Chapter 116
Kieran’s POV
Elfon arrived even carlier than promised, his eagerness evident in his quick steps and bright eyes. I could see the desperation behind his hopeful expression, the fear that drove him to seek help from anyone who might listen.
I hoped Matthew would give him peace of mind, bring a genuine smile to his tired face. Riddick’s pack needed a break, and I was sorry I couldn’t give it to them.
We arrived at Pineridge right on time. Matthew would be waiting in his office, he was polite that way, always ready to receive guests. A Beta I recognized as Joel offered us drinks. I asked for water, while Elton accepted coffee.
“Wait here,” I told Elton when Joel came to escort us. “I need to speak with Matthew privately first.”
Elton nodded, understanding the hierarchy at play. Joel led me down a hallway to Matthew’s office and opened the door without knocking.
What I saw made me pause. Matthew Harrington looked terrible–his beard overgrown, dark circles under his eyes, his usually neat hair disheveled. He was a shadow of the Alpha I’d met before.
Juno did this to him, I thought, a mix of satisfaction and pity rolling through me. I couldn’t understand how Matthew had failed to appreciate what he had when Juno was with him. He’d probably assumed she would always be there, so he’d accepted Isabelle without considering the consequences.
His loss. My gain. If I could just reach Juno in time.
“Alpha Kieran,” Matthew acknowledged me, his voice rough with exhaustion. “What brings you here?”
I hesitated, suddenly unsure how to begin. “I need your help,” I finally said, deciding directness was best.
“With what?”
“I need you to tell Juno something for me.” The words rushed out before I could reconsider. “She’s my fated mate.”
Matthew stared at me, shock written across his face. He paused, swallowing hard, “She is Augustin’s property now. We can’t communicate freely. I suggest you speak with Augustin directly.”
“Speak with Levenston?” I scoffed. “You think he’d listen? He’d kill me where I stand if he knew.”
“Then what exactly do you expect me to do?” Matthew challenged.
He didn’t know. He had no idea about the wedding.
“You don’t understand,” I said, desperation leaking into my voice. “I’m suffering. My wolf is suffering. You should understand you have a fated mate too.”
My voice grew hoarse with unspoken pain. “I should have taken her at the banquet. If I had, she wouldn’t have been in Forestvale when Augustin came. She’d be with me, where she belongs.”
I leaned forward, hands gripping the edge of his desk. “I’ll do anything, pay any price. Just help me reach her.”
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Matthew studled me, confusion in his tired eyes. “Why the desperation? Augustin is possessive of luno, yes, but she’ll be at the annual games in four months. Tributes are allowed to atter. I’m planning to go myself, just to see her again.”
“Four months? I growled, my control slipping. “You think I can endure four more months of this torment? Every night I dream of her. Every day I feel her absence like a knife in my chest.”
He paused, his expression softening slightly. “She no longer cares my mark. She might recognize you as her fated mate
then.”
“There’s no time,” I cut him off, unable to hide the anguish in my voice. “Augustin is going to marry and claim her on the Purplemoon night. They’ve already celebrated their engagement
“Engagement?” Matthew echoed, “How do you know this?”
Matthew’s face drained of color. His hands began to tremble, and tears immediately filled his eyes.”
“What?” he whispered, disbelief in his voice.
“It’s true,” Iconfirmed, watching him crumble. “I’m desperate, Matthew.”
“Are you certain?” he asked, his voice breaking. “Maybe it’s just rumors. Juno wouldn’t–she couldn’t-
“My sources are reliable,” I cut in. “The ceremony is planned for the Purplemoon. There’s little time left.
He took several deep breaths, visibly trying to compose himself. “Then you have to let her go,” he finally said. “Just as I
had to.”
Anger flashed through me. I slammed my fist on his desk, making him flinch. Storm nearly broke through, clawing at my skin from within.
“Don’t ask me to do what you yourself couldn’t do,” I growled. “I can feel she’s mine.”
“You of all people should understand,” I hissed. “You found your fated mate, but you still love Juno. You still yearn for her. How can you ask me to walk away when you can’t even do it yourself?”
“That’s different,” Matthew whispered.
“Please,” I begged, lowering my voice. “Help me. I’ll do anything,
Matthew shook his head, tears still glistening in his eyes. “What if she loves him? What if she wants to spend her life with
him? Juno wouldn’t enter a marriage she didn’t want.”
“You don’t know that,” I argued. “She’s surrounded by enemies. She’s alone in his territory. How can you be sure she isn’t being coerced?”
“Because I know her,” Matthew shot back, suddenly defensive. Juno would die before submitting to something she didn’t
choose.”
“People change,” I countered. “Circumstances change them.”
“I do,” he insisted. “And I won’t ruin her happiness by telling her about you. Do you know what it did to me when I caught Isabelle’s scent? It destroyed everything. My perfect life with Juno–gone in an instant. But even with the fated bond pulling at me, I couldn’t stop loving Juno. I still can’t. I won’t put Juno through that torment–being torn between what
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her heart wants and what Tate demands.”
“So you’re saying I should reject the fated bond? Let her live in
Matthew said simply. “It’s the kindest thing you can do foi
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