The Heartless Alpha’s Beloved Luna (Avery and Gideon) novel Chapter 574

Which meant we needed to stop it.

I looked at Sebastian. Flicked my gaze over him once, twice. He still looked haggard, his beard fully grown out now, his eyes dark and so wide I could see the whites all around.

“Can I trust you?” I asked.

His lips pressed together. “Avery, I…”

“Don’t make me repeat myself,” I hissed.

Sebastian sighed and nodded. “You can trust me. Just one more time. And then I’ll be out of your hair for good.” He looked at Melissa, who had her face turned away, jaw tight, eyes narrowed. “I’ll leave all of you alone.”

I didn’t bother asking what he meant or if he meant it. There was no time.

Colt explained that the ceremony was completely private. No one was invited. But with Melissa’s knowledge of the celestial and my knowledge of Nightwolf’s landscape, we managed to figure out where it would likely be held—in a clearing not too far from the main Alpha house area, in the woods, surrounded by tall, thick trees on all sides.

There, the moon was brightest, shining perfectly through the trees. I knew that because I had been there many times before, stargazing on quiet nights when I needed to be alone.

If we were right about the witch’s plan, then she’d likely picked the spot because the Blue Moon would be the most visible, thus strengthening her little ritual.

It didn’t take us long to find it. I knew the way, and Sebastian carried Melissa on his back despite her weak protests. She was hardly conscious by now, too feverish to say much.

I helped Sebastian lay her down not far from the clearing, but far enough that if things went south, she’d be safe. We settled her beneath a tree, propped up against the trunk, her foot elevated on Bjorn’s backpack. While Sebastian got her comfortable, I turned to Bjorn and gripped his shoulders.

He looked the same, but more tired, like he hadn’t slept properly since I left. I recalled Bjorn’s warning and fingered the vial in my pocket. He wasn’t entirely gone. I could tell. There was something still in there, inside of him, fighting against whatever hold the witch had on him.

But our bond was still foggy. I tried to reach him, but couldn’t. I’d have to reveal myself first.

I went to step into the clearing, but Colt’s arm shot out, holding me back just as a woman in a sheer white dress stepped into the light.

It was me.

Or rather, the witch wearing my skin, smiling at my mate with my smile, preparing to make him sink his fangs into a neck that wasn’t truly mine.