Chapter 390 390
Maurice POV
This can’t be happening.
Not again.
Not the children.
If anything happens to them, Aurélie will never recover. Losing them would destroy her.
And why the cave?
Of all places, why take them there?
I don’t hesitate.
There’s no time.
Keeping to the shadows, I weave between buildings until the Pack Hall comes into view overcrowded and heavily guarded by Clémence’s hired men.
This is where she’s been holding the Black Mist warriors.
The ones who refused to fight for her.
They need to reclaim their home.
They need to stand for their land.
They need to rise against Clémence.
I slip up behind the guards and drop them silently.
Too easy.
Whoever these men are, they aren’t trained warriors.
The stench rolling off them tells me everything.
Rogues.
Of course.
She can’t inspire loyalty she has to buy it.
These bastards must be the same ones who tormented my Bee… hunted her for Clémence’s benefit.
For her inheritance.
I tear through the chains and wrench open the massive Pack Hall doors.
Inside aren’t just warriors.
Women and children are huddled together, fear thick in the air, while the pack’s fighters stand protectively around them, ready to defend what’s theirs.
“Alpha Maurice?”
Several males rush forward, eyes dropping to the unconscious rogues behind me.
“Secure them,” I order. “They’ll wake up soon enough.”
They spring into action immediately.
There’s no time to waste.
“North of the lands,” one of them says quickly. “We’ll take you.”
“No,” I snap. “Head to the pack gates. Our warriors are already there. Defend your home. Take Clémence down.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
I turn and sprint north, the sounds of battle already breaking out behind me.
Time is slipping away.
I have to find Damien.
Fast.
The cave entrance comes into view and my stomach drops.
Six of Clémence’s rogues lie sprawled across the ground outside it.
Unconscious.
If they were guarding the entrance… who took them out?
And why?
Something’s wrong.
My wolf surges forward, instincts screaming.
I approach cautiously, stepping over the bodies
And realize they aren’t unconscious.
They’re dead.
Cold fear grips my chest.
Was I too late?
My gaze lifts to the yawning darkness of the cave.
That heavy, suffocating feeling tightens around my throat.
Something terrible is happening in there.
And once I step inside, there’s no turning back.
I know it.
I might not come out again.
But I can’t leave them.
I can’t abandon Damien.
I can’t abandon the children.
I’d never forgive myself.
Bee would never forgive me.
I glance over my shoulder, thoughts flooding with her face.
“Maxime,” I push through the mind-link one last command as his Alpha.
“Alpha?”
“The Luna is still in the alpha house. Get her out. No matter what it takes. Make sure she survives this.”
“Where are you?” Fear laces his voice.
“I’m by the cave. Get to her. Keep her safe.”
“Wait, Alpha”
I sever the link.
There’s no time.
Drawing in a deep breath, I steady myself, then step into the pitch-black cave.
I close my eyes, letting my wolf surge forward, granting me his vision.
When I open them again, shapes form in the darkness.
Not clear but enough.
Every instinct is screaming at me to turn back.
To run to Bee.
To get as far from this place as possible.
But I push forward.
“They must be awake.”
I freeze as voices echo ahead.
“No, Dominique. Your father killed them. Stay behind me.”
A man’s voice sharp, protective.
“I want my mummy…”
Delphine’s small voice trembles through the cavern.
“Delphine? Dominique?” I call urgently, breaking into a run.
“Uncle Maurice?”
Dominique’s voice answers just as the cave opens into a wide clearing.
I stop short.
My eyes sweep the space.
Didier stands with Dominique at his side.
Delphine clings tightly to his leg, half-hidden behind him.