Juno’s POV
I sat frozen in office, trying to process the bombshell he’d just dropped. The man we knew was actually Fox Stewart, a seventeen–year old boy. Not just any teenager, but the son of one of Clifflands‘ most respected Alphas.
“Seventeen?” I whispered, “He’s just a child.”
The revelation hit me like a physical blow. The organization was recruiting teenager to do their dirty work. My stomach churned at the thought
Alpha Ulysses nodded miserably, his eyes red–rimmed and haunted. “Fox Stewart is my only son, my heir. I never imagined he could be involved in something like this.”
I glanced at Augustin, whose face remained impassive, though I could sense his anger through our bond. The organization’s reach was more extensive than we’d realized, their tactics more insidious.
My mind raced, piecing together what I knew about the rebellion and the petition. If Fox had been part of the organization pushing for democratic reform, what was their true goal? The petition had specified that if passed, four families would lead the Council, not elected officials, but predetermined leaders from specific bloodlines.
“The petition,” I said slowly, thinking aloud. “It wasn’t really about democracy at all, was it? It was about putting specific families in power.”
Augustin nodded grimly. “If the petition had passed, four families would have led the Council, with the remaining families falling in behind them.”
I considered what I knew about the major families. Bryloch and Adryx were unquestionably loyal to Augustin. That left Sebastian Holbrooke as a potential suspect, though he didn’t strike me as a troublemaker. In fact, I recalled how relieved he had looked when the petition failed to pass at the hearing. He had even smiled slightly when the votes were counted.
But Francis Vasquez… he was another story. His family wouldn’t be considered for Council leadership in before, which gave him motive. Could he be behind all this?
“Alpha Ulysses,” I said, breaking the heavy silence that had fallen over the office. “Can you help us find out who recruited your son? We need to know who’s behind this organization.”
Alpha Ulysses looked up, his expression a mixture of anger and shame. He was a father first, an Alpha second, and the pain of his son’s betrayal was crushing him.
“Treason,” he said hoarsely. “My son committed treason.”
He turned to Augustin, who had remained silent throughout our exchange.
Alpha Ulysses took a deep breath before continuing. “Fox was always a loner in Ambercity. Quiet, kept to himself. Then he started making friends online and insisted on going to school in Verdantia, in the West. He stayed at a hotel at first, but after a few months, he asked to move in with a friend.”
His mother went to check the place,” he continued. “She met a girl named Faye. An orphan who worked at a restaurant in Verdantia. Faye Gonzalez.
His voice broke. “After Fox was taken, Faye disappeared too. I think they killed her.”
‘And the fake identity?” I prompted gently.
“He said using his real surname would cause problems because of his Alpha bloodline and being the son of a leader, Alpha Ulysses explained. “His mother supported his request. She thought it would give him a fresh start in the West, away from the pressures of being my son.”
I exchanged a glance with Augustin. This Faye girl was likely the key. She had probably seduced Fox, using him as a pawn in their dangerous game.
“I never imagined he was planning to participate in criminal activities,” Alpha Ulysses whispered. “I thought he just wanted independence.”
Suddenly, Alpha Ulysses slid from his chair onto his knees, exposing his neck to Augustin in the ultimate gesture of submission. I’d never seen an Alpha of his stature humble himself this way. The sight was shocking.
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Please,” he begged, his voice breaking. “Don’t execute my only heir. Imprison him, but don’t make it public. He’s just a boy who made a temble matte
The proud Alpha was openly weeping now. “He won’t inherit my position, I promise. But please, spare my family the shame.
For an Alpha of Clifflands to beg like this showed just how serious the situation was. Treason was punishable by death, and Alpha Ulysses knew it Li Glenn and Azalea had to beg for lives.
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