JUNE’S POV, The sun was already up by the time I got to the hut.
August lay sprawled across the bed, still under the influence of the sleeping powder.
I sat on the bench outside, as my gaze fell on the arrows we had made, realization struck me, and my eyes widened.
“My bow!” I shot to my feet as the words left my lips, my fists clenching at my sides as a fresh wave of wrath surged through me.
My eyes burned with renewed fury, and tears welled in them.
The weight of failure rested within me, mocking my very existence, and a crushing sense of shame overwhelmed me.
‘That was the only thing my father had left me.’ The thought of it made hot tears roll down my cheeks.
“Oh, moon goddess, just take my life,” I muttered through a broken sob.
I was still drowning in my sorrow when the sharp creak of rusty hinges snapped me back to the present.
“Meyer!” August beamed as he stepped out of the hut behind me, and I quickly wiped away my tears, forcing a smile on my face as I turned to face him.
His smile vanished almost immediately, with three determined steps he closed up the distance between us.
“How dare you do that to me?” he demanded through gritted teeth, his blue eyes glinting with wrath.
But I couldn’t let him know the extent of my failure.
“Whoa!
Whoa!” I exclaimed, raising both hands in surrender.
“Relax, August.
It’s not what you think.” I chuckled, but the sound was hollow, too shallow to mask my misery.
His blue eyes flashed, oblivious to the facade I wore.
“Oh, really?
You think it’s funny?” he scoffed.
“You knocked me out, Meyer, and it’s because you don’t trust me.” His voice cracked under the strain, seeping through my defenses.
My eyes stung as a renewed sense of failure overwhelmed me.
But I kept blinking, refusing to let the tears fall.
“I trusted you.
I told you we’d do this together.
We promised to fight together, but what did I get from trusting you?” August was too angry to notice how hard I was fighting to stay strong, and at that moment, I couldn’t hold on anymore.
“I’m sorry!” I shot back, matching his intensity.
“Fine, I betrayed your trust.
I didn’t trust you enough, and I failed like a fool.” A loud sob tore from my lips as burning tears rolled down my cheeks.
I was tired of pretending.
August was taken aback by my outburst, he stood frozen, wide-eyed, and speechless, as the anger he once felt gave way to shock.
“I guess that’s what I get from betraying you and trying to do it all alone.” I muttered and buried my face in my palms, wailing loudly.
“Hey, Meyer,” August called softly as he pulled me into his arms, and stroked my back.
“It’s okay.” But I shook my head, refusing to be comforted.
His hold around me tightened, and I sobbed into his chest, soaking his shirt with my tears.
“You don’t have to feel bad about it,” he continued softly.
“Failure happens, you failed last night, but we’ll definitely succeed next time.” I shook my head again.
“You don’t understand, August.
I lost my…
my Booow.” But the words had barely left my lips when August pulled away and gripped my arms.
“Listen to me, Meyer,” He said firmly, holding my gaze.
“We’ll get it back, this isn’t the end.
I promise you, I’ll get it back,” he said, confidence lacing his voice.
“You have to calm down and accept the defeat from last night.
You’re brave, Meyer – the strongest woman I know, and we’ll surely have our revenge.” I nodded as his words somehow renewed my confidence, and I felt my strength and determination returning.
August’s lips curled into a smirk.
“Now, wipe your tears away and stop whining like a baby,” he said, flicking my nose.
“I’m sure you don’t want anyone to see you like this.” He chuckled, wiping the tears from my face.
But I smacked his hand away.
“Who’s a baby?” I arched my brows, pretending to be tough.
This made him laugh, a warm and hearty laugh.
I knew he was trying to cheer me up and deep within me, I was grateful for a friend like him.
But I simply couldn’t give in and pretend the previous night had never happened.
In fact, I felt a resurgence of determination within me, I knew I had no time to waste, I had to forge ahead.
Filled with that determination, I turned toward the path that led back to Greenfield Pack.
August kept asking about my plans as I strode toward Lord Boston’s study but I ignored him.
Without waiting to be summoned, I jerked the door wide open and marched inside, snapping Lord Boston off his words as he turned to face me.
“I’ve made up my mind, Lord Boston,” I said swiftly, staring straight into his eyes.
He studied me for a few moments before dismissing his butler with a wave of his hand.
Then he nodded, silently giving me permission to continue.
“I will enter Red Moon Pack,” I blurted out.
“I’ll take Princess Kira’s place and Marry Tristine.” Lord Boston’s mouth parted slightly, he studied my face for a longer moment before nodding, his gaze never leaving mine.
“It’s nice to know you’ve finally made the right decision,” he replied calmly.
“Get ready.
You’ll enter Red Moon Pack in five days.” His words carried a sense of finality, just as I wanted.
I bowed my head slightly, my hands clasped in front of me and turned away.
But the first thing I saw was a pair of wide, glistening blue eyes, radiating the fury simmering within him.
My jaw dropped, surprised he had been standing there all along, listening to our conversation, but I didn’t say a word to him, I tore my gaze away instead, and walked away.
“Stop right there, June.” His voice quivered with restrained fury, halting me in my tracks, but before he could say another word, I pulled my feet and walked away.
August rushed after me, his footsteps pounding the floor in a fierce determination as he called my name.
I didn’t want to face him.
I knew what he wanted to say.
Most importantly, I knew what I had to do, and I didn’t want him interfering.
After about five seconds, he grabbed my arm and spun me around.
“Right!” he scoffed.
“You’re still the same.
You never listen.” The words tumbled from his lips between ragged breath.
“I know what I’m doing, August,” I shot back through gritted teeth.
“Of course you do, Meyer,” he snapped, wide-eyed.
“You’ve always known what you’re doing, and now you want to marry your enemy!” His words sliced my heart, the sarcasm laced in them was sharper than ever, and I tightened my fists at my sides.
“I have to do this!” I shot back, my heart pounding in my chest.
“This is my fight, August.” August threw his hands in the air as soon as the words left my lips.
“There we go again!” He clenched his jaw and shook his head.
“You still don’t trust me!” His voice cracked under the strain.
“Because I don’t want you to do something crazy!” I shot back.
“I know how reckless you are, I don’t want you rushing into Red Moon Pack and meeting your doom!” The words left my lips before I could stop them, but how could I sit still after he had promised to get my bow back?
I didn’t want to lose him too.
The furrow in his brows eased as soon as he heard me, and his eyes glazed over.
“Right!” he nodded.
“I should’ve known that.” As soon as the words left his lips, he turned and walked away, leaving me rooted to my spot.
I let out a shaky breath as fresh tears rolled down my cheeks again, and as I watched his retreating figure, I nodded my head in determination.
“This is what I have to do!”