Sense My Silent Alpha's Heart

Chapter 3

The guests were beginning to murmur amongst themselves as I stood frozen with my eyes still slightly widened, staring at the shadow pine Alpha as though he was going to eat me if I went any closer.

You can’t blame me though. The way he was looking at me sent goosebumps down my arms. It was terrifying.

Alpha Gideon was the one who stepped forward first and offered me his hand. He was still wearing that frown like it was his permanent look.

I hesitated before steeling my heart and placing my right hand into one of his warm big ones. A tingling sensation shot up my fingers upon contact with his. Something seemed to snap into place. And then I felt this rush of foreign emotions that obviously did not belong to me.

There was surprise, uncertainty, and a flicker of pain before it quickly died down.

'No. Not her. Not this. Damn it. I don’t want a mate. '

My eyes snapped towards Alpha Gideon immediately, puzzled as I wondered if I’d just heard his thoughts.

That was impossible.

I might have imagined that.

He was still wearing that scowl even though he’d managed to release his brows a bit. I could swear I just felt the emotion that’d been running through him, and it felt like I’d stirred up something he had struggled to keep buried, but then I wasn’t sure. This might be all in my head, and it was only for a fleeting moment.

The foreign emotions were gone in an instant, the moment he led me forward and dropped my hand as someone brought a pair of rings forward.

A priest stood before us, and everyone stood from their various seats and watched. I noticed Briar grinning wickedly at me from the side. It seems like she was the most excited about this situation.

“Today, we gather to witness a union between two children of the moon goddess. May her blessings fall upon them, lead them with honor, and strengthen their bond.” The priest cleared his throat, and his eyes fell upon me. “It’s time to say your vows.” His eyes darted between Alpha Gideon and me. “You should hold hands.”

My heart jolted, and I sure as hell wanted to feel the warmth of his hand cover mine again, but I knew he wouldn’t like it.

“Actually—“ I was about to say something to refuse when I felt a soothing warmth cover my hand like a blanket.

I looked at Alpha Gideon, clearly startled, and felt those foreign emotions all over again. It was subtle this time, but I could still trace that feeling of unsettlement as if something deeply bothered him.

Realization dawned upon me. Those were his feelings. It seemed like it had to do with us touching each other. I could feel every emotion of his and even hear his thoughts.

My heart thumped wildly in my chest as I wondered if this was what it meant to find the one fated for you. The bond was insane. I still could not believe this was happening.

“Now repeat after me, Evelyn.” The priest's gaze fell on me as he read from a script in front of him. “I accept this alliance with honesty and duty.”

I tried not to let my voice shake as I spoke. “I accept this alliance with honesty and duty.”

‘Why does she sound like she is about to cry?’

My heart dropped to my stomach as I looked at Alpha Gideon. Did he not realize I could read his thoughts?

His brows were still drawn tight in a frown, and his gaze was awfully cold when they settled upon me as if something puzzled him.

‘Does she not want this marriage?’

I almost didn’t hear the priest’s next words. I tore my concentration away from him and quickly repeated the words.

“I will stand beside my husband in peace and in conflict. I will fulfill my duties to the pack. And I accept the path the moon goddess has chosen.”

The audience cheered and clapped before the priest turned towards Alpha Gideon. “Now repeat your vows after me.”

I froze. Even the guests did, as a tense air instantly filled the room, but the priest didn’t seem to notice this and continued. “I accept this alliance with honesty and duty.”

Alpha Gideon said nothing. His face was rigid, his jaws clenched tight as he settled his cold, wicked gaze on the clueless priest.

The crowd began to murmur. And some of the words that entered my ears were not pleasant at all.

“He’s mute, dummy.”

“Someone give him a paper and pen to write his vows.”

Some of the guests burst out laughing.

I recognized Briar's voice from the crowd, and my fist clenched tight until it drew blood. With my hand still clasped in Alpha Gideon’s grip, I knew he was about to lose it. Outwardly, he appeared calm, but I could feel the storm brewing underneath his skin. I could feel his rage burning within me.

Oh my goddess, it was bad.

I needed to calm everyone before he lost it completely.

“I’ll do it,” I called and bit my lips, seeing the crowd go quiet.

“I can say his vows on his behalf,” I said, surprising myself as the crowd began to murmur again. I shouldn’t have intervened, I knew that. But hearing those people say those things about him, I wanted to put them in their places, which was so unlike me, considering I never wanted this marriage.

Maybe it was because of this new bond.

The more I think about it, the more unreal it feels.

I could feel Alpha Gideon’s gaze burning through my skull, and I could feel his confusion through the bond, as if he weren’t expecting me to step in.

I tried to ignore him and faced the priest whose face looked ashen, like a ghost. He only now realized his mistake and feared for his life. His hands were trembling slightly as he looked at me hopefully.

“We can definitely do that.” He agreed quickly, and I turned towards Alpha Gideon.

“Is that okay? Please give me a nod.”

He stared at me for what felt like hours, with murderous energy flowing out of him. He looked like he wanted to burn this whole building down with everyone in it.

But at the end, to my own surprise, he gave a small nod.

The priest heaved a sigh of relief as we quickly began.

“Alpha Gideon accepts this alliance with honesty and duty and the bond placed before him. He will lead, honor, and protect his wife…” I looked at his face before I continued. He looked calm, or at least that was what he wanted others to think. He still had my hand in his grasp.

“He will uphold his duty to her, to the pack, and to the moon. And he accepts the path the moon goddess has chosen.” I finished with a sigh of mine and the rings were brought forward, which we slid into each other's fingers, and it still all felt like one big horrific dream.

“You can go ahead and place your mark on her, Alpha.”

I forgot that part. My heart raced in my chest as I looked at Alpha Gideon’s stony face. He leaned forward, and I didn’t dare move. His scent overwhelmed me at once, and it made me want to giggle, but that feeling disappeared when he buried his face into my neck.

My eyes widened. My fists clenched. And it felt like my heart was about to burst out of my chest as I felt his canines prick the skin on my neck. I felt a sharp pain, but a heady sensation quickly followed, and I almost fell into his arms as my legs grew weak.

What. In. The. World. Was. That?

When he pulled away, I could tell my eyes had changed. My wolf had come forth, and a small growl left me, which caused Alpha Gideon to frown.

I quickly pushed back my wolf and tried to gather myself again as I touched the side of my neck that was now bruised with his bite.

The marriage ceremony concluded. And there were people who came to congratulate us. And after all that was done, Alpha Gideon looked impatiently at his watch. Then he pulled out a notebook from his pocket and wrote to me.

“Go get your things and let’s go. You have one hour.”

I gulped heavily and quickly nodded, finding my way back to the back of the house and down a basement, which happened to be where I lived.

I didn’t have much to carry. Just a few clothes, shoes, and things that were important to me.

But as I stepped inside, I saw Briar sitting with her legs crossed on my bed. She was holding a long, menacing whip that made my blood run cold.

“And the bride is here.” She mocked, standing. “Are you going to just stand there, or are you going to come in and kindly lock the door behind you?”

I swallowed hard, fear coating my expression as I did as she said. How could I have expected anything to change?

Of course, she’d still come for me.

“Oh, you were incredible today, Evelyn. Did you fall in love with that mute?”

I quickly shook my head, and she laughed wickedly as if remembering something.

“Alpha Gideon accepts this alliance… he will uphold his duty to me…. What the hell was that display, Evelyn!” She barked out laughing until tears stained the corners of her eyes.

I bit down hard on my lips and didn’t say a word. I needed to find a way to escape from her clutches.

She walked closer, circling me with the whip in her hand. My body shivered from fear, knowing she’d strike me any time, and she wanted me to know that. She gets off on my fear, and I knew I would be doing myself no good if I tried to resist.

“Briar—”

“Shh…” she said in a lethal voice and stared disgustingly at the mark on my neck. “We have some unfinished business I’d like to complete now that your mute husband has marked you.”

“Alpha Gideon is right outside, waiting for me.” I whispered to her and enjoyed the absolute look of horror that crossed her eyes as she snapped her head towards the closed door, her body already shivering from fear. She feared him so much, and yet she won’t stop running her mouth.

“Is he really…” She gulped heavily and tried to ask, but I’d already dashed towards the door, only hearing her angry voice as she barked.

“You tricked me!”

She ran after me with the kind of speed I could never match, then swung her whip towards me.

My skin prickled as I saw the whip coming for my face. If I let it, it’d strike the side of my face and leave its mark. I was so close to the door, so close to freedom.

I felt her whip graze my cheeks and at the same time, the door burst open with so much force that the wall trembled, and I fell into wide, strong arms.