The Heartless Alpha’s Beloved Luna

Chapter 26 Avery's POV Gideon's dangerous gaze was fixated on me as I spoke. He seemed like he was trying to see through me, to tell if I was telling the truth. His intense scrutiny made my blood turn to ice in my veins. Ok, so maybe what I said was a bit optimistic. I don't know that I can make this 'relationship' work if we remain strangers to each other. But, he didn't need to throw me to these sharks so publicly!

His indifference might have just been his own facade, but he was the one being naive if he didn't think these women would find any excuse to get rid of me and insert themselves in my place. Their mockery doesn't bother me, I'm used to that. They just want to see me embarrassed so they can leave the imprints of their heels in my back as they climb over my body. I felt the deep irony of knowing they would be even more incredulous if they knew that I hadn't chosen any of this. Everyone thought they wanted to be with the heartless Alpha, until they were the one actually on the wedding podium.

I could understand what they thought. Gideon had this horrible reputation outside of Nightwolf, but his power and good looks were evident to anyone who met him. A desperate wolf would see only the opportunities, and hope they could survive the rest. Like me. I'm just doing my best to survive. I stared placidly back into Gideon's stormy eyes. You picked the wrong survivor, if you think I'm going to quit easily. I thought. Finally he turned away and stalked off towards the bar. I guess he agrees this arrangement is acceptable.

A part of me felt dejected that he was so casual about our relationship, but emotional connections just made everything messy, in my experience. It's better this way, I suppose. More clear cut. I wandered to the dessert table and was selecting something chocolate-y to eat along with my feelings when Ryan appeared. He had a look of urgency and snagged my wrist, pulling me through a staff door and into a back hallway.

exclaimed, watching my carefully selected treats be abandoned on a napkin still on the table as he tugged me along, "I was eating those!" The door shut behind us and now it was just Ryan and I standing in the hallway outside the kitchen where there was a great commotion of dishes

"Avery," Ryan grabbed my hand in both of his, "I want you back." What the actual...??? "Wha-?" I sputtered.. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Did this man just... really think I would want anything to do with him after what had happened?? "I don't even mind that you've been marked!" Ryan went on, completely oblivious, "I'm willing to cover it up! But I... still have feelings for you." 1/3 I repressed the retch that threatened to

sending me a burst of love that carried with it the strong sense that I

you think you can just take me back and everything will be like it was?" "Yes!" Ryan didn't seem to grasp it was a question, "I know you might not believe me, but I miss you. I love you! And..." He got down on one knee while I gaped at him in disbelief, "I should announce Zara as my Luna

so you make a rash choice. Except every time it's me who takes the fall for it! You get in trouble, and then somehow I pay the price!" I berated him. "And now