Alpha Gideon’s deception

Doubts

Gideon continues his speech. He's now addressing her parents directly.

“Alpha Charles, Luna Isabel, I’m so honored that the Moon Goddess has chosen to bless me with a match with your beautiful daughter. I am so grateful for the union this will bring between our two packs.”

Her parents seem to have recovered from the shock somewhat, and surprise has made way for enthusiasm. Jesse sees the pride glowing in her mother’s eyes. Her dad steps forward, placing his hand firmly on Gideon’s shoulder.

“Welcome to the family, Alpha Gideon. This is very joyful news indeed.” His eyes move over to meet that of Jesse. “My girl, I’m so glad to see you finally found your match.”

Jesse averts her gaze, unsure how to respond to the statement. Gideon, part of the family? She'd been joking about the topic of marriage with Cassie not too long ago, but now she hears similar words coming from her father’s lips, it suddenly feels all too real.

Is this really happening?

How is it possible that she was single this morning, but now, merely a few hours later, her own parents are greeting a stranger as her future husband?

She closes her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. She has to stay calm and focused. Now more than ever.

This is the first meeting between the two packs in well over a decade’s time, and as the Alpha’s daughter, it’s part of her job to ensure the gathering will run smoothly. This pack might be hers to lead one day; it won’t do for these people to witness her acting confused, irrational or dramatic. The members of her pack need to know she can guide them, no matter the circumstances.

She can talk to Gideon later on, in private, once the meetings are over and the group is socializing. Once she’s alone, she can process these feelings, too.

Right now, they are looking at her to confirm their ‘union’. If she wants to maintain the peace and reassure them all, she must tell them what they want to hear. So, she breathes out slowly and calmly, mustering up her happiest smile.

“Thank you, dad. I suggest we treat our guests to some champagne at the bar, to celebrate the occasion?”

Her dad proudly grins at her, nodding enthusiastically. “You heard her! Drinks are on the house.”

As the group starts to move in the direction of the bar, in the adjacent building, Jesse takes the opportunity to slip out of Gideon’s arms and move over to Cassie quickly.

“Yikes! That was not planned for! What do I do?”

Cassie gives her a quick hug. “Just relax! They’re all happy for you. Just enjoy the moment. You’ll be fine!”

Jesse doesn’t get a chance to reply, as Gideon has moved over to her again. He grabs her, pulling her in for a passionate kiss on the lips, in front of everyone.

It’s not Jesse’s style. She’s always preferred to keep her passion behind closed doors — keep the PDA to a minimum wherever she can. In her view, intimacy is best served slowly, initiated after long lustful gazes and playful flirting. This grabbing and touching and kissing of Gideon’s is already rubbing her the wrong way, but she tries to stay calm. He smells great, and he’s not a bad kisser, either, so she tries to enjoy it as best as she can.

Jesse tries to maintain her composure as Gideon breaks off the kiss, smiling at him somewhat awkwardly. She tries to remind herself he’s still a stranger to her, who doesn’t know her likes and dislikes. Some women love a sudden embrace like this. She just needs to set some boundaries. Maybe it’ll be okay once he gets to know her better.

As she turns around, Gideon’s arm still wrapped tightly around her waist, she can see her mother is approaching both of them. Isabel appraises her daughter proudly.

“You two make a handsome couple, I have to say.”

Jesse smiles a little awkwardly. “Still getting used to the idea, mum.”

Her mother steps closer, tenderly petting her daughter's cheek. “Me too. But we’re all so happy for you. I can’t believe after all this time you actually found yourself an Alpha. Goddess bless you for waiting for your true mate!”

Yeah, Jesse thinks to herself, Goddess bless me. Was that really such a stellar plan?

She waited for her true mate, thinking they would surely be a better fit than any of the men she’d encountered before. She was expecting a grand romance, just like her favorite books. Why didn’t anyone tell her what it was really like? Naturally, she always knew reality wouldn’t live up to her expectations, but still — so far, this hasn’t felt all that different from the regular dates she’s been on; if anything, it’s been one of the more lackluster ones. Apart from maybe Gideon’s amazing scent. She does feel a bit aroused any time she is near him. Maybe that’s part of the mating bond?

Jesse doesn’t get much time to dwell on the situation. Gideon won’t let her. He takes her with him to the bar, where he introduces her to all the pack members that joined him for the trade visit. There is Troy, his Beta, Paul, his Gamma, five guards, and two omegas, Faith and Jenna, here to help with menial duties. Jesse does her best to remember all their names, but struggles to keep track. The guards all look so alike, with their youthful faces, short blonde hair, and identical uniforms.

The group seems friendly, at least, especially Gideon’s Beta. He’s older and very respectful — a true gentleman. She gets the impression that the others look up to him, almost as much as they look up to Gideon. After the Beta welcomes her with enthusiasm, the others all follow suit, congratulating her on her union with their Alpha.

Her own pack is enthusiastic too, naturally. Her parents open up the grand hall, which is located in the center of their small little town, where they fill in all the pack members about recent events, including those who weren’t present for the trade meeting. After the big announcement is made, Jesse has to spend most of her afternoon shaking hands and making polite small talk. It’s pleasant enough — and Gideon certainly seems to revel in the attention — but to introverted Jesse, it soon becomes exhausting. It’s too noisy, too busy, too much demand on her. The private chat she planned to have with Gideon never materializes either. He’s the star of the party, seeking the limelight every chance he gets, seldom far away from a crowd of people.

By the time dinner finishes — a meal shared with their guests — Jesse is aching for everyone to leave, so she can have a moment to herself. Her chance finally comes around eleven, once all the visiting pack members are ready to retire for the night. She helps guide the omega’s and guards to their respective hotel rooms, still playing the perfect hostess. Relief washes over her as she bids them all goodnight. Now all the celebrations have wound down, she can finally go home, get some sleep and process the day’s events.

However, once she reaches her apartment, she finds it’s not the dome of solitude she was hoping for. Gideon is leaning against her front door, showing her a smug smile.

“There you are, honey pie.”

Jesse has to make an active effort to stop herself from getting visibly irritated. She didn’t ask for this. Was an entire evening’s worth of cuddles and kisses not enough for him? Why does he still demand more?

“Hi, Gideon. I thought you’d gone to the hotel? Did my parents not show you to your room?”

He grins. “Why would I go there when my mate is right here?”

Jesse feels her irritation rising. It’s getting difficult not to scowl at him. “I’m exhausted, I need to sleep.”

He nods. “Of course babe, you should. But first, why don’t we… christen our new bond? The proper way?”

He pulls off his shirt, exposing his bulking chest. The odor is even stronger now. Regardless, as tempting as his scent is, Jesse’s exhaustion still wins. It’s been a long, tiring evening, and in spite of his alluring smell, she doesn’t feel all that attracted to him. If going topless was an attempt to draw her in, it has the opposite effect on her. Muscles never made her heart beat faster, and he’s built like a bodybuilder.

She gives him a gentle smile. “Not tonight. I’m too tired.”

He grunts. He steps a few inches closer and pulls her towards him, reaching for her ass and squeezing it. “No? Are you sure?”

She can feel him hardening against her leg as he touches her butt. The sensation and the strong scent of his body work together to stir something deep inside her. She can feel a slight pulsing sensation between her legs in response to his odor and his touch.

Still, something feels off. Amethyst isn’t responding, isn’t there with her. The experience doesn’t feel right without her wolf responding in tandem.

Jesse steps back, pushing his hands away from her resolutely. This time, her voice sounds more firm and steadfast. “I’m sure. Go back to the hotel, Gideon. I will see you tomorrow morning. We can talk then.”

He looks confused and a bit doubtful, as if he doesn’t know how to respond. Is this his first time getting rejected? Or does it simply hurt him more because the rejection is coming from his mate? She can’t tell. Gideon sulks a little, looking at her reproachfully as he puts his shirt back on.

“Fine. Your loss. See you tomorrow.”

Jesse eyes his back as he walks away. His reaction seems immature, almost childish. If this had occurred on any other date, she would view it as a red flag. But, this isn’t a run-of-the-mill date, and it’s not up to her to approve or disapprove. He’s her mate, picked out for her by the Moon Goddess herself. You don’t get to pick a true mate. Nobody does.

Her mind keeps telling her the facts, but her heart can’t follow suit yet. Not quite.

That night, her sleep is plagued with dreams.

She dreams about Gideon. Intense s****l dreams, filled with desire. But then, slowly and gradually, the dreams shift to her wolf, Amethyst. The canine is lying paralyzed on the ground, unable to move. Jesse sits by her body, shaking her, screaming for her to wake up. Amethyst looks up at her with her bright purple eyes, pleading with her. Find him, the wolf urges her, find Colby. I need him. Hurry!

Jesse wakes up drenched in sweat the next morning.