Augustin’s POV
Fox hesitated only briefly before answering. Luma Qiana. Brynn Callaway. Luna Nola. Francis Vasquez. He paused. “Some Alphas from Forestvale,
I kept my expression neutral, but inside, I felt a twist of dismay. These were powerful people, deeply embedded in our political system.
Any other regions besides Forestvale?”
“They have people everywhere except Fireland,” Fox said. “At least, that’s what I was told.”
And what exactly is their plan?” I pushed.
“They want to weaken your power, Fox explained, his voice growing steadier as he continued to cooperate. “Get rid of you, Alpha Harrington, and Alpha Halloway. They say the three of you are the problem with the world.”
My eyes narrowed. “Why those specific Alphas?”
“I don’t know all the details,” Fox admitted. “But there’s someone they’re looking for, someone named Chris Sinclair? I don’t know who that is.”
I kept my face impassive. Chris, my half–brother. The son my father had with his fated mate.
“Who’s leading this organization?” Adryx asked.
“Everyone takes orders from someone they call ‘Sovereign,” Fox replied. “I never met them. But the plan is to eliminate everyone and then have Sovereign lead the Council”
“Eliminate?” I repeated.
Fox nodded. “They said…” He swallowed hard. “Luna Queen Levenston, and Luna Levenston, are on the list too.”
The room temperature seemed to drop several degrees. Bryloch and Adryx both stiffened.
“I think I’m on the list too,” Fox added, “Someone tried to kill me before I was arrested. I think once I delivered the money, I became a liability.”
I exchanged a glance with Adryx and Bryloch. Their faces mirrored my own concern. If Fox was telling the truth, our families were in immediate danger. Bryloch’s mate, Scarlett, was now pregnant. Adryx’s mate, Freya, was further along. And Juno… my Berry… carried our child.
I also noted that Kieran’s territory seemed to be the only one not infiltrated. And Matthew was apparently a target.
Bryloch stepped forward, his expression hard. “How do we know you’re telling the truth? What evidence do you have?”
Fox looked up at him, then back to me, and with a dejected expression. “None,” he admitted. “They deleted all the emails. They took down the app. There’s nothing left to prove what I’m saying.”
Bryloch cursed and slammed his fist against the wall.
I felt my hand begin to shake. I was a target. Juno was a target. Our child was a target. We needed Kieran’s help more than ever, and I needed to find my half–brother, Chris, and his family before the organization did.
“Are there spies in this manor?” Adryx asked suddenly, his eyes narrowing at Fox. “Is that why you’re telling us all this? Are you feeding us information they want us to have?”
Fox’s eyes filled with tears again. “No! If I was sent here to give you fake information, don’t you think I’d have brought evidence to convince you about certain people?” His voice was desperate, terrified. “I’m telling you the truth. And yes, there are people in the Levenston Manor who work for them.”
“Who?” I demanded.
1/3
one of your girlfriends. The one you like best. His eyes flicked up to meet mine. She has access to your seal and documents-
anytime
Eliza, I clenched my fist, rage coursing through me.
There’s also a woman named Octavia,” Fox continued. “She says she’s close to you. She visits occasionally.”
My mind went to the women from my disbanded harem. Octavia had been one of them.
Fox lowered his voice even further. “There are two women here. They came to my cell after I was brought in. They were wearing guard uniforms with face coverings.” His eyes darted nervously around the room as if afraid the walls might be listening. “They warned me that if I didn’t keep my mouth shut, the organization would hunt down my family one by one. They knew my family’s daily routines. They even described the layout of our kitchen… This wasn’t bluff. They really can reach my family.” Sweat beaded on his forehead as he trembled.
I studied him for a long moment. Despite my distrust, I believed
“Would you recognize these women if you saw them again?” I asked.
“They wore face coverings,” Fox replied. “But I know their scents.”
The fear in his scent was too potent to be faked.
us
An idea formed in my mind. “Fox, I’m going to offer you a deal. You help identify the traitors in this manor, and I’ll ensure your protection. If you prove useful, we’ll create a cover story that you’ve been working as our spy all along.”
Fox’s eyes widened slightly.
“But,” I continued, my voice hardening, “if I find out you’ve betrayed us in
any
Fox swallowed hard, his face paling even further. “Yes, Alpha King.”
way, I will personally execute you. Do you understand?”
Bryloch made a disgusted sound. “You can’t trust him, Augustin.”
I looked at my friend, noticing the fear in his eyes. It only strengthened my resolve, Bryloch was never afraid, but now, with his pregnant mate potentially in danger, he had reason to be.
“We don’t have a choice,” I said grimly. “We need to act fast. If what Fox says is exiled, our mates will be vulnerable.”
true,
of
o us are clear targets. And if we’re removed from power or
I turned to face both of them directly. “We need to contact Kieran. We need his territory as refuge for Fox, and possibly for your mates. My brow furrowed. “You both have pregnant partners. They’ll be safer in Fireland if things go wrong here.”
“You’re a target too,” Bryloch reminded me.
“I know,” I acknowledged. “And I need to find my half–brother and his family before this organization does.” I stood up, decision made. “Have all the women in the manor gathered in the main hall. Every single one of them.”
“What are you going to do?” Adryx asked.
‘I’m going to have Fox identify the women who threatened him,” I replied. “And then we’ll know who our enemies are.”
Fox nodded, determination replacing some of his fear
“What about our mates?” Bryloch asked. “How do we tell them?”
I thought of Juno, of how she had already been poisoned once. Of how she had received threatening notes.
“We don’t let them question Fox,” I decided. “If they need to know, we tell them ourselves. They don’t need to see this.”
Bryloch nodded in agreement. ‘Scarlett will want to help, though.
“So will Freya,” Adryx added, worry evident in his voice. “She’s been investigating on her own. I think she suspects something already.”
2/3
Chapter 241
I looked at my two closest friends, reading the concern on their faces, and realized just how deep in trouble the three of us were.
