Mated to the Beast of the Wasteland novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54 Three Minutes

Chapter 54 Three Minutes

+10 Free Coms

The more Freya thought about it, the angrier she got. Merrick, oh, Merrick. She’d always known he was starved for affection.

But if he couldn’t even perform, why come out and ruin someone’s life? He’d even used a fake name. Otherwise she would never have let him loose on a defenseless female.

Her naturally seductive eyes turned sharp, raking over Merrick from every angle. She wanted to claw his face off.

Freya’s eyes had that perpetually besotted look. Right now they were locked on Merrick, drifting back to him no matter what, and she kept muttering apologies about Gillian.

A suffocating ache twisted in Lucian’s chest.

The bitterness almost drowned him. Freya actually had feelings for Merrick.

Had all those shy smiles she’d given him really just been his own wishful thinking?

George watched Gillian help Merrick set the dishes down, and the realization hit him like a lightning strike.

He nearly knocked over his glass.

Maybe Merrick was just being respectful, showing up for dinner and pitching in when he saw Mabel struggling with a tray?

“Gillian, how could you let the commander wait on you?”

George scolded under his breath, worried Gillian didn’t know who Merrick really was and might offend him.

Gillian froze mid-step. She’d forgotten to tell George that Merrick wasn’t actually on the Sovereign Guard.

Gillian shot Merrick a long sideways look. Your mess. You clean it up.

She tossed the problem squarely in his lap.

“George, your team handled the healing alloy situation well. We’ll raise a glass over it during the housewarming.”

“Commander, you’re seriously Gillian’s husband?”

George’s eyes about popped out of his head. How was this happening?

Merrick hadn’t expected George to catch on so fast. One sentence, and George had it pinned. The recognition felt good.

“Yes.”

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Chapter 54 Three Minutes

+10 Free Coms

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“Heh…”

At that, George understood everything.

Gillian’s husband was Merrick himself. He led the entire 9th Legion.

Her husband wasn’t a faceless grunt or a nameless guardsman. He was the boss of the entire legion,

Merrick himself.

He was so screwed.

George and Freya wore identical expressions, like they’d just lost a parent.

“Everyone, please sit. Grandma, come sit over here.”

After Merrick set the dishes down, he eased Mabel into her chair with a careful hand.

Merrick’s manners were flawless, and Gillian would be lying to say she wasn’t a little moved.

His large hand pulled hers along, and they sat down together.

Merrick seemed more like the host than she did.

Number Two and Sylas each carried out five more dishes, and Number Three came out hauling a whole pot of rice.

With that, everyone finally sat down.

Vivienne’s expression hardened as she shot George a piercing stare. The look practically shouted, “You old fool, you said her mate was on the Sovereign Guard. When did he become the commander?”

George shook his head, his face heavy with words he couldn’t get out. Vivienne dropped the silent interrogation. She’d press him for the full story once they got home.

“A new home, a new chapter. Thank you all for coming. Gillian and I are going to build something good here, year after year. Grandma, you’ve been on your feet all day, please stay seated.”

“Grandma’s not tired.” Mabel beamed wide enough to split her face. Every minute around Merrick deepened her approval of him.

Merrick raised his glass. Everyone at the table stood except Mabel.

Gillian skipped the wine and grabbed the same juice Mabel had.

“To the commander and Gillian, congratulations on the new home, and may it shine bright for years to

come.”

“Thank you, everyone.”

Merrick and Gillian downed their drinks together.

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Wed, Jun 3

Chapter 54 Three Minutes

Merrick gently pulled Gillian back into her seat, and everyone else followed.

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