Chapter 76
Juno’s POV
The Cimands council building in Goldenvale was even more imposing in person than I’d imagined. Tall and majestic, the structure itself seemed designed to intimidate.
“It’s beautiful,” I murmured to Augustin as we approached.
He smiled, squeezing my hand. “Wait until you see inside.”
I couldn’t help but marvel at how advanced and organizel Clifflands was compared to Forestvale. This was truly the most developed, structured part of our world. It made sense that they led the other regions.
We were led into a small auditorium with box seats lining the walls counted twelve tiers of vertically stacked seating platforms. Evanth sat in one of the first–level boxes.
Our group was escorted to a large box also on the first level but opposite Evanth’s. From here, I could see the Elders‘ seats on the ground and an open area in the center for speakers, positioned so everyone could hear them.
It was a beautiful setup, too small for performances but clearly designed for formal proceedings.
A group of women approached our box, offering refreshments. From their attire, their intentions were obvious.
“Is this supposed to be a joke?” Scarlett hissed, glaring at one of the girls who was practically falling out of her top.
Bryloch noticed immediately and stepped forward. “We’d prefer male servers for our box,” he said firmly.
The women looked disappointed, and I couldn’t help but tease Augustin. “Your reputation precedes you, I whispered, nudging him.
“What do you mean?” he asked innocently.
“If I wasn’t in your life, would you pick one of those girls to warm your bed tonight?” I asked, only half–joking.
Augustin held my gaze. “I only pick quality,” he said, then lifted my hand to his lips in a surprisingly sensual gesture. He extended his tongue, running the tip along the back of my hand before pressing a second kiss to the spot.
My core tightened at the intimate gesture, imagining his tongue elsewhere on my body.
“Augustin,” I breathed, and he smiled, satisfied he’d reduced me to the state he wanted.
A woman approached our box. “The interrogation will begin shortly. The Forestvale Lunas should take their places.
I flinched at the title.
“They are not Forestvale Lunas,” Augustin corrected her, his voice cold. “Not anymore.”
“My apologies, Alpha King,” she said, bowing deeply.
Scarlett, Freya, and I were led to the center of the room to stand before the Elders‘ seats. I felt like we were the entertainment for this event.
Twelve Elders filed in, leaving one seat empty–Elder Helena’s. My heart ached for her.
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Chapter 76
The leader of the council, Sebastian Holbrooke, was a young Alpha who had clearly inherited his father’s position. He was the quietest of the group, and I suspected he wouldn’t be asking questions.
It dawned on me that these seas belonged to families, not nominate individuals. Otherwise, Sebastian wouldn’t he leading the council at his age.
Elder Quentor Westerfield spoke first. “Welcome to the Elders Council, Luna Juno,” he said, his voice deceptively friendly. “I believe we can dispense with pleasantries and get straight to the matter at hand.”
He cleared his throat. “Three days ago, Luna Amelia and Elder Helen were attacked in Luna Amelia’s home by soldiers from Fireland and Forestvale. Our warriors claim these men were looking for you, sent by Alpha Kieran Halloway, also known as Fang.” His eyes narrowed. “Please explain your relationship with Fang and how he knew to look for you at Luna Amelia’s home.”
My heart raced, but I kept my voice steady. “I was the Luna of Pineridge Pack, married to Alpha Matthew Harrington. I was given to Alpha King Augustin Levenston as a peace offering to resolve a misunderstanding between Clifflands and Forestvale.”
I took a deep breath. “I do not know Alpha Kieran Halloway. I met him once at a dinner party, and that’s the extent of our interaction. Since we arrived at Levenston Manor, the conditions for coming and going have been super strict. We can’t wander around or talk to outsiders. Before yesterday, I didn’t even know where Luna Amelia lived, and I have no connection to Elder Helena. I cannot explain what happened.”
Elder Quentor’s face hardened. “You’re lying to the council. That’s a crime in Clifflands.”
“I’m not lying,” I insisted.
“If you don’t confess, you and your companions will be severely punished for your crimes.”
“I haven’t done anything, so I won’t confess to anything,” I said, keeping my voice firm despite my racing heart.
“We intercepted letters from Alpha Maddox of Emberhill Pack to his Luna,” Quentor said, producing a stack of papers. “In these letters, Alpha Maddox tells his wife to write back, saying he knows she can because Luna Juno has been sending a letter about life in Clifflands to Alpha Matthew.”
My blood ran cold.
“What did you tell your husband about Clifflands, Luna Juno?” His voice was accusatory. “I suspect you told him everything he needed to know, which is why Forestvale’s leader, Alpha Matthew Harrington, sought help from someone who once defeated Clifflands in battle. He believed outside assistance could help him take you from Clifflands.”
“That’s all speculation,” I countered. “You have no actual evidence.”
“I have Alpha Maddox’s letters as proof,” Quentor insisted.
“STOP!” Augustin’s voice thundered from our box. “I instructed Juno to write a letter to her husband, which I personally mailed. She had no knowledge that my mother was in Goldenvale at the time.”
He stood, commanding the attention of everyone in the room. “I read that letter and kept a copy of its contents. And you cannot make assumptions based on the correspondence of a husband who misses his wife.”
e attackers have
Augustin’s eyes blazed with barely contained fury. “If Juno was the target, why kill Elder Helena? Would harmed both my mother and Helena? My investigation reveals a different story. My mother said the attackers never asked about Juno. They beat her and killed Helena before rendering her unconscious.”
He looked directly at Quentor. “This has nothing to do with Juno, Scarlett, or Freya. And I suggest the court stop referring to them as Forestvale Lunas.” His voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “Becaues they belong to my pack now, and Juno will soon be my
Luna.‘
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Chapter 76
Murmurs erupted throughout the room.
While I was proud of Augustin’s defense, I couldn’t help but think that announcing I’d be their Luna Queen wasn’t the best idea. These people harbored resentment toward Fireland, and in their eye the three of us represented both Forestvale and Fireland.
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