Chapter 46

Claire’s POV

The late afternoon sun filtered in through the tall windows of the packhouse courtyard, painting the floor with long streaks of gold. Nova and Leo were playing the game which they played almost everyday and they enjoyed it, something which was a mix of hide and seek and tag.

Nova giggled and ran towards a pillar to hide behind and Leo chased after her clumsily but with determination to catch her no matter what. Watching them playing together made me feel at ease and happy knowing they have gotten over the poison incident.

They were relaxed and enjoying their childhood, that's all that mattered.

I leaned against the wall, completely relaxed and a small smile tugged on my lips. Leo finally caught her and picked her up and spun her around happily. They both fell on the ground laughing.

That’s when I sensed him.

I didn’t need to turn around to know Gideon was there. His strong, unmistakable presence was right behind me. His aura was full of authority before he spoke.

When I finally glanced back, he was walking toward me. When I looked into his eyes I saw seriousness yet a glimpse of gentleness which made my heart beat increase. He held a small gift box in his hands.

He stopped just a step away, his tall frame casting a shadow across the floor, and extended the box toward me.

“This is for you.” He spoke calmly with a steady voice.

I looked at the gift box and then at him and blinked “Is it really for me?” He nodded and looked at me with determination and seriousness.

I looked at the box, at the elegant black velvet and the faint shimmer of silver peeking out as he lifted the lid slightly. Inside was a delicate necklace, a crescent moon pendant catching the sunlight. My breath hitched.

It was beautiful. But the important thing was I felt like he had put a lot of thought and effort into it.

I stared at it in disbelief, my fingers twitching against my side. A gift? It's really for me? “Alpha Gideon, I don't think,-” I spoke carefully yet hesitantly. “I can’t accept this.”

He didn't take my words to heart but looked at me stubbornly. Slowly, he reached for my hand

and firmly placed the box into it.

“Yes you can.” He spoke firmly, making me understand his words are final “And you will. You have done so much for Leo, it's the least I could do to express my gratitude.”

The way he said it, I knew his words were genuine and full of conviction which came from his heart.

I gulped as gently took the gift box from him, as I felt overwhelmed, conflicted and warm. I wanted to protest, to tell him he didn’t need to give me anything. A part of me felt grateful, I wanted to cherish this moment because it had been a long time since anyone has ever given me a gift. Out of… care.

“Thank you Alpha.” I spoke too quietly for anyone to hear. And then—

“Oh, Gideon!”

The voice disturbed our peaceful moment. I stood tense.

Daphne walked towards Gideon, before I could even look at her she wrapped her hands around Gideon’s arm. Draped across her neck was a necklace—an exact replica of the one he had just given me.

My heart stopped for a moment.

Daphne’s lips were full of sweet smiles but her eyes were full of malice and poison. She looped her arm around Gideon’s and leaned into him possessively.

“I really loved the necklace Gideon, thank you” she spoke sweetly yet loudly, so she made sure that every word was heard by me. She showed me the necklace around her neck. “It’s just perfect, don’t you think? Oh, Gideon, you shouldn’t have.”

I froze, staring at the identical crescent moon glinting against her collarbone.

It couldn’t be a coincidence. No. She did it on purpose. She found out about the gift, maybe she saw it in Gideon’s hand and made sure to humiliate using the gift.

My grip on the small box tightened as my knuckles turned white.

Daphne then looked at me, but her smile turned into something evil. “Oh..hey Raven,” She said with a fake surprise. “What a shame. You’ve got the same necklace? How awkward! We are wearing the same jewelry, people will think you are copying me.”

Her words were painful then any wounds I got.

I felt Gideon stiffen beside her, his arm unmoving beneath her hold. He clenched his jaw, his eyes darkening with anger, he was speechless and not able to stop Daphne from mocking me.

I pressed my lips together to stop my tears as my chest tightened. The warmth I felt after receiving the beautiful gift instantly turned into humiliation.

I gave back the gift Gideon’s gave me and tried to keep my voice steady. “keep it to yourself,” I said in a curt tone “This is not necessary.”

And before either of them could speak, I turned on my heel and walked away, each step faster than the last until I was nearly storming down the corridor.

A stain of humiliation crawled on my skin as I clenched my hands into fists. I didn't like how much it hurt. I hated that Daphne had stolen the purity of the moment. And most importantly, I didn't like how much I wanted that gift, not because of how lovely it was but because it was from him.

Behind me, I thought I heard Gideon call my name, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.

If I stop now he will see my emotions all over my face.

And I couldn’t afford for anyone—not even him—to see that.

---

Gideon’s POV

After Raven left quickly, the air turned cold and tense.

I stood still while the necklace box was still in my hand. Daphne held onto my hand stubbornly. I kept on replaying hurt in Raven’s eyes in my mind and the way she hid it with anger.

She hadn’t misunderstood. She had been mocked, cornered, humiliated right in front of me. Because of Daphne.

I tore my arm from her grip, my voice a low growl. “What in the world Daphne! Why did you do that!?”

Daphne’s smile quickly vanished , then she covered it with fake innocence. “What? I was only thanking you for the gift you got me. Don’t tell me you didn’t expect her to be jealous. Honestly, Gideon, you should have thought—”

“I didn’t buy that for you,” I snapped, my voice rising enough to echo across the hall. She stuttered, her face paled for a moment.

“I got this–” I lifted the gift box, my hand shook with fury “--Just for Raven. Only for Raven and you knew about it.”

Her lips opened to talk but I didn’t let her speak.

“You humiliated her on purpose.” My voice was dangerously sharp. “Do not think for a second that I didn't see it.”

Daphne took a deep breath to calm down to keep her composure but her eyes were full of anger. “So what if I did? She doesn’t belong here, Gideon. And you—”

“Enough!”

The word thundered from me, laced with Alpha command. Her mouth snapped shut instantly.

I stood tall over her, letting her see the anger in my eyes. “You have gone too far Daphne, Do not test me again.”

The mask of innocence was completely gone now turned into rage. But she didn't speak this time. She couldn’t.

I turned away from her, my fists clenched tight around the box.

But as I stood there, staring at the empty hallway Raven had disappeared down, a hollow ache formed in my chest.

I wanted her to know she really mattered and is valued. She was more than a bodyguard and protector.

Instead, because of Daphne, I had hurt her.

I still held onto the necklace in my hand, but the moment which was meant to be pure and meaningful was shattered.

And I couldn’t help but wonder if I would ever be able to repair it.