Junos Pov
I spotted Amelia standing in the hallway, her shoulders hunched as if carrying an Invisible weight. Her normally composed appearance was dishevated eyes red and swollen, hands trembling slightly. The scent of salt and sorrow hung heavy around her.
Seraphine growled softly. Just walk away.
1 should have listened to Seraphine, should have continued walking past Amelia without a second glance. Our relationship had been strained at best, hostile at worst. But something in her defeated posture tugged at my heart.
Are you okay?” I asked softly.
Amelia shook her head, her shoulders trembling slightly. “Evanth… he won’t leave his room. He feels worthless.” Her voice cracked, thick with unished tears. “I tried to convince him, but he’s too ashamed to face anyone.”
I sighed and stepped closer. “Evanth needs time,” I said, “lle nearly died. If Theron hadn’t confessed, he would be dead by now. He needs time to recover.”
Without warning, Amelia lunged forward and wrapped her arms around me, burying her face against my shoulder as she began to sob quietly. I froze, completely unprepared for this display of vulnerability from a woman who had consistently opposed me. Awkwardly, I returned the embrace, patting her back gently.
“You need to calm down,” I advised, feeling her body shake against mine. “Crying won’t solve anything. Find things and people that make Evanth happy and surround him with them.”
Amelia took a deep breath and stepped back, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. Then, to my surprise, she bent at the waist in a perfect, aristocratic curtsy before straightening to study me carefully.
“You will soon be Luna Queen,” she said, her voice steadier now. “There are things I need to tell you–secrets I once swore I would take to my grave, but I suspect they may be part of the reason my sons are suffering now.”
I raised an eyebrow, shocked that Amelia would willingly share secrets with me. “Are you sure you want to tell me?”
Amelia nodded firmly. “You will soon be Luna Queen, ruling alongside Augustin. In fact, you already are.” Her eyes held a complex mixture of emotions I couldn’t quite decipher. “Unlike me, your Alpha loves you and gives you freedom. You participate in elder council discussions and offer advice–things that were not permitted in my time. You give the women of Clifflands hope.”
She sighed softly. “There are things I need to say for the sake of the Levenston bloodline. Remember, you carry a Levenston in your womb, and you need to know the truth about Nathanael and my children.”
I thought of what Elton had told me about Nathanael having fated mate. Was Amelia about to tell me the truth, or was she crafting another deception, just as she might have deceived her sons for years?
“Does this have anything to do with what’s happening now?” I asked directly. My eyes narrowed slightly as I studied her face for any sign of dishonesty. After everything that had happened, I couldn’t afford to take her words at face value.
Amelia paused, studying me carefully as she considered what to tell me. Finally, she gave a small nod. “It might.”
I’ll come to your room shortly, but I want to check on Scarlett first, I told her through our mind–link, glancing around the hallway. “The corridor isn’t as safe as we might think. There could be spies lurking nearby.7
Amelia nodded and turned toward her room while headed to the Beta wing to see Scarlett.
I arrived at Scarlett’s door and knocked gently.
‘It’s unlocked, come in!” Scarlett’s cheerful voice called from inside.
I pushed open the door to find my friend sitting on the sofa, struggling with embroidery. I noticed her skills had improved, but she was still fighting with the needle and thread, the pattern on the fabric crooked and uneven.
1/2
Chapter 146
you and Augustin missed dinner Scarlett said, lookbig on with schiene rastle in her w
I nodded, settling beside her on the sola. How are you feeling?
Scarlett sighed, setting her embroidery aside. Honestly? A bit anxiona
“Why?” asked curiously.
She put down her work, more a colorful tangle than art, and her expression grew serious. “I’ve always wanted children,” she said softly Be Della entered my life with Maddox, it became a distant dream She offered a bitter smile. Now that I’ve found love again, Bryloch and I have been trying sce before you and Augustin got together. Then Freya and Adryx got together…
Scarlett looked down, tears pooling in her eyes. “And I’m still waiting in line. It was the same with Maddox, which is why Delia got the best treatment from him. Now with Bryloch… Her voice trembled too much to continue.
I moved closer, rubbing her back gently. ‘Don’t worry, you’ll have your day too,” I reassured her.
“But when? Scarlett choked out.
“Maybe you should see a doctor,” I suggested. Find out if there’s anything wrong and if it can be fixed.”
Scarlett looked up at me, hope flickering in her eyes. “You’re right. Will you come with me to the hospital tomorrow?”
I hesitated, remembering my conversation with Augustín about protection and not going out alone. “Maybe you should go with Bryloch? This concerns both of you.”
Scarlett shook her head violently. “No, I want you with me, not Bryloch. Fear flashed in her eyes. “If… if there’s something wrong with me, he might change his mind when he finds out.” She gripped my hand tightly. “I love him. I can’t lose him.”
Seeing the genuine fear in her eyes, I squeezed her hand. “There’s nothing wrong with you, I promise. I’ll talk to Augustin about letting me go with you to the hospital.”
After comforting her for a while longer, I decided to leave, not wanting to keep Amelia waiting too long.
-Delaying my talk with Amelia might not have been wise, I thought as I walked through the corridors. Whatever she wants to tell me must be serious. But the news might have left me too shocked to check on my friend, so seeing Scarlett first was the right choice.
I walked barefoot, ensuring no one could hear my footsteps. Seraphine let out a satisfied growl. We should do this more often, she said.
Eliza was at the top of my watch list. That girl was hiding something, and I intended to find out what. Who gave her that phone? Who was she communicating with? Was she truly loyal to Clifflands, or was she a spy for someone else?
I reached Amelia’s door and knocked lightly.
Chapter Comments
