Alpha Gideon’s deception

Gideon interferes

The man's expression seems to pass quickly, making Jesse wonder if she merely imagined it. Why would this stranger care that Gideon is her mate? No, she must have misread his expression.

“I see.” The man hesitates for a moment. “The lake is dangerous. You shouldn't cross without your wolf. Climb on my back, I can get you there safely.”

Jesse nods quickly and waits for him to shift. After his wolf glides into the water, she climbs onto his back carefully, holding onto the thick dark fur firmly. His wolf carries her with ease, moving through the water much faster than she could. It's keeping her safe. However, when she observes Gideon, over at the other shore, she can tell he is getting progressively more and more angry. Why? Is he truly so cross with her that he would rather see her brave the water alone, while her leg is still bleeding? Or is he jealous, upset about her closeness with the stranger?

As they cross, the man talks to her via mindlink. It's a strange sensation. Mind links can take years or even decades to develop; Jesse has never mindlinked with anyone other than family or very close friends. But with this man it happens instantly and easily.

‘So he is your husband?’ The man asks. ‘How long have you been together?’

‘No’, Jesse lets him know. ‘We haven't marked each other yet, I only met him yesterday. But he’s my true mate.’

The stranger doesn't respond. He stays quiet for what feels like an uncomfortable amount of time— so Jesse tries to change the subject. ‘What's your name? You didn't tell me.’

‘Samuel’, he responds, ‘but you can call me Sam. You're Jesse, right?’

In spite of the fact he can’t see her facial expression, Jesse can't help but smile, if only to herself. ‘That’s my name. Thank you for saving my life, Sam.’

They reach the shore before they have a chance to exchange any more information. Gideon grabs her hands, pulling her up and away from the wolf's rugged body she is still resting on. He pulls her closer to him, shaking her by her shoulders. His anger hasn't subsided; if anything, he seems more upset than before.

“Jesse, what were you doing, going to the forest all by yourself like that?! You could have been killed. How could you be so stupid? You're not to be so reckless ever again, do you hear me??”

Samuel shifts back to his human form while Gideon talks at her —if talking is even the right term to use here; to Jesse, it feels more like getting yelled at. Sam is frowning, his arms folded, an irritated stance and expression. But his irritation is aimed at Gideon, not at her. Jesse can't help but feel vindicated, seeing Sam’s annoyance. She’s annoyed with Gideon too. How dare he yell at her like that? They barely know one another, yet here he is, already acting possessive and raising his voice at her.

Her voice is calm and cool as she replies: “I told you I am safe. I have been in this forest many times. The bear was unexpected, but no harm was done, thanks to Samuel here. We owe him our gratitude.”

Gideon looks over to Sam, matching his facial expression. “Thanks, pal. Good job.”

Gideon’s thanks sounds insincere, condescending. Jesse gets the distinct impression her mate is angry at little more than Sam's presence, and she doesn’t understand the reasons why. Sam rescued her, saved her life, surely her mate should be grateful? Why does Gideon resent him so?

Gideon grabs her arm, holding it firmly. “You're hurt. We have to get you back to the pack, get you seen by a doctor. You should be relieved it's only your leg that got hurt. What will your parents say if they find out I let you come to harm?”

They will be upset with me, not with you. They know I am not your responsibility, Jesse thinks to herself, feeling irritated with him once again. She doesn't voice the thought, knowing better than to anger him further.

She doesn't want to leave. She wants to stay, talk to Samuel, and find out who her rescuer is. Moreover, she wants to avoid Gideon’s temper. But she knows her preferences don’t come into it — her duty has to come first. Her duty to her pack, and her duty to her new mate. Both duties are interwoven together.

Gideon is her mate now; the pack expects them to commit to one another. She has to work at the relationship and keep him happy. While she loathes to admit it, Gideon was right when he pointed out she needs medical help. Her leg is painful, still bleeding slightly, and she is eager to get it bandaged up and resting. It's time to leave and face reality.

As Gideon turns around, getting ready to leave, Jesse gives Samuel one final, warm smile, sending him a message via mind link.

‘Thanks again, Sam. I hope our paths will cross again sometime soon.’

He smiles back at her with an expression she struggles to place. Is he sad, or merely concerned? ‘I hope so too, Jesse.’

“Babygirl! Are you coming?” Gideon looks over, impatiently, waiting for her to join him.

Jesse falls into step, following her mate down the forest path. Her leg is aching, making it hard for her to walk normally, but she does her best to limp along as best as she can. She's not in a mood to ask Gideon to carry or physically support her. While she realizes his anger towards her likely resulted from a fear of losing her, it rubbed her the wrong way regardless. The anger, his possessiveness and his jealousy towards the other man; none of it appeals to her.

Cassie told her that she would warm towards her mate once she got to know him better, but so far, the opposite is true. It’s worse when she compares him to the mysterious new stranger. Samuel: tall, slim, handsome, courageous, coming across as caring and kind. So attractive in every way. Then Gideon: possessive, jealous, loud, over the top, blunt, giving her commands and expecting her to follow him blindly.

Why oh why, Jesse thinks to herself, did the Moon Goddess have to pick someone so completely different from me? Are there hidden qualities still to uncover, as Cassie suggested? And will they really make up for all the traits that rub her the wrong way? He is rich, yes, but her pack is wealthy too; money has never been a priority for her. He’s an Alpha, sure, that is useful, but could that really be enough to warm her heart romantically?

There has to be something else, something that will change the game and make him a worthwhile companion. She just has to hope it will come to the surface still. Right now, her main priority is to stop picturing Samuel’s beautiful body. That glistening skin and long dark hair as he stood there in the lake. It's hard to get him out of her mind, but she knows she has to at least try.

For all intents and purposes, she’s in a relationship now. Samuel is off limits. He has to be, no matter how perfect he seems to be.

Jesse stares at the forest floor, trying to sort out her thoughts. Gideon doesn’t seem to notice she is distracted. He walks ahead of her, taking firm strides and moving branches out of the way for her. Is he irritated still? It’s hard to tell. He showed that serious, brooding expression yesterday, during the celebrations, while he was in a good mood. Perhaps it’s just his default facial expression.

Finally, after a long, awkward walk that seemed endless, they arrive at a gravelly clearing not too far from the forest entrance, where a large Land Rover is parked. Jesse is somewhat surprised when Gideon unlocks the car, motioning for her to get in.

“Gideon,” she questions him. “Whose car is this? Don't you drive a Ferrari?”

Gideon shrugs. “I can't very well take a Ferrari into a forest, can I? This car belongs to my Beta, Troy.”

Jesse moves into the front seat, moving carefully to avoid using her injured leg. “Troy doesn't mind? I might get blood on his seat —this is a nice car.”

Gideon laughs, a hearty, loud laugh. He starts the engine. “I don’t need to ask. I’m his Alpha, remember? He does what I tell him to. He will clean off the blood. Don't worry your pretty little head about it.”

He reaches over, squeezing her thigh. Setting off, he drives the car too fast for the rough terrain, stressing the car’s suspension and tires. Troy probably won't be happy with the treatment of his vehicle, but Jesse refrains from voicing that opinion, too.

It's not her place to judge how another Alpha rules their pack, even though his actions rub her the wrong way. Her pack also has a communal fund that all its members pay into, even her parents. But those funds are exclusively used for shared resources —food, salaries for the pack’s nurses and doctors, childcare, support for the poor and elderly. Her pack’s Alpha and Luna would never dream of laying claim to the pack members' private possessions. Lending someone your car is considered a favor, one that can be granted or denied — ranks don't come into it. To take someone else's belongings without asking is considered rude and disrespectful, especially between the Alpha and his Beta. Her father's Beta is his best friend, his closest companion. It’s a relationship built on mutual trust, a bond to be treasured and respected.

Jesse thinks to herself if she is to become Gideon's Luna, she might need to make some changes. Make his pack more fair and more equal. One step at a time.

Trying to shake off her discomfort about his behavior towards the Beta, she tries to change the topic.

“Gideon, I didn't tell you where I was going. How did you know where to find me?”

He looks over at her, smiling now. “Just got lucky, I suppose. I had a feeling you might be there.”

Jesse doesn’t know what to say to that. The explanation doesn't seem plausible to her, but it’s hard to disprove simple luck. Still, something feels wrong. She has a knot in the pit of her stomach that won’t go away. Is she being paranoid, or is he keeping track of her movements somehow?

She goes quiet, staring out of the window. Gideon doesn't initiate any further conversation as they move down the road further towards the pack; it's a short journey. Pondering this morning's events, one nagging question keeps resurfacing in Jesse’s head.

He must know I can't shift. He knew I couldn’t fight that bear by myself and needed rescuing. Why didn't he question it? Sam asked me right away — why didn't Gideon?