Chapter 13
Juno’s POV
“Quinn was accused of attacking the Lakeside aren occupied by Cliffiends. He thought we had already allied with the Fireland and didn’t need to fear them. But Kieran didn’t show up, he went dark, so we couldn’t wait for him to come help us.”
“So we’re paying for Quinn’s stupidity?” I clenched my fists. Seraphine stirred within me.
“The fighting started at Emberhill Pack,” Matthew continued, already moving to grab emergency supplies. “If Maddox’s defenses fall,
we’re next.”
“Scarlett,” I whispered, thinking of my friend who’d been mated to Maddox. “Is she-
“I don’t know,” Matthew cut me off. “We need to prepare. Now.”
The shrill sound of the alarm cut through the air, making all three of us freeze. One long howl followed by three short ones the signal that Emberhill’s defenses had fallen. They were coming for us next,
“Isabelle, go to the shelter, Matthew ordered, turning to his mate. Stay there until I come for you.”
.I stared at him in disbelief. “Are you serious? She’s your Luna. She should be fighting alongside you.”
Juno, not now,” Matthew snapped, his eyes flashing with authority. felt the Alpha command like a physical pressure, but refused to back down.
“If I’m still expected to fight for this pack, why isn’t she?” I demanded. “I trained for years to be your Luna in battle. Did she get any training at all?”
Isabelle shifted uncomfortably, her eyes downcast.
“We don’t have time for this,” Matthew growled. “You, shift. We need to meet them at the eastern border.”
I planted my feet firmly. “No. Why is she hiding while I’m fighting? What kind of Luna runs from battle?”
Matthew’s face with frustration. “Damn it, Juno! She can’t fight because-”
“Because what? She’s not capable? Then you should have taught her!
“Because she’s pregnant!” Matthew roared.
The world stopped spinning. Matthew’s words sharp as knives.
“What?
“Isabelle is pregnant,” Matthew repeated.
الشراع
I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. My legs wobbled beneath me as I sank back onto the couch.
You got her pregnant I stated flatly.
Matthew nodded, not meeting my eyes.
“After seven years of being careful with me,” I continued, tears welling up. “Seven years of herbs and precautions. And with her…
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what? A few months?”
*Juno, please
No. 1 shook my head, tears now streaming down my face. “I’m not ping with you.”
“Juno, the pack needs-
“The pack has its Luna,”
nat stomach. “Why wo.. Shapped, gesturing toward Isabelle, who stood frozen in the corner, one hand protectively over her still-
I go with you two? What am I to you now? The third wheel to your happy little family?”
“It’s not like that, Matthew insisted, reaching for my hard. I jerked way from his touch.
“Then what is it like, Matthew? Because from where I’m standing, it looks pretty damn clear.”
“We can have a child too,” he blurted out. “If that’s what you want.”
I laughed bitterly. Are you listening to yourself? This isn’t about babies. This is about the fact that you’ve moved on completely while keeping me hanging on the sidelines. I’m tired of it. None of u are happy like this. Not you, not me, not even her.”
Isabelle flinched at my words, and for a moment, I saw agreement in her eyes before she looked away.
“You don’t mean that,” Seraphine whispered in my mind. “We love him
“Love isn’t enough anymore,” I responded.
The crash of our front door being kicked in ended our argument instantly. The sharp, spicy scent of unfamiliar wolves filled the house – Clifflands wolves. Their reputation for brutality and strength wasn’t exaggerated. Four massive warriors burst into our living
room.
Matthew didn’t hesitate. With a fierce growl, he dropped to all fours, his body contorting in the quick transformation to his wolf
form. In seconds, Zephyx stood before us.
I moved to shift as well, but one of the warriors was on me before I could begin the transformation. The others converged on Zephyx. He fought valiantly, ripping into the arm of one attacker, but he was quickly overwhelmed by their coordinated assault. A large black wolf slammed him against the wall with a sickening crack Zephyx crumpled to the floor, a whimper escaping his bloody
muzzle.
“Please don’t kill him!” Isabelle screamed, cowering in the corner. “Please!”
The warriors ignored her pleas.
“This one will make a fine trophy for Alpha King,” A leader warrior said, nudging Matthew’s unconscious wolf body with his boot. “The conquered Alpha of Pineridge Pack.”
Trophy. The word hit me like ice. I knew what it meant. According to ancient tradition, conquered Alphas were killed publicly to show dominance. Matthew would be executed in Clifflands as a display of the Alpha King’s power.
“Wait!” I shouted, stepping forward despite the warrior’s grip on my arm. Take me instead.”
The leader turned toe, eyebrow raised. “And who might you be?”
“I’m Juno Warden, Luna of Pineridge Pack.” I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze steadily.
pressed on, “I volunteer as tribute. Take me as your spoil of war and let he live.”
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The leader studied me, his eyes traveling from my red hair down toy trembling hands.
“Yes.” I didn’t hesitate.
“You would exchange you for his life?”
“Juno, no! Isabelle’s voice broke into my mind through our pack bong “Don’t do this!”
I blocked her out, focusing only on the Clifflands warrior before me,
“A willing tribute, he mused. “Interesting. Alpha King might find th… amusing.”
“So we have a deal?” I pressed. “My life for his?”
He nodded slowly. “We accept your offer.”
い
Silver handcuffs burned against my wrists as they dragged me from the house. The metal was designed to weaken us, prevent shifting. I bit my lip to keep from crying out as the silver scorched my skin.
Behind me, Zephyx lay motionless on our living room floor. Not dead, but badly injured. Isabelle knelt beside him, tears streaming down her face as she stroked his fur.
I caught one last glimpse of our home. I hoped my sacrifice would be enough.
Maybe this was better for everyone. Maybe it was time for me to find a new path, far from the ruins of my old life.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked as the warriors.
“Clifflands, the leader replied simply.
Fear coiled in my heart at the name.
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