The Heartless Alpha’s Beloved Luna

Chapter 254 Gideon's POV The woods smelled warm and redolent in the late afternoon sun. Motes of dust drifted in the beams of golden light that spilled through the green-yellow leaves of the new growth trees. This time of year the forest floor had new plant growth, and everything was lush and overgrown. My wolf padded through the trees sniffing at animal trails and sniffing the wind for any sign of a challenging Alpha. The Annual Mating Ceremony was a cornerstone of pack tradition, and while it usually passed without incident, it was also a time of vulnerability.

The wolves that gathered in the woods in hopes of catching, or being caught by, their chosen mate were in a heightened state. Their heat would set in as their mates claimed them, and outsiders would be in danger if they dared to trespass on pack territory at this time. My duty was to oversee the safety of the pack. And to claim my mate. Suddenly I felt a sharp pain along my bond that ran from Avery's mark to my wolf. It felt like someone tearing out a part of me. It caused my wolf to stagger. What could cause a pain like that? Something endangering our bond.

It felt as though there was a red- hot poker staring into my very soul. What had Avery done? Whatever was happening, it was endangering our bond. I let out a howl of pain that would also serve as a warning to anyone who dared to try to attack that which was mine. My wolf's feet pounded along the forest trails back towards the pack building. Whatever was happening, Avery needed my assistance. The emotions I got through our bond were fear, anxiety, and resolve. Whatever was happening, she was worried about it, but was proceeding ahead anyways. I needed to tell her to stop!

was hurting us? Or was someone daring to hurt my mate? Whatever the cause, my actions would be the same. I needed to put a stop to it. Suddenly, a large pair of wolves stepped into my path. 'Rogues, my wolf bared his fangs in

Alpha," the first wolf said with a huff and flick of his tail, "the one who takes what he wants." The mental language of

to show his willingness to enforce his will with their blood. "My brother, it is already happening," the first, laughing warrior, said

the wolf's thick neck that would send him beyond, but the rogue's companion was already in motion, barreling towards my wolf and knocking him off of the other warrior long enough for him to rise to his feet, bloodied, but alive. The three wolves faced each other, panting. I faced a hard decision. If they were speaking the truth, Avery was in danger, but if I left, then there would be vulnerable young wolves in these woods left unsuspecting to encounter these rogue