Aurélie POV
I jolt into a low crouch, muscles coiling instinctively as my wolf surges forward until the sharp edge of alertness softens with the scent that reaches me.
“Just a fox,” I murmur.
Maurice inhales the air, then nods, relaxing beside me.
Still keeping low, he moves closer and settles against the tree. “So… keeping his children from him. Was that meant as punishment?”
I stiffen. “Punishment?” I echo, confused by the direction of his thoughts.
“For attacking your pack.”
My brow arches sharply. “You heard about that?”
“The attack, yes. Everyone did.” His lips twitch as he continues. “But there’s been talk rumours that Damien was the one who orchestrated it…”
He lets out a quiet chuckle.
The sound slices straight through me.
“You think that’s funny?” I hiss, fury bleeding
