Augustin’s POV
Berry noticed my reaction and grabbed the bodywash, turning me around to wash my back. “They’re using it to threaten your mother,
My heart pounded harder. Helena knew many secrets about my mother, about my father. She’d used that information to blackmall my mother more than
If someone had access to those emails…
once.
“She’s afraid,” Berry continued, her hands gentle on my skin. “But I’m not sure they actually have anything concrete. The information they gave was vague, like they’re trying to scare her into making a mistake.”
I shook my head. “After talking with Fox, I don’t think so. These people are smart and cruel. They’re playing with her, waiting for the right moment.
Anger and frustration surged through me, and I felt Fenris pushing against my control, demanding release. I needed to run, to howl, to let the wolf burn off
this fear before it consumed me.
I turned off the water and leaned against the tile wall, feeling the cool surface against my back. ‘I need to go for a run with Fenris. I need to get this fear
out.”
Berry’s eyes filled with
sadness, but she nodded.
“I’ll be back in an hour,” I promised, stepping out of
room.
and grabbing a pair of shorts. Without bothering to dry off, I pulled them on and left the
I ran until my lungs burned, until my paws ached, pushing myself harder with each stride. We had so little to go on, a few pawns, but not the masterminds. Fox and Eliza had given us names, but would it be enough?
I needed to end this before our wedding. I wanted to celebrour union in peace, not shrouded in fear and suspicion. And when I caught the ones responsible, they would know a slow, painful death. I would make sure of it.
As the morning grew brighter, I returned to where I’d left my shorts, shifting back to human form. I dressed quickly and jogged back to the manor, eager to shower and change.
When I entered our bedroom, I saw Berry standing by the window, one hand resting on her small bump. Her eyes were swollen; she’d been crying while I was gone, worrying about everything alone.
Despite being covered in sweat and dirt, I couldn’t stop myself from coming up behind her and wrapping my arms around her. She leaned back against me, and I buried my face in her hair.
‘I’d give it all up for you,” I whispered. “We could leave, disappear. Live a quiet life somewhere far from here.”
She turned to face me, and I saw her eyes were red and puffy. She’d definitely been crying.
“My half–brother has a family,” I continued. “He lives a normal life, never looking back. We could do the same.” I brushed my thumb across her cheek. “I’m tired of all this. We don’t even have time to plan our wedding properly. We probably won’t get a honeymoon.”
Berry shook her head, her eyes filling not with tears but with anger.
“You’ve already called Matthew and Kieran for help,” she said, “Listen to me.”
She placed her hands on my chest, looking up at me with fierce determination.
“You are the Alpha King. The leader of all packs. You should never back down, Augustin.” Her voice gained strength. “Sometimes people need a nightm wake up.”
I blinked, surprised by her vehemence.
‘Arrest every person Fox and Eliza mentioned,” she continued. “Strip them of their rights. Suppress the Elder Council. Remove anyone who opposes you. Be the tyrant they fear,”
1/3
Chapter 248
Her words stunned me. This was my sweet Berry, who had shown me kindness and compassion when I needed it most, advocate, C. rumina
I will stand beside you,” she promised. I will support your every move. We need to end this, no matter the cost.
She was right. Waiting and planning was getting us nowhere. We needed to act now, decisively, to shake the organization to its core,
“We’ll arrest them all at once,‘ I said, the plan forming in my mind. “Every region, simultaneously. They won’t have time to warn each other, Well shock. them into revealing more.”
1 cupped her face in my hands. “I’ll be that monster, Berry.”
She placed her hand over mine and guided it to her stomach. “We together,” she said, her eyes locked with mine.
I felt a small laugh escape me, despite the gravity of the moment. ‘Yes,‘ Lagreed. “Let’s get ready. We have breakfast with Alpha Elton.
Twenty minutes later, I was buttoning my shirt while Berry adjusted her dress. The formal breakfast had been her idea, a show of respect to Alpha Elton Riddick after everything he’d been through.
You look beautiful,” I said, moving behind her to zip up her dress. I pressed a kiss to her exposed shoulder.
My alpha, everyone is waiting. Bryloch linked me for the third time in fifteen minutes.
We’re coming, I replied, suppressing a smirk. Some things can’t be rushed.
Berry raised an eyebrow. “Bryloch again?”
“Third time,” I confirmed. “Let’s not keep them waiting any longer.”
As we walked through the manor corridors, my hand rested on the small of Berry’s back. The weight of yesterday’s discoveries hung between us, but there would be time to address them after breakfast.
When we entered the dining hall, everyone was already seated and eating. Freya looked uncomfortable, shifting in her seat as we approached. Scarlett was engaged in animated conversation with Ruby, while my mother watched them with a tired smile, dark circles prominent under her
eyes.
Alpha Elton, Bryloch, Adryx, and Evanth rose immediately as we entered. I nodded in acknowledgment, guiding Berry to her seat at my right.
Mother, are you alright? Don’t worry, I’ll handle the matter. Try to rest. I linked her.
Her subtle nod was the only acknowledgment, but I caught the slight relaxation in her shoulders.
“Alpha Elton,” I said, moving first to Berry’s chair and holding it for her before taking my own seat. “Thank you for joining us this morning.”
The older Alpha’s weathered face creased into a genuine smile. “The honor is mine, Alpha King. I wanted to express my gratitude again for the medical ‘facility in Dawnshere. My people have already begun benefiting from the services.”
I served Berry’s plate first, selecting her preferred fruits and the lighter options I knew she could stomach in her current condition, then filled my own. “The school renovations should be completed within the month as well.”
“You’ve brought hope to a region that had forgotten what it looked like,” Elton said, his voice carrying gratitude. “My loyalty to your vision has never wavered.”
The rest of breakfast proceeded smoothly, with conversation flowing naturally between discussions of the upcoming weddings and pack affairs. My mother
remained subdued.
After breakfast, I summoned Bryloch, Adryx, and Evanth to my office. We needed to talk before Kieran and Matthew arrived.
