The Heartless Alpha’s Beloved Luna

Chapter 219 Avery's POV The ride back to Nightwolf Village was tense in every imaginable sense of the word. We had all come in a single car, and Gideon did not call for another, but he directed Dierdra to sit up front with the driver and he sat in the back with me. "I trust you can survive the trip back without any further 'medical emergencies," he had growled in a tone that was utterly terrifying as he shut her door behind her. The whole way back, I watched Gideon out of the corner of my eye. He said nothing further.

His face was cold and impenetrable, none of the emotions that had been on display in Dierdra's hospital room were still in evidence. It was as though he had fully retreated into himself and only his mask remained. I admired his skill. At the same time, I pitied him. How terrible to discover that someone you considered your true mate had knowingly betrayed you. I could relate all too well. I held his silence as companionably as I could, it was the best support I could offer with Dierdra still in the car, though my fingers kept wanting to creep towards his on the seat between us.

I wanted him to know that he wasn't alone. Perhaps some of that intention did get through. Shortly before we arrived back home he turned to look at me and gave a grim smile. I watched in painful solidarity as he got out of the car and explained to his family the confusing news. That Dierdra was no longer pregnant... and that she never had been. Consternation flooded through their faces as they processed this development. Through it all, Gideon made Dierdra remain beside him. She faintly asked to be excused to their rooms.

would require such." Even I flinched at his glacial tone. He was more angry than I had ever seen him. None of his fury had faded since the scene in the hospital room. Before Dierdra could come up with

said hopefully. Perhaps she hoped to escape, or simply avoid further embarrassment caused by continuing to reside in the pack house. "No," Gideon said coldly, "You will remain where I can best keep an eye on you, and where you can cause the least damage." Dierdra subsided with a sullen look that made her look like a petulant

teenager. It was hard to keep a gloating expression off my own face. However, if recent events had taught me anything, it was that every time I thought things were going well, something happened to bring it all down

me, it was obvious that Dierdra had been using her pregnancy excuse as a reason to push off her Luna duties as well. I wondered how Gideon's slow realization of the depth