Chapter 21
Juno’s POV
Next, our group was led to a large bathhouse. Steam rose from the water’s surface, carrying the sweet scent of roses. The massive indoor bath stretched before us, dotted with floating crimson petals stood at the edge, my skin prickling with goosebumps despite the warmth. Female attendants moved silently around us, heads bowed, waiting.
One approached and gestured to my clothes. I hesitated, but Scarlett was already stripping off her garments without protest. The silent attendant helped me undress, and soon I stood naked before slipping into the hot water.
“If this is what being a captive in Clifflands means, I’m all for it,” Scarlett murmured, sinking deeper into the rose–scented water. She glanced at me, purple eyes gleaming with unexpected mirth. “Aren’t you excited, Juno?”
I shot her a warning look. “Be careful,” I whispered. “These people conquered our packs and took us from our mates. I doubt they plan to be kind.“.
Scarlett’s expression darkened, “Anything is better than what I had before,” she said. “Maddox would sometimes force me to shift and then beat my wolf with silver so the scars wouldn’t show on my human form.”
I could hardly believe it. “What? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Her eyes met mine, a flash of vulnerability crossing her face. “I didn want to scare you. Your life seemed so much better than mine. Iwas both happy for you and… jealous.” She sank deeper into the water. “I’ll gladly be the Beta’s mistress. Any life is better than
what I had.”
“Why would Maddox do that to you?” I felt a surge of anger.
“Della blamed me for her miscarriage.” Scarlett’s voice hardened. “She accused me of everything – attempted murder, poisoning, assault. Maddox always took her side. Eventually, I stopped defending myself.”
Freya, who had been silent until now, spoke up. “Same with me. Coralie was vicious with her lies.”
I turned to her, shocked. Her amber eyes held a pain I hadn’t recognized before.
“I didn’t cheat willingly,” she continued, voice flat. ‘Quinn would have his men… fuck me. He’d watch, then go to Coralie afterward, feeding his sick fantasies.” Rage burned beneath her words. “I hope Quinn rots in hell. I hope the Alpha King invades again and takes Quinn’s bitch. I’ll laugh when he does.”
Her words dripped with venom, but beneath that, I caught the scent of her shame.
“I have one goal now: revenge. Quinn never loved me. He married me for my land and money.”
My heart pounded against my ribs. “Why didn’t either of you tell me this?”
They exchanged glances before Freya answered. “Matthew and them are all Alphas, they often hang out and chat together. We worried if you knew, you’d fight with him, and he might tell Maddox or Quinn.”
Scarlett nodded. “We thought it better for you to have your own experience. Besides, Matthew did show you more love than most. He fought his wolf’s instincts for you.”
“And now the Alpha King wants you,” Freya added. He claimed you. Not as a service, not for his harem, not as a reserve. He said ‘mine.“”
Something about the way Scarlett’s eyes lit up suggested she thought this was a good thing. But everything I knew about this man
1/2
Chapter 21
told me otherwise.
The attendants. dressed us in sheer silk robes. The material slid against my skin like cool water, doing nothing to ease my growing anxiety. We were led through wnding corridors to a bright room with a small dining table that could seat eight.
I couldn’t help comparing it to the massive table I’d glimpsed in the main dining hall that could easily seat twenty–two. This felt more intimate. I didn’t know if that was good or bad.
The table overflowed with various dishes – roasted meats, colorful vegetables, fresh breads, and desserts I couldn’t name. The attendant informed us we had an hour to eat before leaving us alone.
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