Chapter 22

Judy’s POV

What in the world happened last night? How did I end up back in my bed? I looked around with a frown, nothing seemed unchanged, but there was a lingering scent that caused my heart to beat rapidly in my chest.

My head was killing me from all the alcohol I drank last night. Why the hell would I drink so much?

I slipped out of bed and walked into my bathroom; I gasped when I saw my disheveled appearance. My hair was a mess, my makeup was smeared across my face. I had dark circles under my eyes, and I was so pale. I touched my face and sighed. I felt like death and now I looked like death too.

Groaning, I splashed some cold water onto my face. Memories of last night started to come back to me and I gasped as I staggered backward.

I remembered vaguely one of the Alphas getting me drunk and trying to take me away from the ceremony. Then I remembered Gavin appearing and getting me out of there.

He took me back to his car and then—

Oh, Goddess… no.

Panic struck me as the memory slammed into my head.

I threw myself at him!

Was he the one who brought me home?

Well, I was no longer pale. I was now multiple shades of red and I felt completely and utterly sick. I staggered out of the bathroom, unable to look myself in the face any longer. All I could see when I looked into my own eyes was shame.

My purse was sitting on the end of the bed; now I was understanding why my room had a different and yet familiar scent to it… it was Gavin’s scent.

My heart skipped a beat knowing that he was inside of my bedroom. Another wave of shame hit me when I looked around at all the clothes on my floor. I hadn’t had time to clean up this past week and I was seriously regretting that now.

I reached into my purse and grabbed my phone; it was almost dead because it hadn’t been charged all night. As soon as I put it on the charger, the screen lit up and I saw that I had some text messages from Nan.

Nan: Where are you? You told me you were getting a drink and then you disappeared.

Nan: Please tell me you are alive.

Nan: I’m going to call the police, Judy! Seriously, where are you??

Nan: Okay, someone told me that Gavin took you home. Are you okay? How much did you have to drink?

Nan: Please call me when you get these messages.

I internally groaned; I can’t believe I just ditched her at the ceremony last night. She was only there to support me, and I left her because I couldn’t hold down my own liquor. I hated myself for that and I couldn’t imagine how worried she must have been last night.

I immediately brought up her contact and pressed her name to call her.

“Oh, my goddess. Where the hell have you been, Judy? Do you have any idea how worried I was?” Nan immediately laid into me.

“I’m so sorry, Nan,” I told her, closing my eyes as the memories continued to slam into my head. I wanted to will them away but to no prevail. “I’m not sure what happened.”

“The rumors are going around like crazy,” she told me. “I heard you got drunk and made out with an Alpha. Was it Gavin?”

My heart nearly beat out of my chest; had I made out with an Alpha last night? I remembered Alpha Edward getting handsy with me and Gavin stepping in. I remember throwing myself at Gavin, but I don’t remember actually kissing him or anyone for that matter.

“I don’t think that happened,” I told her, chewing on my bottom lip. “At least I hope it didn’t.”

“So, what did end up happening? Did you actually leave with Alpha Gavin?”

“Yes,” I murmured. “And I think I made a huge mistake last night, Nan. I don’t know what to do.”

“Tell me about it,” she urged. “What did you do? If you didn’t make out with him, I’m assuming you didn’t sleep with him either. It can’t be that bad, right?”

“I’m not sure,” I sighed. “I think I threw myself at him…”

She was quiet for a moment as she allowed my words to be processed in her mind.

“And then what?” She asked.

“And nothing… he rejected me. I think he got a phone call or something. I ended up falling asleep in the car and the next thing I knew I was waking up in my bedroom.”

“He put you to bed?” She asked, I could hear the smile in her voice.

“In the most nonsexual way possible,” I told her. “I was still fully clothed.”

“Ouch,” she murmured.

“What am I going to do, Nan? I made a complete fool out of myself in front of a Lycan.”

“You were drunk; you can’t blame yourself for something you did while drunk. I’m sure Gavin Landry will understand,” she assured me, trying to sound reassuring, but I could tell she was uncertain as well. “Besides, it’s not like you are trying to impress the Lycan.”

I chewed the inside of my cheek and internally groaned. I couldn’t tell her that Gavin was my boss and that I needed to impress him and keep him happy in order to keep my job.

“I suppose,” I murmured; she could hear the uncertainty clear in my tone though and she sighed.

“We don’t have school today; do you have tutoring?” She asked.

“No,” I told her. “Thankfully, it’s my day off.”

“Good; we need a girl’s day! Let’s go into the city and do some shopping.”

I rolled my eyes.

“I don’t have shopping money, Nan,” I reminded her.

“Then, let’s window shop and get some dinner,” she suggested. “I have to get a few things anyways and I could use some company. Please… I miss you and I want to hang out.”

“You saw me yesterday,” I chuckled.

“It’s not the same and you know it,” she muttered. “I want to hang out not in a school setting.”

“Okay,” I relented. “Let’s hang out today. Let me just get dressed.”

“I’ll pick you up in an hour!”

The hour flew by quickly; by the time I finished getting dressed for the afternoon, Nan was already pulling into the driveway. I grabbed my purse, shouldering it, and quickly ran out of the house to greet Nan.

She was smiling at me from the driver’s seat when I slid into the passenger’s seat.

“How’s your mom doing?” She asked as she pulled away from the house and headed towards the city.

“The same as she has been since my father was taken away,” I confessed. “I think she’s majorly depressed and I’m not sure what to do about it.”

“Isn’t your father her true mate?” She asked.

I nodded and bit my lip.

“Yes,” I answered. “I don’t blame her for being upset. I just wish there was something I could do to help her.”

“I’m sorry you guys have to go through that,” Nan said with a frown.

After a beat of silence, we decided to change the topic and talk about something lighter. It didn’t take us long to reach the city. She already had an idea of the stores she wanted to go to.

“So, what exactly are we shopping for?” I asked as we exited the car and started walking through the busy streets.

“My sister’s birthday is next month and she’s throwing this huge party in a penthouse,” she explained. “I need something to wear for the event. Plus, I need to find her a birthday present. Something she would really like.”

Nan’s older sister, Natalia, or as most call her, Talia, liked all things luxurious. She was a fashion model, so it made sense. She was pretty much an icon around the world and owned a couple of different homes, one of which happened to be a penthouse in the heart of the city.

For the most part, Nan and Talia got along fine, but I could always tell that Nan was envious of Talia because she always got what she wanted.

“We should find an outfit for you as well because I need you to come with me to the party,” she told me, draping an arm through mine as she walked towards a boutique.

I frowned.

“I told you, I don’t have shopping money,” I reminded her.

“This is really important to me, Judy,” she said with a pout.

“And my father getting out of prison is important to me, Nan,” I told her firmly. “I need to prioritize and buying a trending outfit, is not a priority.”

She opened her mouth to retort but closed it as soon as she saw who was walking out ot the boutique.

“Judy, is that you?” Irene asked as she made her way towards us with a big smiling face.

Oh hell.