Chapter 114
Juno’s POV
Your explanation isn’t good enough,” Augustin said. “I’ll give you time to consider the truth. If you continue to lie, I’ll have no choice but to turn you over to the Council.”
Evanth laughed bitterly. “Mother was right. You won’t help me. Your mate has you wrapped around her finger.”
I watched Augustin’s face darken with rage. For a moment, I feared what he might do.
“I am indeed obsessed with my mate,” he said, “You’re fortunate she isn’t malicious.”
Tears spilled down Evanth’s face. “I’m telling the truth, brother. Please, I’m being framed. You have to believe me.”
My chest tightened as I watched the brothers. For all his faults, was Evanth actually innocent? The desperation in his eyes seemed genuine. My instincts were conflicted.
Augustin turned to leave, and Evanth surged against his restraints.
“Augustin, please! The punishment for treason is death! I’m your brother!”
We need to be careful, I linked to Augustin. If Evanth is telling the truth and someone is framing him, leaving him unprotected could be dangerous.
Augustin paused, his gaze moving between Evanth and me. Finally, he turned to Bryloch. “Move him to a guarded cell. No one sees him without my express permission.”
With that, he took my hand and led me from the room.
“Where are we going now?” I asked as we walked swiftly through the manor.
“To see Quentor.”
I shook my head. “That’s pointless. He won’t tell us anything.”
Augustin stopped, “Then what do you suggest? We’re trapped here, Berry. I need to know the truth. My reputation is at stake. Peace between territories is at stake.”
I could feel his panic, the pressure weighing on him. “We need to talk privately,” I said, squeezing his hand.
Back in our bedroom, I sank onto the sofa, my body betraying my exhaustion again. Augustin paced before me, tension radiating from him.
“Going after Quentor will get us nowhere,” I said, watching him move. “I think it’s a distraction.”
Augustin stopped pacing, turning to face me. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t like Evanth, but I’m starting to think he’s telling the truth.” I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the persistent ache. “What if Theron is the one being paid off?”
“By whom? Matthew? Kieran?” Augustin’s brow furrowed.
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Chapter 114
Maybe. Or someone else entirely.” I looked up at him. But we won’t find out by chasing Quentor. We need to go to the
source.
I took a deep breath. “I think Scarlett, Freya and I need to go to Dawnshere and investigate.”
‘His eyes widened, a flash of silver appearing in their depths. “Absolutely not,”
“Augustin, we need answers-
“No,” he cut me off, his voice hard. “I’ll send Adryx and Sebastian.”
“They won’t get anything, argued, “Think about it. The people of Dawnshere hate Clifflands. They spit when your soldiers walk by. They won’t talk to your elites. But they might talk to us.”
“Why would they?” he challenged, crossing his arms.
“Because we’ve suffered at Clifflands‘ hands too,” I said softly, holding his gaze. “We understand their pain. We were taken from our homes, just like they were conquered. We speak their language of loss.”
His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking at the side. “I won’t allow it.
“Won’t allow it?” I challenged, rising to my feet despite my body’s protest. “You promised we weren’t prisoners anymore. Was that a lie?”
“That’s not fair,” he growled.
“Neither is this situation.” I stood before him, my exhaustion momentarily forgotten as determination rushed through me. “Your brother might be innocent. Your position is threatened. We need those answers, and we’re the only ones who can get
them.”
His eyes flashed fully silver now, his wolf rising to the surface. You’d be too close to Kieran’s territory.”
There it was. The real fear beneath his anger. Not just worry for my safety, but fear of losing me. I moved to him, placing my hands on his chest, feeling his heart hammer beneath my palm.
“If it weren’t for tradition, I’d ask you to claim me right now,” I said, my voice soft but firm, tilting my neck instinctively. “I will never go back to Matthew. And Kieran means nothing to me. I’m doing this to help you succeed.”
The scent of his desire spiked at my exposed neck, his pupils dilating.
“You can’t ask me to let you leave,” he said, anguish clear in his voice. His hands moved to cup my face. “Not when I’ve just found you.”
“I love you,” I whispered. “I couldn’t leave you if I tried. But we’re the only ones the people of Dawnshere will accept. We need to act before things get worse.”
I watched the struggle play out on his face. His wolf wanted to keep me close, to protect what was his. But the Alpha King needed the information only I could obtain. The two sides of him warred visibly.
“I don’t want let you go,” he admitted.
I placed my palm against his cheek. “I know. But we need to do this.”
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Chapter 114
Three days, he finally sald Promise me you’ll come back.
“Of course I’l
Prosise me,” he repeated, gripping my arms, his fingers digging into my skin. “I’m terrified you’ll run away because you’re afraid we’re not fated.”
Tears filled my eyes at the vulnerability in his confession. This powerful man, this Alpha King who commanded armies, was terrified of losing me.
“If you don’t come back,” he continued, his voice breaking, I’ll lose my mind, Berry. I’ll become the monster everyone already thinks I am, I’ll tear apart everything between here and you.”
I threw my arms around him, tears spilling down my cheeks. “Lan’t imagine my life without you, I’ve chosen you. I choose to love you. I choose to spend my life with you. That decision is made, and it’s final.”
His arms tightened around me until I could barely breathe, but welcomed the pressure. I needed him to believe me.
“I promise I won’t go anywhere near Kieran’s territory,” I continued, pulling back to look into his eyes. “I’ll get what we need and come straight back. Three days maximum, and I’ll return no matter what we find. Even if there’s a blizzard or a pack of rogues or the sky falls down – I will come back to you.
He pressed his forehead to mine, his breath shaky. “Swear it on something that matters to you.”
“I swear it on my future with you,” I said without hesitation. “On the children we’ll have someday. On the life we’re
building.”
Finally, he kissed my forehead, his lips lingering. “I’ll send guards to shadow you. They’ll keep their distance but be there if you need them.”
I nodded, knowing this compromise was difficult for him, We needed the truth about Dawnshere to resolve this crisis, and we were the only ones who could get it.
It was time to be more than just Augustin’s lover. It was time to be his Luna.
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