The Heartless Alpha’s Beloved Luna (Avery and Gideon) novel Chapter 381

Chapter 381

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Chapter 381

Avery’s POV

Bjorn’s expulsion letter stared at me from across the table. The big red letters at the top were clear: ”

EXPELLED FOR VIOLENT MISCONDUCT.”

The table fell silent. Even Bjorn, who had previously been chattering away to Gideon about something, went quiet. I could feel him shifting in his chair beside me, looking up at me as if I might have an answer.

I didn’t.

I only knew one thing for certain: I had not put those papers in my purse. I distinctly remembered printing out multiple copies of the health and safety report this morning. Furthermore, I only possessed one copy of Bjorn’s expulsion letter, and it was via email.

I wracked my brain, trying to think of a way this could have happened. Had I clicked on the wrong document on my laptop this morning to print off? That was the only explanation I could think of.

Bjorn tugged on my sleeve. I looked over to see that his eyes were watery.

“Why did you do that?” he whispered. “Am I in trouble?”

“No, sweetheart.” I rubbed his shoulder. “It was an accident, that’s all.” I nodded to Claire, who began to gather the papers. “I’m sorry, everyone. I must have printed off the wrong document this morning.”

Fiona, sitting on Gideon’s other side, suddenly set down her coffee cup with a clink that seemed to echo in the quiet space.

“Well, I guess it’s all in the open now, isn’t it?” she asked. “Bjorn, you’ve been a naughty boy, haven’t you?” Bjorn froze. I reached for him, but before I could, he pushed his chair back and fled from the restaurant.

I went to stand, but Claire shook her head and stood, going after him instead. The table remained silent for a few more moments.

In the wake of their departure, I slowly looked over at Fiona, studying her. She was smiling, but that sparkle had returned to her eye, indicating that she knew exactly what was going on.

She was behind this. I was sure of it now. I wasn’t sure how she got her hands on that document, but it didn’t matter; I specifically remembered putting the health and safety report in my purse because I had put it in my purse, and somehow, she had printed off multiple copies of Bjorn’s expulsion letter and replaced it.

That was the only explanation I could think of. She was trying to get back at me. Trying to humiliate me.

Well, I wasn’t about to let her.

Turning to the others, I calmly said, “Well. Since we don’t have the reports on hand, I’m just going to have to recite them for you, aren’t I?”

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Chapter 381

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Fiona’s spine went rigid in the corner of my eyes, but I ignored her. Over the next few minutes, I launched into a long-winded explanation of everything outlined on the report, word for word. I had it all memorized from going over it a million and one times with Claire, so it came easily.

“The Human Health and Safety Administration rated our facilities an S on the six-tier scale,” I explained. Our machinery is regularly serviced, eliminating any concern of microplastics or other foreign materials in our supplements. Furthermore, our facilities recycle all water and materials used to create and package the supplements. Our containers are made of biodegradable materials formed from a mixture of recycled plant matter and gelatinized shells…”

As I went on, Fiona almost seemed to shrink in my peripherals. Good. I ignored her very presence and kept going.

By the time I was finished, Bjorn and Claire had returned, and no one at the table had spoken except for Aldric, who occasionally chimed in with a question. If anyone remembered Bjorn’s expulsion letter, they

didn’t mention it.

Afterwards, we paid the bill using my company card and headed out to our respective cars. I kept my hand on Bjorn’s shoulder, offering him a smile. “How about we stop for some ice cream on the way home?” I suggested, to which Bjorn responded with a grin. I watched as he skipped off to the car with Claire. Then, I turned, looking back at the restaurant one last time.

Gideon and Fiona were coming out. Her face was still pinched, and she spotted me immediately. She beelined over before I could make a swift escape.

“Avery, I had no idea Bjorn was expelled,” she said, pressing her hand to her chest. “I thought it was some kind of inside joke. I really didn’t mean to make him upset!” She looked over my shoulder at the car. “Can I talk to him? I’d like to apologize-”

“That won’t be necessary.” I stepped into her path before she could approach my son. “In fact, I’d prefer if you stay away from him from now on.”

She pulled her head back. Her eyes narrowed. “Oh. Is it because of the misconduct? He’s a big kid, but I assure you, I’m not concerned about him potentially hurting me-”

“It’s not him you need to worry about,” I snarled.

Fiona lifted her chin, eyes flashing. I held her gaze.

Gideon jogged over then, positioning himself in such a way as to prevent an altercation. “Everything alright?” he asked.

Fiona gripped his arm. “I think we should leave. She just threatened me.”

Gideon arched a brow at her. “What did you do to elicit that?”

I whipped my head toward him, surprised by that. Fiona was clearly surprised, too, because she blurted out, “Aren’t you going to stand up for me?”

“Stand up for you?” Gideon pulled his arm away. “Fiona, I don’t need to stand up for you. Especially not

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Chapter 38

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against Avery.”

“But I’m your fiancee! Your future Luna!”

“Not really. And you know it.” Gideon looked at her head-on. “Avery is the only woman I love, Fiona. And the title of Luna will belong to her and her alone.” He glanced at me, and his face softened. “No gaudy ring can get in the way of that.” 2

Fiona made a sound that could have been a snarl or a whimper; I wasn’t entirely sure. But I could hardly hear her anyway over the sound of my pulse rushing through my ears.

For a moment, I just stared at Gideon, certain I had misheard.

He… loved me?

And intended to make me his Luna?

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