Chapter 8
Chapter 8
I needed to ensure I married this man soon, before Leon decided I wasn’t holding up my end of the bargain and hurt my mother.
“Will…the wedding happen immediately?” I tried to keep my voice casual.
Gideon’s face swiveled towards me. He stared at me with that unreadable stare, silent and waiting.
“Just…. if it was soon…” I needed to ask if my mother could come live with me. I needed to remove her from Silvermoon Pack’s jaws before I could work on staging my own escape.
My question died in my throat as Gideon frowned. He gave a sharp, quick shake of his head.
“The wedding is still far off.” He said coldly, “Less than an hour ago you refused to marry me. Stay in line p>
I lowered my head, staring at my hands in my lap. It was going to be hard to ask for any favors if he thought I was still going to fight him. I needed to bide my time a bit longer and try and get on his good side.
Does he even have a good side? I wondered. So far, every angle of him seemed sharp, deadly… and sexy, my brain helpfully supplied.
Frustrated, I sighed. Being in close proximity to Gideon set every sense I had on edge.
Sitting here, across from each other, I felt like I was in tune with his every breath and movement. It didn’t make any sense, feeling this hyperaware of someone I’d just met.
He terrified me, and yet I felt drawn to him.
Gideon heard my sigh and his perpetual frown deepened, “You should know, I’m only marrying someone for the title of Luna. Don’t expect to use that title for any personal gain, and don’t worry about my needs for women. My life won’t change because of you p>
It must be nice to be able to so casually declare that someone is merely filling a role in your life. To be able to use someone like you would a tool.
So he gets to use me, but I’m not allowed to use him. Got it. I thought, bitterly. What a complete jerk.
Having solidly let me know where I stood, we rode the rest of the way to the Nightwolf territory in silence.
The turnoff from the main road wound back and forth through lengthening twilight shadows and forested hills. When the Nightwolf village came into view, rising out of the dusk, I was struck by how beautifully it appeared maintained.
Silvermoon had always had a haphazard appearance. My pack’s buildings popped up here and there with no forethought or planning.
In contrast, Nightwolf was neither rigid nor messy. Instead, paths and buildings rose from the landscape organically.
Warm lights illuminated the main paths through town. It made the whole place look inviting and cozy. I had expected something cold and detached, like rigid barracks or straight grid-like streets.
Instead, Nightwolf Pack seemed… Organized? Well-cared for. Harmonized.
As Gideon opened my door and offered his hand for me to climb out, I considered that perhaps my original appraisal of him as a thoughtless tyrant had been off the mark.
Nothing about his home appeared thoughtless.
But what does that mean? That his rudeness is as calculated as it is cruel? Isn’t that even worse?
A family of four was waiting outside the door of a large stone building that appeared to be both home and center of operations. An older couple and a young man and woman stepped forward to greet me as I approached. All of them bore a resemblance to
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Gideon.
“Welcome to Nightwolf!” The young woman greeted cheerily, embracing me. “I should have known my brother would choose the prettiest she-wolt Silvermoon had to offer p>
Off to the side, Gideon scowled.
She was very kind to give me such a compliment, despite my disheveled appearance. But then, she had to. Given the terms of the ancient agreement I would eventually become her pack’s Luna.
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“I am Camila, Gideon’s sister. These are our parents, Gianna and Bennet, and my brother Hudson, who is the pack doctor.” she quickly introduced us. Gideon’s mother also embraced me warmly, while his father and brother each gave a welcoming bow.
Through it all, Gideon stood silently, scowling.
“Come, come!” Camila grinned mischievously at me when introductions were finished, “I’ve already prepared the room for the two of you to live together 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.