Juno’s POV
I went to dinner wearing shorts and a t–shirt, my hair still damp from the shower. I noticed a stack of clothes on my bed when ! returned–Augustin’s clothes. He’d sent them for me to wear instead of buying me new ones. What was that supposed to mean? That I was good enough to wear his scent but not good enough to fuck?
Entering the dining room, I saw Freya and Adryx already seated: No sign of Scarlett and Bryloch yet.
Freya looked like she was one wrong word away from violence. 1 reached out through our link.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Some backstabbing hitches are giving me hell because of Adryx,” she replied, stabbing her fork into the table. “I think he’s screwing them, but the cowardigon’t admit it. I don’t care if he is, but I deserve to know the damn truth
Bryloch and Scarlett finally arrived, looking suspiciously disheveled, and, the food was served.
“The Alpha King won’t be joining us for dinner,” Bryloch announced casually. “He’s handling business with Eliza.”
My chest compressed so suddenly I couldn’t breathe. So that was it. He’d rejected me for her. Rage bubbled inside me, threatening to erupt, but I forced it down, focusing on my food with manic intensity.
I ate mechanically, tasting nothing, swallowing around the lump of jealousy lodged in my throat. When dinner ended, Scarlett tried to convince me to stay and play games with them,, but I was on the verge of tears, barely able to hold them back. I mumbled an excuse and escaped to my room.
I slammed the door behind me, wishing to hell it had a lock.
“Let’s go interrupt him and that bitch,” Seraphine suggested. “I’ll rip her throat out.”
“No,” I said. “He’s not ours, Seraphine. He hasn’t claimed us. He hasn’t made anything clear. If we chase after him, we’d just look pathetic and desperate.”
I crawled into bed with a heart that felt shattered all over again.
I skipped breakfast the next morning, unable to stomach the thought of facing him across the table while imagining him with Eliza.
ز
“Why aren’t you in the dining room?” Augustin’s voice cut through my head.
“Not hungry,” I replied.
“You’ll eat regardless. Training starts at nine.” His tone was pure Alpha–commanding, brooking no defiance.
I decided on petty revenge. I would not wear Augustin’s clothes. I selected a deliberately provocative semi–sheer top, grateful he hadn’t followed through on his threat to empty my closet. Let him see what he was missing.
When I entered the dining room, Scarlett greeted me with a worried smile, but Augustin’s eyes flashed with fury.
“What the hell are you wearing?” he demanded.
“Clothes,” I replied with fake innocence. “I didn’t want to walk around in yours. It sends the wrong message. I don’t want to cause trouble with myself.”
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Chapter 39
Itis anger seemed to alter at that, confusion etcssing his features.
remained silent as I sat doom
“Wine, plesse.” I told the servant, ignoring the raised eyebrows around the table. It was far too early for alcohol, but my nerves were frayed to breaking. I knew I’d shed Augustin too far, and I needed something to numb the inevitable consequences.
After breakfast, Augustin left without a word.
You shouldn’t push him, Bryloch warned when the Augustin was gone. The Alpha King has made many exceptions for you already. Don’t test his patience.”
I said nothing, but inside I was shattering. Tears welled up unbidden Adryx and Bryloch quickly excused themselves, leaving me with Freya and Scarlett.
“What’s happening with you?” Scarlett asked, genuine worry in her eyes. “You’re usually so strong, but you look like you’re falling apart at the seams.”
“We’re prisoners here Juno, Freya reminded me, her voice harsh but her eyes kind. “The manor may be a gilded cage, but we’re not free. If you truly piss off the Alpha King, he could get rid of us. Please don’t provoke him.”
I wiped my tears for their sake, ashamed of my weakness. “I’ll try, I promised.
I returned to my room to change into workout clothes, then headed to the training room to face Augustin’s wrath.
When I arrived, he was alone, attacking a punching bag with savage intensity. I noticed the bag was coated with silver, as was most of the equipment. So that’s why Clifflands warriors were so formidable–if they trained with silver, actual combat would feel like a vacation.
Remembering my friends‘ pleas and swallowing my pride, I decided to be on my best behavior.
“I’m sorry about breakfast,” I said, forcing the words past my stubborn pride. “I shouldn’t have worn that top. It won’t happen again.”
Augustin stopped mid–punch. “What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice vibrating with barely contained fury.
“Training?” I replied, confusion. “You said nine o’clock.”
“Training is canceled for today,” he said. “You can go back to wearing your see–through clothes everytime.”
The insult cut deep me. But he’d made his point crystal clear. I knew my place now.
“I apologize for disturbing you,” I said with politeness. “I’ll leave you to your workout.”
As I walked away, I heard him snarl and slam into the punching bag with a force that made the equipment rattle. I quickened my pace.
I felt utterly stupid and hopelessly naive. I didn’t want to be conscious to dwell on my humiliation.
Back in my room, I told the servant at my door to bring me the strongest liquor they had. I wanted to drown in alcohol until I couldn’t remember my own name, let alone Augustin’s rejection.
The servant didn’t know my privileges had been revoked yet, so I decided to abuse them one last time before the ax fell.
They returned with a silver–blue bottle labeled “Moonlight Dance.” uncorked it and took a desperate gulp. It tasted unexpectedly amazing.
After half the bottle, something felt wrong. This wasn’t the familiar fuzzy comfort of alcohol. My limbs turned to lead, and my coordination abandoned me. Panic flared, but it was too late.
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Chapter 39
Everything went black.
I woke with a headache so vicious it felt like someone was driving an ice pick through my skull. My mouth was dry, tongue feeling like sandpaper. Groaning, I forced my eyes open against the stabbing light.
This wasn’t my room.
Terror jolted through me until I spotted Augustin sitting on a sofa across from the bed, his face showing worry he could barely conceal.
What the hell had happened? And why was I in his bed?
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