59

Arthur's POV

All eyes were concentrated on me, and I needed no one to tell me that curiosity would have taken the better part of them since I was the one who called the meeting and still wanted everyone to be present for the dinner where the information would be announced.

"I’m going to make Jasmine the new Luna," I had said, my voice steady, though my heart felt like it was being torn in two. "And I can’t do that while still bonded to you. So i am going to break the mating bond between I and Julianne, and make jasmine the new Luna and my mate."

Julianne’s face was pale, her eyes wide, as I announced that I was going to break the mating bond between us. I knew it would hurt her, but I was determined on this course, and no one, not even Jeremy, could change my mind about it. I have made my decision and it is final. Even though this idea is stupid, I feel it is for the best, making Jasmine feel as if she was my first love, if I am not mistaken.

The tension in the room thickened, and for a moment, no one said anything. Everyone was just staring ghostly at each other as if I just said something disappointing.

Then, suddenly, Jeremy stood up and walked towards the front of the podium where I and Jasmine were standing, his eyes blazing with fury, and I could see a hint of disappointment as he spoke up for the first time since he arrived at the dinner this evening.

"Arthur, this isn’t right. I have told you that this decision you are about to take does not make sense at all. Need I remind you that Julianne is your true mate? You can’t just break the bond like that." Jeremy’s voice was full of emotion, and I could tell he wasn’t going to let this go easily but I was not ready to listen to his thrash this time around.

I turned to him, my eyes narrowing. "Stay out of this, Jeremy," I snapped. "This is between Julianne and me. And the last time I checked I warned you not to alter any words and tell me what to do. I am the Alpha of this pack and your elder brother, and you have to give me the full respect I deserve." I said through clenched teeth.

I could see the hurt in Julianne’s eyes as I spoke those words, I could see the anger swirling in Jeremy as I attacked him back. I had made up my mind and like I said earlier, not even Jeremy can make me change my mind.

But Jeremy wouldn’t back down. "You don’t understand. You’re making a huge mistake. You’re throwing away something that can’t be replaced. That was the same way you did a few years back, and I had to be the one to mend things right. If not, Antonnia and Julianne wouldn't be alive. I won't fix anything for you if things go the other way." Jeremy spat out, his words harsh and more like he was threatening me.

I clenched my fists, trying to hold onto my composure. "I’ve already made my decision, Jeremy and that section includes unmating Julianne and making Jasmine my new Luna," I said, my voice cold. "The bond-breaking ceremony will take place in a few days. Not even your rantings can change my mind; it is final, and you have no other choice than to accept it."

Julianne didn’t say anything for a moment. She just stared at me, as though she couldn’t believe what I had just said. She looks so stupefied and dumbfounded, and even when Jeremy argues on her behalf, she stands rooted in the sport, trying to comprehend what is going on. Then, without warning, she took a step forward, her eyes blazing with anger, hurt, and disbelief.

"If you break the bond, I’ll leave," she said. Her voice was quiet at first, almost like she didn’t want to believe it herself. "And I’ll take Antonnia with me. You won’t have access to either of us again."

The words hit me harder than I expected. I looked at her, my mind racing. I know I am Julianne we are truly mates, but we have not been together for once, and seeing her get angry and trash me just as she did for the second time got me. I love Antonia so much because she is my lookalike, but I can't bear to be away from her, not forever.

"You dare not take Antonnia away from me," I growled, stepping closer to her. "I have as much right to her as you do. Don’t forget that I am her father and the Alpha and the child stays rightfully with the man and not the woman."

Julianne didn’t flinch. She stood tall, her chin raised. "I won’t let you use her as a pawn in this. You have to make your own decisions. I took care of her all alone for two years, and I can do so without you and your rights." Her voice was firm, with no hint of fear in it.

But then, as if the situation wasn’t tense enough, something else happened. Antonia was standing directly under the chandelier, her small frame looking so vulnerable. I hadn’t even noticed the chandelier shaking above her, but the movement caught my attention. My heart skipped a beat. The chandelier was about to fall.

I reached out instinctively, trying to get to Antonnia before it was too late. But before I could move, Loretta was there. She grabbed Antonnia, pulling her out of harm's way just as the chandelier crashed to the ground with a deafening crash.

Jeremy rushed to Loretta like a lightning speed bolt, my heart racing with worry and confusion. Loretta was on the ground, groaning in pain; she had fallen with an Antonia on the tiles floor on herself. Blood was dripping from a gash on her arm where the chandelier had grazed her.

"Loretta!" Jeremy out, his voice shaking from fright, he knelt beside her. "Let me take you to the healer, you are so injured and bleeding ."

But Loretta shook her head stubbornly. "No, I don't need to be taken to any healer," she said, her voice tight with pain. "I’ll be fine."

I frowned, not believing her for a second. But before I could argue further, she stood up on her own and hobbled away, disappearing into her room without another word.

"Let her be, Jeremy," I said quietly, his voice tinged with concern. "She’ll be all right. We just need to give her space to process what she just did."

Jeremy nodded, still looking at the door she disappeared to. I stared at Antonia and the fallen chandelier, unable to understand what was happening. Loretta had acted so quickly to save Antonnia. It didn’t make sense. She had seen the chandelier shaking before I had. How?

"Antonia, love," I rushed towards her shaking figure underneath her mom's structure.

"Daddy," she murmured, looking at me.

My hands caressed her cheek as I drew her closer to me, even though Julianne was reluctant to let go of her. "Were you hurt? Tell me if you feel pain anywhere?" I demanded, my eyes working her whole form.

"I am fine, Daddy; I'm just a little bit shocked that I would have died if Aunt Loretta hadn't saved me and gotten herself injured in the process." She whispered.

"Nothing would ever happen to you, Okay?" I kissed her forehead and cheeks before nodding at Julianna, whose hands wrapped around her immediately.

Later, when I couldn’t stand the confusion anymore, I went to Loretta’s room. I was hearing inaudible voices from the outside; I didn’t care to knock—just barged in, but to my surprise, there was no one in the room she was with, no one she was communicating with. Who must have she been talking to? And where did the person go to?

Loretta was sitting on her bed, her arm bandaged but otherwise looking fine. Her wounds were healed already, but the bandage she had used in wrapping her hands was just soaked with the blood before it stopped. She didn’t seem surprised to see me.

"What’s going on Loretta? There is something I need to know." I asked, my voice low. "How did you know the chandelier was going to fall?"

Loretta looked at me, her expression unreadable. For a moment, she said nothing.

Then she spoke up as if concluding it was right she answered my question. "I saw it, i saw the chandelier shaking," she said simply. "Just the same way you did."