barely keeping my wolf’s irritation contained.
“I’m just very good at finding people,” he replied with a shrug, taking a drag. His eyes glowed a brighter red with each inhale as if fire fed fire.
“I need you to find someone for me.”
“I thought you’d give me something more challenging, Alpha.” His attention drifted to the window, as though our conversation bored him.
“This person is off-grid,” I said. “They technically don’t exist anymore.”
“Anymore?” He glanced back at me. “And what do you want me to do once I find them?”
“Nothing. I want you to report back to me or Lucas. No one else.”
“And what do I get?” he asked. “Are you funding this little expedition of mine?”
“I can,” I said, pulling open another drawer and tossing a thick wad of cash onto the desk. “What’s the cost?”
“I don’t want money.”
I stilled. “Then what do you want?”
“I’m not sure yet.” A slow smirk curved his lips. “Perhaps we decide that once I’ve found her. Gives me time to consider my options.”
His arrogance rivalled my own.
“Timeline?”
“No timeline. Just find her.” I slid a thin folder across the desk. There wasn’t much inside photos, fragments, half-buried trails.
But something told me it wouldn’t slow him down.
He opened it, his eyes scanning the contents.
“I’m intrigued,” he murmured. “And a little excited.”
A growl tore from my chest.
“She won’t play by the rules,” I warned. “She’ll try to run.”
“I like a chase.”
“She has a mate.” My fist slammed into the desk.
“Marked?”
“No.”
His smile sharpened.
“Then,” he said softly, “I still have time.”