I will find her. I swear it.
“Yes. Tell them we will be attending.”
Avery’s POV
It felt exceedingly strange to be driving back to Silvermoon Pack with Gideon. After our scene in the hallway with him a few days previous, the tension in the car was palpable. I focused on staring out the window and pretending like I wasn’t hyper-aware of his every movement, of the way he smelled, breathed, all of it.
I avoided saying anything at all during the pack greetings, leaving the Betas to manage the formalities. I didn’t want to deal with more of Alpha Leon’s threats, or interact with Ryan in any way. I was almost successful.
What I want to do, is see my mother. I need to make sure she’s ok.
The actual ceremony would take place later in the day, which gave me time to duck out and head towards the place my mother lived. I headed down the path that led through the forest to her shack. I had only gone this way a handful of times since I was a child, but I knew every turn.
Then Zara stepped out of the trees, flanked by several other girls who clustered around her and blocked my way.
“Well, I knew it was only a matter of time before you slunk back.” Zara cackled, “Was my gift not enough to get you laid? Too bad only one of us is becoming a real Luna, and it’s not you.”
The words were barbed and drew blood, but they also gave me the rush to fight back.
“Letting someone sleep with you is not the flex you think it is.” I pointed out, examining my nails pointedly. “By those metrics, you’d be the Luna of most of the men in this pack.”
Zara flushed red and stepped closer.
“You’re just jealous that you’re still being treated as Ryan’s leftovers while I’m being treated as his queen.” she sniffed haughtily, “Soon I’ll be living in the main pack house, and I’ll be able to run things as I please.”
“Oh honey,” I let my voice drip condescension, “I already live in Gideon’s house and am running the pack kitchen and gardens. Are you sure Ryan’s not trying to keep you at arm’s length for another reason? Like maybe he isn’t that attracted to you?”
Zara snarled and snapped at the air, her wolf leaping to the surface. She lunged at me, claws outstretched.
There was a burst of light and the mark on my shoulder suddenly flared with heat. Zara yelped and changed her trajectory, falling back before she could reach me.
The mark flared again, and I felt that imposing, powerful feeling like when Gideon had been barreling towards me the first time we’d met.
Alpha energy! I realized with a start, and it’s coming from my mark!
Zara and her group were whimpering and averting their gazes from me. When I stepped forward, they fell back. I stared at them in awe and confusion as my unknown mate’s mark forced them into submission.
“What is happening here?” Gideon’s voice rang out on the path. He strode towards me, staring at my neck.
Alarm shot through me as he approached.
Oh no! Has he discovered my mark?
Avery’s POV
I wondered if Gideon could hear my heart stuttering in my chest. I wanted to cover the mark with my hand, but also didn’t want to draw attention to it.
At least it no longer felt like it was pulsing. I didn’t feel anything further emanating from it, now.
Moon Goddess, I fervently prayed, please continue to protect me.
Gideon’s gaze took in the scene and then looked me up and down. Although he stared hard at my neck, the mark seemed to have disappeared. I sensed somehow he seemed…disappointed?
His expression grew thunderous as he turned away from me. Zara’s claws retracted and she and her group wouldn’t meet Gideon’s eyes.
“Somehow every time I sense trouble, you’re involved.” Gideon snapped, “That’s not the impression a prospective Luna should leave.”
For a second, I thought he was talking to me. Then I realized he was berating Zara.
Oh how the tables have turned! I delighted in watching Zara cower in front of him.
“Apologize.” Gideon snapped.
“I’m sorry, Alpha.” Zara muttered.
“Not to me.” Gideon roared. “To her.” He pointed at me. Zara looked like she’d rather eat glass.
“It was a misunderstanding, Alpha.” she simpered, “Avery and I are family.”
I nearly choked. While technically she was my step-sister, we had never acted like family. I raised an eyebrow. Gideon looked from me to Zara and back again.
“When Silvermoon gave her up, she became mine. Don’t ever let me hear you claim anything relating to her again.” He growled, “Now, since your Alpha seems incapable, I will reprimand you in his place.”
Gideon took a menacing step towards Zara, “I won’t say it again. Apologize.”
She cowered and mumbled the world’s weakest apology, “Sorry.”
“What was that?” Gideon held a hand to his ear.
“Sorry, Avery.” Zara bit out.
“Now leave.” he commanded, and within seconds Zara and her cronies were departing at speed down the path. He turned, watching them go.
I took the opportunity to duck away. I didn’t want to answer any awkward questions about what Zara had said, or what had made her stop attacking.
I ducked down a side path and snuck away as fast as I could while making little noise. It didn’t sound like Gideon was following me, and I was grateful he was letting it go.
I arrived at the hovel where my mother lived and knocked on the grey boards outside her door before pulling aside the curtain and ducking in.
(1
‘Avery!” My mother wasted no time in gathering me into the tightest embrace. I hugged her back just as tightly. She smelled the same she always had, of clover and honey.
I looked her over carefully, checking for signs of injury or misuse. She seemed a bit more worn, but unharmed.
To my amusement, she was doing the same to me. Her hands patted my shoulders and arms, making sure I was all in one piece.
They told me they sent you off to marry that monster.” She tsk’ed. “But you seem to be filling out, so they must be feeding you.”
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