Chapter 75
Juno’s POV
Thesisit to Augustin’s mother had been eye–opening. Despite our Inredible moment in the car before arriving, my mind was still whirling with everything that had happened. Evanth’s sneering comment about me being Augustin’s “tribute still burned in my ears. Had Augustin not restrained himself, they might have come to blows right there in the entry hall.
Having spent a couple of hours with Luna Amelia, I could understand why Augustin worried about her returning to the manor. She was strong–willed and protective, but her clear favoritism toward Evanth created obvious tension. And now she wanted both sons living under the same roof.
“You’re quiet,” Augustin said.
“Just thinking,” I replied. “Your mother is… not what I expected.”
Before he could respond, Evanth and his girlfriend Elowen entered the room. Elowen clung to Evanth’s arm, her eyes widening with fear when she spotted Augustin.
“Mother, I didn’t know we were having guests,” Evanth said, his voice strained.
“Your brother and his future Luna came for lunch,” Luna Amelia replied. “Elowen, dear, this is Augustin, Alpha King of Clifflands, and his mate, Juno.”
Elowen gave a nervous curtsy. “It’s an honor to meet you both.”
Evanth cleared his throat. “Mother, have you informed the Alpha King about our situation?”
“I have,” she replied. “With conditions.”
Evanth’s face hardened. “What conditions? He has no right to dictate terms about family property.”
“That’s enough, Evanth,” Luna Amelia said. “Your brother is the lord of Clifflands and Alpha King. He has every right to establish rules.” Her eyes narrowed. “Your jealousy is showing.”
“Jealousy?” Evanth looked genuinely confused. “Why would you think I’m jealous?”
“Because you lied about your brother and his mate,” Luna Amelia snapped. “Telling anyone who would listen that Augustin was behaving improperly, that Juno was a burden, that he was neglecting his duties.” She shook her head in disgust. “Helena visited me just last week and had nothing but praise for Augustin’s leadership. And you will show Juno the respect she deserves, as your brother’s chosen mate and the future Luna Queen of Clifflands.”
I watched the interaction with fascination. Luna Amelia was clearly a force to be reckoned with, and I could see where Augustin got his strength of character.
Later, as we sat in Luna Amelia’s study, she pulled out a leather–bound album.
I’ve been waiting for a chance to show these to you, Juno,” she said with a warm smile. “These are Augustin’s baby pictures.”
My heart squeezed as she opened the album. Tiny Augustin with his big gray eyes and tuft of black ha.. .ooked back at me, and suddenly I wanted a baby–our baby–with an intensity that took my breath away.
The memory of Matthew telling me Isabelle was pregnant flashed through my mind, and the pain of that betrayal echoed faintly. But as I looked at Augustin beside me, I felt only gratitude that fate had given me a second chance.
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Augustin’s hand found mine wider the table, his thumb tracing gente circles on my palm. He understood.
I want them too, Berry. Our cubs with your red hair and my eyes, his voice whispered through our bond, and tears sprang to my eyes.
blinked them away before Amelia could notice. He was adorable,” said instead. “Did he cry a lot as a baby?
As Amelia launched into stories of infant Augustin, I tried to focus, it my mind kept wandering to Elowen. When I learned she was Cassandra’s cousin, my distrust deepened.”
I trusted Augustin completely, but Elowen? Not a chance. And knowing Evanth would be moving into the manor meant I’d have to deal with her regularly.
What if Cassandra came to visit her cousin? The thought made my stomach clench. I knew what she’d done still hurt Augustin, even if he wouldn’t admit it. I hoped she’d stay far away from us, preferably married with a litter of children by now.
“You must stay for dinner,” Amelia insisted as the afternoon waned.
Augustin shook his head. “We can’t, Mother. We have an interrogation with the Elders‘ Council tomorrow morning
My stomach dropped. The interrogation. Bryloch had warned us it would be intense.
“According to Bryloch, they’ll question Scarlett, Freya, and me thoroughly about Elder Helena’s death,” I said.
“Will you be alright?” Luna Amelia asked, concern evident in her eyes.
I nodded. As long as Evanth isn’t the one questioning me, I’ll be fine
The drive back to the manor was quiet, both of us lost in thought about the new complications Evanth and his mother would bring to our lives. As soon as we entered our bedroom, Augustin pulled me against him, his lips finding mine in a desperate kiss.
“No one will hurt you,” he murmured against my mouth. “I won’t let them.”
“I know,” I whispered, trusting him completely.
We showered together, washing away the day’s tensions, before heading down to dinner.
The meal was unusually silent. I suspected Augustin had already told Bryloch and Adryx about Evanth’s impending move through their mind–link, judging by their grim expressions. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one who disliked Evanth.
“How can you all be so calm?” Freya finally burst out. “That man locked us in cages and tried to frame us for murder, and now he’s moving in? Am I the only one who sees how insane this is?”
I had no answer for her. I was scared too, but I trusted Augustin wouldn’t let Evanth harm us.
“Tomorrow will be a long day,” Augustin announced as dinner ended. “Everyone should get some rest.”
Back in our room, I’d barely slipped into my nightgown when I felt Augustin behind me, his scent already heavy with primal
possession.
You smell especially tempting tonight, he said through our link, his fingers tracing my curves. Like ripe. es waiting to be picked.
When we got into bed, Augustin didn’t immediately pull me into his arms as usual. Instead, he slid down to the foot of the bed and disappeared under the covers.
I gasped as his lips and tongue found my most sensitive spot. “Augustin, I thought we were supposed to sleep early…” My protest
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dissolved into a moan.
Sleep is for tomorrow, he growled in my mind. Right now, I want to make you happy.
What followed was like a storm–wild, powerful, and all–consuming Augustin showed a possessiveness and dominance I’d never doon before, making no secret of his desire. It was the most wild, passionate sex we’d had yet,
Seraphine howled in pleasure in my mind as I surrendered completely to the primal joy of it all.
C
Afterward, I curled against Augustin’s chest, my fingers tracing the wolf tattoo on his shoulder. It hit me then that Augustin was already thinking about getting me pregnant. I stopped taking birth control, which meant our efforts might bear fruit soon.
The thought filled me with Both
Citement and nervousness as
I drifted off to sleep.
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