Augustin’s POV
Freya sat in stunned silence, her emotions clearly conflicted.
‘So it wasn’t my fauit all along?” she finally whispered. “The whole time he blamed me for not getting pregnant…”
Neae of it was your fault, Adryx said firmly, his hand on her shoulder. He’s a monster who’s only sorry he lost his property.”
“I suspect he blamed you for not getting pregnant,” I continued. “That’s probably why he treated you so badly.”
“Maddox wants to trade too, I added. ‘Not surprising after he joined Kieran in attacking the manor.”
“These men are desperate, I concluded. ‘We need to keep an eye on them.”
“People only realize what they had when they lose it,” Adryx remarked with a grin. “I’m looking forward to the football game.”
His expression darkened. “Treating their mates like trading cards… I’ll give Maddox the same treatment he gave you, Scarlett.”
“Why would Matthew deliver such a stupid message?” Bryloch questioned. “Is he hoping to trade Charles’s daughter for Juno toe?”
“No,” I replied firmly. “Matthew has accepted that he’s lost Juno.”
I explained that Matthew had genuinely loved Juno but took her for granted, never expecting his actions to have consequences.
“He was too self–assured about many things and paid a heavy price,” I said. “He wishes us well and wants to work with us to expose Charles. He doesn’t like the man and finds his behavior suspicious.”
I gently rubbed Juno’s back, and she smiled at me. I wondered how she would react when I told her I was allowing her to continue her friendship with Matthew. She wasn’t my prisoner, and she deserved to have friends. I wasn’t afraid of Matthew, and I trusted her completely.
“Kieran is returning to Fireland today,” Bryloch mentioned. “But he’ll be back next week.”
“He’s been trying to arrange a meeting with Juno,” he added. “I’ve been blocking him.”
To everyone’s surprise, I nodded. “Let him meet with her.”
What? Juno linked me, confusion evident. You’re serious?
I trust you, I replied. Let him say his piece so he can move on. We’re fated mates now. There’s nothing to worry about.
Juno’s smile turned slightly mischievous. Oh, he won’t enjoy our meeting, I promise you that.
I turned the conversation to Qiana, and Bryloch leaned forward, eager to hear.
I shared everything we knew, and Bryloch had to sit down to control his emotions.
“That fucking bitch,” he cursed, his face contorted with worry. “If she’s convicted of treason, my entire family will be exiled, and she’ll be executed.”
He slammed his fist on the table. “She’s going to destroy our family’s reputation and name. Generations of loyalty, gone because of her stupidity!*
“I plan to keep this quiet,” I assured him. “I want to catch whoever Qiana is working with to get closer to the mastermind.”
“I’m telling you this so you and Adryx can take precautions to avoid being implicated,” I explained. “The person we’re dealing with is very smart a
the law well.
WS
“Our investigation points away from the Elder Council, but that doesn’t mean we won’t remove Azalea and Glenn I added. “We need to be careful. They’re trying to remove my shields to get to me directly.”
1/3
Chapter 211
If you and Adryx are exiled, I’ll be vulnerable. Sebastian is a coward and won’t provide much protection. The other Council members are all connected to various incidents.”
‘Be vigilant, I advised. Go back to your clans and families to make sure everything is in order. Don’t let them hurt you.
Adryx sighed. “Keeping Qiana’s involvement quiet will be difficult unless we kill everyone who knows.”
“We need to consider how to handle it if the information leaks,” he added. “One whisper in the wrong ear and we’re all compromised.”
As we discussed this, Delta Stefan was escorted into my office,
It was dinnertime, but we needed to handle this first so we could return to our rooms after dinner.
Delta Stefan held a paper, and Juno rose to take it from him.
She eagerly scanned the names, then smiled wickedly.
‘Is Stefan in charge of this?” she asked me. I nodded.
‘Are there any secret locations in Clifflands that aren’t well known?” she asked Stefan.
“We have warehouses and underground bunkers, My Luna,” he replied. “They’re in remote locations.”
“Not the bunkers, Juno decided. “Use a building above ground that could belong to anyone. The warehouse will do.”
“I want you to kidnap the wives of these seven Alphas and one child from each, she instructed. “If they don’t have spouses, take whoever is closest to them.”
“Keep them blindfolded in the warehouse. Don’t hurt them yet, but make sure no one sees you take them.”
“Set up fake civilian accounts and demand these Alphas withdraw their petition. Tell them their loved ones won’t be returned otherwise.”
“Make them believe the citizens are upset about their actions and might riot.”
Stefan nodded. “It will be done, My Luna. When do you want this completed?”
“Tonight, Juno said firmly. “I want them terrified by morning.”
Stefan nodded. “It will be done, My Luna.”
“I want to supervise,” Scarlett volunteered, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “I have some creative ideas for making them uncomfortable.”
“Me too,” Freya added. “Just playing ball is boring. I want to see their faces when they realize who’s really in charge.”
Juno laughed. “I’ll create fake untraceable emails to harass them. We’ll make them think the entire territory is against them.”
“But you two need to maintain your cover at the games, she told Scarlett and Freya. “So you can’t be directly involved.”
Scarlett nodded in understanding, while Freya remained silent, clearly wishing she could participate.
“Next time,” Juno promised Freya. “There’s always another enemy to deal with.”
Stefan saluted and left.
‘Now we can focus on the serious business,” Juno declared. “Those clowns will submit.”
“If anyone remains stubborn, we’ll take further action,” she added. “And if they still persist, the consequences will be more severe.”
“We need to focus on catching the criminals, she emphasized. “We can’t stay ahead by following the rules.”
“These people need a firm hand, and that’s what they’ll get from now on.”
Bryloch nodded in agreement. ‘It’s about time we showed them who really runs Clifflands.
“Remind me never to become your enemy, Adryx joked. ‘I’d rather face an army than an angry Juno.”
We all laughed,
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