Chapter 190
Augustin’s POV
was wrestling with my cufflinks when I heard my mother enter the room. I paused, listening from the walk in closet as her footsteps approaches, siv wasn’t looking for me, her voice was directed at Juno. Rather than interrupt, I continued adjusting my formal wear, ears perked to catch their conte
My mother’s words about Cassandra struck something deep within me. She’d been trying to contact me, and I’d been ignoring her. Fremembered how Howen had come to my office three times. The last time, I’d banned her from entering my area altogether. I found her annoying, which was probably why Evanth couldn’t fully commit to his relationship with her.
If Evanth had met someone like Juno, perhaps he would have changed. The thought made me snort quietly, Elowen thinking I would see Cassandra was ridiculous. I already had my mate in Juno. Still, I appreciated my mother taking initiative to handle this problem.
When my mother left, I emerged from the closet to find Juno standing there, and the sight of her stole my breath away. She was stunning in her gown, her red hair cascading down her shoulders like liquid fire. My body responded instantly. If tonight’s event wasn’t so critical, I would have stripped that dress from her body and taken her right there.
I trusted Juno completely. But I was relieved Kieran wouldn’t be attending tonight, though Bryloch had arranged surveillance just in case. Once these games were over, Glenn and Azalea would pay for inviting him without my permission.
When we arrived at the ballroom, all eyes turned to us. I heard the whispers but chose to ignore them. Most came from jealous people trying to make juna look like a gold–digger. I was glad she either couldn’t hear them or chose to ignore them.
We joined my friends, their partners, and my mother at our table.
I watched as the Forestvale Alphas stormed out of the hall, glaring at Bryloch and Adryx. I suspected they were Scarlett and Freya’s former mates. The Alphas lined up to pay their respects to me. When Matthew’s turn came, I could see he was in bad shape.
He had dark circles under his eyes, and his gaze was lifeless.
Juno and I danced, socialized, and enjoyed ourselves at the party. When we returned to our table, Cassandra walked in.
She looked elegant, and I knew it was deliberate. I was slightly annoyed they had allowed her to attend. As I contemplated how to handle Cassandra, I caught the scent.
Fenris, my wolf, began to growl and thrash in my mind. I felt an overwhelming joy and tried to fight against it, but my eyes remained fixed on Cassandra. In that moment, everything else faded away. I wanted only to touch her, kiss her, my entire system went haywire.
Our eyes met, and I couldn’t stop myself from saying, “Mate.”
She smiled and mouthed back, “Mate.”
I wanted to take her away from there. I saw swirls of color around her, blurring the crowd, focusing me only on her. Someone tried to mind–link me, closed myself off, wanting only Cassandra.
but I
I vaguely heard someone calling my name in fear, but I didn’t care. Fenris kept saying “mate,” and Cassandra’s scent filled my senses. I knew something was wrong, but couldn’t pinpoint what.
As she approached our table, Fenris called her name in my mind. I knew I needed to regain control. Fenris had completely taken over my animalistic side, and I began fighting him, though I didn’t understand/why. It just felt wrong.
I started resisting Cassandra’s scent as it overwhelmed me. With each breath of her fragrance, all the emotions I’d buried and tried to forget came rushing back. Memories of our past filled my mind, those carefree days when we planned our future, hoping fate would make us mates.
But then I remembered she had left me, breaking my heart, and I had tried to move on.
Juno appeared in my thoughts, from the first time I’d lifted her chin to look into her eyes, to the promises I’d made her, our baby, and her fears. I knew I had to fight this.
