Chapter 109
Juno’s POV
My heart hammered against my ribcage as Amelia’s accusations filled the room. I couldn’t understand how things had changed so quickly.
Even worse was how Amelia, his mother, was trying to shift the blame for Evanth’s arrest onto me.
Amelia turned to Augustin, her eyes wild. “What evidence do you have against your brother? The word of her ex–husband?” She jabbed a finger in my direction. “The man who can’t let her go? That’s what you’re arresting your own brother over?‘
Her words cut deep. And I don’t understand why everything that happens in Forestvale somehow involves me.
Augustin’s face hardened. “My decision wasn’t based on Matthew’s testimony,” he stated firmly. “It was based on the statement of enforcement officer Theron, who said Evanth sent him to Forestvale to collect development taxes–the same taxes that led to the Dawnshere attack.”
ww
“Theron claims the orders carried my seal and signature,” Augustin continued, “and came from Evanth.
Amelia searched her son’s face for deception, scanning inch by inch for any sign of dishonesty. Finding none, she slowly turned to me, her eyes filled with distrust. That look pierced me deeply. Whatever fragile friendship we had built was crumbling before my eyes.
“If I find out you’ve framed my son,” Amelia warned, “you’ll have me to deal with. You may have Augustin wrapped around your finger, but he is still my son. Two months isn’t enough to prove you deserve him.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, struggling to control my mounting anger. How quickly her attitude had shifted.
“Why are you pushing this on Berry?” Augustin demanded. “How would she even be involved? What would she gain?”
“She threatened me, Augustin,” Amelia hissed, pointing a trembling finger at me. “Your precious Juno warned me that if Evanth became a threat to you, she’d stop at nothing, even resorting to some dirty tricks to deal with him. She didn’t say those exact words, but she implied it.”
I stared at her, shocked at how she’d twisted my meaning. Yes, I had warned her that Evans should not be involved in framing Augustin, but this was twisting my words beyond recognition. When I looked back at Augustin, I saw doubt flickering across his face despite his efforts to hide it. That hurt more than Amelia’s accusations.
“I didn’t frame Evanth,” I said firmly, my hands clenched at my sides. “I don’t even know Theron.”
“But your ex–husband does,” Amelia shot back. “Matthew–the man who won’t let you go who conveniently works with Fang and identified Theron.”
My temper flared. “Are you suggesting Matthew and I conspired to frame Evanth?”
Augustin’s fingers brushed mine, silently urging caution. I took a deep breath.
“I understand you’re in pain,” I said to Amelia, and that’s why you’re saying these things. But I won’t accept these accusations.”
Amelia turned back to Augustin. “You acted rashly,” she accused “You should have investigated before humiliating your
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Chapter 109
brother. Being unable to become Alpha King was already a heavy blow for him. This was cruel of you,”
Augustin’s scent darkened with anger. “Would you rather I waited until we had a war on our hands?” he demanded. “Ir Matthew hadn’t reached out did had chosen to retaliate instead war would have been inevitable. People would have died. He leaned forward. “Is Evanth’s hurt feelings more important than people’s lives? More important than the peace we have
*now?
The tension in the room thickened.
“Berry warned you because she saw Evanth for what he is–a threat to me and to Clifflands,” Augustin continued. “She asked you to rein him in to prevent him from working with Quentor against me at the hearing. If they successfully prove my failures, our family loses leadership. Is this what you want to see?”
Amelia sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face. “Please, let Evanth go,” she begged. “He doesn’t have the intelligence to plan something like this. He wouldn’t do this.”
Her scent of grief filled the room, mingled with fear. I almost pied her.
“If the investigation proves him innocent, I’ll release him,” Augustin replied, his voice softening slightly. “But as the main suspect, he must be detained until we know the truth.”
Amelia continued sobbing, shooting me an angry glance. “It’s you,” she spat. “You turned them against each other. They were fine before you came.” She wiped her tears roughly. “You think you’re acting out of love, trying to protect my son by eliminating Evanth. You’ll regret this.”
Something inside me snapped. “You need someone to blame for failing to raise your firstborn properly,” I retorted. ‘I’m just an easy target. I did nothing to Evanth, and I won’t apologize on feel regret for something I didn’t do.”
“When you become a mother-” Amelia began.
“Enough,” Augustin cut in. “Leave, Mother. Now.”
Amelia stared at him, shocked, then seemed to realize he meant it. She stood slowly.
“She’s dangerous,” Amelia warned as she backed toward the door. “She’ll leave you just like she left her husband. Evanth and I are your real family, your forever. You haven’t felt this way about anyone since Cassandra left. Don’t let feelings blind you.”
Something in Augustin finally snapped.
“Get. Out. Of. My. Room.” Each word emerged as a barely controlled snarl. “Sometimes I wonder if you’re really my mother. You’ve allowed Evanth to disrespect and challenge me for years yet you expect me to be understanding and forgiving toward him. If the investigation proves his guilt, I will try him for treason and execute him myself, your favorite or not.”
I gasped, not expecting such a declaration. Augustin’s determination far exceeded my expectations. How painful would it be to carry out a death sentence on his own brother?
Amelia’s face drained of color. She stood frozen for a moment, her mouth opening and closing like she couldn’t find words. She finally glanced at me, her eyes no longer just angry–they were filled with raw terror mixed with murderous fi Without another word, she rushed from the room.
Augustin stood rigid, his powerful shoulders visibly trembling with barely contained rage. His fists clenched so
were tightly his knuckles had turned white, and I could smell the metallic tang of blood where his nails cut into his palms.
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Augustin? I said softly.
He didn’t respond, just stared at the door his mother had disappeared through. I could see the muscle in his jaw twitching, could feel the waves of anger rolling off him. I took a tentative step toward him, uncertain whether to approach or give him pace.
‘Did you really tell my mother to control Evanth?” he asked quietly.
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