hapter 90
Juno’s POV
wiped sweat from my brow as I adjusted another flower arrangement on one of the many tables in the Levenston Manor ballroom The massive space was gradually transforming into a glamorous ven worthy of hosting the engagement of the Alpha King himself.
“Can we take a break?” Scarlett moaned, collapsing dramatically into a nearby chair. “My feet are killing me.”
Freya nodded in agreement, her usually pale complexion flushed with exertion. “We’ve been at this for nearly two days straight.”
I glanced around at our progress. The ballroom was nearly unrecognizable–crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, flowers adorned every surface, and elegant place settings marked each table. We’d been working tirelessly, only stopping for meals and sleep.
“Ten minutes,” I conceded, sinking into a chair beside Scarlett. “Then we treed to finish the seating arrangements.”
Amelia strode into the room carrying a tablet with the guest list. I’d been surprised at how helpful she’d become over the past weeks. The animosity she’d initially shown toward me had gradually softened into something resembling acceptance.
“Make it twenty,” Amelia said, setting the tablet.down. “We’ve earned it.”
She poured four glasses of wine from a nearby decanter, handing them around before taking a seat with us. Freya hesitated before accepting hers.
“I still don’t understand why Augustin won’t let me hire an event planner,” I sighed, taking a grateful sip. “This is exhausting.”
“Security,” Amelia replied simply. “The fewer outsiders in the manor, the better. Especially now.”
I didn’t push for details. I’d learned that when Augustin kept information from me, it was usually for my protection. Still, it seemed excessive to handle everything ourselves.
“Alpha men,” Scarlett rolled her eyes. “So stubborn.”
“And overprotective,” Freya added quietly.
“The Clifflands Alphas have always been particularly… intense,” Amelia said, swirling her wine. “Though I must say, my son is far more reasonable than his father was.”
“Better than the Forestvale Alphas,” Freya muttered. “Remember Quinn?”
She straightened her posture, puffing out her chest in a surprisingly accurate impression of her former mate. “Women are decorative creatures meant to serve and breed,” she mimicked in a deep, pompous voice.
We all burst into laughter, though mine was tinged with discomfort. remembered all too well how the Forestvale Alphas had behaved when Clifflands warriors came. How quickly they’d offered up their Lunas as peace offerings.
“We tried to warn them,” I said softly. “All of us women saw the danger coming. We even contacted Fireland for support.”
“But they wouldn’t listen,” Scarlett finished for me. “And we paid the price for their mistakes.”
A heavy silence fell over our group. Despite how things had turned out, the memory of that betrayal still stung.
Amelia cleared her throat, turning toward Freya. “So, how are things between you and our Gamma?”
Freya flushed, guilt flashing across her features. “We’re… complicated.”
1/2
Chapter 90
“I heard from the housemaids, that he’s been sleeping in another room, Amelia said casually.
I shocked at her directness.
Amelia shrugged unapologetically. “Gossip travels quickly in this house. You’d do well to remember that.”
“It’s fine,” Freya mumbled, staring into her wine glass. “We had a disagreement.”
“You know, both Bryloch and Adryx come from families that have served the Levenston line for generations,” Amelia said. “Their fathers held the same positions they do now. Beta and Gamma toles are passed down just like the Alpha kingship.”
“I didn’t know that,” I admitted.
“The rules that apply to my son apply to them as well,” Amelia continued, her gaze fixed on Freya. “They take their responsibilities very seriously.”
She took another sip of wine before speaking again. “In the old days Alphas treated their mates terribly. My husband and his friends… they participated in all sorts of revelry, inflicting pain for their own pleasure.”
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