Chapter 239

Chapter 239
Juno's POV

I linked to Scarlett.

Where are you guys? I asked.

Scarlett's cheerful voice filled my mind almost immediately. East garden. We're having a little tea party. Freya and I were bored, so we decided to join the girls.

The girls? I questioned.

Ruby and Olivia are here, Scarlett explained. Your sister-in-law is quite the party animal. She and Ruby are getting along like a house on fire.

I smiled at that. It was good to hear that Ruby was making friends. She'd been through so much, and deserved some happiness.

Oh, and Amelia's here too, Scarlett added, a hint of mischief in her mental voice. She reeks of Elton, by the way. What's your bet on how Augustin will take that development?

I laughed to myself. I have no idea, but I'm glad they're all having fun despite everything. I'll head over.

Making my way to the east garden, I could hear laughter and animated conversation before I even rounded the corner. The garden was in full bloom, a riot of colors and scents that provided the perfect backdrop for the gathering.

Tables had been set up with white linens, loaded with tea, pastries, and fruit. Around them sat a group of women chatting and laughing, seemingly without a care in the world. It was hard to believe that just hours ago, we had been dealing with arrests and conspiracies.

As I approached, I realized they were discussing Eliza. Someone must have told them about her betrayal and subsequent imprisonment. The mood was a mix of shock and vindication.

"I always knew there was something off about her," one of the women was saying. "The way she clung to Alpha Augustin like she had some claim to him."

"She was misled," another argued. "Her loyalty was manipulated."

"Misled or not, she lied about being with the Alpha King. She deserved what she got."

I wasn't surprised by the lack of sympathy. Eliza hadn't exactly made friends during her time here. Even those who had once followed her lead were quick to distance themselves now that she had fallen from grace.

It struck me how fickle loyalty could be in this world. Eliza's "friends" had abandoned her at the first sign of trouble. There was no loyalty in her circle, only opportunity and self-preservation.

I joined the gathering, accepting a cup of tea from Freya with a grateful smile. The conversation shifted to lighter topics as I settled in, and for a while, I allowed myself to forget about the plots and dangers that lurked in the shadows of Levenston Manor.

Two hours into the garden party, a mental message from Delta Garth interrupted my momentary peace.

Luna, Alpha Matthew is asking to see you. He says it's important.

I tensed, my cup freezing halfway to my lips. Matthew wanted to see me? After our emotional reconciliation, we'd kept a respectful distance. What could he want now?

Where is he? I asked.

Near Luna Isabelle's room, Garth replied. Shall I tell him you're busy?

I considered it for a moment. Part of me wanted to avoid another emotional conversation with Matthew. But if he said it was important, it probably was.

No, tell him I'm on my way, I decided.

I made my excuses to the group and headed back to the manor, my mind racing with possibilities. Had something happened with Isabelle? Was there new information about the conspiracy?

I found Matthew in the hallway near Isabelle's room, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. His face was a mask of cold indifference, but his eyes, I recognized the look. It wasn't emptiness at all, but anger so deep it had gone beyond expression.

"Matthew," I greeted him cautiously. "Is everything alright?"

He nodded stiffly, his jaw clenched tight. "Isabelle wants to say goodbye to Nia before she leaves," he said, his voice flat.

I blinked in surprise. "She's still leaving? I thought maybe you two might work things out."

Matthew's expression hardened further, if that was possible. "There's nothing to work out," he said coldly. "She lied to me from the beginning. She used me."

I frowned, confused by his harshness. "Matthew, I know she made mistakes, but she was scared. Her father—"

"I don't want to hear it," he cut me off sharply. "I've made my decision, Juno. Please don't try to change my mind."

I bit my lip, concern for their unborn child rising in my chest. "What about the baby?"

"I offered to take care of it," he said, his voice softening slightly. "She refused."

That surprised me. "She refused? Why?"

Matthew shrugged. "Alpha pride, maybe. I don't know and I don't care."

The bitterness in his voice was palpable. Whatever Isabelle had done, whatever lies she had told, Matthew seemed incapable of forgiving her.

"I don't regret leaving her," he continued, his eyes meeting mine with fierce intensity. "She was the beginning of my downfall. I can't forgive that."

"Matthew—"

"I should have rejected her that day on the balcony," he said, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "None of this would have happened."

I recognized the pain in his eyes then, not just anger, but deep, festering regret. He truly believed his relationship with Isabelle had been doomed from the start.

"She'll always be the reason my life fell apart," he said, each word weighted with finality. "I need a fresh start, Juno. I'll help with the child if needed, but I won't let her use it to manipulate me."

He ran a hand through his hair, "If the child wants to find their father someday, I'll be waiting. But right now, there are too many problems to deal with."

His eyes met mine, serious and warning. "Be careful around her, Juno. She's dangerous. She can't be trusted."

The vehemence in his voice startled me. This wasn't just anger speaking; it was genuine conviction.

"I ruined my life for her," he said, his voice breaking slightly. "How stupid was I? That'll haunt me for the rest of my life."

His vulnerability in that moment hit me hard. Despite everything we'd been through, I still cared about Matthew. Seeing him in pain didn't bring me any satisfaction.

"I'm going to stay away from relationships for a while," he continued, sounding tired. "I need to reevaluate my life, my worth."

He looked down at his hands, as if seeing them for the first time. "I'll never risk everything for something temporary again."

His eyes welled with tears, and before I could think better of it, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him. He stiffened for a moment, then collapsed against me, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

"I'm sorry," he whispered against my shoulder. "I'm so sorry for everything."

"I know," I said softly, rubbing his back. "I forgive you, Matthew. But you need to forgive yourself too."

We stayed like that for a moment, both of us acknowledging that while we couldn't go back to what we were, we could move forward without the weight of resentment between us.