Chapter 14
E
T
Gideon’s chest tightened. He didn’t know
why he felt this way. He had always taken Maeve for granted, because he felt that she loved him too much, and she had no one else.
Wren reached out and tapped Gideon’s arm, forcing a fake smile, and a sweet voice. “Gideon… baby, let’s go inside. The guests are waiting. It’s getting late-”
Gideon didn’t respond.
“Gideon?” she said again, this time more urgently, trying to get his attention. “Come on, let’s go do the ceremony-”
But Gideon didn’t even look at her. His eyes were still watching Maeve as she walked away from him. He watched as she got into the sleek black car that Maxwell had come
with.
Maeve was really gone. She was gone from his pack, gone from his control, gone from
his lifo
And now… she belonged to someone else.
Wren huffed and stepped in front of him, forcing a smile as she placed a hand
on his chest. “Come on, Gideon. Let’s make this official.”
Gideon blinked and finally looked at her.
This was supposed to be his moment of triumph. His grand mating ceremony to his new and worthy Luna.
But he didn’t feel like rejoicing or celebrating.
Gideon shook his head slowly, then looked at Wren again, “This ceremony is cancelled.”
Wren’s face fell. “What?”
“We’ll do it later,‘ he said quietly, running a hand through his hair. “When the Alphas are present.”
“But-”
“Later, Wren.” His tone turned cold. “Go inside.”
Her mouth opened, then closed. Her eyes stung with embarrassment as she realized people were watching.
Her lips trembled as she tried to hold herself together.
She sniffled quietly as her eyes filled with
tears.
Gideon’s jaw clenched. He hadn’t meant to hurt her. He didn’t want to see her cry, he loved her.
He stepped forward, reaching out to pull her into a hug.
“I’m sorry, he murmured, rubbing her back gently. “I know how much we prepared for this. I know how much this meant to you, but it doesn’t feel right doing it like this,” Gideon
Tears spilled down Wren’s cheeks as she cried harder. “I got my hair done, Gideon. I picked the dress you liked. I thought… I thought today would be perfect.” “I know,” Gideon said softly, stroking her hair. “You’ve worked hard for this. I know how much it meant to you. But…” He trailed off as his mind flashed back to the loving smile Maeve had given Maxwell.
Wren clutched his shirt tighter. “Do you still want this? Do you still want me?” Gideon hesitated for a moment before he replied, and Wren noticed it.
“Yes, Wren.” He replied, nodding. “We’ll reschedule, and do it properly with the Alphas, with everything the way it should be.”
Wren nodded, but her heart was heavy. Gideon was distracted.
He looked down again at the invitation in his hand.
Wren gritted her teeth as she snatched the
Wien yine mei leell as Sit Silalliitu LITE
envelope from him and tore it up.
Gideon tensed, clenching his jaw.
She wiped her tears quickly, and forced a fake smile on her face that didn’t reach her
eyes.
“Let’s forget all about this,” she said sweetly as she dropped the torn pieces of the invitation on the ground. “Let’s forget all about Maeve.”
Gideon said nothing.
Wren took his hand and squeezed it tightly. “Let’s focus on us, on our future, on the Pack.”
Gideon swallowed hard, glancing at the pieces of the torn invitation on the floor, before he nodded slowly, though his eyes were still distant. “Yeah… yeah, you’re right.”
“We have a pack to lead, Gideon. We need to
+ 5 Points
ignore distractions.” She said firmly. Gideon gave her a small nod. “You’re right, he repeated, but he sounded like he was trying to convince himself instead.
Gideon felt even worse when he got home
with Wren and realized that Maeve was gone completely.
She wasn’t at the door waiting to take his coat, and bag.
She wasn’t in the kitchen asking him what he wanted to eat.
She wasn’t in the living room asking him how his day went.
Gideon swallowed when he noticed that the house looked empty because everything about her was gone.
