hapter 197
Juno’s POV
We made our way to the polo field, where the team rosters were displayed on tables. I scanned them quickly:
Lakeside Leviathans vs. Forestvale Foxes not Matthew’s team.
Fireland Phoenixes vs. Clifflands Condors–1 didn’t see Kieran’s name on the list. The South had three other teams.
There have been last–minute adjustments to the matchups, an announcer was saying over the speakers.
We were led to our private box, which was comfortable and shaded. I settled into a plush seat beside Augustin.
Adryx went to make sure our team will face Matthew’s, Augustin whispered to me.
I realized then that Adryx was fulfilling Freya’s wish to see Quinn defeated on the field. The first match began, and we watched from our bort. Augustin’s match was scheduled for tomorrow, so today we were just observing.
When Adryx returned, he was grinning from ear to ear.
“What did you do?” Bryloch asked, recognizing that look.
“Those amateurs wanted to withdraw from the tournament, Adryx explained, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “They didn’t understand that means they should add another sport to increase their chances of winning.”
“What did you do? Freya asked, catching his excitement.
“I signed them up for rugby,” Adryx said with wicked delight. “And I signed us up too, so we can beat them at both sports.
“You didn’t,” Bryloch said, starting to laugh.
“Oh, but I did,” Adryx confirmed, looking immensely pleased with himself. “Those forest dwellers have no idea what’s coming. They think they’re so clever trying to back out of polo because they can’t play, but now they’ll face us in a sport where we’ll absolutely destroy them.”
Bryloch, Augustin, and Adryx burst into laughter. They weren’t playing to win–they were playing to teach Matthew’s team a lesson.
I felt a twinge of sympathy for Matthew, but it was overshadowed by satisfaction at the thought of Quinn and Maddox getting what they deserved.
The day was entertaining. The Lakeside Leviathans defeated the Forestvale Foxes, and the Fireland Phoenixes defeated the Clifflands Condors. The winners would advance to the next round, while the losers would play another match for a chance at victory If they lost again, they would be eliminated completely.
We moved from the polo area to watch the rugby matches, enjoying the competition. I could only imagine what Quinn and Maddox were facing now that they surely knew Adryx had deliberately entered them in rugby to punish them.
By the time the day’s events concluded, we were all tired but in good spirits as we returned to our two–story villa. Freya couldn’t stop talking about how certain people were going to get “pummeled,” and it was amusing to see Adryx encouraging her.
I was happy for Freya, she was no longer the drunk, depressed woman I’d known in Forestvale. She was a different person now, radiant and alive.
My stomach growled loudly, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. This would be our first dinner with Amelia and Evanth, but I wasn’t worried. We’d all connected at different times already, so it wouldn’t be as awkward as it might have been initially.
Augustin and I took quick showers before dinner. My stomach was rumbling continuously, and hoped there would be enough food. I was starting to wonder if I might be carrying more than one baby, given how much my appetite had increased.
When we arrived at the dining table, everyone was already there, including Elowen. I couldn’t forget what Cassandra had mentioned about Elowen encouraging her to try to steal Augustin from me. I sat down, giving her a hard stare, daring her to try something.
I reminded myself that I was the Luna for Clifflands now, and Elowen would do well to remember that.
Chapter 197
Dinner was pleasant, with everyone eating and chatting. Those who could drink were enjoying wine, while Freya and I had files, Amplin dan male da Scarlett drank juice.
“You need to keep your body pure if you want to conceive,” Amelia advised Scarlett. “No alcohol, no caffeine, nothing that might harm a developing childes
It wasn’t long before a drunk flowen started crossing lines.
You heartless bastard, she slurred, pointing at Augustin. Pretending everything is fine while my cousin is at home suffering.”
“Elowen,” Evanth warned, but she ignored him.
“You’re enjoying life while Cassandra cries herself to sleep every night,” she continued, her voice rising. “She’s been waiting for you, staying pure, hoping you’d take her back someday.”
“No one asked her to do that,” Augustin replied calmly. “She left me, remember?”
“Because she had no choice! Elowen shot back, slamming her hand on the table. “Your father threatened her family!
Elowen sneered, looking at me. “You chase someone else’s leftovers over your first love. Over your fated mate.”
Evanth nearly slapped her, but Amelia stopped him. “Don’t hit her over your brother’s business,” she said firmly.
I understood Amelia’s position, it would be a huge mistake for Evanth.
“It was your father who threatened Cassandra’s father,” Elowen revealed, “He said Cassandra wasn’t good enough to be your wife because her family had no noble blood.”
The table went silent.
“He threatened her father, and they took Cassandra to Fireland, away from the Alpha King’s influence,” she continued. “Her parents came back, but she wasn’t allowed to return.”
“That breakup letter was forced,” Elowen insisted. “I was there when she wrote it, tears streaming down her face. And then you publicly rejected her in front of everyone, leaving her writhing on the ground in pain. That’s how you treated a woman who loved you deeply!”
Augustin laughed, “Cassandra should accept the rejection and move on. I’m not interested in her anymore.”
“My father has been dead for five years,” he added. “She could have come back during that time, but she didn’t. My feelings for her died years ago. I can’t force myself to feel something just because my father scared her away.”
“You still have feelings for her,” Elowen insisted, her words slurring. “You rejected your fated mate Cassandra because of that bitch.”
She began hurling insults at me, and other offensive terms that made my blood boil.
Before I could respond, Scarlett slapped Elowen hard across the face. “You can defend your cousin,‘ she said coldly, “but you don’t get to insult my friend.”
Elowen looked shocked, her hand going to her reddening cheek.
‘I don’t have Juno’s patience,” Scarlett warned, her eyes flashing dangerously. “I will hit back. And if you insult her again, I’ll beat the shit out of you. I have a lot of pent–up anger, and I’d be happy to take it out on you.”
‘I won’t punish you for disrespecting me and my mate, Augustin said to Elowen, “Out of respect for my brother. But you will no longer dine
‘I don’t want to hear about Cassandra or anything related to her again,” he continued. “If you truly care about her, tell her to accept the rejection. There will never be anything between us. I’ve found true love.”
I konw Evanth was in an awkward position, unable to defend Elowen. Bryloeh outranked him, and he wouldn’t dare insult Scarlett.
Elowen’s lip was bleeding, and she dabbed at it with her napkin. Evanth’s eyes pleaded with her to stay calm, but I thought he would be better off without
Elowen,
