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Chapter 126
Juno’s POV
“We should start with Amelia Letenston, Elton said, checking again that we were alone,
My stomach twisted at the name. I’d had unsettling encounters with Augustin’s mother.
She seems pleasant enough on the surface,” Elton continued, but being treated as second–best by her family and mate twisted something in her. Made her vengeful.
He noticed my reaction. Is there a problem?”
“No,” I said carefully. “I’m just curious about her.”
Elton laughed without humor. “There’s nothing special about Amelia. She’s of average intelligence at best, which is why Nathanael preferred his fated mate to her.
I froze. “His what?
Elton’s eyebrows shot up. “You didn’t know?” When I shook my head, he continued, “I suppose it’s not common knowledge. Nathanael had a fated mate named Charlotte Sinclair, from a small merchant family in Verdantia.”
My mind raced. Augustin had never mentioned this. Did he even know?
Amelia came from the influential Montalvo family and refused to share her position as Luna Queen. Though an Alpha King is permitted multiple Lunar besides the Queen, Amelia made sure Charlotte was seen as just another of Nathanael’s ‘mistresses. They fought bitterly over it.”
Elton’s expression darkened. “When the powerful Montalvo family threatened to split Clifflands, Nathanael was forced to yield to family pressure. The humiliation made him power–hungry and cruel. He eventually decimated the Montalvo family and their supporters – including branches of the Ashford and Holbrooke families – to regain control. Unfortunately, by then, Charlotte had died.”
“He kept Amelia as the only Luna Queen of Clifflands, but their relationship was beyond repair. Amelia used her influence to erase all memory and record of
Charlotte’s existence.”
The revelation stunned me. “Do Augustin and Evanth even know about Charlotte?”
“I doubt it,” Elton said grimly. “That history has been thoroughly buried.”
I committed every name and detail to memory, recognizing these as vital clues to understanding the complex political landscape of Clifflands. I would need to be even warier of Amelia than I’d thought.
“Thank you for the tour,” I told Elton sincerely as we returned to the village center. “And for the history lesson.”
I reflected on how limiting it would have been to remain in the comfortable bubble of Levenston Manor, never gaining this crucial outside perspective.
As other Alphas invited to the festival began arriving, Elton excused himself to greet them. Before leaving, I noticed his daughter Juliet practically vibrating with excitement about the upcoming celebration.
I silently hoped the young woman would find her fated mate at the festival, sparing her the twisted path fate had set for Scarlett and me.
Scarlett and I retired to our room to rest before the evening’s festivities, both of us lost in thought about everything we’d learned.
A sharp knock jolted me from deep sleep. Scarlett was already sitting up, looking disoriented.
*Luna Juno? Luna Scarlett?” called a voice through the door. “The festival has begun. You’re invited to sit at the head table as special guests from Clifflands.”
We exchanged alarmed glances, realizing we’d overslept. Scrambling out of bed, we rushed to prepare ourselves.
“We’re representing Augustin and Bryłoch, I reminded Scarlett as I quickly pinned my hair up. “We need to look dignified.”
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She nodded, applying a touch of lipstick. “No drinking tonight,” she whispered. “We need to stay sharp.
Agreed.”
A soft knock announced Juliet, sent by her father to escort us to the main table. As by the scene before me.
we followed her through the crowded festival grounds, I was captivated
Colorful streamers and twinkling lights decorated the square. Music filled the air, mingling with laughter and cheers. Confetti drifted in the gentle evening breeze. Despite everything this pack had suffered, they had found the strength to celebrate and laugh.
Women, children, and men danced together, their faces alight with joy. It was beautiful to witness.
As we continued toward the head table, weaving through increasingly dense crowds, a scent suddenly caught my attention.
Seraphine instantly went rigid inside me, her emotions flooding through our connection – tension, excitement, and fear all at once.
It was a unique masculine scent, a blend of musk and cedar, with hints of morning dew, powerful and captivating. It surrounded me, dominated me. My heart began to race, my breathing quickening.
I tried to focus on Augustin, to bring his image to mind, but strangely, I couldn’t. Not in this moment.
This was fate pulling me. This scent belonged to someone significant, someone connected to me in a way I couldn’t comprehend.
Almost unconsciously, I altered my course, moving away from Scarlett and Juliet to follow the source of the scent. Whoever it was seemed aware of my presence, deliberately using their scent to guide me somewhere private.
My rational mind screamed that this was dangerous and foolish, but my wolf had taken over. I fought against the pull, tried to stop, but Seraphine’s curiosity and longing overpowered my reason.
I quickened my pace through the crowd, leaving the festival area for a quiet garden illuminated by moonlight.
There, standing alone, was a male figure holding a single rose. His eyes held a complex mixture of emotions – fear, anticipation, sorrow, and hope.
The moment I saw him, tears sprang to my eyes. My heart hammered wildly, my hands trembling without my permission. I felt utterly overwhelmed, emotions I couldn’t name surging through me.
Suddenly, everything clicked into place. I understood why he had always acted the way he did, why others had hinted at a connection between us. Memories flashed through my mind – our first meeting at that party, his unusual attention, his boldness, his possessiveness.
A tear slid down his cheek as he bowed respectfully, his hand trembling as much as mine.
Through my tears, I whispered, “Why didn’t you tell me that night?”
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Chapter 127
