Free Web NovelChapter 11: Chapter 11
Fleur Swann rarely accepted meetings outside her carefully structured schedule. Especially not after school hours, when every moment belonged to Chloe and Gabriel.
But this client was impossible to refuse.
Damien Monroe, the Duke of Monaco. An Alpha born into one of Europe’s oldest royal wolf bloodlines.
Rumors claimed the Monroe family possessed ancient lunar magic tied directly to the Moon Goddess herself. Their bloodline was respected even among the most dominant werewolf packs across Europe.
And now the Duke wanted Fleur personally.
Not one of her assistants. Not her senior designers.
Her.
After purchasing a sprawling historic mansion in Paris, the Duke insisted that only the renowned Fleur Swann would oversee the transformation of the estate.
The project alone could elevate her company into a league beyond luxury. If a royal Alpha publicly endorsed her work, no competitor would ever reach her level again.
And Fleur refused to let such an opportunity slip away.
She had clawed her way out of darkness with bleeding hands and relentless determination. From orphaned nobody to the owner of Europe’s most sought-after interior design empire—every inch of success had been earned through sacrifice.
Years ago, she had been nothing more than a frightened Luna trapped beside a cold-hearted Alpha King.
Now she was building a future worthy of her children. A future no one could take from her.
Standing inside her sleek Paris office, Fleur adjusted the cuffs of her cream-colored blazer and glanced around one final time.
Everything was perfect. Elegant floral arrangements. Crystal glasses set up precisely. Architectural projections ready on the massive screen.
Her assistant Lea caught her eye and gave a reassuring nod. "All set."
Fleur exhaled quietly.
Right on cue, the large glass doors opened. A group of royal guards entered first, their powerful Alpha scents filling the room instantly.
Then Damien himself stepped inside.
The atmosphere shifted immediately. Even before speaking, the Duke radiated powerful authority.
Tall and broad-shouldered, he moved with the effortless confidence of a predator born to rule. His black tailored suit fit him flawlessly, while silver cufflinks bearing the Montecarlo crest gleamed beneath the lights.
But it was his eyes that struck Fleur most.
Sharp silver-blue, ancient and observant. Like a wolf constantly studying its surroundings.
"Your Highness," Fleur greeted gracefully with a professional smile.
"Miss Swann." His deep voice carried faint amusement. "At last, we meet."
Fleur instantly caught the subtle teasing hidden beneath his words—a reference to the two previous appointments she had canceled due to Chloe and Gabriel’s school performances.
A hint of embarrassment crossed her face.
"I sincerely apologize for that," she said carefully. "There were urgent family matters that couldn’t be postponed." ƒreewebɳovel.com
Damien’s expression softened unexpectedly.
"I was informed," he replied calmly as he removed his gloves. "And as someone who values family above all else, I understand completely."
Fleur blinked in surprise. She had expected arrogance. Entitlement.
The typical behavior of wealthy Alphas accustomed to absolute obedience. Instead, the Duke seemed... warm. Refined, but approachable.
"Shall we begin?" Fleur asked politely.
Damien nodded and took a seat on the luxurious cream sofa positioned across from the projector wall.
As tea and refreshments were served, Fleur launched into the presentation.
"These designs focus on balancing modern smart technology with classical European architecture," she explained while switching slides smoothly. "Your estate has incredible historical bones, so my goal is to preserve its character while making it feel lived-in rather than museum-like."
Damien listened intently. Unlike many wealthy clients who merely nodded for appearances, he paid attention to every detail. Occasionally, he asked thoughtful questions about spatial flow, lighting psychology, and the emotional impact of interior textures.
The deeper the discussion became, the more impressed Fleur found herself.
By the end of the presentation, they had finalized nearly every major design direction for the mansion.
"Excellent work," Damien said sincerely. "You see homes differently than most designers."
Fleur smiled softly.
"A home should feel alive," she replied. "Not just beautiful."
For a moment, silence settled comfortably between them. Then curiosity overcame her.
"Your Highness..." she began hesitantly. "May I ask something personal?"
Damien leaned back slightly, intrigued. "You may ask whatever you wish."
Fleur hesitated.
"I heard rumors that you’ve been traveling around the world searching for your younger sister." She lowered her voice gently. "Is that true?"
Something shifted in the Duke’s expression immediately. Something... old and buried beneath never-ending pain.
"Yes," he admitted quietly after a long pause.
The office seemed strangely still now.
"My sister disappeared shortly after birth." His jaw tightened slightly. "My father’s mistress stole her out of jealousy."
Fleur’s breath caught. "That’s horrible..."
Damien’s silver eyes darkened. "My mother never recovered from it. She never even had the chance to hold her daughter."
A heavy silence followed. Fleur’s heart ached unexpectedly. She couldn’t imagine the terror of a newborn child vanishing into the world alone. Or the grief of a mother forced to live without knowing whether her baby survived.
Then suddenly, Damien looked directly at her. "So tell me something, Miss Swann."
Fleur straightened, her body tensed.
"Do you belong to a royal bloodline?"
The question startled her completely. "Pardon?"
Damien studied her intently now.
"There’s something familiar about you." His brows furrowed faintly. "Your scent... your energy... even your aura feels strangely familiar to me."
Fleur’s pulse skipped violently. Werewolf royals possessed stronger instincts than ordinary wolves.
Had he really sensed something?
No. That was impossible.
Although she finally got her wolf after giving birth to twins, she had spent years hiding herself carefully—suppressing her aura, masking her scent, erasing every trace of Odette Wayne.
Still, unease crept through her chest.
"No," she replied quickly with a light laugh. "I’m definitely not royalty."
Damien continued watching her closely.
Fleur immediately misread the intense scrutiny as flirtation.
She had encountered enough wealthy men over the years to recognize that look. Or at least she thought she had.
"Your Highness," she said carefully, offering a polite but distant smile, "those kinds of lines probably work on most women, but I’d prefer to keep our relationship strictly professional."
Damien blinked. Then, he let out a surprised laugh.
"No, no—you misunderstand me entirely." He shook his head quickly. "I wasn’t flirting."
Fleur suddenly felt awkward. "Oh..."
The Duke leaned forward slightly, his silver eyes narrowing with growing confusion.
"It’s just..." His voice lowered thoughtfully. "I feel like I’ve met you before."
Fleur’s stomach tightened instantly. The instinctive warning from her wolf whispered through her veins.
"Where is your family originally from?" Damien pressed.
Fleur immediately shut down all her emotions. She could never allow anyone to trace her back to her country of origin.
Back to Christian. Back to the Blood Moon Pack.
"My family has always lived in Paris," she lied smoothly.
The words tasted bitter. She hated lying. But survival had taught her necessary cruelty.
Before Damien could continue questioning her, Fleur rose gracefully from her seat.
"I’ll have my assistant finalize the contracts and keep you updated on the project," she said professionally. "Please excuse me, Your Highness. I have another appointment shortly."
Damien rose as well. "Of course."
He extended his hand and Fleur accepted it politely, but the moment their palms touched, Damien froze. A strange sensation shot through him instantly.
It was not an attraction, but... Recognition. His wolf stirred sharply beneath his skin.
Familiar...
The feeling vanished almost immediately, but it was enough to leave him unsettled.
Fleur quickly withdrew her hand. She forced a professional smile despite the uncomfortable intensity of his stare.
Over the years, she had learned how to endure attention from powerful men without letting it shake her focus.
Nothing mattered more than Chloe and Gabriel. Nothing.
Still, as Damien watched her leave the office, a strange certainty settled deep within his chest.
Somehow... Fleur Swann was connected to him in a way neither of them yet understood.
