Sense My Silent Alpha's Heart

Chapter 9

Evelyn’s POV.

Gideon has been avoiding me. After that day, a week ago, he’d kissed me so suddenly, stirred something in my heart and then acted as if the kiss had revolted him. I didn’t know if it was something about me that made him react like that.

And now, even after a week have passed, I haven’t seen him once. He hasn’t shown up for breakfast or dinner. He was either too busy with work or had somewhere to be.

It was pretty obvious he didn’t want to share the same space as me.

I played with the fried eggs on my plate, having lost my appetite thinking about Gideon.

“Are you okay?” Kael asked from across me, staring down at my filled plate. “I thought you loved eggs.”

“I do.” I forced a smile. “Just not in the mood.”

“Because you’re thinking about my brother?” His lips curled as a slight panic flickered through my eyes.

“No. What are you talking about?”

“It’s obvious, Evelyn. You’ve been like this since that day.”

“I… I’m fine.”

He shook his head, as if he was also frustrated. “I don’t know what to do about my brother but believe me, he’s not the kind of asshole you think he is.”

“Well, that would be hard to believe.” I bit my lips as I said that, somehow transporting back to that day. I felt like s**t when he left me like that.

“Gideon…” Kael paused as if contemplating if he wanted to continue. “He’s gone through a lot. He’s been through horrible experiences I wouldn’t even wish on my greatest foe. And you, you are a trigger to the darkness in his mind.”

My brows furrowed as I stared at Kael. “How am I trigger to him? Is it… because I’m his mate?”

“Precisely because of that.”

“Did he have a mate before?” I asked. “What happened to him?”

“No. My father had a mate but it wasn’t my mother.” His voice softened to whispers and something in his gaze changed. “She suffered. My mother I mean. We all suffered. And then Gideon…” he exhaled a breathe. “Gideon witnessed the moment my father brutally killed her.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. I tried to imagine young Gideon or even any child at all, witnessing something as horrible as that. My chest tightened at the thought.

I reached across the table and patted Kael’s hand, noticing how tight he had them clenched.

“It didn’t stop when she died though.”

“What didn’t stop?” I asked and Kael smiled sadly as he told me.

“The beatings.”

I happened to look up just then and found Gideon at the top of the stairs, staring down at us with a frown on his face.

Kael noticed too, and quickly removed his hands from mine.

Gideon said nothing. He just finished walking down the stairs then placed a file in front of me and walked back upstairs to his room.

Clearly, he was in a sour mood. And having heard our conversation, something told me it made him angrier.

I stared at the file he dropped in front of me, noticing it was carrying the name of the Moonfall Pack.

When I opened it, I saw it was a contractual agreement from the Moonfall pack asking the shadow pine pack for aid against a certain pack they’d been at odds with. I remembered the fear of everyone when Briar had offended the Alpha of Nightvale pack years ago who then threatened to make it his mission to acquire Moonfall pack and make Briar pay for what she’d done.

It seemed like that Alpha had become even more powerful now and had began subtly attacking them by blocking all of their businesses, making them suffer huge losses.

And now they were running to Gideon for help. In fact, they were demanding it making use of the fact that I was married to him and telling him to help them secure a major business deal after dealing with the Nightvale Alpha.

It was too much.

“What is it?” Kael asked when he saw the frown on my face. I showed him the file and he shook his head. “You should discuss it with Gideon. Perhaps he’s letting you decide their fate.”

Is he now? I doubt that.

But it was an opportunity to talk to him.

Especially after what I’d learned from Kael. I didn’t know he carried so much pain with him.

I stood and Kael encouraged me with a smile as he watched me go upstairs to Gideon’s room.

I knocked softly on the door and Gideon opened it after a few seconds. Perhaps he thought it was Kael because he stood there shirtless, his huge build blocking the view of the room.

A blush crept up to my face as I tried to focus on what I’d come for. I held the file up and asked. “Can I come in?”

He seemed to think about it for a moment then he opened the door wider to let me in.

I don’t think I’ve ever been in his room even though it was just next to mine. His room was much bigger in the same white and grey color as his office, giving it a dull and depressing vibe.

I took a seat on the sofa while Gideon picked up a shirt and threw it on. My eyes followed him as he threw the shirt over his head, tight muscles ripppling with every movement. My eyes trailed every inch of his toned back, swallowing hard as I forgot to breath.

When he turned around again, I quickly showed him the file. “I… I don’t know why you gave me this when at the end of the day it is your decision what to do with them.”

He frowned, then reached for his phone and quickly typed on his notepad.

“I made a promise to you. So whether we help them or not is solely your decision to make.”

I wanted to ask him about what he meant by he’d promised me but then I remembered that day in the car. He’d clearly stated that he would give me revenge if I wanted. As long as I expected nothing from him in return.

And like a fool, I’d forgotten all of it when he kissed me. I’d forgotten that this man didn’t want me. At least not in the way I now wanted him. He despises the bond between us.

“Was that why you reacted like that on that day?”

His brows furrowed tightly, sitting across me as we both stared.

“Yes.” He finally answered after a long second of silence, typing on his notepad. “I cannot have any romantic relationship with you. Speaking about that day, I owe you an apology. It was my fault for kissing you. I’m sorry.”

The words cut through my chest like an axe. I’d rather he didn’t apologize than say he was sorry for kissing me. Yes, this was the cruel, heartless Alpha I’d heard about. He wouldn’t even hesitate to pluck out my heart and stomp on it like a discarded item.

“I understand.” I forced the words out and stared back at the file. “As for this, I’d like to know what the Nightvale Alpha has been doing to them.”

“According to my investigation, he has made them lose several business deals which affected the pack’s financial stability. If it continues, Alex will make them go broke before he finally finishes them off.”

“And if we were to help them?”

“Of course, the threat of losing their positions would no longer be a problem. They’d have to start finding ways to strengthen their financial positions again but they’ll be reduced to a low ranking pack.”

“I think that’s fair.” I said to Gideon. They had completely humiliated Alpha Alex that year so him seeking revenge was not a surprise.

“Help them.” I told Gideon.

“Are you sure?” He asked. “This is your chance to punish them. Make them pay for what they’ve done to you.”

“Innocent lives will be lost if Alex attacks them. So I want you to help them if you can. As for the financial problem, they can deal with that themselves. It is too much to ask of you.”

“I understand.” Gideon replied and I could not help but notice how his lips curled slightly.

“Then, I’ll take my leave.” I stood but it seemed like I stood up too quick. I felt dizzy and stumbled but Gideon quickly caught my waist and stopped me falling.

I froze, feeling his hands curled around me. I felt his emotions the moment we touched. Unease. Regret. Pain.

Why was he always in pain?

When he released me, I wanted to ask him.

I wanted to ask him what it was he struggled so much with but I bit my tongue and swallowed back the words then whispered a “thank you” before leaving, feeling his eyes burning into my back.

I didn’t once turn around until I’d exited his room. And when I rushed downstairs, unable to contain my emotions, I bumped into someone. It was Uncle Soren’s daughter, Lila.

“Watch where you’re going!” She hissed, walking around me to leave.

“Wretched slave.” I heard her whisper as she passed me, heading for Gideon’s room.

“What did you just call me?” I called her back and she scoffed, turning around.

“Did I say something wrong? Were you not a slave back at the Moonfall pack?” She asked. “Or did you think because you married brother Gideon, your status automatically changes?”

“You don’t talk to me like that, regardless. I am your Luna.” I say, making sure I looked confident and menacing. During Briar’s training, I’d overheard mother telling her one time that a Luna must always be able to hold her ground. While she must lead with wiseness and kindness, she also needed to make sure no one perceived her as weak.

Lila huffed. “You might be my Luna but you’re still nothing. I’ve known brother Gideon since I was a kid, if I so much as complain against you, he’ll make you pay for it. Dearly” She said and left while I stood there, wondering if their relationship was truly like that.

But watching her from the stairs as she easily went into Gideon’s room, it seemed obvious they were close.

Kael walked in just then, seeing me glancing up at the stairs.

“What is it?”

“Lila. Why is she here?” I tried to hide the fact that her presence here disturbed me. Or was it just because she seemed so close to Gideon and I was jealous?

“Oh, she insisted on spending a few days here. Don’t mind her much.” Kael said and I didn’t know why but I didn’t like it one bit that she’d get to spend so much time with Gideon this way while he continues to avoid me.