Chapter 188
Juno’s POV
Augustin’s gaze lock onto that wonian across the room, my breath caught in my throat. wasn’t moving, wasn’t even blinking.
I followed his line of sight, scanning the crowd until my eyes landed on the blonde woman who had just entered. The same woman who now stand fromes at the entrance, staring directly at Augustin.
Turning my head slightly, I caught Matthew watching me from across the room, concern etched across his haggard features. Something in his eyes told me he recognized what was happening.
I’d been here before. I’d lived through this exact moment once already in my life.
No. Not again. Please, not again.
A sense of foreboding crept up my spine, but I pushed it down, refusing to believe history would repeat itself. Augustin was different. He had promised me. He had chosen me already.
Around us, the gala continued in full swing. Freya and Adryx were dancing, their bodies moving in perfect harmony. Amelia was chatting with some guests near the dessert table, while Bryloch was introducing Scarlett to some important Alpha from a neighboring territory.
I hesitated, unsure if I should touch Augustin’s arm or call his name.
Augustin? I linked him.
He didn’t respond.
My heart began to pound harder in my chest, each beat feeling like it might crack my ribs.
Get away from here now! Seraphine howled in my mind, her voice filled with pain. We’ve been through this before. We know how it ends.
Augustin? I tried again.
His eyes remained fixed on the blonde woman, who had begun to make her way through the crowd toward our table. I watched as people parted for her, some with curious glances, others with knowing smiles.
“Mate,” Augustin whispered, the word falling from his lips like a death sentence.
Tears immediately sprang to my eyes, but I blinked them back furiously. I would not cry. Not here. Not in front of Azalea and Matthew. Not in front of
everyone.
He’s different, I told myself desperately. He promised. He said he would choose me over fate.
But another voice in my head, cold and cynical, asked: Don’t they all say that? Didn’t Matthew say the same thing?
I sat perfectly still, my face a mask of calm while inside 1 was shattering into a million pieces. My hand instinctively moved to my stomach, where our child
grew.
The blonde woman drew closer, and I could see her clearly now. She was beautiful, perfectly proportioned body, full lips, gentle eyes, oval face. Everything about her screamed perfection.
I remained seated, my body trembling slightly though I hoped no one could tell. Augustin continued to stare at her as th the room.
e were the only person in
I understood that feeling. I had felt it with Kieran. The difference was that I had fought against it. Augustin showed no signs of resistance.
Of course he doesn’t need to resist, my mind whispered traitorously. He’s the Alpha King. He’s allowed to have mistresses, a harem if he wants. Being faithful to you is a choice for him, not an obligation.
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Chapter 188
He hadn’t marked me yet. And he wouldn’t need a Purplemom radny to mark w 1 was trapped
Would he accept her? Mark her? Keep me as a mistress?
I sat still, watching her approach, anger burning uncontrollably inside me. I wanted nothing more than to stand up and order the gets to keep the wor out of the hall, to throw her on the ground outside. But I knew Augustin would not allow it. Not with the way he was bonking at bax
The woman’s eyes were filled with tears, but she looked relieved and happy, Joyful, even, though there was something else there
My stomach churned, and I couldn’t speak, could barely breathe, but i remained seated, my back straight, my Hands folded in my leg.
“Cassandra?” Augustin breathed.
Cassandra. The name hit me like a hammer to the chest. This was Cassandra. The woman Augustin had told me not to worry about. The woman who had left him. The woman he’d said was in his past.
I felt betrayed all over again, but part of me wanted to defend him. Maybe he really had intended to keep his promise to me. The conflict within me grow stronger, trust and doubt battling for dominance until I could barely breathe.
I understood now the regret in her eyes. If she hadn’t run away to Fireland, they would probably be happily married by now, with little wolf més of their own. I was just her replacement.
I began to gather myself, preparing to leave the hall. I had rehearsed this scene in my head, how I would stand with dignity, how I would walk away without letting anyone see my heartbreak. But I was hoping Augustin would stop me, would choose me.
Cassandra reached our table, smiling at Augustin, completely ignoring my existence.
People were staring now, conversations dying as they watched the drama unfold. Suddenly, a loud crash came from across the room, Matthew had knocked over a tray of champagne glasses, drawing everyone’s attention.
Lrealized he had done it deliberately, to help me save face, and the kindness of that gesture warmed me for a moment before the fear of what was to come froze me again.
“Augustin, Cassandra whispered, her voice melodic and soft.
He didn’t respond, still staring at her with that same intense focus.
Tears slipped down her cheeks as she whispered his name again, disbelief written across her features.
Augustin growled low in his throat, seeming to have trouble breathing. He didn’t want to breathe in her scent, I realized. He was fighting with Fenris, fighting against his wolf’s instincts.
Why is this happening to me again? I wondered, the unfairness of it burning in my chest. How rare are fated mates supposed to be? Why does this rare thing keep happening to me?
I bit the inside of my cheek hard, determined not to cry, to be strong through whatever humiliation was coming.
Azalea’s words echoed in my head. I had been so sure she was wrong. So sure Augustin was different.
I had told Augustin this wouldn’t be easy, and he had scoffed, calling Matthew weak. Now I watched as he prepared to do exactly what Matthew had done and the similarity made me certain history would repeat itself.
The Broken Luna’s Sacrifice
Chapter 189
