Chapter 192
Matthew’s POV
She was breathtaking. Her red hair cascaded down her shoulders like liquid fire, her eyes bright with happiness. She wore a silver fishtail dress that hugged her curves perfectly, something I would never have allowed when she was with me. I had always insisted she dress conservatively, afraid other men would want her.
Augustin had no such insecurities. He let her shine, his hand possessively at her waist, his eyes filled with pride as he presented her to his kingdom.
I couldn’t tear my gaze away from her. My chest ached with longing, with regret for all I had thrown away through my own weakness.
“Juno, Zephyx, my wolf, whimpered, trying to reach out to her through our old bond.
There was nothing. No connection, no response. Just emptiness where our link had once been.
I blinked rapidly, fighting back tears as memories flooded my mind: Juno at sixteen, laughing as we raced through the forest; Juno at eighteen, walking toward me on our wedding day; fumo in our bed, her eyes filled with love as she whispered my name.
A single tear escaped, trailing down my cheek before I could wipe it away. I had done this. I had broken us.
Across the room, Juno’s eyes met mine. Then she smiled, a small, sad smile that said everything: goodbye, forgiveness, release.
Beside her, Augustin’s eyes narrowed slightly, his arm tightening around her waist.
I had doubted his intentions at first, worried he was using Juno as a political pawn or a temporary distraction. But the way he looked at her, it was real. He loved her.
And in that moment, my hatred for him dissolved. If he could give Juno what I couldn’t, then I could only be grateful.
I prayed he would never fail her as I had.
The moment shattered when a blonde woman in a pale yellow dress entered the ballroom. She wasn’t announced, but her entrance caused a stir nonetheless. She was beautiful in a conventional way–tall, slender, with perfect features and an air of confidence.
I might not have paid her much attention, except for one thing: Alpha King Augustin’s reaction.
His body went rigid, his eyes widening as they fixed on the newcomer. I recognized the expression immediately, it was the same one I’d worn when I first saw Isabelle. The look of a wolf recognizing his fated mate.
My stomach dropped. Not again. Not to Juno.
I glanced at her, seeing the fear and understanding dawn in her eyes. She had been through this before, and now history was repeating itself.
In that moment, I made a decision. I couldn’t let Juno suffer the public humiliation I had put her through. I couldn’t stand by and watch her heart break
again.
If Augustin wavered, if he showed any sign of choosing this blonde woman over Juno, I would create a distraction. I would demand that he release Juno to her own fated mate, Kieran, if he couldn’t honor his commitment to her. I would do what I should have done for her when Isabelle appeared: fight for her happiness.
But first, I needed to draw attention away from Juno’s reaction. Without hesitation, I stumbled forward, deliberately knocking over a table of drinks with a
loud crash.
“Whoops!” I slurred, pretending to be drunk. “My bad, everyone!”
Heads turned, laughter and whispers erupted. I made a spectacle of myself, playing the fool to give Juno a moment to compose herself. It was a small price to pay to spare her even a moment of pain
The distraction worked, but only briefly. All eyes soon returned to the unfolding drama between Augustin, Juno, and the blonde woman.
1/3.
Chapter 192
Augustin had moved toward the newcomer, his face a mask of fury rather than desire. He grabbed her arm roughly, speaking words I couldn’t hey but com guess from his expression. The woman paled, her confidence crumbling.
I watched, stunned, as Augustin publicly rejected her, his fated mate. Ite then turned back to Juno, taking her hand with unmistakable tenderness
The blonde woman collapsed to the floor, the pain of rejection hitting her. Juno, looking shaken but resolute, led Augustin from the ballroom.
I stood frozen, unable to believe what I had just witnessed. Augustin had done what I couldn’t, he had chosen love over fate. He had chosen jano,
A weight lifted from my chest. Juno had found her prince after all, and it wasn’t me. For the first time, I truly respected Augustin Levenston. He was a stronger man than I had ever been.
My guilt eased slightly, knowing Juno was in good hands. I had falled her, but she had found someone who wouldn’t.
The party continued after Augustin and Juno’s dramatic exit.
“Did you see that? I overheard a woman whisper to her companion. “He rejected his fated mate for her! It must be true love.”
“The way he looks at her, another replied, “I’ve never seen the Alpha King so devoted to anyone.”
I knew they wouldn’t return to the ball. Augustin would be in agony from the rejection, and Juno would be caring for him. I remembered the weeks after I
let Juno go, how I’d slept constantly, anything to escape the emptiness. Only marking Isabelle again had restored my strength.
Augustin would mark Juno during the full moon, and his strength would return. I took comfort in knowing they would be alright.
“That was a fucking disaster,” Quinn growled as we returned to our hotel suite. “Did you see how they looked at us? Like we were nothing.
Maddox nodded grimly. “Scarlett didn’t even acknowledge me. After everything I did for her.”
I couldn’t hold back anymore. As soon as the door closed behind us, I burst into laughter.
“What’s so funny?” Quinn demanded.
“You two,” I gasped between laughs. “You actually thought you could waltz in here and reclaim women who are clearly happier without you? Women who have moved on to men who treat them well? And let’s not forget, you can’t even play polo! We’re going to get destroyed tomorrow.”
Quinn’s face contorted with rage. He lunged at me, but stopped short when Zephyx snarled.
“Don’t,” I warned,. “Don’t ever try that again.”
Maddox stepped between us. “Matthew, calm down. We’re all on edge.”
I shook my head, disgusted. “Quinn, go back to your room and appreciate what you have. Calla loves you. Stop chasing a woman who’s clearly found happiness with someone else.”
‘Fuck you,” Quinn spat, but he backed away.
I watched them retreat to their rooms, hoping they would wake up from their delusions before they embarrassed themselves further. Then I returned to my own room, pulling out my phone to call Isabelle.
I made a decision. It was time to stop living in the past.
2/3
The Broken Luna’s Sacrifice
