Chapter 433
“Say something,” Juniper whispered desperately to Dominick. But he didn’t even glance at her. His silence spoke louder than any words could.
Raiden’s voice broke the silence. “From here on, this becomes a family matter. We’ll discuss it privately,” he declared. “The council session is concluded for today p>
He stood and exited the hall, his robes trailing behind him, followed in silence by the remaining council members.
As the great doors closed, Idris rushed forward and threw his arms around his sister. Zilia knelt slightly, wrapping him in a tight embrace and gently patting his head.
“Take Idris and go,” Casaio said. Zilia nodded in understanding and led her brother out of the hall.
Once they were gone, Juniper turned to Gabriel, her composure quivering. “Gabriel, you’re making a mistake,” she said, her voice trembling with anger.
“Don’t lecture me about right and wrong,” Gabriel replied sharply. His gaze locked onto her as she stepped closer. “You received an envelope earlier, didn’t you? Nick,” he looked to Dominick, “find out what was in it p>
Juniper blinked, startled. “What? There was no envelope p>
“There was,” Gabriel countered. “One of my men spoke to the servant who delivered it. Don’t lie to me, Juniper.” His eyes burned with fury.
Dominick turned without a word and walked toward their chamber, leaving the growing storm behind him.
“Nick! Nick!” Juniper called after him, her voice echoing through the hall. But he didn’t look back.
Gabriel’s hand shot out before Juniper could react. “Gabriel, you’re destroying my marriage,” she gasped as his fingers closed around her throat.
She clawed and kicked her legs in the air. “Agh p>
“Gabriel, leave her!” Casaio barked, stepping forward.
Gabriel didn’t heed him. In an instant Juniper’s back slammed into the wall. Her nails raked down his knuckles, but his grip only tightened, cutting off her words.
“You destroyed your own marriage, June,” he snarled. “You think I let you get away with what you said about Noah? Once Nick rejects you, I’ll finish what I started. I don’t make idle threats p>
Casaio lunged and yanked Gabriel’s hand away. Juniper sagged forward. Her lungs burned as her fingers traced at her own throat as she sucked in air. She leaned against the wall as her body shivered.
“How could you do that to her?” Casaio demanded. “Apologize p>
Gabriel flinched as if struck. He stared at Juniper for a long second, something like regret flickering and dying in his eyes.
“Don’t get involved, Cas.” Gabriel jabbed a finger in Casaio’s direction with a serrated edge. “She doesn’t deserve your courtesy. There’s no guilt in those eyes. Because of her, you and Zilia would already be torn apart. Idris will be tormented at school because of her. Don’t waste your pity p>
Casaio stepped between them. “She’s a woman and Dominick’s wife. You don’t speak to her like that. Apologize to her, else I’m telling Amelie what you did p>
Gabriel glared at Juniper, whose eyes were burning with tears.
“I won’t apologize,” he snapped and turned his back to Juniper. “Complain to whoever you want to. I don’t care.” He ran his fingers through his hair while his other hand rested on his waist.
Dominick stormed into the chamber, eyes scanning the room. He began rifling through the drawers, tossing papers and small trinkets aside. When nothing appeared, he moved to the lined cupboards, searching them.
Finally, at the last cupboard, he dropped to his knees. Behind a stack of boxes, a plain envelope peeked out. His hand shot forward, snatching it up. He found it was torn open and read the contents.
His eyes widened, disbelief and shock flooding his face. With a frustrated growl, he crumpled the paper in his fist and sprinted back toward the council hall, where his brothers and Juniper waited.
The moment he entered, his voice thundered. “What is this envelope? And this ring, what is it? Why didn’t you tell me, June? What were you trying to do p>
Juniper raised her hands defensively. “I didn’t use them,” she said quietly. “I only put them in the cupboard. That’s it p>
Gabriel snatched the crumpled paper from Dominick’s hand as his eyes glinted while reading aloud.
“If you want your desires to be fulfilled, wear this ring,” he said.
Dominick’s face burned with anger. “Why did you hide it in the cupboard? Why not put it somewhere visible? What desires do you want to be fulfilled, the desires I can’t make happen? Answer me! Don’t just stand there silently p>
“Of course,” Gabriel said with a sly edge, “the only desire she has is to become the next Luna Queen p>
Juniper shook her head vehemently. “No… I—I didn’t think that! I could’ve worn that ring, but I didn’t. Can’t you trust me, Nick p>
Dominick’s gaze hardened, pain flickering across his features. “No, I can’t. You aren’t the woman I once loved. I saw you earlier… the way you were smiling when—” His words faltered, choked by emotion.
“Gabriel, let’s go. Let them talk alone,” Casaio interjected, placing a hand on his brother’s shoulder. In a blink, both he and Gabriel vanished, leaving Juniper and Dominick alone in the echoing hall.
“I wasn’t smiling,” Juniper said softly, stepping forward, her voice trembling.
“You’re lying,” Dominick shot back. “Nothing can be fixed between us now. The only way forward is for me to reject you, so we can both live in peace. I am not the mate who can ever be perfect for you. It’s better… it’s better to let you go p>
A tear slipped down his cheek, his golden eyes shimmering with sorrow as he steadied himself.
“I, Dominick Sinclair, second son of the Alpha King, reject you, Juniper. Accept my rejection, and leave my life p>
His words reverberated through the hall as pain blossomed in both their hearts.
“No! I don’t want to accept it… please, Nick!” Juniper pleaded, stepping forward, reaching for him.
Dominick’s jaw tightened, his eyes flashing deeper golden. “Accept my rejection, Juniper!” he snarled at her with the authority of an alpha.