Chapter 4

Gideon's outburst silenced the entire bonfire.

Everyone stared at us, stunned.

Ronan was the most shocked of all. "Gideon, what did you just say? Thalia is your what?"

My heart hammered against my ribs, blood rushing to my head.

But his rigid expression quickly told me I was wrong.

If he'd wanted to go public, he would have done it five years ago.

I immediately jumped in, my laugh light and airy. "Don't mind him, brother. Beta Gideon's had too much to drink. You know how he loves to joke around with me."

My voice sounded so natural, as if it were all just a game between friends.

But my hand, wrapped around my glass, was shaking.

Gideon stared at me, his eyes wide with disbelief and the raw sting of betrayal.

He opened his mouth, about to say something.

Just then, a sharp, metallic clang cut through the silence.

Aveline had "accidentally" knocked over a silver knife from the table.

The blade skittered across the wood, heading straight for her leg.

"Ah!"

She cried out as the silver edge sliced a red line across her pale skin.

The searing pain of silver poisoning a werewolf's flesh made her face go white instantly.

Gideon's attention snapped to her.

But he didn't move right away. He hesitated.

For one single, agonizing second, he looked back at me, his eyes filled with conflict.

For that one second, I almost thought he would stay.

But the next, the conflict in his eyes was replaced by worry. He had made his choice.

"Aveline!" He rushed to her side, scooping her into his arms. "Are you okay? Does it hurt?"

She leaned weakly against his chest, tears welling in her eyes.

"I'm fine... It just... it just hurts a little."

She cast a wounded look in my direction and whispered, "Gideon, don't. Thalia is watching. You'll upset her."

It was a clever move, simultaneously hinting at my feelings for Gideon and forcing him to make a public choice.

Gideon hesitated for another second, then gave me a fleeting glance.

"It's fine. I'm taking you to get treated."

With that, he carried her away from the bonfire, his steps hurried.

He never looked back at me again.

It was as if that single moment of hesitation had drained every last drop of attachment he had for me.

I stood there, frozen, as the tide of whispers washed over me.

"What did Gideon mean just now?"

"Did he say Thalia was his mate?"

"No way, they're like brother and sister."

"Drunk words are sober thoughts, maybe..."

Ronan appeared at my side, his voice low.

"Thalia, what was that all about? Is there... a fated bond between you two?"

I was silent for a long time.

The fire crackled, spitting embers into the night.

"No," I said, forcing a smile. "We're just like family."

It felt like my heart was being ripped in two as I said it.

But I knew this was the only way forward.

Besides, I wasn't lying.

Neither of us had ever felt the pull of a fated bond.

It was just me... I was the one who had thrown myself at him, fueled by a love that was all my own, and became his secret lover for five years.

I should never have come to this bonfire.

After everything, I should have known better than to hope.

The pain of my past life came rushing back.

I remembered my screams during labor, remembered Gideon's cold abandonment of me for Aveline's paper cut.

This was always how it was going to end.

After the party, I walked back to the estate alone.

The moonlight stretched my shadow long and thin on the stone path.

Just as I reached the main gate, a figure emerged from the darkness.

"Thalia!" Gideon strode toward me, pulling me straight into his arms. "Where do you think you're going?"

The sudden embrace shocked me.

His scent enveloped me, so familiar, so warm.

It made me want to cry.

This embrace had once been my safest harbor.

Countless nights, he had pressed me beneath him, connecting our bodies in the most primal way.

But the me of this new life snapped back to reality.

I pushed him away coldly. "Let go of me, Beta Gideon. Keep your distance."

Gideon stumbled back, a wounded look in his eyes.

He stepped forward again, grabbing my hand.

"Thalia, why were you encouraging everyone at the bonfire? Why did you push me to accept Aveline's request?"

His voice was low, thick with a confusion that bordered on anger.

I met his gaze, my voice steady. "Am I wrong? Aveline is devoted to you. She almost died for you, and her body is still broken because of it. Everyone thinks you owe her. You two are a perfect match. Mating with her is the obvious way to repay that debt."

I was only stating the facts, but he heard an accusation.

A bitter, humorless laugh escaped him.

"Repayment?" His voice was raw. "Is that all you think is left between us?" He took a step closer. "And what about you? Have you forgotten who you are? Weren't you the one who swore that if I ever got too close to another she-wolf, you would..."

"Gideon," I said, cutting him off, my voice sharp and clear. "We're over."

The smile vanished. For the first time, panic flashed in his eyes.

"Who says we're over? I don't allow it!"

He shouted the words into the night.

Before I could answer, a lazy voice of Ronan drawled from behind us.

"Not allowing what?"