Chapter 142
Kieran’s POV
The inurney back to Fireland was torture. Storm wouldn’t stop howling, his pain and rage a constant barrage against my consciousness,
He failed again! he snarled. We let her go again! What kind of Alpha are we?
The kind that respects her choice, I growled back.
She is OURS! The Moon Goddess meant her for US!
She loves him.”
1 remembered holding Juno at that party, feeling the rightness of her in my arms, knowing with absolute certainty that she was my fated mate. I should have acted then. Storm had urged me to challenge Matthew immediately, to claim what was ours by right.
But no. I’d been respectful. I’d thought their marriage was still solid, despite Isabelle’s appearance. I’d thought there would be time.
And now she belonged to Augustin Levenston.
What do we do now? Storm finally asked, his anger fading to dejection.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I don’t fucking know.”
By the time we reached Fireland, I’d cried every tear I had to give. My eyes were raw, my throat aching. I went straight to my office, not wanting anyone to see their Alpha in such a state.
What now? Storm asked again, quieter this time.
“We wait,” I said, staring out the window at my territory. “Juno doesn’t like to share. And Levenston men are known for having multiple women. If he betrays her trust…”
Then we’ll be there for her, Storm finished. But what if he doesn’t?
“Then…” The thought was almost too painful to voice. “Then we accept that she’s happy, and we find a way to move on.”
We could fight for her! Storm growled, the idea of war flaring up again. Start a war, take her from him by force! She was given to us by the Moon Goddess! She’s
OURS!
Tears streamed down my face again. “We can’t fight her love for him, Storm. All we can do is wait for him to mess up. And if he doesn’t… if he truly makes her happy… then we’ll be her friend. Nothing more.”
The thought was devastating. But I meant it. I loved Juno enough to want her happiness, even if it wasn’t with me.
“Alpha? You have a message.”
1
I looked up from my desk to see Marcus, my Beta, standing in the doorway. It had been a day since our return from Dawnshere, and I’d been buried in work, trying to distract myself from thoughts of Juno.
“What is it?”
Marcus handed me an elegant envelope. “From the Clifflands Council of Elders.”
I frowned, breaking the seal. The Council rarely contacted me directly – they usually went through smaller Alphas in Fireland, knowing I had no interest in their politics after what Nathanael had done to my family.
The invitation inside was printed on heavy cream paper:
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he Clifflands Counell of Elder invites the cateemed finland faci de marihipate in the All Tarton was chandon moon: Events include pelo, vimining, soccer, gale croquet, volleyball, archery, invested onto call me on join us for this month–long celebration of athletic prowess and inter territory goodwill.
Regards,
Glenn Cole
On behalf of the Clifflands Council of Elders
1 stared at the invitation, my mind racing.
This is strange, Marcus said, voicing my thoughts. “They know we have issues with their Alpha King. Why invite us now?”
“Good question.” I turned the invitation over in my hands. A month–long championship In Clifflands. Which meant…
I could see Juno again. Legally. Without threat of territory violation.
Before the wedding, Storm added.
“Will Levenston be participating?” I asked Marcus.
He nodded. “He competes in the polo tournament every year. It’s something of a
A smile spread across my face. “Do we have a good polo team?”
tradition for the Levenston family.”
Marcus looked surprised by my sudden interest. “Patrick Hamilton has an excellent team. He moved here from Clifflands twelve years ago with his brother’s family. His brother and sister–in–law moved back to Clifflands, but his niece stayed with him. They could potentially represent Fireland against Levenston’s
team.”
Perfect. An opportunity to face Augustin directly, to show Juno which of us was the better man. Not through trickery or manipulation, but through fair competition.
This is our chance, Storm growled approvingly. Our last chance.
He was right. I’d failed to fight for Juno once, when she was with Matthew. That mistake had cost me everything. I wouldn’t make it again.
If only I’d taken her from Matthew that night, she never would have been sacrificed to Clifflands. She never would have had to give herself to Levenston. The thought made my blood boil.
Contact Patrick Hamilton,” I told Marcus. “Tell him I want to meet him today. And respond to the Council that we’d like to reserve spots in the championship – especially polo – before they fill up.”
For the first time since leaving Dawnshere, I felt a spark of hope. A month in Clifflands. A month to show Juno who I really was.
Patrick Hamilton arrived at my office that evening, accompanied by his niece, Marcus had sent a helicopter to bring them from Ebontide as quickly as possible.
Patrick looked healthy for a man in his mid–forties, with salt–and–pepper hair and bright, intelligent eyes. His niece was stunning a golden–haired beauty in her mid–twenties, with a confident stride and sharp gaze.
“Alpha Halloway, Patrick bowed his head respectfully. “What honor brings us to your presence?*
I gestured for them to sit. “I hear you have the best polo teams in Fireland, Mr. Hamilton.”
He smiled modestly. “We do our best, Alpha. Though polo isn’t as popular here as it is in Clifflands.”
‘I know you relocated from Clifflands some years ago, I said, getting straight to the point. “I’ve received an invitation from the Council of Elders for the All- Territory Championship during the next new moon. I’d like your teams to represent Fireland.”
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Patrick’s eyes widened with surprise and delight. It would be an honor, Alpha! I’ve been looking for an opportunity to showcase our team.
I turned to his niece. Do you play as well?
Patrick answered for her. She does, but she won’t be competing. Not at that level. She’ll be managing the teams.”
The woman’s lips curved in a slight smile, but she remained silent, watching me.
“How many teams will you enter?‘ I asked.
“Fireland has three strong teams,” Patrick replied. “They’ve been training together for years.”
“Excellent. I’ll respond to the Council to reserve three slots for polo. I leaned back in my chair. I’ll need team names and rosters.
Patrick nodded eagerly. “Of course, Alpha. We’ll have everything to you by tomorrow.”
As they left my office, a sense of purpose filled me for the first time in weeks. A legitimate, non–threatening reason to spend an entire month in Clifflands. A chance to see Juno again.
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