Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Avery’s POV
The handsome Alpha approached, staring at my neck. His eyes were piercing daggers honing in on my skin. The very air around him rippled with intensity as he pinned me in place with a look.
Oh shit, oh shit!
My instincts screamed at me to run from this predator, to avoid unwanted attention.
I was vulnerable, a specimen pinned on the path before this dangerous Alpha.
I yanked at the ruined collar of my dress and tried to lift it around my neck. The broken strands of beads slipped off their threads and bounced across the path as they rolled away. The torn silk slid through my numb fingers and the collar parted to display my
skin.
“Show me.” It wasn’t a question. The Alpha’s tone conveyed that he expected obedience and was used to receiving it. Then he was in my space, mere inches away.
“It’s n-nothing!” I protested, trying to turn away from him. I tried to cover up where the dress gaped open.
“Lower your hand and prove it.” Gideon’s command cracked across my skin.
My hand dropped away before I realized I was moving. His power was impressive and terrifying.
For a long moment, we stood there. His eyes were storm-cloud dark as he stared at my skin.
My pulse was beating so hard I was sure he could see it jumping in my neck.
Gideon leaned closer. He inhaled deeply, as though he was trying to breathe in my scent.
“Her skin is clear, Alpha.” Zara squeaked with relief. “She is unmarked and unclaimed. You must have misunderstood what you
heard p>
I allowed myself a shuddering breath.
Even though I’d seen the mark healed earlier, it had felt like Alpha Gideon could see right through me regardless.
Gideon’s gaze lifted from my neck to my face. His eyes flickered with suppressed emotion. Fierce eyebrows drew together in
frustration.
Disappointment? I wondered. It seemed like he had been expecting something… more.
What more could he want? I wondered as he stared at me with disapproval. He was impossible to read.
How can I marry someone who is so closed off? I wondered. And so terrifying?
Finally, Gideon released me from that intimidating stare.
He turned to Zara and gestured in my direction.
“You led me to believe there was a woman here who would make a suitable wife. Instead, I’m presented with this.” He looked me up and down, mocking.
I felt shame creeping red-hot up my cheeks.
I didn’t ask for any of this! I thought indignantly. If only he knew how little of this situation had been within my control.
Gideon’s scorn was palpable as he continued, “I came to honor our treaty, yet so far all Silvermoon seems to offer are melodramatic, overdressed women p>
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+25 Bonus
His scathing words carried easily to the wolves who lingered within earshot. The group of spectators had grown once Gideon had showed up. Everyone wanted to see who was going to be chosen, though none of them wanted to be his bride.
If I was stronger, I wouldn’t be in this situation. I thought, eyes downcast.
I wanted to disappear into the dirt.
I wasn’t the only one who took offense.
“Why is she marrying him?” Ryan demanded to Zara. Compared to Gideon’s authoritative tone, Ryan seemed adolescent and emotional.
“It’s Alpha Gideon’s choice if he wants to marry Avery or not.” Zara said snidely. “I’m sure he’ll make the right choice p>
She tugged at Ryan’s arm to leave.
As she passed by me she checked her shoulder into my back and knocked me off balance.
I stumbled forward, trying to recover my footing and not let my ripped dress gape open obscenely.
For a second the path surged up to greet me as I fell, then I was choking.
To my shock, I realized Gideon had gripped the torn fabric around my neck and was holding me up.
He was so fast! I hadn’t even registered he had moved.
Gratefully, I caught my footing and straightened up.
He must have seen what Zara did!
Immediately, Gideon released me and wiped his hand on his shirt, as though he had touched something vile. His mouth twisted in disgust.
Zara laughed, but shut her mouth when Gideon glared at her.
Humiliation flooded through me. The ‘thank you’ I had been preparing faded in my throat.
He didn’t need to treat me like I was trash. He was the one who needed to find a wife!
“If you hate me so much, you can try to find another woman.” I snapped.
“I’d rather not.” Gideon growled back, “Not, if they’re like your sister Zara here.” His mouth sneered in a bitter twist with the
bite of his words.
Over his shoulder I saw Zara’s face darken.
Ha! It felt great to see her at the receiving end of the nasty comments for once.
“Besides, I have a mate already.” Gideon said, matter-of-factly. “So, my requirements are very low. So low, I feel like even you could meet them easily p>
“You don’t know anything about me.” I choked back.
“I know all I want to.” He said, coldly. “Enough of this p>
Gideon raised his arm and checked his watch. “I have wasted enough time already, and I have business to attend to p>
I couldn’t believe how callously he was treating this whole exchange. He truly was the monster they claimed!
His face was a mask of indifference as he dropped his arm and moved towards me.
“Come with me, immediately.” he commanded firmly.
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I balked and stepped backwards.
“I am not ready yet!” I protested. My voice sounded high-pitched and frantic in my ears. A cold shot of fear was spiking at the base of my spine.
This was all happening so fast, and none of it felt good.
I knew almost nothing about this guy other than his less-than-stellar reputation for ruthless violence.
My sense of self-preservation was screaming at me to run the other way as fast as I could.
Gideon frowned at my hesitation. His fingers tapped impatiently on his leg.
Those wicked brows drew even lower over that dagger-stare.
How could someone so infuriating look so breathtaking?
Even terrible gifts can come in beautiful packages. I reminded myself. The deadliest traps are baited with the most delicious
lures.
I hated that there was a part of me that wanted so badly to go with him. My survival instincts seemed to be failing me in his presence. I hated that his alpha aura effected me so potently.
And if I didn’t go with him, my father was certain to punish me, even kill me.
If I stayed here, I’d die. If I went with him, I would be leaving with the most infamous Alpha murderer seen in a generation.
What if the reason his mate wasn’t around was because he’d killed her, too?
“I have everything you need. There’s no time for delays.” Gideon reached for me once more, this time grabbing my forearm with a strong grip. It was like being held in a vise.
Absolutely not!
My heartbeat spiked in my ears as he touched me, panic overriding my senses. Where his hand landed on my skin felt like a jolt of electricity, exquisitely shocking. I twitched my arm out of his grasp as fiercely as I could and pushed him away.
“I won’t marry you p>
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.