The Heartless Alpha’s Beloved Luna (Avery and Gideon) novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19

An excellent Luma. I imagined Avery commanding the pack the way she’d commanded the workers in the gardens. Then I remembered how defiant she’d been and my irritation bubbled up again.

Even excellent Lama’s need small lessons sometimes. I thought grimly.

Avery’s POV

The training ground track was oppressively hot. Our feet thudded dully as we jogged around the perimeter again and again.

It had been a long time since I’d done this much cardio. I threw myself into running at the best pace I could manage.

It was nice to run with a friend.

Ian slowed down to match my pace, even though I got him into this.

We were halfway through our laps when a third wolf joined us. It was Melody, lan’s sister. She kept pace beside me and delivered her message, “Please stop, Luna. You don’t need to do this.”

“Just because Gideon’s territorial doesn’t mean he needs to overreact!” I said angrily.

“Oh!” Melody looked shocked, “He wasn’t overreacting!” She bit her lips shut as though she wanted to say more.

I gestured for her to go on.

“For an Alpha, it’s vital that everyone in his inner circle be seen to be in accord. Without that, the pack splinters,” she explained.

“Even if you didn’t mean it to be seen as a betrayal, others who were watching wouldn’t have known that,” she continued, “and if he hadn’t addressed it, Gideon would have appeared weak.”

“A weak Alpha is death to a pack.” Ian agreed, grimly, “And there are warriors who would challenge the Alpha if they thought they had a chance.”

I hadn’t thought about how it would encourage others. I thought, surprised, as we finished the last of the laps. All I could think about is how unfair Gideon was being.

I hated to admit it, but maybe I had judged him too harshly.

Sweaty and exhausted, Melody and I headed to the pack mess hall for dinner.

When we entered, I saw Jessica, the woman who had been all over Gideon on the stairs a few days ago.

“Who is she?” I asked Melody as we filled our trays with food and grabbed cups of juice.

“She’s the Beta’s, younger sister.” Melody said softly, bowing her head in respect as Jessica came our way. “Her brother, Tegan, is Gideon’s second-in-command.”

“Oh no, watch out. Don’t drop that.” Jessica said in a sarcastic flat voice as she brushed past us.

She shoved her shoulder into Melody’s side, knocking the tray from her hand towards me.

Food splattered everywhere.

I was drenched, as was Melody.

Jessica, I was glad to see, was not unscathed either. Her cream-colored skirt now sported a dark splotch.

“You clod!” Jessica screeched, pointing at Melody, “Apologize, then take my clothes to be washed,” she commanded.

Melody turned pale white and immediately began apologizing.

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“Do not.” I snapped. The girl froze immediately, glancing between us in terror.

“You did that on purpose.” I pointed at Jessica, “You should be apologizing, not her.”

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