Chapter 130
Juno’s POV
Back in our room, 1 broke down completely. Sobs wracked my body as 1 collapsed onto the bed.
Scarlett sat beside me, hey face pinched with concern. She leaned in and sniffed. “I smell someone else on you. Did something happen? Did someone Buset
You?
‘No, it’s worse, I managed between sobs. “So much worse.‘
Tell me, Juno,” she demanded, grabbing my shoulders. What the hell happened out there?”
I shook my head, trying to regain my composure enough to speak. I… I met my fated mate tonight.
“What?” Scarlett’s jaw dropped. “No fucking way.”
“Yes.”
“No. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Are you absolutely certain?”
“Yes. Completely certain.”
“Holy. Shit.” Scarlett ran her hands through her hair. “But how did you know? How can you be sure?”
I nodded, tears streaming down my face. “I let him kiss me. He almost marked me. And I… I liked it.”
“Fuck, Juno.”
“I know,” I sobbed. “I betrayed Augustin. How could I do this to him?”
“Did you… did you go further than a kiss?” Scarlett asked hesitantly.
“No!” I exclaimed. “Just the kiss. But it’s still a betrayal. I let another man touch me, Scar.”
She grabbed my shoulders. “Listen to me, Juno. You did something very brave tonight. No Alpha could have done what you did. A kiss is better than running away with your fated mate, isn’t it?”
I hiccupped through my tears. “I guess.”
“Wash his scent off and forget about it: No need to tell Augustin unless it’s really important to you.”
“What if-
“Who was it? Scarlett interrupted. ‘Do I know him?”
I hesitated before answering. “Kieran Halloway.”
Scarlett’s eyes bulged. “Holy fuck! Kieran? As in Kieran ‘Fang‘ Halloway? The Alpha of Fireland? THAT Kieran?”
I nodded miserably. “Yes, that one.”
“Are you absolutely certain?” she pressed. “This isn’t just some mistake or confusion?”
“Yes,” I said softly. “And it makes sense, given everything.”
“Well, that explains a lot,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief. “His weird behavior at that party dinner. Why you couldn’t feel him because of Matthew’s
mark.”
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Chapter 130
She paced the room. “No wonder he attacked Levenston Manor. And why people were curious about your relationship.”
“Yeah.
“So all that animosity between Kieran and Augustin wasn’t just about territory,” she muttered. It was about you all along.
“I guess so, I admitted “Though they didn’t know it.”
“Why didn’t he mark you at the party? I mean, that would have been the perfect moment.”
He wanted the perfect timing. I explained. “He told me tonight that he regrets not claiming me when he had the chance.
“And now?”
“He accepted that I’ve chosen Augustin.”
“His loss. Scarlett shrugged. “He should have known to seize the opportunity when it presented itself.”
I stared at my hands. “What if Augustin finds his fated mate? What if he asks me to accept sharing?”
“Don’t worry about things that haven’t happened yet,” Scarlett advised, sitting back down beside me. “I don’t think you sacrificed for the wrong person. And even if that happens, you’re strong enough to handle it.”
“But what if I’m not?” I whispered. “I’ve already lost one mate to a fated bond. I don’t think I could survive losing another.”
“Augustin isn’t Matthew,” she reminded me gently. “And that bridge doesn’t even exist yet, so why are you trying to cross it?”
She squeezed my shoulder. “Live in the present. Tomorrow’s problems are beyond our control. Let things unfold as they will.”
“But-
“No buts,” she interrupted firmly. “What does your heart tell you about Augustin?”
“That he loves me,” I admitted softly.
“Exactly. Augustin loves you now. That’s unlikely to change.” She stood up. “Let’s get you a bath and pack our things. Tomorrow you’ll need Augustin’s comfort, and then we should visit a doctor.”
After a warm bath that helped wash away Kieran’s scent, I felt physically better though my mind still raced with worries. Juliet brought us food, which we gratefully accepted.
‘I’ve brought some herbal tea as well,” Juliet said softly. “It might help with your fever.”
“Thank you,” I managed, my voice hoarse. “You’re very kind.”
‘Is there anything else you need?” she asked, her eyes full of concern.
“This is perfect,” Scarlett assured her.
Alpha Elton came to check on us later. Scarlett did most of the talking, telling him my condition had worsened and I needed rest.
“We’d like to leave at five in the morning, if possible,” she added.
“Of course, Elton said. “I’ll make the arrangements. Are you sure there’s nothing else we can do for you here?”
“We appreciate the offer,” Scarlett replied, “but I think she needs to get back to her Alpha.*
Elton nodded. “Thank you for staying and participating in our festival. I hope to see you again soon.”
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Chapter 130
“We wouldn’t miss the luncheon at Levenston Manor, I assured him, summoning a weak smile.
I’ll be there, he promised. And please, send Alpha King Augustin my regards.
I tossed and turned all night, unable to find comfort in sleep. My mind kept replaying the kiss with Kieran, and guilt gnawed at me like a hungry beast.
We woke around six the next morning, later than planned. My condition had deteriorated overnight. My body burned with fever, and every movement sent waves of nausea through me.
Do you think this is because I rejected my fated mate?‘ I whispered to Scarlett as she helped me dress.
“I think it’s because you’re sick,‘ she replied firmly. ‘Let’s get you home to Augustin.”
“But what if rejecting the bond did this to me?” I persisted, wincing as she helped me into my shirt. “What if I’m being punished?”
“No. Now stop overthinking and focus on getting better.”
Roy drove us to Verdantia, where we would take the private jet back to Clifflands. I spent most of the car ride vomiting, my skin burning hot to the touch.
“You okay back there, Luna?” Roy called, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.
“She’ll be fine once we get her home,” Scarlett answered for me, holding my hair back.
“I wonder if Kieran is affected too,” I murmured between bouts of sickness.
“Why would you care about that right now?” Scarlett asked incredulously.
“Because it might explain what’s happening to me,” I replied weakly.
Scarlett rubbed my back soothingly. “Maybe. But I think this is mostly your illness, Juno.”
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