Chapter 121

Erin’s POV

“What do you mean he’s being blackmailed by a masked woman?” Henry asked disbelief in his tone.

This was the first time I was able to actually call Henry since arriving at the packhouse. Theo was also on the other end, taking notes of everything I say no doubt. He was quietly processing this information; Theo was taking it well, but Henry on the side wasn’t too pleased with this news.

“I mean, he doesn’t know who’s blackmailing him. But she’s threatening his family,” I explained.

“Somebody other than Judy?” Henry asked. “Are you sure it isn’t her playing some game? She’s still out there somewhere. She escaped, remember?”

Of course, I remembered.

“It’s not Judy,” I told him. “He’s heard this woman’s voice. He’s been with this woman. He would have recognized if it was Judy.”

I shuddered at the very thought of Gavin being with another woman.

“Then who else could it be? Maybe the leader of the Slayer?”

The thought occurred to me; but could Gavin really be that close to the leader of the Slayers and not know about it? Even if she could shield her scent from him, Gavin wasn’t stupid.

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Maybe. I was told she has the power to hide her scent. But I didn’t think Gavin could be that easily fooled by a vampire.”

“Who else would be trying to blackmail him?”

“I don’t know, Henry,” I said with frustration clear in my voice. “I just wish I knew what she was getting him to do.”

“His phone…” Theo finally spoke, silencing both Henry and me. “She must be communicating with him through his phone. Try to gain access to it and see if she’s left him any messages.”

Gavin was incredibly secretive with his phone; I should have thought of that. But getting access to his phone was going to be a challenge.

“I’m not sure how I’ll get him to part with it long enough to go through it,” I said, sighing as I sat on the bed.

It was getting late in the evening and Gavin had left hours ago for a last-minute meeting. He wouldn’t tell me what this meeting was about, and when I asked Beta Seth, he just grew quiet and didn’t say much about it. Other than that Gavin won’t be home until late and I shouldn’t wait up.

I wasn’t planning on waiting up anyway; so, I thought it was strange.

Maybe he was going to meet with this blackmailer, and they didn’t want me to know about it.

A tight knot formed in my stomach; I was getting a nasty feeling about this.

“Erin? Are you still there?” Henry asked; I hadn’t realized I had gone silent until he spoke my name.

“Sorry, what were you saying?” I asked, shaking my head of any thoughts.

“If anyone can get access to his phone, it’s you,” Henry repeated. “Just be careful. I’m still thinking he’s dangerous. If his family really is in danger, there’s no telling what he would do, and who he would step on, to protect them.”

Henry was right; Gavin had a lot at stake, and I had to be careful with how I approached him.

“I should go. I shouldn’t be talking too much to you either of you while I’m here. But I’ll keep you updated on everything.”

“See that you do,” Theo agreed. “I also agree with Henry. Be careful.”

They both hung up the phone without another word.

I threw my phone on the bed and stood to my feet. I doubt his phone would still be here if he was gone. But it wouldn’t hurt to check his office. Just in case.

By the time I got to his office, I was met with a curious Seth who stood outside his office door with his arms folded across his chest.

“I had a feeling you’d make an appearance at some point tonight, so I stayed by his door,” Seth explained, narrowing his eyes at me. “I don’t know what you are up to, but it ends now.”

“I’m not up to anything,” I said, shrugging casually. “I was just looking for Gavin.”

“I already told you that he’s not here. He won’t be home till late.”

“Do you know specifically when he’ll be back?” I asked, raising my brows at him.

“Depends on when his date is finished,” Seth said in return, a smirk playing on his lips.

My heart fell into my stomach.

A date?

Gavin was on a date?

No. That couldn’t be right. Seth had to have been lying. He was trying to get rid of me, but I wasn’t going to let him win.

“I don’t believe you,” I said, shaking my head. “Gavin wouldn’t go on a date when—”

“When you’re here?” Seth asked, finishing my sentence. “Maybe he was sick of the mixed signals and wanted to have fun with someone who actually wants him.”

“Who did he go on a date with?” I asked, feeling my emotions weighing heavily in my chest. But attempted to swallow them down.

“That’s not your business,” Seth scoffed.

“You know, Seth,” I said, turning away from him. “We used to be friends. I’m disappointed in you.”

“We were never friends,” he muttered.

I rolled my eyes and walked away.

There was no way I was going to be able to get Gavin’s phone with Beta Seth lurking around, watching me.

The idea was so frustrating.

I would have thought he would have wanted to help me find out who this blackmailer was so we can help Gavin. But Seth was impossible.

As I began to walk back up the stairs, Anna appeared on the stairwell, going in the opposite direction. She paused when she saw me, giving me a faint smile.

“Oh, hello, Erin,” she said, bowing her head slightly. “How are you this evening? Would you like me to get you anything?”

“No, I’m all right, Anna. Thank you,” I said as I walked by, but then I paused and turned to face her. “Actually, I have a question. You didn’t happen to see who Gavin went out with tonight, did you?”

“I did,” she said with a timid frown. “That lovely lady from the outdoor market. I believe she’s had a thing for Alpha for a long time. She was excited to finally get to go out with him.”

Another knot formed in my stomach, and it proved to be painful. Emily was in agony hearing this information.

Before I could say anything more, I heard the front door shutting and some light laughing came from the main foyer.

I frowned as I started inching my way downstairs.

It was a female laughing in a flirtatious manner.

She sounded a little drunk.

“Thank you for taking me out, Alpha,” the girl cooed in a drunken tone. “You were amazing tonight.”

“Well, I had some good company,” Gavin said in return, deepening his tone in a husky way that indicated he was flirting back. My heart slammed against my chest painfully.

“Are you going to invite me to your room?” The woman asked.

As I made my way downstairs, I saw the outlining of the woman’s perfect figure. She wore a tight black dress and I saw her blonde hair flowing evenly down her back as she pressed her thin body against Gavin’s firm torso.

He gave her a smile as he wrapped an arm around her figure, pulling her close.

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat and just when I thought I was about to explode, Gavin glanced over in my direction, just as the girl pressed her lips against his neck and began to suck, lick, and kiss him tenderly.

I saw the humor in his eyes as we locked our eyes on one another.

I tried to remain emotionless like it didn’t bother me; but on the inside, I was screaming.

I knew he was doing this on purpose.

He finally turned away from me and cupped her head into his hands, peering into her large eyes with a gaze that made my stomach turn.

Then, he began kissing her.