Chapter 134
Augustin’s POV
Mother’s voice haunted. Your father had Liliana locked in the dungeon. One night, in a drunken tage over Ainsley’s death, he went down there and filled Liliana himself.
“He shoukl have let her stand trial,‘ I said quietly. “That’s our law,”
“Yes. It was against our laws, but the incident was covered up. The official story was that Liliana killed herself out of guilt. She twisted her hands in her lap, Vance Riddick has hated the Levenston family ever since. He believes his mother was unjustly killed, that your father should have been punished for taking the law into his own hands. She looked at me pointedly.
“So many enemies, I murmured.
“Too many, Mother agreed. “Our family has made more enemies than friends over generations. Your grandfather, your father… they ruled through fear rather than respect.”
“Sending Juno to the Riddicks was a mistake,” Mother continued. “If they realized who she was, who she belonged to, they might have tried to kill her.”
Rage boiled in my chest. “If they’ve poisoned her, I’ll destroy them. I’ll burn their entire territory to the ground. I don’t care about politics or alliances. No one touches what’s mine.”
Alpha King, Adryx’s voice came through our link. The Council has sent enforcers to take Evanth and Theron to the Council prison for tomorrow’s hearing. They’re at the manor gates now.
I stood immediately. Mother noticed my change in posture. “What is it?”
“Council business,” I said shortly. “I need to go.”
She nodded, rising as well. “I understand. Before I go, Juno likes yogurt and fruit in the morning. And smoked salmon salad for lunch. I’ll have the kitchen prepare it.”
I looked at her in surprise.
“She’s lost weight, Mother explained. “She needs to eat well, especially now.”
“Thank you,” I said simply.
We walked out together. Despite knowing Mother meant no harm now, I didn’t want her to be the first person Juno saw when she woke up.
Scarlett, Freya, I called through our pack bond. Juno is still sleeping. Can you sit with her? I need to deal with the Council’s enforcers.
They both acknowledged immediately. I headed toward the dungeon.
I found Bryloch already in the dungeon when I arrived. Evanth stood in chains, fear evident in his eyes. Four Council enforcers in their formal gray uniforms waited with stony expressions.
“Alpha King Levenston,” their leader said, bowing his head slightly. “Councilor Azalea has requested the prisoners be moved to Council custody in preparation for tomorrow’s hearing.”
“Request denied,” I said flatly.
The enforcer blinked, clearly not expecting resistance. “Sir, with respect, this is standard procedure in treason cases. The accused should be held in neutral territory until the hearing.”
“And who determined my dungeon isn’t neutral?” I asked.
“I… no one, Alpha King,” the man stammered. “It’s just protocol that-”
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Chapter 134
Cill be préilding merr Combreroma hearing myself Termoted. The prisoners will remain hits, under my personal imperdidion entered Teprestance at the appointed time
The Council typically handles criminal matters-
The Councd serves at my pleasure, I cut in. And these are my family members, accused of crimes against me personally. If the Council has any skler tiện to how I handle this matter, they can address them to me directly. In person.”
The enterers swallowed visibly. Councilor Azalea was most insistent that
1 don’t care if she was breathing fire,” 1 growled. “My word is final,”
The man hesitated, then bowed deeply. “As you wish, Alpha King.”
After they left, Bryloch turned to me. “Why is the Council so eager to convict your brother? They’re acting like they want this done before anyone can look too closely.
I glanced at Evanth, who was watching me with wary hope. Because someone is trying to cover their tracks by making him a scapegoat. It’s convenient to
have a Levenston to blame.”
You know who’s behind it?”
“We have suspicions. Juno and I have been investigating. We’ve found… disturbing connections.” I looked directly at Evanth. If not for Juno insisting you might be innocent, I would have let the Council handle you. She was the one who pointed out that the evidence was too perfect, too convenient.”
“Juno defended me?” Evanth asked, disbelief in his voice. “After how I’ve treated her??
“She has more honor than you deserve,” I said coldly. “She saw what I was too angry to see.”
Evanth swallowed hard, looking away.
“You’ve spent your whole life opposing me, trying to prove I’m incompetent,” I continued. “And look where it’s gotten you. Chained in my dungeon, facing execution for treason. Was it worth it? Did Quentor’s approval mean that much to you?”
Shame colored his face. “I never wanted–I didn’t think it would go this far. I just wanted to be seen, to matter in this family.”
‘Save it,” I interrupted. “We’ll discuss everything tomorrow. For now, just know that your life hinges on Juno’s instincts being right about you.”
Double the guards on Theron and my brother, I ordered Bryloch and Adryx through our link. No accidents before tomorrow.
Both acknowledged my command.
With one last look at Evanth, I turned and headed back upstairs to Juno.
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