Chapter 464
Dominick stepped into the prison cell where Juniper was kept. She saw his hand wrapped with handkerchief and finally met his gaze. But this time she didn’t plead him, only asked a question.
“You arrested me merely because I’m an adopted daughter?” Her voice was steady, but her eyes, wide with disbelief, screamed the question: Did she not even deserve the simple security of a family?
Dominick shifted in his demeanor. “That’s not the whole reason, Juniper. But I never truly knew who you were. You always lied to me,” he said with a voice filled with hurt. “Your brothers were the ones who gave me that piece of information and told me you were an adopted daughter. Evan went to your house to find you when they dropped that bomb p>
“Then why?” Juniper insisted, rising slowly, her voice carrying anguish. “Why did you arrest me p>
Dominick met her gaze. “You funded the Beta Hunters organization p>
“What? No!” Juniper’s refusal was immediate, shaking her head vehemently. “I have never been involved in any activities like that p>
Dominick simply tilted his head. At his silent cue, Evan stepped forward from the shadows near the door, handing Dominick a folded document. Dominick moved it forward, holding it where the dim overhead light illuminated the text, and spoke with a loud, clear, demanding voice,
“Your account statements show everything, Juniper. Huge transactions were made directly from your private account, and every one of them went straight to the Beta Hunters. Now, speak the truth. You created that private group to systematically weaken the Alpha’s vital support for their Betas, didn’t you? Am I right?” he demanded the truth.
Juniper’s head shook wildly. Tears began to well in her eyes. “I didn’t create any group! Didn’t my brothers tell you I wasn’t even allowed to have my own money? Dad was the only one who would deposit funds for my monthly expenses. I was restricted from everything.” Her voice broke into a wretched whisper.
“I—I wanted to become all-powerful because I suffered the worst kind of confinement in that house. And I regret doing it.” The tears finally brimmed over as she lowered her head in despair.
Dominick paid no heed to her desperate confession. He turned abruptly with indifference, not believing her lies. “I’ll return tomorrow for your final answer. Let the walls of the prison haunt you for a night. Maybe then, you’ll open your mouth,” he muttered under his breath, and then, he was gone.
Juniper was instantly on her feet. The silver shackles chaining her ankles sent jolts of searing pain up her body, but she didn’t stop. She ran, stumbling blindly toward the bars until her hands gripped the cold bars firmly.
“Nick! Don’t leave me here! I’m telling the truth! I didn’t help any Beta Hunters organization! You have to believe me, Nick!” she screamed the truth. But Dominick was gone. She looked at the guards outside, but they paid no need to her tears or her frantic pleas. To them, she was a prisoner now, who committed a big crime.
Dominick returned to the palace. Stepping into his private chamber, he found Gabriel waiting for him, leaning casually against the window.
“Why are you here?” Dominick demanded with annoyance. “You didn’t tell me anything about Juniper. You knew the truth, didn’t you? You deliberately kept her in some random house as if she needed protection p>
Gabriel pushed off the window. “Ophelia wanted to approach Juniper. That’s why I kept her in a safe house, under strict watch. And no,” he retorted, “I had no intention of telling you the truth about her to you, who spent so much time with her and still couldn’t find out who she really was.” He paused for a second. “You think I have any intention of saving your once fated mate? No. Not after what she said to Noah p>
Dominick pressed the bridge of his nose, the weariness finally showing. “Just leave me alone for now,” he urged in a low voice.
“I will,” Gabriel conceded, his tone softening slightly but retaining its edge of admonishment. “But you have to seriously consider this: Did Juniper truly fund the Beta Hunters? She isn’t capable of orchestrating something of that scale.” Gabriel began to pace, his gaze fixed on Dominick.
“Also, Karmen already searched into her accounts. Why would this one suddenly appear in her name, carrying such massive transactions? Do you really think if I found out she was adopted, I wouldn’t have checked further p>
Gabriel stopped beside Dominick, a chuckle escaping him as he brushed past.
“Her family might be trapping her. My discovery was that she wasn’t treated well by any of them. But she hid it so well that none, not even you, could ever be suspicious of their true nature,” Gabriel explained. “Good night p>
With that, Gabriel swept from the chamber, leaving Dominick alone with every emotion he didn’t wish to feel at that time.
Gabriel arrived at his own chamber to find Amelie fast asleep. She was slumped in a plush chair, chin resting against her chest, a clear sign she had been waiting up for him, only to be overcome by exhaustion when he didn’t return promptly.
Moving with quietness, Gabriel carried her in his arms, ensuring he didn’t disturb her peaceful slumber. He settled her onto the luxurious mattress of their bed. He pulled the soft duvet up, covering her warmly, and then moved to switch off the main lights.
His next stop was the cradle. Noah was also in a deep, peaceful sleep, but his tiny thumb was hooked in his mouth. Gabriel gently, pulled it out and gave the pup a few soft, comforting pats on his belly.
After that, he moved to the small table in the corner where a heavy encyclopaedia lay open. Switching on the small reading lamp, he settled down. He ran a hand over the page and began to read.
The earlier he could find information about Aurevalis, the better he could prepare for whatever truth that place laid for him.