Chapter 236
Chapter 236
Avery’s POV
“Don’t you think you’re being a bit cruel?” My mother censured mildly, looking at me from over the top of her book. She was getting stronger, and today the healers had said that she was strong enough to walk with me to the garden at the top of the hill. Now we sat on the bench under my favorite tree and enjoyed the warmth of the sun
“You don’t think he deserves it?” I questioned, annoyance creeping into my tone. I hadn’t planned on telling her about what was going on between Gideon and I, but apparently we were the topic of conversation in the pack lately, and my mother had asked me what was going on.
I hadn’t told her everything. Not about Gideon being my mate, or our ceremony under the stars. The first point would have overridden any conversation that came after. To my mother’s generation, mates were held above almost everything else. She would stare at me in horror to learn that I was treating my mate this way.
“Daughter,” she said in the tone that meant I was about to get a lecture, “Alphas are a different type of creature. They aren’t like other men. No matter what he’s done, it’s in the past now p>
Her words echoed what Gideon had said, that everything was different now that we were destined mates. A fact that I still couldn’t wrap my head around. How was it that I had ended up married to my mate before I even knew who he was?
“That’s such an old-fashioned way of thinking, mom!” I waved my hand in irritation, as though I was batting away her words. “Letting Alphas get away with everything isn’t always better! Look at what happened to you and my father p>
My mother’s face took on the harrowed look it had when she talked about my father. She didn’t like when I mentioned him. I felt bad at hurting her, and took her hand in my own, staring into her face searchingly.
“You should never have been treated the way you were,” I said softly, “You did nothing wrong p>
My mother brushed away the tears from her eyes and sniffed.
“I don’t want to see you making my mistakes, is all,” She gripped my hand hard, and gave me a look that was full of love and hope.
“I have no intention of letting anyone treat me badly ever again,” I said with force, “I will keep Gideon wrapped around my finger, not the other way around p>
My mother shook her head, dismayed, “That sort of thinking is exactly how Zara acts p>
Her words hit me as hard as if she had hauled back and slapped me.
Was she right? Was I acting just like my half-sister?
She had sowed seeds of doubt in my mind and I began to question whether I was doing the right thing in exacting my revenge from Gideon. I spent the rest of the time thinking while she returned to her book.
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Chapter 236
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When we were done with our outing and I had seen my mother safely back to her rooms I spent some time in the garden and kitchens getting my thoughts in order, then I went to find Gideon.
“Avery,” he said with surprise as I placed a plate of homemade cookies on his desk along with a cold glass of blackberry lemonade, “You came to find me p>
“I did,” I stared down at what I had brought him and then stepped around his desk and pushed gently back on his chair until it rolled backwards. With slow, deliberate movements, I sat on his lap and curled up, resting my head on his chest.
Stunned, Gideon didn’t move for a long moment, then his arms closed around me and he gathered me against his chest, his chin resting on the top of my head. I felt the sudden rush of contentment and joy flooding along our bond, and I let the feelings wash over me.
“You are still scared,” Gideon said, sensing my emotions in return, “but I don’t want to hurt you, Avery.
You are mine p>
“I know,” I whispered into his shoulder, “I’m sorry p>
We stayed that way for a while. Finally I uncurled and moved to perch on the top of Gideon’s desk
instead.
“Your ice is melting,” I pointed out. The glass I had brought had left a ring of condensation on his desk
top.
Gideon lifted the glass and took a chug, wiping away the condensation with his sleeve.
“This is good,” he said, finishing it quickly, “Did you make it p>
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