Juno’s POV
The meeting with Alpha Elton left me feeling somewhat relieved. We’d reached an understanding, even if getting there hadn’t been pleasant. His face showed traces of sadness as our discussion wrapped up, but that was understandable. No father wants to admit his daughter might be a traitor.
I did him a huge favor by not pushing Augustin to investigate my poisoning, I thought, absently stroking my slightly rounded belly. Since I was pregnant, it could’ve been considered treason against the crown. He should be grateful.
I hoped our plan would work. If we could catch enough people involved in this organization, maybe we could force their leader to surface, or at least make them back off long enough for Augustin and me to prepare for our wedding in peace. The last thing I needed was more drama before our ceremony.
Alpha Elton still looked dejected, his shoulders slumped as he stared at the floor. The weight of potentially discovering his daughter’s betrayal was clearly crushing him.
The door opened, and Amelia walked in, looking surprisingly refreshed. The dark circles under her eyes had disappeared, and she carried herself with renewed energy.
“Well, I seem to be the only one in a good mood,” she commented, quickly reading the room’s tense atmosphere. “What did I miss?”
Elton straightened in his chair. “Luna Juno believes my daughter tried to poison her and might be working for this ‘resistance organization.”
Amelia’s eyes widened slightly before she nodded. “The poisoning did happen here, in your pack. We had to call in a doctor to clean out her system.”
Fear flashed across Elton’s face. “If Juliet really did this… I don’t know what I’ll do. She’s my only daughter.”
‘Children grow up and make their own choices,” Amelia said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Parents can’t blame themselves for what their adult children decide to do.”
Her words didn’t seem to help. Elton’s expression remained pained, his scent tinged with distress.
“Fox mentioned women who threatened him,” I said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “Maybe he can identify them.”
“We can gather everyone in the manor and have him point out who threatened him,” I continued. I reached for my phone and contacted Delta Stefan.
“Stefan, I need you to gather everyone at the manor in the east garden in thirty minutes. Make sure no one leaves.”
“Yes, Luna, came his immediate response.
“Does that work for everyone?” I asked, looking around the room.
Amelia nodded approvingly. “Excellent idea, Juno.”
Thirty minutes later, Stefan messaged that everything was ready. We walked toward the east garden in silence.
Please let us find something useful, I prayed silently. We need to catch enough of them to either force their boss to show himself or make them back off. Eith outcome would be better than our current situation.
When we reached the east garden, I was surprised by how many people had gathered. The manor staff stood in neat rows, while the tribute women clustered together near the fountain. Everyone looked confused and nervous, glancing at each other with questioning eyes.
I noticed several Lunas who were ‘in service‘ giving me contemptuous looks. I almost laughed. They’re just jealous Lunas. If Augustin or Bryloch or Adryx told them to spread their legs, they’d do it eagerly. The thought made their scornful expressions almost amusing.
“Where’s Fox?” I asked Stefan, who stood at attention nearby.
*Being brought in now, Luna.”
The crowd parted as Fox was led into the garden. It was the first time I’d gotten a clear look at him, and my heart clenched. He really was just a kid. His
1/3
Chapter 256
thin frame and frightened eyes made him look even younger.
He’s a child, I thought angrily. Lyric and that “king” used a child for their schemes. The thought made my blood boil. It shows what kind of person this leader someone who won’t respect life or innocence if he gets power. When we catch him, I’ll tell him exactly what I think about that.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as people noticed Fox. Some looked confused, others angry.
‘Quiet!” Scarlett commanded, her voice cutting through the whispers.
“Anyone who speaks will be thrown in the cells,” Freya added coldly. ‘We will not tolerate disrespect.”
Delta Stefan approached me, bending slightly to speak quietly. “Luna, Alpha Augustin has requested that Fox be brought to the receiving room. Alphas Harrington and Halloway are there as well.”
“That’s fine,” I said. “Take him there and bring him back immediately after.”
“Yes, Luna.”
As Fox was led away, I caught myself grinding my teeth. Lyric Stewart would face a thorough interrogation. She didn’t deserve freedom after what she’d done, and I wouldn’t feel guilty making her suffer. Not one bit.
Is Fox going to be okay? Scarlett linked me.
Augustin wants Matthew and Kieran to hear directly from him, I explained.
Really? Scarlett’s surprise was evident even through the link.
They’ll manage, replied, though I wasn’t entirely convinced.
I wonder how Augustin will handle it, she mused.
‘Is that boy Stewart’s son?” Elton asked, his voice low. “He looks so young.”
‘He is, I confirmed. “His mother dragged him into this rebellion to control his father and the Clifflands alphas. He helped them move money.”
Amelia sniffed disapprovingly. “Lyric has always been trouble. Like mother, like daughter. Her mother slept with Nathanael a few times and thought that entitled her to leave her husband. I wish Ulysses had looked before he leaped, but love is blind, I suppose.”
I considered the implications. The Stewart family might be banished for Lyric’s actions, unless Augustin took full power and pardoned Ulysses while punishing only Lyric.
Will Matthew and Kieran even let Augustin become King of all regions? Will they work with him after what happened with me? The thought troubled me. Their feelings for me might cloud their judgment about what was best for everyone.
Twenty minutes later, Fox returned. The guards removed his chains, allowing him to move freely.
“Fox will identify people by sight,” I announced loudly, though we’d agreed he would actually use his sense of smell. This way, t confident they wouldn’t be caught, since Fox hadn’t seen their faces during the threats.
ity would feel
Stefan stayed close to Fox as he began walking through the rows of staff members. He passed by each person, showing no reaction. My heart sank a little as he moved through the entire staff without identifying anyone.
Then he approached the tribute women. He stopped in front of a dark–haired Forestvale woman, inhaling deeply.
My pulse quickened. He continued through the group, stopping again at a Lakeside Luna who worked in the gardens.
Excitement surged through me. I recognized the Forestvale woman. This was a major break.
