Chapter 79
Augustin’s POV
As finished reviewing the last patrol report in my office, I felt tired The atmosphere in the Manor had changed because my mother and Evanth had moved back in. The old relationship patterns had returned, making everything feel oppressive.
A soft knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts.
“Come in,” I called, recognizing Juno’s scent even before she entered
She slipped inside, closing the door behind her. She looked exhausted, her vibrant red hair pulled back into a messy bun, her shoulders slumped with fatigue. She’d spent the day arranging rooms and staff for my mother and Evanth, stepping naturally into the role of Luna despite the Elder Council’s resistance.
“You look tired,” I said, rising from my desk.
She smiled weakly. “Just a little. Your mother’s accommodations need to be somewhat particular, so I had to take it very seriously.”
I chuckled, guiding her to the sofa near the fireplace. “That’s a diplomatic way of putting it.”
I sat beside her, lifting her feet onto my lap and removing her shoes. She sighed with pleasure as I began to massage her feet.
“You’ve been busy today, arranging my mother and Evanth’s move–in I said softly. “How did it go?”
Juno leaned her head back against the cushions, her eyes closing. “Worth it. Is the Council always that contentious?”
“Quentor and Evanth are always like that,” I replied with a smile. “Sebastian probably wants to be my friend, but he has his family concerns. The rest are too cowardly to speak their minds.”
“With your strength and authority, I can see why they might be afraid,” she said, half–jokingly.
She shifted closer, her fingers reaching to trace the line of my jaw. You know, when you took your father’s position, terrible stories about you spread throughout the four regions. People called you a brutal monster and a bloody savage. They said you drank from the skulls of your enemies and could tear apart an entire pack in a fit of rage. Your name was used to frighten disobedient children.”
I captured her hand in mine, pressing a kiss to her palm. “And did you believe those stories?”
She shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “I believe what I see. I told people in Forestvale not to anger you, not to ally with Fireland against you, because I observed that you only acted when provoked. But they didn’t listen to me, and the result is
what you saw.”
Tears glistened in her eyes. “When word came that Kieran had defeated your army, people celebrated, thinking the brutal Alpha King had finally been beaten. How quickly their hopes would have crumbled if they’d known it was Evanth who was defeated, not you.”
Her voice softened as she cupped my face in her hands. “But I never imagined that the fearsome Alpha King from the stories would be such a loving man. You made my broken heart beat again. You saw through all my disguises straight to my soul. You healed the wounds left by Matthew and traditions, and dried the tears I cried because of betrayal.”
Her eyes locked with mine, intense and vulnerable. “Augustin Levenston, I have fallen completely in love
you. Not because of your power, not because of your position, but because of who you are, because of the kindness and gentleness you’ve shown in countless choices. Today, before the Council, when you defended me and Scarlett without hesitation, my heart burned for you. Even as they tried to diminish me, calling me just a tribute, you gave me value and dignity.”
She squeezed my hands, bringing them to rest against her heart. “Whatever happens, I will remember today, remember everything
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Chapter 79
you’ve done for me. I will forever forgive all your flaws because youve given me true love with humility and complete honesty. You are not just the mate I’ve chosen–you are where my soul belongs, the greatest blessing of my life.
She leaned forward, pressing he lips to mine in a deep, tender kiss.I love you, my Alpha King, deeper than I imagined, deeper than I ever thought I could love someone.”
The words washed over me like a warm tide, Alling cracks in my soul I hadn’t known existed. Fenris rumbled with satisfaction deep within me.
I felt something unfamiliar sting at the corners of my eyes–tears. 1. Augustin Levenston, Alpha King of Clifflands, was moved to tears by the pure emotion in her words. My heart pounded against my ribs so forcefully I was certain she could feel it.
“Berry,” I whispered. My fingers traced the soft curve of her cheek, marveling at how something so delicate could be so incredibly
strong.
I pulled her into my arms, cradling her against my chest. As if we had been crafted specifically to hold each other. The realization struck me with sudden clarity: what I had with Juno was real in a way my relationship with Cassandra never was. I had believed my feelings for Cassandra were deep and genuine, but they paled in comparison to what I felt for Juno.
My mind drifted to the letter hidden in my desk–the one from Cassandra that I’d kept all this time, unable to fully let go of the past. But now, with Juno’s declaration of love still echoing in my ears, I knew what I needed to do.
I held Juno tightly, planning to completely destroy that letter. Neither it nor its author could hurt or shake my heart anymore.
Hove you too, Berry, I thought against her hair. More than I ever thought possible.
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