Chapter 95 95
Damien POV
“He wasn’t,” Lucas says grimly. “He killed the other guard.”
“What the fuck?” I snarl. “How the hell did she get him to go against my Alpha aura? Against the pack link? And where the fuck are they?”
Lucas pulls a chair toward me, but I ignore it. I can’t sit. I need to move. Geneviève had a head start, and she wouldn’t stop until she got what she wanted. She’d already be reworking her plans she always did. Power was still her goal, and the more I thought about it, the more concerned I became about what lengths she’d go to in order to get it.
“We’re still searching,” Lucas explains. “But with warriors assigned to follow Aurélie’s convoy, our full security grid was compromised. They exploited the gap.”
“Is she okay?” The words tear out of me before I can stop them. “Aurélie and the kids. Did they make it back to their pack?”
I probably sound like a whipped dog, but I don’t care. I need to know.
I don’t know how long I was out. I wasn’t here to put safeguards in place. Even if she never knew she was being protected, I had to make sure she was.
“Yes,” Lucas answers without hesitation. “They’re safe. I had four guards tracking them from a distance outside the borders so they wouldn’t be detected, but close enough to intervene.”
It’s efficient. Smart. And still not enough.
“That’s not close enough,” I snap. “She needs a personal guard.”
Lucas studies me for a moment, clearly trying to understand the intensity behind my words.
“I think she’s my mate,” I say finally, exhaling as I roll my neck to ease the tightness in my muscles.
“Fuck, Alpha,” he mutters. “This is a fucking mess.”
“You think I don’t know that?” I growl back, irritation flashing hot and fast. But he isn’t wrong. This is spiralling fast.
“I’ve got a lot to fix,” I continue, forcing myself to stay focused. “She needs protection real protection. Geneviève won’t stop. Not now. Aurélie is her target. She’ll blame her for everything, and her vendetta will be worse than before.”
I drag a hand through my hair.
“I don’t want panic spreading through either alliance. I’ll have to tell Aurélie in person. This can’t leak. Not a word.”
The door opens before I can finish.
Alpha Maurice strolls in, looking far too pleased to see me conscious.
“Haven’t you left yet?” I groan, rubbing my face. His relief is evident. My irritation is stronger.
For a split second, dangling off that endless cliff seems preferable.
“And miss all the drama?” he laughs, flashing that infuriating Hollywood smile that nearly blinds my still-sensitive eyes.
“Don’t you have a pack to run?” I snap.
“I do,” he replies easily. “And it’s perfectly under control. I’m staying it looks like you need some friendly guidance.”
His grin only deepens in response to my glare.
He moves behind me and prods my back where the wounds are.
“Ouch,” I hiss.
“You seem fine,” he says cheerfully. “I think you just wanted the nap.”
“Piss off, Maurice.”
He ignores me and wanders to the window, peering down before turning back, his expression suddenly more serious.
“So,” he says, arching a brow, “are you planning to visit the Darkvale pack?”
The question lands heavier than it should. Is this suggestion for my sake or his?
Either way, I’m going.
I need to ensure the safety of my wife and children.
But what if she refuses me entry?
Florence.
My wolf’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
She’ll grant access to Florence.
He’s right. For Fabrice’s sake, Aurélie will allow Florence in and anyone escorting her safely to her mate’s pack.
She won’t be able to deny me then.
Maurice, of course, interrupts my train of thought.
“If you are,” he says casually, “I’d like to come. I’m curious to see where my future wife comes from.”
He grins.
My wolf surges forward, possessive and furious, surprising even me with the strength of his reaction. It takes Lucas stepping smoothly into my path body blocking me to stop me from shoving Maurice straight out the bloody window.
Because this situation is volatile enough.
And Maurice has just made it worse.