The Heartless Alpha’s Beloved Luna (Avery and Gideon) novel Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Avery’s POV

The handsome Alpha approached, staring at my neck. His eyes were piercing daggers honing in on my skin. The very air around him rippled with intensity as he pinned me in place with a look.

Oh shit, oh shit!

My instincts screamed at me to run from this predator, to avoid unwanted attention.

I was vulnerable, a specimen pinned on the path before this dangerous Alpha.

I yanked at the ruined collar of my dress and tried to lift it around my neck. The broken strands of beads slipped off their threads and bounced across the path as they rolled away. The torn silk slid through my numb fingers and the collar parted to display my

skin.

“Show me.” It wasn’t a question. The Alpha’s tone conveyed that he expected obedience and was used to receiving it. Then he was in my space, mere inches away.

“It’s n-nothing!” I protested, trying to turn away from him. I tried to cover up where the dress gaped open.

“Lower your hand and prove it.” Gideon’s command cracked across my skin.

My hand dropped away before I realized I was moving. His power was impressive and terrifying.

For a long moment, we stood there. His eyes were storm-cloud dark as he stared at my skin.

My pulse was beating so hard I was sure he could see it jumping in my neck.

Gideon leaned closer. He inhaled deeply, as though he was trying to breathe in my scent.

“Her skin is clear, Alpha.” Zara squeaked with relief. “She is unmarked and unclaimed. You must have misunderstood what you

heard.”

I allowed myself a shuddering breath.

Even though I’d seen the mark healed earlier, it had felt like Alpha Gideon could see right through me regardless.

Gideon’s gaze lifted from my neck to my face. His eyes flickered with suppressed emotion. Fierce eyebrows drew together in

frustration.

Disappointment? I wondered. It seemed like he had been expecting something… more.

What more could he want? I wondered as he stared at me with disapproval. He was impossible to read.

How can I marry someone who is so closed off? I wondered. And so terrifying?

Finally, Gideon released me from that intimidating stare.

He turned to Zara and gestured in my direction.

“You led me to believe there was a woman here who would make a suitable wife. Instead, I’m presented with this.” He looked me up and down, mocking.

I felt shame creeping red-hot up my cheeks.

I didn’t ask for any of this! I thought indignantly. If only he knew how little of this situation had been within my control.

Gideon’s scorn was palpable as he continued, “I came to honor our treaty, yet so far all Silvermoon seems to offer are melodramatic, overdressed women.”

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His scathing words carried easily to the wolves who lingered within earshot. The group of spectators had grown once Gideon had showed up. Everyone wanted to see who was going to be chosen, though none of them wanted to be his bride.

If I was stronger, I wouldn’t be in this situation. I thought, eyes downcast.

I wanted to disappear into the dirt.

I wasn’t the only one who took offense.

“Why is she marrying him?” Ryan demanded to Zara. Compared to Gideon’s authoritative tone, Ryan seemed adolescent and emotional.

“It’s Alpha Gideon’s choice if he wants to marry Avery or not.” Zara said snidely. “I’m sure he’ll make the right choice.”

She tugged at Ryan’s arm to leave.

As she passed by me she checked her shoulder into my back and knocked me off balance.

I stumbled forward, trying to recover my footing and not let my ripped dress gape open obscenely.

For a second the path surged up to greet me as I fell, then I was choking.

To my shock, I realized Gideon had gripped the torn fabric around my neck and was holding me up.

He was so fast! I hadn’t even registered he had moved.

Gratefully, I caught my footing and straightened up.

He must have seen what Zara did!

Immediately, Gideon released me and wiped his hand on his shirt, as though he had touched something vile. His mouth twisted in disgust.

Zara laughed, but shut her mouth when Gideon glared at her.

Humiliation flooded through me. The ‘thank you’ I had been preparing faded in my throat.

He didn’t need to treat me like I was trash. He was the one who needed to find a wife!

“If you hate me so much, you can try to find another woman.” I snapped.

“I’d rather not.” Gideon growled back, “Not, if they’re like your sister Zara here.” His mouth sneered in a bitter twist with the

bite of his words.

Over his shoulder I saw Zara’s face darken.

Ha! It felt great to see her at the receiving end of the nasty comments for once.

“Besides, I have a mate already.” Gideon said, matter-of-factly. “So, my requirements are very low. So low, I feel like even you could meet them easily.”

“You don’t know anything about me.” I choked back.

“I know all I want to.” He said, coldly. “Enough of this.”

Gideon raised his arm and checked his watch. “I have wasted enough time already, and I have business to attend to.”

I couldn’t believe how callously he was treating this whole exchange. He truly was the monster they claimed!

His face was a mask of indifference as he dropped his arm and moved towards me.

“Come with me, immediately.” he commanded firmly.

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