Hiding The Alpha King's Twins

Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Damien guided Fleur through the magnificent ballroom, his presence calm and reassuring as they navigated the sea of aristocrats, business magnates, influential Alphas, and distinguished guests.

The grand hall glittered beneath crystal chandeliers, their light dancing across polished marble floors and sparkling jewels. Elegant music drifted through the air while conversations flowed like a gentle current around them.

Despite Damien’s steady companionship, Fleur couldn’t completely suppress her nervousness.

This world was far removed from her own.

Everywhere she looked stood people whose names dominated headlines, controlled corporations, or led powerful packs.

Damien seemed completely at ease among them.

One by one, he introduced her to prominent figures from various industries.

There were renowned artists, respected philanthropists, wealthy entrepreneurs, and influential nobles.

Each conversation was pleasant. Each introduction increased Fleur’s growing admiration for Damien.

He treated everyone with the same courtesy regardless of status.

"Damien!"

A sweet feminine voice suddenly cut through the crowd. Both Fleur and Damien turned at once.

A stunning woman approached them. She wore an elegant ivory gown adorned with pearls and intricate lacework. Her beauty was undeniable, but the longing in her eyes as she looked at Damien was even more obvious.

"Countess Marie!" Damien greeted her politely.

Taking her hand, he brushed a courteous kiss across her knuckles before turning toward Fleur.

"Fleur, allow me to introduce Countess Marie Abras."

His smile remained diplomatic.

"Countess, this is Fleur Swann. She owns F.S. Interiors and is one of the most talented designers I’ve ever worked with."

The countess’s gaze immediately swept over Fleur, from head to toe. The assessment was impossible to miss.

"So you’re Fleur Swann." Her smile looked pleasant enough. Her tone did not. "It’s a pleasure."

Fleur offered a gracious smile.

"The pleasure is mine, Countess."

"I’ve heard Damien has recommended your company to several members of our social circle."

The subtle arrogance beneath Marie’s words was impossible to miss.

"I happen to own several estates that require renovation."

She paused. "I’m sure I could provide you with work."

The implication hung heavily in the air––it was a reminder of their difference in status.

Fleur had encountered people like Isabelle throughout her career. Rich clients who believed money entitled them to speak down to others.

Fortunately, she had long mastered the art of handling them.

"That would be wonderful." Her smile never faltered. "Our bookings are scheduled according to availability, but I’d be happy to have my assistant discuss your requirements."

Then she added sweetly, "Since you’re such a special guest of Damien’s, I’ll make sure we assign one of our very best designers."

For a split second, Marie’s composure cracked. Her jaw tightened. She had intended to belittle Fleur. Instead, Fleur had politely reminded her that even wealthy countesses still waited in line like everyone else.

Damien looked suspiciously amused. The challenge in his eyes warned Marie not to push further.

Reluctantly, she abandoned the topic. Instead, she turned all her attention toward Damien.

A dazzling smile appeared on her lips. One designed specifically to attract male attention.

"Damien." Her voice softened. "Would you honor me with a dance?"

The longing in her eyes became impossible to hide.

Fleur suddenly understood everything––the countess wasn’t interested in renovations. She was interested in the duke.

Unfortunately for her, Damien’s response arrived immediately.

"I’m afraid not."

The disappointment on Marie’s face was immediate.

Damien gently took Fleur’s hand. "I already have a dance partner this evening."

The countess froze, and Fleur nearly felt sorry for her.

Nearly.

Without another glance, Damien guided Fleur toward the dance floor. Behind them, Marie’s expression darkened spectacularly. freёwebnoѵel.com

Fleur bit her lip, but it did absolutely nothing to stop her amusement.

The moment they reached the center of the ballroom, she finally lost the battle.

"That was incredibly rude, Your Grace."

The accusation carried far too much laughter to sound convincing.

Damien placed one hand lightly against her back while taking her hand in his.

"Coming from the woman who just verbally dismantled a countess?"

Fleur gasped. "I did no such thing!"

Damien’s grin widened. "You absolutely did."

They moved gracefully with the music.

"I wasn’t expecting a duke to use phrases like ’verbally dismantled.’"

Damien laughed. "Spend more time with me and you’ll discover I’m full of surprises."

His eyes sparkled mischievously.

Fleur shook her head. "You sound exactly like me."

The realization made her smile. All her life, she had wished for siblings. Someone to laugh with. Someone to conspire with. Someone who understood her sense of humor.

Instead, fate had given her twins.

Watching her children grow together had always healed a small loneliness she carried inside.

Damien spun her smoothly beneath his arm before pulling her back toward him.

"Then I accept the comparison." His grin became positively wicked. "Anytime you need help putting arrogant nobles in their place, call me."

Fleur laughed. "I think I just found myself a partner in crime."

"Likewise." The duke’s eyes gleamed.

For several wonderful minutes, everything felt light and easy.

Then disaster arrived. A powerful hand suddenly wrapped around Fleur’s arm. Before she could react, she was pulled away from Damien.

"What the..."

The words died instantly.

Her eyes widened.

It was Christian. The Alpha King himself stood before her. His silver eyes blazed with possessive irritation. The scent of his wolf saturated the air. Every nearby wolf immediately felt the shift in dominance.

"You." Fleur stared at him in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

Christian looked thoroughly unimpressed by her question.

"Miss Swann." His tone carried unmistakable displeasure. "You promised you’d come back."

Fleur widened her eyes at him, then groaned internally.

Not here. Not now.

"Christian..."

"It has been over twenty-four hours." His arms wrapped around her before she could react.

Guests throughout the ballroom immediately turned toward them.

Whispers erupted.

Fleur wanted the floor to open and swallow her whole.

Christian seemed completely unaware. Or more likely, completely indifferent to his surroundings. The Alpha King’s wolf was far too pleased to care.

"Let her go." Damien’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.

The warmth vanished from the atmosphere instantly.

Christian’s eyes lifted. The two men stared at each other.

One a royal duke. The other––a feared Alpha King. Neither inclined to back down.

Damien placed a firm hand on Christian’s shoulder. Christian immediately shrugged it off. The warning growl that escaped him was low enough that only nearby wolves could hear it.

"Stay out of this, Damien."

The duke’s expression hardened. "You entered my territory uninvited."

The royal authority in his voice was unmistakable. "I can have you removed."

Christian smiled. The expression contained absolutely no humor.

"You can try."

The challenge ignited immediate tension between them. Several nearby guests wisely began creating distance.

Fleur recognized disaster when she saw it. And these two men were seconds away from becoming one.

"Enough."

Both immediately looked at her. She pointed toward Christian first.

"Your shoulder is injured."

Then toward Damien. "And this is your charity gala." freewēbnoveℓ.com

Her expression grew pleading. "Please don’t turn this into a fight."

Silence followed. Finally, Fleur turned toward Damien once more.

"I’m sorry."

His expression immediately softened.

"I think I need to leave."

Damien frowned. "What?"

"Christian shouldn’t be here." She lowered her voice. "And he definitely shouldn’t be causing trouble."

The duke looked unconvinced.

"I can handle him myself."

Fleur had no doubt he believed that. The problem was that Christian Wayne believed exactly the same thing.

And when two powerful Alpha males decided to prove a point, everyone around them suffered.

"My mother hasn’t arrived yet." Regret filled Damien’s voice. "Will you leave without meeting her?"

Guilt tugged at Fleur’s heart. "I truly am sorry." Her voice softened. "Please give Her Highness my apologies."

Damien studied her for several moments. Eventually, he sighed. Defeat settled into his expression.

"Very well."

Fleur sighed in relief. "Thank you."

She offered him a grateful smile. Then, with one final glance at the disappointed duke and the possessive Alpha watching her every move, she headed toward her suite to gather her belongings.

Unfortunately, she had a sinking feeling that leaving Fontainebleau would prove much easier than escaping Christian Wayne.