It was Ian, the warrior who had helped me in the garden and who Gideon had punished for touching me.
Tears were streaked down his face, which bore such a look of misery that I gasped.
“What happened?” I asked, frantically, “Ambush?”
“Betrayal.” Ian said, voice cracking. My heart cracked in two.
“Was it the rogues?” I stammered. I held open the door to the front hall and showed him into the sitting room.
“No, it was a far deadlier enemy.” Ian reached the fainting chaise in front of the window and collapsed onto it.” Lady Love has turned on me at last.” he croaked.
“…what?” I choked.
“I was shot by Cupid’s arrow, and it is a mortal wound, I am afraid.” Ian wiped another tear from his stubbled cheeks.
“You’re… not making sense.” the gears in my brain had ground to a halt. “The warriors are ok? Gideon is ok?”
“I assume so.” Ian shrugged, “I haven’t heard anything about their mission since they left. I was too busy nursing a broken heart.”
“Oh you…!” I cursed and stood up, hands in fists at my side. I angrily closed the curtains over the open window.
To think that I had mistaken him for Gideon!
“So which girl broke your heart?” I asked, with asperity.
“Not just any girl.” Ian wailed, “A woman of the most lovely stature. She had long flowing hair like spun gold, and a voice like honey. She had more curves than a mountain stream. I’ve never seen anyone like her!”
Well, that description sounded familiar. I rolled my eyes, “Ah, I see you met Jessica.”
“I met a vision, I didn’t learn her name, but my heart flared with desire and my wolf…” Ian blushed, sitting up on the chaise and giving me an embarrassed glance. “I shouldn’t be telling you this, Luna.”
“No, you shouldn’t.” I agreed. “But I have felt the mating desire once, myself.” I wasn’t sure I should be telling him this, but he looked so… forlorn there on the couch.
“It didn’t lead to what I hoped.” I said, bitterly, “So I understand being unlucky in love.”
“I’ve never felt a feeling so strong or delirious.” Ian lamented, “I find myself wanting to write poetry. POETRY! Can you believe it? My warrior brothers will never let me hear the end of it if they knew.”
“So, did you… tell Jessica about your feelings?” I asked, curious about the length of this trainwreck that was occurring before me.
I was confounded, I admit, by Ian being matched with that viper. There couldn’t be two more different people in the whole of the pack!
Ian was funny, light-hearted, and kind. He had a decent sense of humor and he was honorable.
Jessica was catty, manipulative, and cruel. She cared only for herself.
Why on earth would the Moon Goddess pair them together as mates?
And while I was on the topic, why did she give me a mystery mate who abandoned me after our first night together?? 1
“Oh, I told her all right.” Ian moaned bitterly, “And she rejected me outright. She laughed in my face. Said she’d never look to a pup like me for that.”
“Ouch.” I winced.
“Yeah.” Ian sighed and stood, looking around the room for the first time. “But.. oh, I see I’ve interrupted something. Dinner? I’m so sorry.” He looked contrite.
“Well… as you can see. There’s nothing to interrupt.” I gave him a rueful smile. “And I am glad I was able to be here for you in your hour of need.”
“You are an excellent friend, Avery.” Ian said, genuinely. “I hope that you will prove luckier in love than I. Gideon is a blessed man to have you.”
His words cut me in silent and unseen ways, but I offered him a smile and a hug.
“I’ll get going.” Ian said, giving me quick a quick squeeze on my arms with his hands. “I don’t want to be your third-wheel again.”
That glint of mischief crept back into his eyes as he looked at me in the firelight. Then he put on a fake voice and cackled like an evil villain, “Unless this is my chance to steal you away for good! Muahahahahaa- ow.”
“Go on with you, lover boy.” I jabbed him with my fingers and pointed him towards the door. He went, turning towards the back of the pack house, probably going to find something to eat to mend his bruised heart.
I needed to find a poultice that could help with that, I decided. Maybe one of those ancient grimoires had a love spell in it.
I went to the table and fussed with brushing out the wrinkles in the tablecloth.
“Gideon, where are you?” I said out loud to the darkening room.
“Right behind you.” Gideon’s voice came loudly from the door way.
“I got here just in time to catch you embracing your lover goodbye, I see.’
Gideon’s POV
I had asked her for trust.
I had come to accept her apology.
And I had seen the silhouette of her embracing her lover through the curtains.
Cold fury settled into my bones as I sprinted up the last of the path and burst into the room. She was alone, now. Her lover must have fled out the back way when he’d heard me coming.
No matter, I would hunt him down after this. I would make him pay.
I cracked my knuckles and turned to slam the doors shut behind me.
Avery flinched and stepped back.
“Gideon, that’s not what happened!” She cried out.
“I saw you embracing! Do not lie to me!” I stepped across the room and grabbed her by the shoulders. I whirled her around and threw her on the sofa, pinning her down with my body.
Avery gasped, she squirmed underneath me.
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