Hiding The Alpha King's Twins

Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Fleur lifted her glass and took a leisurely sip, allowing the smooth flavor to settle on her palate before setting it down. A confident smile touched her lips as she looked at Damien.

"I’ve almost finished working on your apartment. Everything should be completed very soon."

Damien rolled the ice cubes around his whiskey glass, watching the amber liquid catch the glow of the lounge lights. His expression remained relaxed and unreadable.

"There is no need to rush," he said calmly. "I can wait."

Fleur laughed softly.

"That may be true, but I have a reputation to uphold. I always deliver my projects on schedule."

A trace of amusement flickered in Damien’s eyes.

"That dedication is one of the reasons I chose you. You’re exceptionally talented, Fleur."

She lifted a shoulder in a casual shrug.

"And that is exactly why you hired me to design your home."

Their conversation flowed naturally, free of formality or awkwardness. Fleur had known Damien for years, and despite his status, speaking with him felt surprisingly easy.

Few people would believe it if they saw the two of them together. The powerful man who ruled with an iron hand across countless packs became noticeably more approachable in her presence.

The cold edge that usually surrounded him seemed to soften whenever Fleur was near, leaving others wondering whether this was truly the same Damien Monroe whose name alone commanded fear and respect throughout the werewolf world.

The shrill vibration of a phone interrupted the moment.

Damien glanced at the screen before rising from his seat.

"Please excuse me, ladies. Something requires my attention."

He finished the remainder of his drink in a single swallow before placing the empty glass on the table.

"Enjoy the rest of your evening. If either of you needs anything, don’t hesitate to contact me."

"Thank you, Lord Damien," Lea said politely, offering him a graceful smile.

"You’re welcome, Miss Undine."

Damien inclined his head before turning toward Fleur.

"I’ll see you later."

His gaze lingered on her face for a brief moment.

"Take care, Fleur."

"See you later."

She watched him disappear through the crowd. The second he was gone, both women collapsed back against the sofa.

A long breath escaped Lea’s lips.

"God, that man is terrifying. I could barely relax while he was sitting here."

Fleur frowned.

"I don’t understand why everyone says that. He’s not intimidating at all."

Lea stared at her as though she had lost her mind.

"Not intimidating?"

"Not even a little. I actually think he’s pretty cool."

A mischievous grin spread across Lea’s face.

"Interesting."

Fleur instantly regretted her choice of words.

"Do you like him?" Lea asked, bumping her shoulder. "Should I warn Raphael that he has some serious competition now? Competing against the Duke himself sounds impossible."

"Stop talking nonsense."

Fleur shook her head, unable to suppress her laughter.

Lea leaned forward dramatically.

"Fleur."

"Yes?"

"You are definitely drunk."

Fleur burst out laughing.

"If that’s your conclusion, then perhaps we should head home."

"Not a chance," Lea complained. "My boss works me to death every week. Tonight is my one opportunity to enjoy myself before she buries me under another mountain of work."

The irony made Fleur smile since she happened to be that boss.

Before she could respond, Lea grabbed her hand and dragged her onto the dance floor.

Music thundered through the nightclub while flashing lights painted the crowd in shifting colors. The two women danced until their feet ached and their bodies glistened with sweat. Hours passed before exhaustion finally convinced them to leave.

Outside, the city had fallen quiet.

Fleur stared at her phone and groaned.

"Another cancellation."

"No rides available?" Lea asked.

"Not a single one."

"Why don’t you call Damien? I’m sure he’d come pick us up."

Fleur immediately shook her head.

"Absolutely not. He’s our client, and he’s already done enough for us. I’m not bothering him this late at night."

Lea sighed dramatically.

"Then I suppose we’re walking home because my boss is determined to be responsible."

"If we’re lucky, another ride will appear."

Fleur refreshed the app again.

Nothing.

The road ahead stretched nearly empty beneath the pale moonlight.

Then everything changed.

Four black SUVs emerged from the darkness and surrounded them without warning.

The vehicles cut off every possible route.

An uneasy feeling crawled down Fleur’s spine.

Her wolf stirred restlessly beneath her skin.

Without hesitation, she stepped in front of Lea and pulled her behind her.

The doors opened. Several men dressed entirely in black climbed out.

A chill swept through Fleur’s body.

The scene felt painfully familiar.

For a brief moment, she was transported back six years to the night Christian had sent his men to hunt down Odette.

The memory tightened around her chest like a vice.

"Move aside and let us pass," Fleur demanded.

One of the men shoved her backward.

"Fleur Swann. You’re coming with us."

Anger flashed through her. "Who do you think you are?"

She attempted to push past them, but another man blocked her path.

"Stop wasting time and cooperate."

"You don’t get to order me around."

The man laughed.

"You can scream all you want. Nobody is coming to save you."

Fleur’s expression darkened.

"What do you want?"

A cruel smile appeared on the man’s face.

"We want you dead."

The words struck like a punch. Several firearms emerged from beneath their jackets.

Lea immediately began trembling.

Fleur’s pulse accelerated.

Fear twisted inside her, not for herself but for the woman standing behind her.

At the same time, another thought consumed her.

Who had sent them?

Was it Christian again?

The merciless king of all werewolves. The man she had once foolishly trusted.

Hatred surged through her veins.

"Wait," Fleur said quickly. "Whatever someone paid you, I’ll offer more. Double it. Triple it. Just tell me who hired you."

The men exchanged amused glances. Their leader stepped forward.

"We never leave a job unfinished."

He raised his gun. The cold barrel pressed against Fleur’s forehead.

"Say your prayers."

Beside her, Lea broke down completely.

"Please," she cried. "Please don’t hurt her. Don’t kill us."

The assassins laughed.

The sound was cruel and utterly devoid of humanity.

Fleur knew there would be no negotiating with men like these.

Slowly, she closed her eyes.

The faces of her children filled her thoughts.

Their smiles. Their laughter. The warmth of their tiny arms wrapped around her.

A sharp ache pierced her heart.

If she died tonight, who would protect them?

The assassin’s finger tightened on the trigger. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Then a voice rang out from the darkness.

"Put the gun down."

The command carried the overwhelming force of an Alpha’s dominance.

Every man on the street froze.

The air itself seemed to grow heavier.

Raw power swept through the area, sending instinctive fear through predator and prey alike.

"Take one more step toward her," the icy voice continued, "and I will personally make sure none of you leave this street alive."

Even before she opened her eyes, Fleur knew exactly who had come.

Only one Alpha possessed a presence powerful enough to make hardened killers tremble.

Christian Wayne.