The Heartless Alpha’s Beloved Luna (Avery and Gideon) novel Chapter 399

I tried to occupy myself with a book on gardening that I found on the shelf, but the words all blurred together. I spent more time looking out the window than actually reading.

Eventually, though, I saw Sebastian’s car pull into the driveway. I jumped to my feet, ignoring the way my ankle protested, and hobbled over to the door. I flung it open just as Sebastian came hurrying up the steps with a bundle in his arms.

“Oh, thank Gods,” I said, throwing my arms around Bjorn. He was awake but just barely, soaking wet and shivering.

But he was alive.

“Gideon found him,” Sebastian breathed as I took Bjorn into my arms, checking him for injury. Thankfully, I found none. He was cold and exhausted and his clothes were plastered to his skin from the rain, but Bjorn was uninjured.

I think I muttered a thank-you to Sebastian, but I was too consumed with my son at the moment to think about anything else. Sebastian called after me as I carried Bjorn toward the stairs, saying something about my ankle, but I didn’t stop.

Upstairs, I ran Bjorn a hot bath. He stood by the tub, still trembling, his eyes half-closed.

“Take off those wet clothes,” I said as I tested the water temperature with my hand.

Bjorn flushed. “But Mom—”

“Trust me,” I said, “I’ve seen it all. I used to change your diapers. Get undressed.”

Bjorn groaned as he began peeling off his clothes. I turned my attention back to the water, smiling faintly to myself. At least he still had his usual attitude, which was a good sign.

Once Bjorn was undressed, I helped him into the bath. He let out an audible sigh as the heat sank into his bones. I helped him shampoo his hair, just the way he used to like it when he was younger. He still seemed to find comfort in the way I rubbed my fingers against his scalp, carefully massaging the soap into each dark strand.

“So,” I said after a few minutes of quiet, once I was certain that he was out of the danger zone. “Care to tell me what happened today?”

“You said I couldn’t explore outside the pack. I was just playing in the ditch in those fields.”

“Well,” I said, “if you remember anything, you’ll tell me right away, okay? I promise you’re not in trouble.” I smirked at him. “Not yet, anyway.”

Bjorn nodded, then looked up at me as I stood to give him some privacy.

“Mom?” he called out just as I reached the door.

I paused and looked back at him. “Yes?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Ask away,” I said.

Bjorn took a deep breath and asked, “Is Gideon my dad?”