Chapter 41
Juno’s POV
1 looked at Augustin. “Did I make you promise something last night)
“It wasn’t you,” he replied. “It was Seraphine. And you’re better off not knowing.”
“Juno,” my wolf finally responded, sounding embarrassed. “Why did you have to remember that?”
“You really should tell her,” Bryloch grinned. “She’s going to find out eventually.”
Augustin sighed. “Fine. We got a call that you were on the windows in your room. When we arrived, the place was wrecked. There was vomit everywhere, broken furniture, and you were fully shifted.”
“When Seraphine same, she started crying,” he continued uncomfortably. “Called me all sorts of names – bastard, asshole.
My face heated. “I’m so sorry.”
He waved it off. “Then she demanded to know why I didn’t find you attractive, why I preferred Eliza to you. When I tried to explain, she threatened to jump out the window.”
My eyes widened in horror. “I wouldn’t have actually-”
“We know,” Adryx cut in. “But you were very convincing.”
“I begged her not to jump,” Augustin continued, blushing slightly. “She said she’d only come down if I promised to be intimate with you all night.”
Scarlett snorted loudly while Freya tried to hide her smile.
“When I finally got close enough, you passed out in my arms, Augustin finished. “That’s when I brought you to my room.”
I wanted to sink through the floor. “Seraphine, what were you thinking?”
“That he was being stupid and needed a push,” she replied. “Though I didn’t expect that drink to make me feel so strange. It was like I was floating outside my body.”
That wasn’t normal, even for strong alcohol. Something had been wrong with that drink.
“I’m never drinking again,” I muttered, and everyone laughed.
After breakfast, Augustin led me to the training room. I hesitated at the door, remembering the silver I’d seen. Silver weakened werewolves, and Clifflands warriors trained with it to build resistance.
“Don’t worry,” Augustin said. “We’ll start slow.”
The training was brutal – not because Augustin pushed too hard, but because my body felt impossibly weak. Every movement was a struggle.
“What’s wrong with me?” I gasped after failing a simple sequence for the third time. “I used to be better than this.”
“How long has it been since you trained properly?”
1/3
Chapter 41
I realized with shock that it had been months since before Matthe found Isabelle. He’d gradually stopped our training sessions with excuses I’d blindly accepd.
“Too long.” I admitted, frustration burning in my chest.
Augustin squeezed my shoulder. “We’ll fix it. This is just the beginning.
After training, he joined me in the shower. As the water ran over us he kissed my temple.
“I’ve arranged something special for this afternoon, he said, excitement in his voice.
The “something special‘ was a small picnic in the east gardens of Levenston Manor. Despite the chill, it was beautiful- late autumn flowers still blooming, a small table with covered dishes, and blankets draped over the chairs.
Several people wandered the gardens, particularly women from the manor, but none approached us.
“This is unexpected, said.
Augustin guided me to my seat. “In a good way, I hope.”
“Definitely good,” I smiled. “Though a bit cold for a picnic.”
He opened a covered dish revealing tiny pastries and sandwiches. “The cold makes the hot chocolate better, he replied, pouring me a steaming mug.
My surprise must have shown.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
“How did you know I like hot chocolate?”
He smiled slightly. “Let’s just say I had some guidance on how to properly court you.”
Matthew. He’d told Augustin what I liked. I waited for the familiar ache, but it didn’t come. Instead, I felt warmth that Matthew had cared enough to help, and that Augustin had cared enough to ask.
“Thank you,” I said softly. “This is perfect.”
As we ate, Augustin moved closer, our thighs touching beneath the blanket. When he leaned in to kiss me, I deliberately deepened it, knowing the watching women could see.
When we broke apart, Augustin chuckled. “You wanted them to see that, didn’t you?”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
His grin widened. “Making a statement?”
“Just clearing up any confusion,” I replied innocently.
We sat in comfortable silence, sipping our hot chocolate. Finally, I asked the question burning inside me.
“Why me? Out of all the women you could have chosen, why pick the Luna of a conquered pack?”
Augustin’s expression grew serious. “You know Clifflands tradition. The Lunas of conquered territories are distributed among the top three officials.”
2/3
Chapter 41
I nodded.
“In my father’s time, he would sleep with them all to demonstrate h dominance. Even if they had claimed mates. It was a public display of conquest.”
That’s barbaric.
A
“When I took over, I put an end to that practice. I don’t believe that violating women from conquered territories is a good way to demonstrate authority–it’s simply inhumane. The women were brought here to serve the pack, not to be violated.”
“But you didn’t assign me any duties,” I pointed out.
His gaze intensified. “Because from the moment I into that room, I was drawn to you. Fenris claimed you as his before I even understood what I was feeling.”
He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, fingers lingering on my cheek. “It wasn’t a conscious decision, Berry. It was instinct.”
The honesty in his voice made my heart race. When he kissed me again, there was nothing performative about it. His mouth moved against mine hungrily, his hand curling around my neck.
When his lips moved to my throat, hovering over the spot where a mating mark would go, I tilted my head instinctively. Instead of biting down, he sucked gently, teeth scraping the skin.
Pleasure shot through me. I whimpered, clutching his shoulders.
“Soon,” he whispered, pulling back to meet my eyes.
We both knew that if we’d been alone, I wouldn’t have accepted that answer. My body needed his touch, his claim.
He grinned, flashing perfect teeth, and pulled me against him as we turned back to the view. But I remained acutely aware of his scent, his warmth, and the promise in his eyes.
We stayed until sunset, returning to the manor as the chill became too much. Despite the frustrating training session, it had been the best day I’d had in a long time. As we walked back, I hoped Augustin would finish what he’d started, finally claiming me completely.
The attraction between us was undeniable. There was no reason to keep holding back. As far as I was concerned, the pursuit phase was officially over.
“About time you figured that out,” Seraphine huffed. “Now let’s just hope he doesn’t make us wait too much longer.”
For once, my wolf and I were in perfect agreement.
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