Chapter 354 354
Sabine POV
I don’t wake Maurice. I want to be alone for my run this morning alone with my thoughts, with the questions I can’t seem to shake. I need the space.
What was Aurélie hiding from Damien… and from me?
The rhythm of my feet against the ground feels good, grounding. Running has always helped when my mind feels too loud, when I need to untangle what I feel from what I fear. I let my thoughts wander about last night, about what I want, about what I’m finally allowing myself to feel.
Last night was the first time I’d let anyone close to me in a long time. And not just physically. Gilles had always been affectionate, hands always reaching, always touching but I never let him in. Not like I did with Maurice. With him, the closeness felt different. Easier. Honest.
Talking to him came naturally. He doesn’t look at me like I’m broken or something that needs fixing. There’s an understanding in him, a quiet patience as though part of him knows exactly what I’ve survived and accepts that I’ll need time. That I deserve it.
I’ve been running for a while now at least an hour, if I had to guess. I’m still slow. I’m human, after all. I don’t have the effortless speed of my werewolf counterparts.
I keep going until the path opens up into a treeline I don’t recognise.
I stop abruptly, chest heaving as I turn in a slow circle, suddenly aware that I have no idea where I am. I must have been so lost in my thoughts that I stopped paying attention entirely. I’ve definitely run farther than I ever have before.
“Miss?”
A large man steps out from between the trees, and instinct tells me everything I need to know werewolf. My stomach tightens. Is this the edge of the royal lands? Had I really gone that far?
“I think I ran too far today,” I admit, bending forward slightly as I rest my hands on my thighs, trying to catch my breath.
“Yes, Miss Sab, you have,” he says evenly. “I’ve already informed the Alphas. Alpha Aurélie is on her way.”
“Oh no, she really doesn’t need to” I straighten. “I’m fine. I can find my way back.”
“I’ve done it now,” he shrugs, unapologetic. And even if he hadn’t, I know he would have. Protocol doesn’t bend for embarrassment.
I turn back the way I came, but I don’t get far before Aurélie finds me.
She runs toward me, waving with a bright smile, calling my name as though this is all amusing rather than alarming. She doesn’t look even remotely out of breath.
“Shit, you gave Maurice a heart attack,” she laughs as she reaches me.
“I did?” I blink.
“He ran down the stairs in nothing but his boxers,” she says between laughs, “convinced you’d done a runner.”
That must have been quite the sight at the breakfast table.
“Well… I have been running,” I say, laughing with her as we slow to a walk.
“You should’ve said something,” she adds. “I would’ve joined you. I was already up.”
“I didn’t want to wake Maurice,” I say carefully. “And I didn’t realise you were awake.”
I don’t mention overhearing her in her office. I’m not sure whether she’s checking to see if I’d been awake too if she knows I heard something I shouldn’t have. I’d been loud enough in the kitchen earlier, deliberately so.
“I thought maybe today we could spend some time together,” she says, glancing at me, her expression hopeful.
“Really?”
“Yes,” she smiles. “I think you could use a break from the possessiveness of these alpha males. Gods know I could. I thought we could head into the nearest city do some shopping, have lunch.”
“Shopping?” I repeat.
“I need to pick up a few things for Frédéric. He’s grown out of his baby clothes, and I didn’t keep any from when I had Dominique and Delphine. I never thought I’d have more children back then. I could order things in, but…” She pauses. “Your arrival was unexpected. Even for us. I thought you might want some clothes too.”
The idea sparks something hopeful in me. This could be my chance an opportunity for Clémence to get the tablets to me. I could make an excuse, step away for a moment. With enough shopping bags, I could hide them easily.
“Okay,” I say.
“Really?” Her face lights up.
“Yes,” I smile. “It sounds like a good plan.”
I slip my arm through hers, and she beams.
The rest of the walk is filled with her happily listing restaurants we could try for lunch. The options blur together Chinese, Italian, American, Indian, Lebanese. She sounds hungry just saying the words, though that’s hardly surprising considering how often Frédéric feeds.
As we approach the royal home, Maurice and Damien are waiting out front, arms crossed, stances rigid both of them clearly irritated.
I understand why Maurice might be annoyed with me. But Damien’s expression is directed at Aurélie, and that makes my stomach twist. What had she done wrong?
“Gentlemen,” she greets brightly as we approach.
“Where were you?” Damien demands immediately, his tone sharp as he looks at his mate.
“You were asleep,” Aurélie replies calmly. “One of the border patrols mind-linked me. Bee ran a little too far.”
“Trying to escape?” Damien asks, arching a brow at me, amusement flickering in his eyes.
“No,” I say honestly, just before Maurice grips my elbow and pulls me gently closer. “I really did just run too far. I lost track of time… and direction. It felt good.”
“Why didn’t you wake me?” Maurice murmurs, his voice low and close.
“You were sleeping,” I whisper back. “You looked peaceful.”
“I would’ve come.”
“I know,” I say softly. “But we went to bed late, and my body still wakes me up like I need to feed chickens and cows.”
Privacy, I’m learning, doesn’t exist around werewolves.
“Chickens!” Aurélie suddenly gasps. “I need to order chickens. Maybe we can stop by a farm on the way back from the city!”
“City?” Damien asks, wrapping his arms around her.
“Sab and I are having a girls’ day,” she says sweetly. “Shopping, lunch. Child-free before you ask.”
“I like lunches,” Damien whines playfully, nuzzling into her neck.
“Husband- and mate-free as well,” she adds, trying to pull away only for him to tug her right back against him.
“Fine,” he relents abruptly. “But you’ll have guards.”
“Damien…” She rolls her eyes, turning to face him.
“You will have guards,” he repeats, the command heavy in his voice.
She sighs, then nods, and he kisses her softly tenderly before finally letting her go.