The Heartless Alpha's Beloved Luna Novel

---- Chapter 62 Avery's POV Shyly, | placed Gideon's food in front of him. He looked hungry. But not for food. What even was that moment on the couch? His accusation aside, the chemistry that had flowed between us had felt insane. It was somewhat reminiscent of my mating heat, but without the intense tidal pull of the moon. And this was the first time | felt | had witnessed Gideon almost lose control. | had thought it was just the intimacy of our position when he'd pushed me onto the couch, but now I was questioning if there was something more to it Could he actually be...

attracted to me in that way? Looking at him directly just made me blush. The way he had felt between my legs made me want to bite my lip and moan. Just the intensity of the way he'd looked at me underneath him. The sexy dream from the other day had been distracting enough, but our proximity now felt tantalizing. ---- | found myself wanting to lean a little lower, let the top button of my shirt remain unbuttoned. | wanted to accidentally drop my napkin and bend over in front of him. Watching him watch me with that heated gaze felt intoxicating.

But weren't things already confusing enough between us? This attraction that had only escalated over these past few weeks was muddling my mind about what | was doing here. | needed to get my mother to safety. | needed to get out of this engagement before | became the third wheel to Gideon and his true mate. | needed to find a place where | could build a more permanent life. Still, it was nice to be in this daydream. A dream where Gideon shoveled my food into his mouth like he'd never eaten a homecooked meal in his life. "You made all this?" he asked, around a mouthful of food.

"| did." | stared at him while he made another piece of bread disappear and helped himself to more carrots. "It's just peasant food." | joked. | had thought that comfort food would help reinforce the sincerity of my apology. "It's all we really ate growing up." Gideon raised his head in shock. ---- "Avery..." His tone was kind and sympathetic, "The food is delicious." He looked like he wanted to ask something, "Did you... not grow up with much?" | turned my head to stare into the flames in the fireplace and shrugged.

"I wasn't raised with any privileges, if that's what you're asking." Gideon was still looking at me, and | forced myself to meet his stare, "I've been called a lot of things, some of them deserved, but anyone who calls me entitled is a liar." He barked a laugh at that, "Fair enough. | hope one day you will feel comfortable enough to tell me a bit more about yourself." All| could do at that was shrug noncommittally. It wasn't the sort of subject | liked thinking about, much less telling anyone else about. "So, since this is your apology dinner...

Did you decide on your punishment for the wolf who tried to make me murder everyone?" Gideon's tone was dangerously casual "As a matter of fact, | did." | responded. "She will be working with me in the garden for the foreseeable future." ---- He tilted his head at me, "Do you think that's wise, considering the way she deceived you?" "| do, actually. | think she's being manipulated by others, and if | can remove her from their influence, | truly do believe she is an asset for the pack." Gideon looked doubtful.

"I could ask you the same question." | said, daringly, "Why do you tolerate Jessica when she does nothing but start trouble?" He looked taken aback. "That's a bold question." He was quiet for a moment, chewing his food. "I suppose, for a while, | wasn't aware of all that she was up to." Gideon admitted, "She was Tegan's sister, and | was an unattached bachelor. She can be a fun person to spend time with."