Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Avery’s POV

“Y-You dare?” Jessica’s screech sputtered into accusations as juice dripped down her body to a puddle on the floor.

Everyone in the mess hall had stopped to watch the spectacle. I noticed more than a few hiding their smiles behind a hand or

cup.

At a table nearby, I saw Gideon’s doctor brother, Hudson, watching us. He raised his cup and did a silent clap.

I guess not many people like Jessica. Can’t imagine why. I thought with satisfaction.

Next to me, Melody’s mouth was hanging open in shock. She kept glancing between Jessica and I.

“Just you wait.” Jessica snarled, frantically wringing juice out of her shirt, “I overheard Gideon and Tegan talking. Gideon was saying he despises women like you and will never marry you. We’ll see how much of a ‘Luna’ you are when he abandons you p>

My heart panged at that. It was too similar to what Gideon himself had said to me in my room.

“Luna, she’s lying!” Melody whispered in an undertone as Jessica continued to rant about how Gideon would find me flawed. ” She just loves to make trouble p>

Even if it’s a lucky guess, it still has the ring of truth to it. I thought. Gideon is consistently disappointed in me. And we still haven’t scheduled a wedding…

I shoved the thoughts down and fixed my face into a smirk.

Never let a bully see when you’re wounded.

“You overheard?” I shot back, “If I tell Gideon you were spying on him, what do you think he’ll do p>

Jessica’s juice-splattered face went slack. She shut her mouth with a click, then spun on her heel and stalked out the door.

“Go get a fresh tray, I’ll clean this up.” Anna said, appearing from the back and taking the spilled trays and empty cups. Quietly, Melody and I refilled new trays of food and sat down at a table.

Softly, conversation returned around us as people went back to their meals.

“Jessica is just upset that she’s not Gideon’s mate.” Melody told me confidentially as we ate. “I heard Tegan tell Gideon that he was impressed with your garden plans. The Alpha respects people who work hard p>

I hoped she was right. It felt like everything I did around Gideon put me on the wrong foot.

After dinner I said goodbye to Melody and made her promise to tell me if Jessica did anything further to her.

My muscles had locked up while we’d sat. The aches and pains of gardening, combined with the fifty laps I’d run, all caught up with me as I struggled to climb the steps up to the third floor.

I was ascending the last flight when I noticed Gideon leaning over the bannister at the top, watching me slowly climbing while wincing in pain.

“Even Luna’s are subject to pack hierarchy.” He said, warningly, watching me struggle up to him. “Once you become my wife, you won’t be excused p>

I heaved myself up the last few steps and stopped at the top to look at him.

I think you’re trying to scare me. I thought, exhausted. You just don’t want to marry me.

Gideon frowned and I realized I’d said what I’d been thinking out loud.

I’m more exhausted than I thought.

T23 DUS

I turned my back on him and began to weakly make my way down the hall to my room. After a few feet, I heard Gideon stomping

after me. Those strong fingers grabbed my arm and spun me to face him.

Again? I thought wearily, as he pinned me to the wall. I was so tired I sagged against him, despite trying to hold myself away.

“Woman, if I was trying to scare you, you’d know.” His arms held me up as he growled the threat in my ear.

When he growled, I felt it rattle my core. Adrenaline rushed through me as my body responded to the threat, and also our

intimate position.

Olivia Harris

Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.