Gideon’s POV
I just stared at them truly speechless as Daphne’s lips curved into a sweet fake smile which made me cringe.
Justin on the other hand held her in his arms like she was made of delicate glass and gently brushed the strand of her hair from her face then spoke in a protective tone, “Don’t worry you are safe now Daphne. You’ll never suffer like this again. You’ll come with me–to my pack. You’ll be Luna there. The Luna you deserve to be.”
My fists clenched. Each word he spoke made blood boil.
The room felt colder all of a sudden, but maybe it was just me trying to contain the storm inside. I was able to see how her eyes shined triumphantly, those were the same eyes which pretended to love me. Now, they were mocking me.
Goddess, how did she do it?
How did she twist everything to her favor with just a few words, a few tears, and a perfectly timed sob?
Daphne slowly looked at me, her face soft with an expression of fake humanity. “Do you see now Alpha Gideon,” she spoke sweetly, “The moon Goddess will never abandon me. Even after everything you did, she gave me another chance–another Alpha who can truly love me.”
Only I can sense the venom in her tone, because to everyone else she sounded innocent.
I started to feel my headache and gently rubbed my temples. “Daphne, you’ve already done enough damage. Don’t make this worse.”
Justin looked at me with a frown and stood in front of her as if to protect her. “That’s enough, Gideon. She is my mate, don’t you dare talk to her like that.”
I sighed heavily. The arrogance of young Alphas was always their downfall, and Justin, despite his calm demeanor, was no exception.
“Why can’t you see Alpha Justin, she is trying to manipulate you,” I said quietly making sure only he heard it. “Every word she spoke is to make sure you don’t leave her, but trust me the only person she loves is herself.”
Justin clenched his fist. “You’re just bitter because you lost her.”
I looked at him amused as I found this absurdity funny. “Lost her?” I asked, I spoke in my low voice “I threw her away after she nearly destroyed everything I built. You think this woman was loyal? She poisoned me, Justin. She put my whole pack in grave danger, you call it true love?”
Daphne looked at me and gasped dramatically “My Alpha, he is lying,” She spoke tearfully. “He’s only saying that to keep you from taking me. Please, don’t believe him, Justin.”
The Alpha of the Moonstone Pack looked down at her with concern. “You don’t need to be afraid. I believe you.”
I took a slow breath through my nose to keep from shouting. “You’re blinded by the mate bond. You see her as your destiny, but destiny can be cruel, Alpha. Don’t mix love with the truth.”
Justin looked at me annoyed. He stepped closer to me, his height matching mine, his eyes filled with that same stubborn pride I once had when I thought I knew better than everyone else.
“You have made your opinion very clear, Alpha Gideon” he said firmly yet sharply. “But I want to experience it by myself and not trust your words by itself.”
“Then don’t regret later,” I said flatly and coldly as well..
Chapter 77
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He looked at me just slightly taken aback. “Are you threatening me?” “No,” I replied. “And I don’t give those twice
Daphne lowered her head and his behind Justin to hide her smile even though I caught her smiling. She loved how Justin and I were circling each other like we were slowly becoming enemies. She had orchestrated it perfectly.
“Justin,” I spoke again, as I forced myself to calm down. “I know you want to help her but she doesn’t deserve it. She will only live for her hunger for power. And once she stops receiving your love she will show her true colours.”
He just looked at me and didn’t answer..
Instead, Daphne leaned against his chest and whispered softly, “Alpha Justin should I go and pack my things?. I don’t want to stay here a minute longer than I must.”
“Of course my mate,” he spoke to her gently and caressed her head lovingly. “Take whatever you need. You’ll never have to come back to this place again.”
She smiled gently towards him and nodded, then she gave me a quick glance. Even in her glance I can see her wickedness and satisfaction of knowing how the tables have turned.
She walked away without a word. I saw the confidence in her walk, the confidence of knowing she had won.
Justin’s eyes followed her until she disappeared down the hall, then turned back to me. “I bet in your heart you know,” he said, almost smugly yet observantly, “You say she has manipulated you as if you weren’t the reason behind it. Maybe she became this way because of you.”
The words he spoke hit my nerve painfully as I clenched my fists.
For a moment, I said nothing. I could still remember the way Daphne used to smile at me in the early days–warm, genuine, or so I thought. The way she’d cling to me after every council meeting, whispering how proud she was. I’d believed her. I’d believed everything.
Until the truth was discovered.
“Maybe you are right,” I said with a calm voice. “But it doesn’t mean she is not dangerous.” Justin folded his arms and shrugged. “I just think she wants someone to truly understand her.”
I just smiled weakly and let out a small humourless laugh. “Don’t worry you will understand her soon.”
Before he could respond, my Beta entered the room quietly, carrying a stack of reports. He froze, sensing the tension. immediately. “Alpha?” he asked cautiously.
“It’s fine,” I said without looking away from Justin. “Just finishing a conversation.”
Beta nodded but didn’t move. His eyes flicked toward the hall where Daphne had gone, then back to me with a silent question.
I gave him a small nod–yes, let her go.
Justin turned to follow her but paused when I spoke again.
“Justin,” I said, my voice firm. “When she hurts you–and she will–don’t come here seeking sympathy. You chose her over reason. You chose a snake because her scales shimmered.”
He stiffened but didn’t look back. “I chose my mate,” he said simply. “Something an Alpha like you should understand.”
Knowing he didn’t want more discussion on the topic I decided to stay quiet. For a long moment, silence filled the hall.
My Beta finally spoke, his voice low. “Do you think he’ll realize the truth, Alpha?” I stared at the empty doorway. “He will,” I murmured. “When it’s already too late.”
17:19 Tue, Jan 13 GRM
Chapter 77
Outside, I could hear the faint murmur of maids whispering as Daphne passed through the hall–her voice rising in a lone of false sweetness as she thanked them for their ‘service.
She was basking in her victory, savoring it like fine wine.
When she finally leaves this pack, she’d take her lies and poison with her–but her shadow would linger, as it always did,
I turned back to my Beta. “Keep an eye on the Moonstone pack,” I said quietly. “I want to know everything that happens after she leaves.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
I moved to the window, watching the late afternoon sunlight pour through the glass at the meadows to calm down.
Daphne thinks she has won.
But I didn’t flinch. I didn’t even blink at her small victory.
Let her go. Let her have her illusion of triumph. Because illusions don’t last forever. When they shatter, they cut deep.
And this time, I wouldn’t be the one bleeding.
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AS
