Hiding The Alpha King's Twins

Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Fleur buried herself in work.

The busier she stayed, the less time she had to dwell on the past—or on the terrifying possibility that Christian Wayne might discover the truth.

A week had passed since their encounter at the hospital, and she hadn’t seen him once. As the days slipped by without any sign of the Alpha King, she slowly began to believe that her deception had succeeded. Christian seemed convinced that she wasn’t Odette.

The thought brought an immense sense of relief.

For six years, she had lived in fear of being found. Now, for the first time in what felt like forever, she could breathe a little easier. Her children were safe. Her secret remained hidden. The monster she had escaped from appeared to have finally let go of the ghost of his dead mate.

At least, that was what she told herself.

Unfortunately, she still had the project she’d accepted from him. Christian’s new estate in Paris required extensive planning and attention to detail. Alongside that, she was also overseeing the redesign of Duke Damien’s luxury apartment. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

Between client meetings, design presentations, construction updates, and endless revisions, her schedule became overwhelming.

The week disappeared before she even realized it.

Soon, it was the day Raphael had to leave for the filming of his newest movie.

To Fleur’s annoyance, he had stubbornly insisted that she personally drive him to the airport.

Despite her preference for avoiding public attention—especially the kind that came with being seen beside one of the world’s most famous actors—she eventually agreed.

Raphael had always been there for her and the twins.

Even when she never asked for help. Even when she tried pushing him away.

He never left.

As they drove toward the airport in his silver Porsche, Raphael glanced sideways at her.

"Do you know why I wanted you to come with me today?"

Fleur didn’t even look up from her phone. "Because you enjoy making my life difficult."

Raphael laughed. "That’s a terrible accusation."

"It’s the truth."

His grin widened. "I would never deliberately bother you, baby."

Fleur immediately shot him a warning look. "Stop calling me that."

"Why?" he asked innocently.

"Because I’m not your baby." She shoved his shoulder lightly, forcing him back into his seat.

Raphael only chuckled. "Then become my baby."

Fleur groaned. "Raphael..."

This time, however, he didn’t laugh. The teasing disappeared from his face, too. His expression grew unexpectedly serious.

And that alone made Fleur nervous.

"Marry me."

The words came out without warning.

Fleur nearly dropped her phone. She turned toward him in disbelief. "What?"

Raphael’s gaze never wavered.

"Marry me, Fleur Swann."

His voice carried the confidence of a man accustomed to getting whatever he wanted.

Except her.

"Raphael..." Fleur sighed heavily, already feeling a headache forming. "You know I can’t do that."

His brows furrowed. "Why not?"

There was genuine frustration in his voice. Years of rejection had finally begun to wear on him.

Raphael Dumas could have had almost any woman in the world. Thousands openly declared their love for him every day. Yet the woman he truly wanted continued rejecting him without hesitation.

It was enough to drive any man insane.

"It’s complicated," Fleur said quietly.

"That’s always your answer."

"Because it’s true."

"No," Raphael said firmly. "You keep hiding behind those words because you don’t want to explain."

Fleur looked away. Because he was right.

How could she possibly explain? How could she tell him that she already had a mate? A mate she had once loved more than her own life. A mate who had betrayed her. A mate who had tried to kill her and their unborn children.

Legally, her past no longer existed. Fleur Swann wasn’t married.

But deep inside, the scars remained. And they always would.

"Is there someone else?" Raphael’s question came quietly.

For a moment, Fleur froze. Christian’s face flashed through her mind.

The memory of silver-blue eyes. The possessive growl of an Alpha wolf. The man she had once believed would protect her forever.

"No," she answered truthfully.

Not anymore.

Raphael immediately seized upon her answer. "Then marry me."

Fleur blinked. "That’s not how this works."

"It works perfectly."

"Raphael—"

"If there’s no other man, then what’s stopping you?"

"A lot of things."

"Name one."

Fleur opened her mouth... Then closed it again. Because every answer led back to Christian.

And she refused to go there.

Raphael exhaled dramatically. "Fine."

Fleur narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"Fine?" she repeated.

"Fine," he said again. "I’m giving you until I come back."

She stared, stunned. "What does that even mean?"

"It means when I return from filming, I’m bringing a ring."

Fleur nearly choked. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"Raphael, are you threatening me with a proposal?"

"I’m promising you one."

Her jaw dropped. The sheer audacity of the man was unbelievable.

Before she could formulate a response, the Porsche pulled up outside the private airport terminal.

One of Raphael’s bodyguards immediately opened the door.

Raphael stepped out first.

Fleur followed, adjusting the silk scarf covering part of her face. Years of hiding had taught her to avoid unnecessary attention.

Especially attention from cameras.

Paparazzi swarmed nearby, watching Raphael’s every move like vultures circling prey.

Ignoring them completely, Raphael turned toward Fleur. Then... he pulled her into his arms.

The embrace was warm and familiar. Safe. A feeling she rarely allowed herself to enjoy.

"See you soon, Fleur."

His voice softened as he leaned closer.

"This is going to be the hardest trip I’ve ever taken."

Fleur rolled her eyes. "You say that every time."

"I mean it every time." His arms tightened slightly. "I hate being away from you."

A knot formed in Fleur’s chest.

Because, unlike many men, Raphael never hid his feelings. He wore his heart openly on his sleeve.

"I can’t wait to come back," he murmured near her ear. "And when I do, I’m going to make you mine forever."

Fleur sighed. "Raphael, I don’t—"

A finger pressed gently against her lips.

"Shh." His smile softened. "I know."

For a brief moment, something vulnerable appeared in his eyes.

"I know you don’t love me."

Fleur’s heart clenched.

"But that’s okay."

The confidence in his voice returned.

"My love is enough for both of us."

Moon Goddess... The man truly believed it.

"And one day," he added with a wink, "I’ll make you fall in love with me too."

Fleur immediately rolled her eyes. "There it is."

"What?"

"The arrogance."

Raphael grinned proudly. "I prefer confidence."

"Go catch your flight."

"I’d rather stay here."

"You have a movie to film."

"I’ll quit."

"No, you won’t."

"You’re right."

"Go."

He sighed dramatically, finally surrendering.

A few moments later, surrounded by bodyguards and assistants, Raphael disappeared into the terminal.

Fleur watched until he was out of sight.

Then she climbed back into the Porsche he had arranged to send her to the office.

As the car merged into the city’s crowded traffic, she rested her head against the window and stared absently at the passing buildings.

Her thoughts drifted back to work.

The Paris estate.

Duke Damien’s apartment.

The twins.

The future she was trying so desperately to build.

She never noticed the black SUV moving several cars behind her. Never noticed the powerful Alpha sitting in the back seat.

Christian Wayne’s silver eyes remained fixed on the Porsche ahead.

For an entire week, he had watched from a distance. Observed her routines. Tracked her movements. Learned her habits.

Every day. Without fail.

His wolf refused to let her go.

And when he had witnessed Raphael holding her moments ago, a savage growl had nearly escaped his throat.

Because no matter how many times he told himself Fleur Swann wasn’t Odette...

His wolf had never believed the lie.