Chapter 355 355
Sabine POV
Aurélie and I wandered through the vast shopping centre, her royal warriors trailing us at a discreet distance. Being in such a public place without worrying about cameras felt… wrong. Unnatural. Normally I’d be counting lenses, calculating blind spots, planning how to disappear into the crowd.
Not today.
The lack of caution sent a faint, uneasy prickle down the back of my neck. I wasn’t hiding. I wasn’t outsmarting technology for once. I was simply visible.
Too visible.
The openness made me feel exposed vulnerable, even with the extra muscle shadowing our every step. I didn’t like it. Every instinct in me bristled against it.
Earlier, I’d messaged Clémence to arrange a drop-off. Her instructions had been precise: enter a specific pharmacy, but only once I had enough shopping bags to conceal the tablets. Everything was set. All I needed now was a moment alone without Aurélie growing suspicious.
I’d already located the pharmacy before lunch and had been quietly biding my time ever since, waiting for the right opening.
Aurélie insisted on paying for everything, which was kind generous, even but unnecessary. I had my own money. Mum’s money. And for the first time, I felt ready to have that conversation with Father.
I was ready to demand full responsibility for Mum’s estate and business affairs. He couldn’t deny me now not like he had before. Not when I had a family behind me. A mate behind me.
And that was what hurt the most.
I was about to betray them again.
To them, what I was doing would be unforgivable once more denying the very nature that defined them.
Lucas had driven us into the city, with another vehicle close behind carrying the bodyguards. At least he’d left us to shop alone. I’d been worried he’d insist on walking with us, making everything painfully awkward especially anywhere near the lingerie stores.
We’d eaten well, and Aurélie had spent the last ten minutes eyeing an absurd milkshake stand towering creations piled high with cream, marshmallows, chocolate, and even slices of cake. They looked sickeningly sweet to me, but her eyes practically sparkled every time we passed.
“I think I might get one,” she finally admitted, giving in.
This was it. My chance.
“You should,” I chuckle. “You’ve been thinking about it for the last two shops.”
“How do you know?” she pouts playfully, her bottom lip jutting out despite how obvious it was. She’d been practically drooling.
“Your eyes light up like it’s Christmas Day, Aurélie.”
She smiles at me and suddenly a thought hits. Does Maurice celebrate Christmas? Do werewolves take part in human traditions?
“Do you want one?” she asks.
I shake my head, already preparing my lie. “No, but I forgot to pick something up from the pharmacy. I’ll be two seconds I’ll meet you right back here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Take a guard.”
“Seriously?” I groan.
“Yes.” Her voice turns firm, the weight of command thick in it—making my body instinctively want to comply.
Reluctantly, I walk off beside one of the warriors, my mind racing as I scramble for a way out. If he followed me inside, he’d see the exchange. There would be no way to explain it.
“This is embarrassing…” I mutter.
“Luna?” he prompts.
I don’t correct him. To him, I’m Alpha Maurice’s mate and right now, I need cooperation, not formality.
“I need to get… female things,” I say, lowering my gaze, feigning discomfort. “Could you not come in?”
“Luna…” He hesitates, clearly uncomfortable with the request.
“I need to ask the pharmacist something private. Please.”
He studies the pharmacy, scanning the interior. It’s quiet thankfully. Any busier, and I’m certain he would’ve refused.
Finally, he nods and waits outside.
I move quickly to the feminine aisle, pretending to browse until a hand brushes mine from behind.
I nearly jump out of my skin.
Clémence.
Not a courier. Not a discreet drop-off.
Her.
She’s dressed head-to-toe in black a tracksuit, cap pulled low, hair tied back, sunglasses hiding her eyes. My stomach tightens. This is dangerous. If Damien discovered she was my source, he wouldn’t just punish her he’d come for her father and their entire pack.
I glance into my bags and see the envelope already tucked inside. Efficient. I casually shift some lingerie over it, hiding the addition.
“I’ll get payment to you soon,” I whisper, keeping my eyes on the guard standing just outside. The noise from the centre muffles our voices enough to keep us hidden.
“Don’t worry about the money,” she murmurs. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
Her gaze flicks toward the guard and when his head turns in our direction, she ducks down instantly.
“What do you mean?” I whisper once he looks away again.
“You left the farm?”
So she’d known all along.
“Yes. The police raided it. I didn’t have a choice.”
“I’m worried about you, Sab,” she says quietly. “I think you’re being used again.”
“Used?” I shake my head. “No. Damien and Aurélie just want me safe. They don’t get along with Father but I’m struggling to reach him. You don’t know where he is, do you?”
I keep my eyes trained on the guard while she stays hidden.
He glances over again. I smile, lifting two fingers to signal I’ll only be another couple of minutes. He nods, pulling his phone out and raising it to his ear.
“You mean…” Clémence gasps softly. “They haven’t told you?”
I have to disguise my reaction with a cough as the guard turns to look at me. I grab a product and hold it close, pretending to squint at the fine print.
“Told me what?” I whisper once it’s clear.
She bites her lower lip, hesitation written all over her face.
Clémence is cunning. Untrustworthy. If she didn’t want to tell me something, she wouldn’t.
Which makes this little performance almost laughable.
“Sab…” she breathes. “Your father… he’s dead.”
“What?”