The Heartless Alpha’s Beloved Luna (Avery and Gideon) novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Avery’s POV

I startled and took a step back, Live? With him?

“Stop meddling, Camila.” Gideon growled and swiftly walked away.

Once he was gone, Camila muttered, “I was just joking.” She tugged me by my arm, “It’s actually a really nice setup. I spent all week getting it ready for you!”

Her genuine excitement went a long way towards making me feel like there was something salvageable in all this. Her parents and brother quickly moved towards the main house, reassuring me that, although it was large, I would get used to my new home

in no time.

Hudson opened the main door for me with a bow, and his youthful, handsome grin gave me a hint of what Gideon would look like if he ever loosened up.

“Don’t be too intimidated by my brother. He’s not nearly as bad or cold as his reputation.” he said as I passed into the entrance hall. “You’ll see as you get to know him, he’s actually a decent person.”

My stomach turned at the thought of getting to know Gideon.

His attempt to paint his brother in a softer light was ruined by the large military map tacked on one wall, with red ribbons indicating battle sites. Conquests?

A display case full of sharp and gleaming weapons dominated the opposite wall.

Yes, a very kind and warm-hearted warlord, I’m sure.

Just the thought of spending more time with Gideon set me on edge. The silence in the car the rest of the way here had been

thick with tension.

I was sure Gideon could destroy me easily in two moves or less if he decided to make me disappear.

It was hard to relax sitting next to a killer.

“Come, dear.” Gideon’s mother, Gianna, gestured from the foot of an elegant wooden staircase. Dark wood gleamed with wax, and apart from the medieval murder implements, braided rugs, warm sconces, and potted plants made the entrance hall quite

inviting.

I followed Gianna and Camila upstairs while the men stayed below. As we climbed past the second floor to the third floor landing the graceful dimensions of the large house stunned me into silence.

The indoor lights reflected off of large windows dark with night. I was sure they would provide stunning vistas of the landscape when it was daylight.

“We will make all the wedding arrangements quickly,” Gianna said as she led me down the hall and used a large key to unlock a delicately carved wooden door.

I was relieved when I heard the wedding would be happening soon, though a knot of worry still twisted in my stomach about my marked secret being exposed.

“This is your room,” Camila said, mistaking my discomfort for nervousness about the wedding. She pushed the door open and led me inside. “Gideon’s is across the hall.”

The room was fully furnished, with comfortable and tasteful furniture. It was far lovelier than even Zara’s bedroom she bragged about back home, which was probably only half this size.

I asked cautiously, “Does Gideon’s marked mate live here too?”

1/2

Gianna shook her head. “No. His mate disappeared without a trace. Don’t worry we’ll make sure you have a good life here.”

I thanked them sincerely.

As Gideon’s mother and sister left me to settle in I approached the full length mirror that leaned against one wall and pulled away the torn fabric of my dress that I had tucked back together as best I could.

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