Chapter 88
“No, you’re right. I won’t ever understand, because I don’t have pups,” Lea muttered. Her voice fractured on the last word, her eyes darkening. She turned on her heel, her movements sharp and frantic as she bolted toward the door.
“No, Lea, wait! That’s not what I meant at all. Please,” Fleur begged, desperation spiking her scent.
She lunged forward, catching Lea’s wrist before her friend could shift or flee into the night. Fleur’s heart wrenched; she could never bear to wound her closest confidante, utterly horrified by how horribly her words had landed.
Fleur knew the depth of the scars Lea carried.
Years ago, Lea had fallen for a male she believed was her true match, giving up her education and pouring her soul into their relationship. But he was a monster in disguise.
He had used her ruthlessly, ultimately orchestrating the slaughter of her entire family to seize their lands and territory. To crush her completely, he had flaunted his true fated mate in her face, driving Lea out of the territory after a physical assault that cost Lea her unborn child.
Their pasts shared a bitter, bleeding cadence, but by some mercy of the Moon, Fleur’s own children had survived the wreckage of her past. That shared survival was the anchor of their friendship.
Lea froze, though she kept her back turned. The violent trembling of her shoulders betrayed the storm raging inside her. Fleur’s eyes welled with tears as she looked at the woman who had been her rock through every trial, now drowning in a fresh wave of grief.
Guilt hit Fleur like a physical blow. She silently cursed her own tongue, wishing she could tear the words from the air.
“Lea… it just slipped out. I was defensive, and I am so deeply sorry,” Fleur whispered, her throat tight. She stepped closer, wrapping her arms tightly around Lea, trying to offer the warmth of a pack bond. “You are my anchor. The last thing I ever want to do is force you to relive that nightmare p>
Lea let out a long, ragged exhale. Slowly, the tension left her frame, signaling a quiet truce.
“It’s your life, Fleur. You’re free to make your own choices,” Lea said, her voice heavy with a profound exhaustion. “I just need to know you aren’t running blindly into a trap. He’s still publicly bonded to that supermodel, Carrie. I’m terrified he’s just using you to secure his position p>
Fleur bit her lip, recalling her recent confrontation with Christian over the scent and paparazzi photos of him with the model.
“I demanded answers from him, Lea. He swore the alliance is severed. She’s out of his life,” Fleur said, trying to anchor her own doubts.
Lea finally turned, giving a solemn nod. “Just guard your heart. Don’t let another male destroy what you’ve built p>
“I won’t,” Fleur promised fiercely. She wasn’t the broken, rejected wolf she used to be. “I’m Fleur Swann. I’ve built my own business, carved out my own life, and I’m strong enough to handle him. If Christian tries to deceive me or threatens my pups, I will make him regret the day he met me p>
A faint, proud smile touched Lea’s lips. “That’s my girl. But… I still feel for Raphael. His devotion to you is undeniable p>
Fleur offered a helpless shrug, her chest tightening slightly. “I only hope the Moon guides him to a mate who can give him the love he deserves p>
“Alright, let’s bury the heavy talk,” Lea said, her tone shifting to a lighter, teasing note. “You need to shift into something presentable. Otherwise, the pups will blame me when they’re late for dinner p>
Fleur blinked, her brow furrowing. “What do you mean? You’re coming with us p>
“No, go ahead,” Lea sighed, offering a small, dismissive wave. “Enjoy your family dinner p>
“Absolutely not,” Fleur countered, grabbing her hand again. “You are coming. It isn’t a family dinner without you p>
“Fleur, really p>
“Please, Lea. The kids worship the ground you walk on. They’ll completely sour if their favorite aunt isn’t there p>
Defeated by the mention of the pups, Lea’s expression softened into a genuine smile. “Fine, fine. You win. I’m coming p>
“Perfect! Go get ready!” Fleur beamed.
Once Lea retreated to her own room, Fleur turned to her wardrobe, a nervous flutter of anticipation dancing in her stomach. She selected a sleek, crimson knee-length dress that complemented her dark hair, applied a minimal sweep of makeup, and stepped into a pair of black heels.
When she walked out into the living room, the atmosphere was already alive. The pups were laughing, their bright voices filling the space, and Christian was already waiting.
“Mommy!” Gabriel and Chloe squealed in unison, abandoning their spot on the sofa to rush her. They crashed into her waist, and Fleur held them tight, her inner wolf purring with absolute contentment at their joy.
As she stood up, Christian closed the distance between them. Before she could speak, he leaned down and captured her lips in a possessive, breathtaking kiss. His dark eyes flared with a heavy, golden possessiveness when he pulled back—the gaze of an Alpha completely enthralled by his mate.
“You are stunning, amore mio,” he murmured against her ear, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine. “Suddenly, I want to cancel our reservations and keep you entirely to myself tonight p>
Fleur caught her breath, a flush creeping up her neck. It was still jarring to see the ruthless, feared Alpha of the territory transform into a devoted lover at her side.
“Daddy, can we please go now? We’re going to be late!” Gabriel complained impatiently, tugging at Christian’s tailored trousers.
Fleur gave Christian a pointed look, arching an eyebrow as if to say, Good luck canceling now.
Christian simply flashed a devastatingly handsome grin that left her momentarily breathless. Watching him with her children, Fleur couldn’t help but marvel at how seamlessly he filled the voids in their lives. She had protected her pups with everything she had, but Christian’s presence provided a fierce, unshakeable protection they had always been missing.
“We’re just waiting for Aunt Lea, sweetheart,” Fleur told her son, smoothing down his unruly blonde hair.
Right on cue, Lea’s door opened. She stepped out looking radiant in an elegant black dress. The children immediately pivoted, rushing over to grab her hands. The pure, unconditional affection on their faces instantly melted the last of the shadows in Lea’s eyes.
“Aunt Lea, you look pretty! Let’s go!” Chloe cheered.
“Let’s go, my loves,” Lea laughed, letting the kids guide her toward the door.
Christian slipped his arm securely around Fleur’s waist, pulling her flush against his side as they prepared to follow. But just as they reached the threshold, his phone buzzed with a sharp, distinctive alert.
Christian paused, pulling the device from his pocket. As his eyes scanned the encrypted message, the warmth instantly drained from his face, his features hardening into a mask of cold, lethal fury.