The Heartless Alpha’s Beloved Luna (Avery and Gideon) novel Chapter 493

Avery’s POV

The drive to Nightwolf took three hours. Bjorn fell asleep in the back seat halfway through, his head lolling against the window. I watched him in the side mirror, his chest rising and falling in slow, shallow breaths.

Gideon didn’t say much. He kept his eyes on the road, hands steady on the wheel. Every so often, I’d catch him glancing at Bjorn in the rearview mirror with a broken yet hopeful expression, and it would make it hard to see through the sudden tears I’d have to blink back.

When we finally crossed into Nightwolf territory, I felt a tightness form in my chest out of nowhere, as if my body suddenly realized that this was becoming real. The forest here was denser than in Evergreen, the trees older and taller. The road curved through the hills, and as we climbed higher, I could see the village lights in the distance.

The house came into view, and I drew in a shaky little breath. The lights were on inside, casting a warm glow across the wild gardens around the perimeter. Gideon pulled up to the front entrance and put the car in park.

I stepped out slowly, steadying my trembling legs. The air smelled like pine and flowers, not city asphalt from the human lands or mown grass from Evergreen.

It smelled like… home.

Bjorn stirred in the back seat, and Gideon went to get him. He lifted him carefully, cradling him against his chest. Bjorn’s head rested on his shoulder, still half-asleep.

I followed them up the steps and through the front door, but stopped just inside the entryway, taking it all in. The grand staircase leading up to the second floor. The chandelier hanging overhead. The portraits lining the walls, all of past Alphas and their families.

A wave of memories washed over me. Good ones and bad ones, all tangled together in a mess I couldn’t make sense of.

I blinked hard, pushing the memories back.

Two healers appeared, along with Tegan, who nodded curtly to me. I nodded back, cheeks flushing at the memories of our last interaction. Gideon handed Bjorn over to them, speaking quietly. They nodded and carried him up the stairs.

I watched them disappear with my hands clenched at my sides.

“He’ll be okay,” Gideon said. “They’ll take good care of him.”

I nodded. I knew the healers here were good. But it still made me uneasy.

Gideon gestured toward the stairs. “Come on. I’ll show you to your room.”

I followed him up without a word. The second floor was just as I remembered it. Long hallways, more portraits, doors leading to bedrooms and sitting rooms and studies.

Gideon’s bedroom door came into view, and my footsteps faltered. As he approached it, I opened my mouth. “I can’t—”

He walked past it and opened the door next to it, turning to me.

“Can’t what?” he asked.

I shook my head. “Nothing.”

Gideon arched a brow at me but opened the door a little wider, and I stepped inside. It was a small guest room. Comfortable, but nothing extravagant. A bed with a simple quilt, a dresser, a desk by the window. The walls were painted a soft cream color, and there was a single lamp on the nightstand. It was quiet and peaceful, exactly suited to my tastes. And judging from the sound of Bjorn’s voice coming through the wall, his room was on the other side.

“Thank you,” I said, turning to Gideon. “This is perfect.”

He nodded. “I’m right next door if you need anything.”

“Thanks.”

Gideon hesitated, like he wanted to say something else. But then he just nodded again and said, “I’ll give you some time to settle.” Then, he left, and I was alone.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door. Gideon’s footsteps faded down the hall, and Bjorn’s voice quieted. Somewhere in the house, I heard the sound of dishes clinking as dinner was prepared, and the air began to smell like meat and bread.

She left as quietly as she’d come.

I looked at the tray. Roasted chicken, vegetables, bread, and a glass of water. It smelled good enough to make my mouth water. I realized I hadn’t eaten since last night, and gobbled it all up in a matter of minutes.

The rest of the evening passed in silence. I didn’t see Gideon. Didn’t see anyone, really, except for the servant who came back to collect the tray. I took a shower, winced as I prodded at my bandage in the mirror, and dozed off in the chair by the window at one point.

I must have slept for longer than I thought, because when I woke to the sound of someone knocking on my door, it was late. The moon was high overhead, and the clock on the bedside table read past midnight.

Another knock came.

I blinked, rubbing my eyes. If someone was visiting me at midnight, then I assumed it had to be about Bjorn. I quickly stood and walked over, opening the door.

Gideon was standing in the hallway.

“Sorry for the late hour,” he said, glancing over my shoulder into the dark room. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“I fell asleep sitting up,” I laughed.

He nodded, then held up something in his hand: a bottle of wine. “I, uh… I couldn’t sleep myself. I was thinking of going for a walk and sipping on this, but I thought I’d ask if you’d like to join.”

I looked at the wine, then back at my bed. I knew I should probably go to sleep, especially after the day I’d had, but… The moon was bright and the air was cool, and right now, a walk actually sounded really nice.

“I’ll grab my jacket,” I said.

Gideon’s lips curved faintly, and he looked almost relieved that I’d said yes.