Chapter 46 46
Aurélie POV
Damien was inhaling deeply on a cigarette when he suddenly choked, coughing harshly as he fought to regain a steady flow of oxygen… or poison. I’d always hated it when he smoked.
“You fucking what?”
“The pregnancy… it wasn’t Fabrice’s. They’re yours.”
I kept my voice steady, refusing to let any emotion slip through. For four years, they had been mine—mine alone. Now I was tearing open a truth that would change everything.
He moved fast too fast. One moment he was across the room, the next he had me slammed back against the wall. His hands clamped over my coat-covered shoulders, pinning me beneath the solid weight of his body. His face hovered inches from mine, the sharp stench of cigarette smoke clinging to his breath. The fury burning in his eyes was so intense my wolf stirred violently, ready to break free.
“Get off me,” I seethed.
“You took my children from me?” he snarled. “The girl she’s mine too?”
Pure, blistering rage radiated from his touch. His once-light blue eyes were now a deep, stormy blue, as if his wolf had been simmering in anger for years.
“They are mine,” I growled back.
I tried to shove him away, but he caught my wrists and forced my arms above my head. Electricity danced across my skin sensations I hadn’t felt in far too long, unwelcome and traitorous.
His knee slid between my thighs, pressing his body even closer. His nose brushed mine, his warm breath ghosting against my lips.
“Get off me,” I warned again, slower this time despite my wolf’s disturbing enjoyment of the confrontation with this monster.
“Where is he?” he hissed.
“That’s why I’m here,” I snapped. “You took him.”
His eyes narrowed, searching my face then they dropped briefly to my lips.
“Like I said,” he murmured darkly, releasing me as he stepped back, “I’m not the monster you think I am, sweetheart.”
He stretched his hands out as if shaking something off. Had he felt it too?
“Why?” he demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I did what I had to do to protect my baby at the time.” I squeezed my eyes shut as memories surfaced Geneviève shoving me down the stairs, Damien rushing to her side, believing her lies. Believing I’d acted out of jealousy.
When I opened my eyes, he was watching me closely, his frown deep.
“I was never cruel to you, Aurélie. What a load of bollocks.”
“I’m not doing this again, Damien. What’s past is past. They’re mine”
He cut me off with a thunderous roar.
“They’re mine,” he roared back. “If you don’t know where my son is, then I’m leaving.”
I matched his fury without hesitation. I was an Alpha too.
I turned toward the office door. I wasn’t about to defend decisions I’d made four years ago not to a man who’d chosen the female who pushed me down the stairs.
“Wait…” His voice softened, just slightly.
“…He’s my son,” Damien said. “I’ll help you.”
“I don’t need”
“You’ve made an enemy,” he interrupted harshly. “And my son is paying the price. You failed to protect him”
“Fuck you!” I snapped, yanking the door open and slamming it shut behind me, letting my anger loose.
As I stormed through the house, I caught sight of the sitting room. Fabrice, Théo, Lucas, and Geneviève sat in heavy silence. Their heads jerked up as I passed, fury written across my face.
Fabrice and Théo were at my sides in seconds as I headed toward my warriors toward Delphine, still safely shielded in the center of them.
“Aurélie, wait!” Damien grabbed my elbow, pulling me back into his chest. “Don’t leave. Let me help you.”
“Mummy!”
Delphine broke free from the warriors and rushed toward me. I scooped her up easily, settling her onto my hip.
Damien’s gaze locked onto the little girl in my arms.
He reached out, hand hovering just inches from her face until Fabrice’s warning growl thundered through the courtyard.
“Who is he?” Delphine whispered into my ear.
“I’m Damien,” he said softly, kneeling slightly so she could see him. “I’m going to help find your brother.”
“He talked about you,” she whispered, eyeing Damien warily. “Said you were a strong Alpha.”
“Is that so?” Damien murmured.
“Daddy?” Delphine reached for Fabrice.
He took her immediately, pulling her into his arms.
Damien’s eyes flashed furious, possessive as his daughter called another man Daddy.