Chapter 132
Augustin’s POV
When Adryx came to find me, I was speaking on stage. He didn’t link with me, just stood there looking at me with concern. Chir eyes met, and I kne immediately something was wrong. He wouldn’t interrupt an official co
I council meeting unless it was urgent.
“Excuse me,” i said, setting down my notes. “I need a brief moment.”
Whispers erupted as 1 stepped away from the podium. Behind me, Bryloch smoothly took my place.
‘Let’s continue while Alpha King Levenston addresses this matter, he announced, his authoritative voice instantly quieting the room.
I joined Adryx in the hallway, closing the door behind us.
“What is it?” I demanded.
“Juno’s back.“Adryx said, lowering his voice.
Relief washed through me. I’d been worried sick that she might have encountered Matthew or Kieran and been persuaded to leave. A painful truth had settled in my mind these past days–if she willingly chose to follow either of them, I wouldn’t pursue her. I couldn’t. Starting the war that my mother, Evanth, and the entire council had been anticipating was not an option over a personal matter. No matter how much it hurt, if she left of her own accord, I had to let her go.
“But she’s sick,” Adryx continued, his brows furrowed. “Freya insisted I get a doctor and notify you immediately. She seemed quite concerned.”
My blood ran cold. “Sick how? Was she injured?”
“Not injured that I could see. Freya said she’s pale, sweating, and vomitin
that came back up. She-”
She couldn’t keep anything down. Freya tried to get her to drink water, but even
I didn’t wait for him to finish. My mind immediately went to Elton Riddick. Would he poison Juno to get to me? Absolutely.
I raced through the hallway, ignoring the surprised looks from staff and council members. Outside, I jumped into the first car I saw–not even my own–and barked at the driver.
“Levenston Manor. Now.”
The driver, a young man I didn’t recognize, looked startled but nodded quickly. “Yes, Alpha King.”
I drummed my fingers against my thigh as we sped through streets. Fenris paced anxiously in my mind, his worry feeding mine.
She’ll be fine, I told him, though I didn’t believe it myself. She has to be.
What if it’s poison? Fenris growled. What if Riddick did something to her?
Then we’ll make them pay, I promised my wolf. No one hurts our mate and lives.
We arrived at the manor in record time. I leapt out before the car fully stopped, not bothering to thank the driver–something I’d need to remedy later. Right now, only Juno mattered.
I took the stairs three at a time, practically running down the hallway to our bedroom. The door was ajar, and I could hear quiet voices inside.
Scarlett and Freya were sitting beside the bed where Juno lay. She looked so small against the dark sheets, her skin pale and clammy. An older man white coat was checking her pulse.
Fenris howled inside me, his fear nearly overwhelming my control. I pushed him back, keeping my face calm. Showing panic wouldn’t help her.
I learned from Scarlett that Juno had been sick for five days. My anger was mixed with fear. I couldn’t lose Juno. The doctor said she needed to be examined, and we followed all the instructions precisely.
1/3
The man’s face softened into a smile. Congratulations, Alpha King. Luna funn is pregnant
I stared at him. “What?”
Luna Juno is pregnant.”
The room seemed to tilt. Pregnant? Juno was carrying my child? I looked down at her, searching her face.
“Pregnant?” I repeated. “Are you certain?”
“Yes,” the doctor affirmed.
“But she’s been sick,” I said, “She’s had fevers, vomiting… Freya didn’t experience this when she got pregnant.
The doctor nodded, “Every pregnancy is different, Alpha King. Some women experience morning sickness more severely than others. I’ll run more tests to be thorough, but from what I can see, Luna simply needs rest. There’s nothing concerning about her condition.”
I noticed Freya didn’t look surprised by this news. She was watching Juno carefully, her eyes still concerned.
“Are you certain nothing else is wrong?” I pressed. Could someone have… could she have been poisoned?”
The doctor’s eyebrows shot up. “Poisoned? That’s a serious accusation, Alpha King. What makes you suspect such a thing?”
“She was in Lakeside territory,” I said quietly. “Not everyone there is friendly to Clifflands.”
‘I see,” he replied, his expression turning more serious. “I see no definitive evidence of poisoning, but you’re right to be cautious. I can run specific toxicology tests to be certain. I’ve taken blood samples already to confirm the pregnancy and check her general health.”
“How long will those test results take?” I asked.
*For a full panel, about 24 hours,” the doctor replied. “I’ll expedite them personally.”
He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “What she needs now is rest. I’ve given her a mild sedative to help her sleep. The nausea should subside when
she wakes.”
“When will that be?”
“A few hours. The sedative is very gentle, safe for the baby. I selected it specifically with her condition in mind.”
I nodded, not taking my eyes off Juno. Her breathing had already evened out, her eyes closed again.
“We’ll leave you alone with her,” Scarlett said softly, rising from her chair. Freya followed.
The doctor packed his bag. “Call me if anything changes. I’ll return tomorrow with the test results.”
Once they’d gone, I pulled a chair close to the bed and sat, still holding Juno’s hand. A baby. Our baby. The thought was overwhelming–terrifying and wonderful all at once.
About thirty minutes later, a soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I recognized that knock–only one person in the entire manor dared knock like that. My mother.
I carefully extracted my hand from Juno’s and went to the door, opening it just enough to slip outside. I didn’t want her voice waking Juno.
“Augustin,” my mother said, her eyes flickering past me toward the bed. “I heard Juno returned. Is she alright?”
I closed the door firmly. “Mother.”
