Chapter 240

Chapter 240
Juno's POV

When we finally pulled apart, Matthew wiped his eyes hastily, embarrassed by his show of emotion. "Thank you," he said simply.

I nodded, understanding all that he couldn't say.

"I'll have Delta Garth come to escort Isabelle to see Nia," I said, switching to a more practical tone. "Do you want to come?"

Matthew shook his head firmly. "I don't want to see her."

The finality in his voice was absolute. Whatever love he had once felt for Isabelle had curdled into something bitter and hostile. As a fated mate, that level of hatred was almost palpable in the air around him.

I watched him walk away, his shoulders set in a rigid line, before turning toward Isabelle's room. Taking a deep breath, I knocked and entered.

Isabelle was on the sofa, her face buried in her hands, shoulders shaking with sobs. When she looked up at me, her eyes were red and swollen, her cheeks stained with tears. She looked utterly broken.

I kept my guard up, remembering the warnings from Freya, Scarlett, and now Matthew. Isabelle might be playing a role, manipulating me as she had manipulated others.

"You wanted to see Nia?" I asked, keeping my voice neutral.

"He rejected me," she sobbed, the words coming out in a broken gasp. "Matthew rejected me. He rejected me. He rejected me."

She repeated the phrase like a mantra, as if saying it enough times might make it less true. I stood awkwardly, unsure how to respond. Part of me felt sympathy for her pain, but another part remembered all the pain she had caused.

"You shouldn't have refused his offer to help with the baby," I said finally. "That was a mistake."

Isabelle's sobs quieted slightly as she tried to compose herself. "I have five minutes to see Nia?" she asked, her voice small and defeated.

"Yes," I confirmed, my tone firm. "The driver is waiting to take you to the airport afterward."

She nodded, standing up shakily and wiping her tears. She slipped her hands into her pockets, and I watched her carefully, still not entirely trusting her motives.

Delta Garth met us outside Isabelle's room, and together we escorted her to the dark dungeons where the prisoners were being held. The walk was silent, with Isabelle occasionally sniffling but making no attempt at conversation.

The dungeons were heavily guarded, with Deltas posted at regular intervals. Despite being prisoners, I noticed they were well-cared for. The food trays outside their cells were empty, suggesting they had been fed recently. I recognized the dishes as coming from Luna Amelia's personal kitchen staff.

I made a mental note to ask Augustin when he planned to transfer the prisoners to the Elder Council's prison. It seemed an unnecessary risk to keep them here at the manor, though I understood his strategic reasons.

We arrived at Nia's cell, where the young woman sat on a simple cot, her head bowed. She looked up as we approached, her eyes widening at the sight of Isabelle.

"Izzy!" she cried, rushing to the bars that separated them. Tears streamed down her face as she reached through the bars to grasp Isabelle's hands.

Isabelle was crying too, her fingers intertwining with Nia's. "I'm so sorry," she began, but Nia shook her head.

"It's not your fault," Nia insisted, her voice thick with emotion. "I made my choices. I failed."

I watched their interaction with a critical eye, feeling no sympathy for either of them. They had both played roles in a conspiracy that had threatened my life and the lives of those I loved.

"Listen to me," Isabelle said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "When they take you to the Elder Council, don't say anything about—"

She paused, glancing back at me, then continued in a normal volume. "Just tell them what you told the Alpha King. Nothing more."

Nia nodded, her eyes never leaving Isabelle's face. "Will you come for me when I'm released?" she asked hopefully.

"Of course," Isabelle promised, and I had to suppress a laugh.

Nia wouldn't be released. She would face trial for her crimes, and I, as the future Luna Queen, would oversee that trial. Her fate was sealed the moment she chose to betray us.

I noticed Isabelle and Nia seemed to be communicating silently, likely through a mind link. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but Nia's expression changed, her face crumpling as fresh tears fell. Whatever Isabelle had told her, it had devastated her.

Isabelle was crying too, silent tears streaming down her cheeks. "Time's up," I announced, feeling no inclination to extend their meeting.

"Say hello to her for me," Isabelle said to Nia, who nodded through her tears.

The statement struck me as odd. Who was "her"? Could Isabelle know Remy as well? Another piece of the puzzle that didn't quite fit.

"Uncle is going down for this," Nia said, her voice suddenly hard despite her tears.

I raised an eyebrow at that. So they both hated Charles. What a dysfunctional family.

As we led Isabelle away, I couldn't shake the feeling that something about their exchange had been off. There had been coded messages, things left unsaid or said in ways I couldn't interpret.

"Delta Garth," I said quietly as we approached the dungeon exit. "Have someone watch Isabelle. I don't trust her."

Garth nodded, his expression serious. "Already arranged, Luna."

I smiled slightly. I was appreciate Garth's efficiency.

Delta Garth led Isabelle to the car waiting to take her to the airport, while I headed toward the west garden, eager to find Augustin and start our day together. Despite the lingering concerns about Isabelle and Nia, I felt lighter than I had in days.