The Heartless Alpha’s Beloved Luna (Avery and Gideon) novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Gideon’s POV

I dragged Avery behind me through the back hallway and out into the open air. She followed me compliantly, and a part of me was pleased that she was so willing to let me lead her to where we could talk.

I spun her to face me, and the setting sun behind her crowned her with a golden halo. Her eyes were shadowed with sadness as she spoke.

“Ryan and I were together before the Full Mating Moon.” she said softly, “Then we broke up.

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Is she upset because they’re not together? I stared at her, trying to read the expression in those bottomless eyes. No. I don’t think that’s it.

Still, there had been something there. Something that was strong enough to still be causing her pain. I found myself furious at the situation..

I had read Ryan immediately upon meeting him. He was a young, dumb Alpha. Maybe one day with wisdom and a lot of hard earned lessons he would be a competent leader, but he was far from that now.

The fact that he’d managed to hurt someone in my pack infuriated me, even if it had happened before we had met. And for it to

be Avery…

Why am I so possessive over her? She made it clear where we stand.

I thought back to what she had said in the ceremony hall, “My feelings don’t factor into it.” she had said.

But clearly she’d had feelings for Ryan. Feelings that she doesn’t have for me. Again, jealousy submerged my heart.

It was just a past fling. I shouldn’t care.

But you do. My wolf said softly.

I do.

I was angry, but looking at Avery’s downturned face, I knew I had no right to be angry at her. I swallowed the feeling as Tegan approached.

“Alpha.” he nodded and I stepped away, knowing he would only bother me if it was important. “We found a lead on her.” Tegan

said in a low voice.

My fate mate? I felt a flare of hope in my heart spark back to life.

“There’s a connection with the rogues that Silvermoon has encountered in this area so far.” Tegan explained.

I moved further away to discuss the new revelations with Tegan.

“We canvassed all local warriors who had encountered rogues near the border area where you had marked your mate.” Tegan elaborated, “Based on their reports, there are many women who have been taken and imprisoned. One of those women was likely your mate, which is why we haven’t been able to locate her.”

My hands curled into fists, “Hunt down the rogue’s lair, and destroy it immediately.”

Curse Silvermoon for not handling this sooner. If something has happened to our mate…

What if Avery is our Fate Mate? My wolf interrupted suddenly, distracting me from the rest of Tegan’s report. I could still see Avery over his shoulder, leaning against the stone wall, staring off into the forest. Her silhouette climbed the wall behind her, outlining her in black shadow.

I stared at her for a long moment, considering. Tegan, sensing the shift, turned to see what I was staring at.

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After a moment, my Beta cautiously spoke, “I didn’t realize Avery had been mistreated here. I should have done more careful research before we made the alliance.”

I remembered the cruel faces of the wolves who had tried to separate us in the ceremony hall. The strange encounter with Zara and the other women on the path with Avery. They had thought to increase their own status by harming what was mine.

And for that, they will pay. I let a nasty smile crawl over my face. Seeing it, Tegan grew wary.

“Your orders, Alpha?”

Igave him a list of names. Those who had made the mistake of letting me overhear their snide comments directed at my fiancee, or who I suspected had played a role in making her life miserable.

“Terminate our dealings with all of them.” I directed, cold fury setting itself resolutely into my bones.

Avery had handled the situation well, not showing any weakness to the wolves prowling for scraps from my table. I would find out what had been done to her, and hunt down every last tormentor who didn’t heed my warning henceforth.

“It shall be done, Alpha.” Tegan saluted, and quickly went to carry out my orders.

Avery’s POV

“Did you have a thing with Ryan before?” Gideon demanded.

We stood behind the ceremony hall, outside the back exit. Inside, I could hear the Alpha Ceremony starting, but it looked like we were going to be missing it.

Oh no. How terrible that I am going to miss my horrible ex and step-sister becoming Alpha and Luna of my horrible former pack. I thought, without a trace of sincerity.

I told him the truth.

There was no reason to do otherwise.

I watched my usually dispassionate Alpha grit his teeth and flash his eyes as I revealed what Ryan and I had meant to each other.

Then I watched him swallow the feeling and once again display that unconcerned and cool facade I was used to. It was like watching a master class in concealing his true self. A part of me admired it, and a part of me was terrified at how adept he was at veiling himself from me.

When Tegan pulled him away to report on pack business, I sensed that mask slipping once more. Gideon was distressed, and somehow I felt that.

Maybe I am getting better at sensing his moods. I thought, hopefully. It would certainly make my life easier.

Perhaps I could make his life easier as well.

Our complicated relationship aside, he had done more to protect me in the last two weeks than anyone had my whole life. I was grateful for that, if nothing else.

It seemed like the warriors were about to head out on pack business. They would miss the ceremony banquet.

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