Fuared of the man of territories spread across my desk.
back this, I muntered, shoving the maps aside. Papers scattered across the floor, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.
For need a break, Storm growled in my mind.
He was right. For weeks, I’d been obsessing over strategies, over ways to strengthen our position against Clifflands, over how to get fumo back. The Constant planning was driving me insane.
My phone buzzed with a message from Elton. The festival in Dawnshere was starting tonight. I’d declined his invitation weeks ago, too busy with territory matters to consider leaving. But now…
“You’re right, I said, answering Storm. “Four days in Dawnshere. That’s what we need.”
Four days away from this office. Four days to clear our head.
I messaged Elton back immediately: “Changed my mind. Arriving tonight.”
His response came seconds later: “Excellent! The celebrations are just getting started.”
The decision lifted a weight from my chest. Four days in Dawnshere, away from the constant reminders of failure. Four days to think clearly about our next move against Levenston.
The festival lights of Dawnshere glittered against the night sky as I arrived. Music pulsed through the streets, the scents of food and alcohol and celebration hanging thick in the air. Alpha Elton met me at the entrance to his territory, clasping my hand in both of his.
“Alpha Kieran! I’m thrilled you reconsidered,” he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You look like shit, by the way.”
I barked out a laugh. “Thanks. That’s why I’m here.”
“Well, you picked the right time.” Elton guided me through the crowded streets. “We’ve got food, music, games… exactly what you need to unwind.”
I nodded, breathing in the festive atmosphere. Already, I could feel some of the tension leaving my shoulders. Storm stirred eagerly within me, enjoying the energy of the crowd.
‘Oh, and you’ll never guess who else is here,” Elton said casually.
Something in his tone made me stop walking. “Who?”
Alpha Matthew’s ex–wife, the current fiancée of the Alpha King.” His eyes glinted with mischief. “Juno Warden.”
My heart stopped.
I fought to keep my voice steady. “Juno is in Dawnshere? Why?”
‘Levenston sent her to conduct peace negotiations.” Elton explained. “Alone.”
What? Either he trusts her completely…or he doesn’t care if something happens to her, I thought.
Storm’s rage echoed my own. If he’s harmed her…
“She doesn’t look well,” Elton added quietly. “Pale. Tired. I don’t know what’s going on in Clifflands, but…”
I didn’t need to hear more. My protective instincts roared to life, drowning out all reason.
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Chapter 141
A lapsed in cyrbović. Alpha Kieran, careful now than here on vititial business.
Im not going to imerfere with her work, I said, “I just want to see her.‘
ቤት need to take her. Sher ours, The Mon Goddess govt het 16 ነቲ
Tilenced Storm with effort. Not yet. First, I needed to see her, to understand what was happening.
She’s staying at the guest house on the north side, Elton finally said. “But Alpha Kieran, don’t make me regret telling you.
Inodded, already planning. I just want to talk to her. That’s all.
It wasn’t all. But Elton didn’t need to know that.
I spent hours preparing. The gardens behind the north guest house bloomed with late summer flowers, the perfect setting for a reunion. I arranged for roses to be placed along the walking paths – not too many, not too obvious, just enough to create the right atmosphere.
And then I waited, letting my scent drift on the evening breeze. Juno would recognize it. Her wolf would respond to it, would draw her to me before she even realized what was happening.
I closed my eyes, remembering her scent – sweet cream roses, delicate yet undeniable. When we first met at that party, when I first realized she was my fated mate, her scent had been muted, hidden beneath the mark of another Alpha. Now, I wondered how much stronger it would be.
We don’t need to wait for the Purplemoon ceremony, Storm insisted. The Moon Goddess has already blessed us. We can mark her tonight.
“If she agrees,” murmured.
She will agree. She must feel the pull as strongly as we do.
A twig snapped nearby. I opened my eyes to see her standing at the edge of the garden path, her red hair gleaming like fire in the fading light. Juno. My
mate.
My throat closed up at the sight of her. She was more beautiful than I remembered, but Elton was right – she looked tired, her skin too pale, her body too thin. What had Levenston done to her?
Her eyes widened when she saw me, and tears immediately welled up, Her reaction sent pain shooting through my chest. Those weren’t tears of joy.
“Kieran,” she whispered, taking a half–step back.
I stepped forward, fighting every instinct that screamed at me to claim her, mark her, make her mine.
But her words cut through me like silver blades, every truth she spoke tearing open old wounds. She talked about our missed opportunity, about how I’d failed to fight for her when she was with Matthew, about how she’d found something real with Augustin.
I couldn’t deny any of it. I should have challenged Matthew that very night I realized Juno was my fated mate. I should have taken her away immediately. Instead, I’d stupidly believed in respecting their marriage, waiting for it to naturally end. I’d given Levenston the opening he needed to win her heart.
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I could see it in the golden flecks emerging in Juno’s eyes, in the way her hands trembled. She was fighting her own nature to reject me.
In the end, she still rejected me, and I chose to accept her rejection. I know she loves Augustine very much, and I don’t want to force her.
I waited for the pain, for the weakness that should come from a fated mate’s rejection. Nothing happened. No physical agony, no draining of strength. Just the emotional devastation of losing her all over again.
She’s lying! Take her! Storm raged. She belongs with us!
But I couldn’t. Not like this. Not against her will.
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Chapter 141
I wanted turn to leave, Storm howling in protest within me.
I stepped forward and gave Juno another kiss. I told her that if she ever felt hurt, she could come to me anytime, and I would always support her,
Then I patted her cheek and turned to leave. And my heart shattered.
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