Chapter 334
Chapter 334
Because of me.
The thought landed hard in my stomach.
Had Gideon really been searching for me all this time? Running himself ragged, risking his pack, just to find me?
For a moment, my heart fluttered, and my wolf stirred as I watched Gideon circle the ring, flexing his muscular, bare shoulders.
But I quickly tamped the feeling down.
He only ever wanted an heir. And now the heir was a ten-year-old boy who was sitting at home right now playing video games and eating his grandmother’s cooking, and if Gideon ever found out about him, he would take Bjorn away from me without blinking.
That was why he was searching. Not for me, but for his bloodline. And if he found me or Bjorn, he would basically imprison both of us. I’d be forced to bear more children, more heirs, while he did whatever he wanted.
I kept telling myself that, even as my wolf howled desperately.
It happened fast. Sebastian feinted, then popped up behind Gideon and wrenched his arm up behind his back. Gideon was forced down to one knee.
I took a step forward.
“Where do you think you’re going?” the guard behind me barked. He roughly grabbed my upper arm and yanked me back,
Finally, after a tense struggle, Gideon wrenched his arm free. He used his leverage to throw Sebastian off balance, then rolled away and popped up at the other side of the ring.
They both stood there, breathless and sweaty and covered in dirt and clearly exhausted,
Nothing happened for a few seconds. The crowd held its breath. So did I. Only the woman beside me remained calm. She shot the a wink before she turned and sauntered away, disappearing,
Finally, Sebastian and Gideon lowered their fists.
“We’ll call it a draw for now,” Sebastian said coolly, wiping his brow with his
1/3
Chapter 334
+25 Bonus
forearm. “But one day, Alpha Gideon, I will take you down p>
Gideon lifted his chin. “I’m not counting on it p>
This was my chance. Gideon was wiping his face with a cloth his Beta handed him, and Sebastian was pulling his shirt back on. The crowd was dispersing, murmuring about the equal fight.
I needed to slip away before Gideon spotted me. Glancing at the guards, who were momentarily distracted by settling a bet they’d quietly placed during the fight, I decided to make a run for it.
I made it all of two steps before they grabbed me.
“Nice try,” one said.
The one on the left got hold of my arm and the one on the right got the other, and they walked me back toward the center of the courtyard, right toward Sebastian and Gideon.
“She came out through one of the side windows,” one said, shoving me to my knees in front of Sebastian. “We caught her outside. Could be a threat p>
“I told you, I’m a guest!” I protested.
Sebastian turned and froze when he saw me there.
Gideon turned, too.
His eyes moved over my face. My shorter hair. The clothes, the years, all of it.
His expression fell. He dropped the cloth he was holding and took a halting step forward, one hand reaching toward me…
“Avery?” he whispered,
My heart pounded for too many reasons. I knew I needed to run, but right now, I couldn’t seem to decide if I wanted to run away from him or toward him, and that was the most painful part,
But it didn’t matter anyway. Because before I could make a decision, Sebastian took
hand and pulled me to my feet, drawing ne close to his side.
my
“Is this any way to treat my guest?” he barked at the guards,
HY
2/3
Editorial Board
Editorial Board Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.