Chapter 61
Juno’s POV
Bryloch nodded. “Of course.” Fine, maybe apart from me and my friends, everyone here is free to choose their mates
By evening, we were all heading back to clean up for dinner. I hesitated at the door to our bedroom not wanting to enter the space that would only remind me more strongly of Augustin’s absence. His attention and care had made me dependent in a way I hadn’t realized until now.
I rushed through my shower and headed to dinner, where I found everyone waiting for me to arrive. Only when I was seated did the meal begin. I found it strange that Bryloch would wait for me–he was in command with Augustin gone and certainly didn’t need to observe such a courtesy. I appreciated the gesture nonetheless.
After dinner, Freya and Adryx hurried away together. From their body language, I could tell their relationship had moved forward. I suspected they’d become physically intimate. Freya’s attitude toward Adryx was less guarded now, and I was glad to see her moving past Quinn’s influence. That bastard. I was happy she was moving on
I had hoped Scarlett might spend the evening with me, but she seemed eager to be with Bryloch. I understood and accepted this, making my way slowly back to my room.
In the hallway outside my door, I ran into Eliza. I rolled my eyes, preparing for another nasty exchange, but to my surprise, she pulled me into a hug.
“Thank you for not humiliating me in front of everyone,” she whispered.
When she pulled back, her expression was sincere. “You and Augustin look good together. I hope it lasts.”
“You’re being oddly nice,” I observed.
“He’s been alone for four years since he emptied the harem,” she said “It’s good to see him happy.”
“You were here four years ago?” I asked.
Eliza nodded. “I arrived a few months before he sent the other five women away.”
A twinge of jealousy shot through me, which was normal considering my feelings for Augustin. “Well, good for those women. They got their freedom.”
Eliza shook her head. “No, it was horrible. They didn’t want to leave. You should have seen it–heartbreaking, really. He was ruthless with those who didn’t want to go.”
“I don’t need to hear this,” I said.
“Especially Octavia,” Eliza continued, ignoring my dismissal. “She was obsessed with him. She came from a small pack in Clifflands, and everyone thought she might become Luna. He gave her special attention, but in the end, he discarded her like she meant nothing.”
I reached for the doorknob, but Eliza placed her hand on my shoulder.
I’m not trying to upset you or hurt you,” she said quietly. “I’m warning you to be cautious. Be prepared to say goodbye.”
“Why tell me this?”
“Because you were kind to me today. Augustin told those women not to waste their time on him because he didn’t intend to settle
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down with anyune,
I nodded. Thanks for the advice, but I don’t have any particular expectations about seffling down I’m taking things as they come.
I couldn’t tell if Eliza was being genuinely kind or trying to hurt meither way, if it was the former, i appreciated it, if it was the latter, she was wasting her time.
Back in my room, I showered again and slipped into one of Augustin shirts to sleep in. I noticed I clearly had a shared closet with him now. It was surreal how quickly things had changed from being a tribute sent to pacify the terrible Alpha King‘ to sharing his bed and closet.
Even more surprising was how he could be so gentle, sweet, loving, and sensitive with me while remaining harsh with others. I liked that he was harsh with others,
“What do you think he’s doing right now? Seraphine asked as I settled into bed,
“I don’t know,” I sighed, loneliness seeping into my soul. My wolf felt it too–this aching for him
“I think I’m falling in love with him,” she admitted.
“I think we both are,” I replied softly.
“What about fated mates?” she asked hesitantly.
“I don’t care about that right now,” I said firmly. “And if he’s sincere, even if someone ‘fated‘ comes along later, I’d refuse them.”
“Do you think Matthew ever really loved us?” she asked after a long silence.
“Maybe, but not enough,” I answered. “Not enough to become vulnerable for love. He was selfish in the end.”
“Will Augustin be different?”
I had no answer for that–it was a question that haunted us both.
“Our feelings are the same,” Seraphine observed.
I closed my eyes, wondering if Augustin would ever truly love us. If he would ever say the words, or if what we had now was all we’d
ever get.
“It would be nice to hear the supposedly heartless Alpha King say he loves us,” Seraphine mused.
“Let
not get ahead of ourselves,” I warned. “We’re still technically a tribute, and he’s still the Alpha King. We should be grateful for
what we have,”
I thought I’d be up all night with Augustine gone, but thanks to today’s energy–burning activities, I still managed to get sleepy. Cuddled up with his pillow, surrounded by his scent, I quickly drifted off to sleep.
I was lost in a dream, a sweet sensation of pleasure exploding within me. Something hot and wet between my legs, sending waves of ecstasy through my body. I opened my eyes, disoriented, to find Augustin’s head between my thighs, his tongue worki
my core.
“Oh God,” I moaned, losing control of my body as I reached my peak. The orgasm fully woke me, and I grabbed at him, desperate with need.
He moved up my body, his lips glistening with my arousal. He kissed me deeply, and I tasted myself on him.
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“I couldn’t stay away, he confessed, his voice husky with desire. I responded with equal passion, our mouths hungry for each other.
“Good morning, Berry,” he whispered against my lips.
We were tangled together in seconds, his hardness pushing into me flipped our positions, taking control, showing him I could lead too. His hands gripped my hips, guiding me as I rode him.
I lost myself in the sensation, in the scent of our mingled arousal, in the sound of skin against skin. When we came together, it was explosive, our bodies shuddering in unison.
Afterward, I lay beside him, trying to catch my breath. Augustin pulled me close, kissing my neck.
“You’re becoming my addiction, Berry,” he murmured.
I glanced at the clock–2 AM. He must have snuck away from his mother’s house to see me. The thought made me feel important.
“Did you miss me?” he asked.
“Not at all, I lied, have a smile.
He kissed the tip of my nose, making me laugh. Then his gaze turned serious, intense.
“Don’t break my heart,” he said quietly.
My laughter faded. He stroked my hair gently, his eyes never leaving mine.
“I’ll never let you go,” he promised.
I didn’t speak, but in my heart, I vowed not to leave until he gave up on me first.
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