Chapter 198
Augustin’s POV
Flowen’s words hung in the air, het insults still ringing in my cars as tears streamed down her face from Scarlett’s slap. This was supposed to be a pleatand family dinner, yet she had deliberately ruined it by bringing up Cassandra. My jaw clenched as I studied her across the table, fighting to maintain my composure.
This entire spectacle was unnecessary. I had made my position abundantly clear at the ball. Cassandra was my past. Meeting Juno had changed everything for me. For the first time in my life, I truly understood what it meant to be happy and fulfilled. I had fallen in love with a woman who loved me back just as fiercely, and we were expecting a child together. What more could I possibly want?
I knew the truth about Cassandra’s return. She wasn’t back because she missed me. She was here because her uncle had business to attend to in Chifflands Even without Juno in my life, I would have rejected Cassandra. What we had was young love, nothing more. The way she looked at me in the ballroom was no love there, only pride and selfishness.
Cassandra expected me to cast aside anyone for her because she saw herself as entitled to me. The way she had looked down at juno with contempt revealed her true intentions. Her motives were similar to Elowen’s with Evanth, self–centered and power–hungry.
I remembered how Fenris had momentarily lost focus when Cassandra approached me at the ball, but I was stronger than that momentary distraction. Whatever lingering feelings I might have once had for Cassandra had completely vanished. I felt nothing for her now, nothing at all.
The Purple Moon was approaching, and soon Juno would be completely mine: The thought calmed me as I refocused on the situation at hand.
Elowen stood up, but contrary to my instructions, she didn’t leave. Instead, she bowed her head in submission.
Alpha, Luna, please forgive my foolish behavior,” she said formally, addressing us by our titles. “I spoke out of turn and without proper respect. My words were unworthy of this table and your presence.”
I could tell Evanth had warned her. She was attempting damage control now that she realized how badly she had overstepped. Juno’s hand gently touched my thigh under the table, a silent signal that it was okay. But I wasn’t feeling quite so forgiving.
“Elowen,” I said, my voice low and dangerous, “if you ever mention your cousin’s name again or disrespect my mate, Luna Scarlett’s slap will be the least of your worries. Do you understand? The next time you speak of Cassandra or utter a single disrespectful word about Juno, you won’t be welcome in Levenston Manor at all, let alone at this table.”
I deliberately emphasized Scarlett’s title as Luna, making it clear to Elowen that she could not consider herself equal to any of the women at this table. She needed to remember her place.
“Yes, Alpha,” she whispered, her eyes downcast, a thin trickle of blood still visible at the corner of her mouth. “I understand completely. It won’t happen again.”
I nodded curtly, silently praying that my brother would come to his senses and rid himself of this woman. She wasn’t good for him, I could see it in the exhaustion that lined his face whenever she was around.
“Now,” I said, deliberately shifting the topic, “let’s discuss tomorrow’s activities. The golf tournament for the women is scheduled before ours, isn’t it? When the sun isn’t too high?”
“Yes,” Scarlett confirmed, smoothly following my lead. “The organizers arranged it according to our request. They made sure we wouldn’t be exhausting ourselves in the strong sun. The match starts at nine, which gives us plenty of time before the heat becomes unbearable.”
My mother frowned. “I’m still not comfortable with you participating in sports. Run around getting sweaty and risking injury.”
‘Mother,” I began, but she continued, her voice rising with concern.
‘Especially not you, Juno. You’re carrying my grandchild. What if something happens? What if you fall or someone hits you with one of those golf clubs? The baby could be harmed!”
Juno smiled reassuringly. “I promise I won’t do anything strenuous or physically taxing. It’s just a friendly game, and I’ll be extra careful. Besides, golf is hardly a contact sport. I’ll be perfectly safe.”
My mother didn’t look convinced. “What if the other women harbor ill intentions? What if they try to hurt you? Not everyone is happy about your position,
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Chapter 198
you know. There are many who would love to see you fall.
Scarlett laughed, the sound cutting through the tension. “If anyone tries to hurt us, we’ll handle it ourselves. No one would dare mear with los, Troit Luna Amelia, we’re quite of defending ourselves, pregnant or not.”
“That’s right, Freya added with a grin. Anyone who tries will regret it instantly.”
All three women laughed together, and my mother finally surrendered the point with a resigned sigh. Soon after, everyone retired to their rooms. I had other matters to attend to before I could join Juno.
“I don’t want to be away from Juno too long, I told Bryloch and Adryx as we settled on the terrace with glasses of rum. “But we need to discuss this without the distractions of the events.”
Bryloch nodded, taking a sip of his drink. “Eliza has agreed to our terms. She’ll participate in the sporting events and report back if anyone approaches her and what they want. She seemed nervous but determined. I think she understands the importance of her role.”
‘Delta Garth is watching her, Adryx added. “He’ll remain at a distance, but close enough to intervene if necessary. She won’t be in any real danger.
And Fox?” I asked, swirling the amber liquid in my glass.
“Contained, Bryloch confirmed. ‘Delta Stefan is overseeing his questioning. So far, Fox is being unusually cooperative, almost eager to share information
Bryloch frowned into his glass. “I’m still suspicious of how forthcoming Fox has been. It feels too easy. Most prisoners resist at least initially, but he’s been volunteering information without much prompting.”
“You think he’s feeding us false information?” I asked, my eyes narrowing.
