“Are you sure you want to talk to Eliza? Augustin weken, concern in BT
won’t let her know that I know she’s two Inced, 1 explained. I just want to study Bar, tew if I can pick up anthine
Augustin nodded, though he didn’t look entirely convinced.
When we entered the dining room, everyone was already sented. Matthew’s eyes immediately found mine, his gaze baner and yearning quickly kicked eway, unable to meet his stare.
“Good morning,” 1 greeted everyone, trying to sound normal.
Augustin pulled out my chair, his hand lingering protectively on my shoulder as I sat down.
“I missed dinner last night, Scarlett remarked. “I was too tired and fell asleep.”
“Me too,” I admitted with a smile.
“Well, I had something to eat before bed, Freya chimed in. “Couldn’t miss dinner.”
They always knew how to brighten my mood.
You reek of Levenston, Scarlett linked to me, her mental voice teasing. Poor Matthew and Kieran.
I suppressed a smile and reached for the food. Everything smelled amazing, and as soon as Augustin filled my plate, I began eating eagerly.
“What’s the plan for today?” Bryloch asked, addressing the table at large.
I noticed Elton Riddick shifting uncomfortably in his seat. He looked troubled, and I guessed he’d heard about Juliet.
“Vance is bringing his sister in,” Elton said quietly, confirming my suspicion. “She’s been arrested. He looked directly at me. We had nothing to do with the poisoning, I swear it. Please, spare my son and nephew.”
“Poisoning?” Matthew’s voice was sharp with shock. His hand trembled slightly, and I remembered how protective he’d always been of me. “Someone poisoned you at the Riddick home?”
I nodded, not elaborating. Everyone had heard Lyric’s recorded confession, but Lyric and I hadn’t specifically discussed the poisoning incident.
1
“You offered need help,” Matthew snapped at Elton, anger flooding his face. ‘I helped your people, and they tried to poison Juno?”
Matthew, let it go,‘ I said firmly. “Juliet acted alone.”
“Is this true?” Kieran demanded, turning to Elton.
I tried to ease the tension. “I think Juliet was just angry that Augustin didn’t choose her at the ball.”
Scarlett and Freya gave small laughs, but no one else joined in. The atmosphere remained awkward.
“We should focus on our plan for today,” Augustin interjected smoothly, redirecting the conversation,
Bryloch cleared his throat, and the mood in the
room shifted slightly. “Yes, the arrests. How are we coordinating them?”
“My Beta will handle the Fireland arrests, Kieran stated. They’ve been briefed.”
‘Quinn and Maddox will handle ours with Joel’s help,” Matthew added. “They’re furious about this. Many of our targets will be at the Clifflands tournament in Goldenvale.”
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I propose we work together in Odenvale, Augustin sygeant. We ben make our me radiateur night sitita meypa storming Adiya mara baaaaaaaa Elaer twuncil’s pilesh cole to be prepared
Will the Elder Crancil accept thier frylich sated, looking busine
“They have an chalce,” Kieran explained, leaning forward. What we’re testing here is a king wat of the pier. The bar conseil och i kanë dortene interfere. Once the five of tit nerek – Me, Matthew, you, Krys, and (yeee the lake Chart will bane rá dereye N.
What about Sebastion Holbrooke? Treys asked. This sit dimanach Nis power.
Sebastian’s opinion doesn’t matter, Matthew replied Muntly. The Hotbrooke family fan’t originally from Cliffends they dom elevated ne nothing toy char previous Alpha King. Sebastian should consider himself lucky he’s not being exited the fare sunt is on the thre
Helena occupied the Ashford seat, Adryx clarified. Her actions reflect on the Ashfords, not the Malbronber
I’ll be abolishing the law that punishes families for individual crimes, Augustin announced. We ve learned that no one can control family member. It’s wrong to hold an entire family accountable for one person’s mistakes.
Kieran laughed. “You have to, or Bryloch and Adryx would be in trouble because of Qiana and Brynn. Those two were infiots End wanting sauce gis die Council.” He shook his head. “I don’t understand what these people were thinking. Why would they want Elder Council wats? They’re steady manlita Ser stupid.”
Everyone nodded and laughed in agreement. Kieran was right, Augustin had no choice but to abolish the law. And Giana and Bryras had been fondien opges involved in this mess.
After breakfast, Scarlett, Freya, and I were the first to leave the dining room. I wanted to avoid Matthew before my conversation with Isabelle Keeping Yoy seemed like the best way to do that.
“I need to speak with Isabelle first,” I told my friends as we walked down the corridor.
“Juno!” Matthew’s voice called from behind me.
I froze in my tracks, my heart suddenly racing.
I turned at the sound of approaching footsteps and my breath caught when I saw Matthew walking toward me. His eyes found mine immediately, that familiar gaze that once meant everything to me.
Looks like your ex–husband wants to talk to you,” Scarlett whispered, nudging me with her elbow. Her eyes danced with mischief.
Freya smirked beside her. “You’ve been avoiding him since he arrived. Time to face your problems, Juno. We’ve all faced ours.”
‘I haven’t been avoiding-” I started to protest, but the knowing looks on both their faces stopped me. Fine, maybe I had been.
Scarlett laughed, a musical sound that drew Matthew’s attention momentarily. “Good luck,‘ she sang, already backing away. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t
do.”
“That leaves her a lot of options, Freya added with a wink before they both turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the hallway before I could respond.
Traitors. They were absolutely right, of course. I had been avoiding Matthew since his arrival, uncertain how to face the man who had once been my entire
world.
Matthew approached cautiously, his steps measured as if approaching a skittish animal. ‘Hey,‘ he said softly.
‘Hey,‘ I replied, my voice equally quiet.
He sighed, “Can we talk? Somewhere private? His eyes darted around the hallway. “It won’t take long, I promise.”
I nodded.
“Augustin said we could be friends, Matthew continued, his voice low. “He respects what we had… what we were to each other. He trusts you.
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Chapter 265
A small smile tugged at my lips. That sounded like Augustin, confident enough in our bond to not feel threatened by my past. We can use his rest room. It should be empty now.”
I led him to Augustin’s private rest room, a comfortable space with plush sofas and a view of the gardens. I sat on one of the sofas, and Matthew chose the adjacent one, close enough for conversation but maintaining a respectful distance.
The silence stretched between us, thick and uncomfortable. Matthew finally broke it with a heavy sigh.
‘I’m sorry,” he said, his voice trembling slightly.
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