Chapter 226

Judy’s POV

“What?” Gavin asked, his eyes dark and brewing as he stared down at Matt. “What are you talking about?”

“She told me it was she who put the peanut butter in my sandwich…” Matt murmured. “She tried to kill me and everybody knew about it… right?”

My heart shattered at his accusatory words. Of course, I had suspicions that it was Irene, but it wasn’t something I would ever share with Matt. It wasn’t my place to tell him anything. He was only a little boy, and I knew that kind of information would be devasting for him. I didn’t want to break his heart. As far as he knew, it was a maid who tried to hurt him… nothing more. But now he knew the truth; Irene couldn’t live with the fact that she nearly killed Matt.

“Irene told you this?” Gavin asked, his tone hardening.

Matt nodded, tears welling up in his eyes.

“Why would she try to do that, and why would you keep it from me?” Matt asked him before he turned his attention to me. “Did you know too?”

When I failed to respond right away, I saw the flash of hurt in his eyes. My silence was speaking volumes. Matt now knew the truth, and it was so triggering to him that it pushed him over the edge and caused his first shift. I hated that he was so hurt… I hated that this was happening.

“I’m so sorry, Matt,” I told him, tears filling my own eyes. “I didn’t want you to find out because I didn’t want you to get hurt. I didn’t want you to see your sister differently.”

“She’s not my sister,” Matt muttered, folding his arms across his chest. I saw the anguish and hurt in his eyes, and it took everything I had not to go to him.

“We know you’re angry right now,” Gavin said to him, his voice surprisingly calm. “You need to take some time to cool off before you see Irene again.”

“I don’t ever want to see her again,” Matt said through his teeth, his eyes glowing yellow as his wolf surged forward.

“Calm down,” Gavin ordered Matt’s wolf, trying to gain control of the situation. “You are not going to shift here.”

Matt took a few deep breaths and I could see that his wolf was stirring, but then it settled upon Gavin’s command and his eyes returned to normal, leaving Matt looking disheveled.

“What’s happening to me?” Matt whispered, his eyes watering.

Gavin put a hand on his shoulder and gave Matt a reassuring smile.

“You are going through something that no other 8-year-old has ever gone through,” Gavin told him. “It’s going to take some getting used to, but you aren’t alone, and trust me when I say that you are protected. No matter what has happened with Irene, just know nobody is going to hurt you like that again. I won’t let it happen.”

There was an underlying meaning to his words and an intensity that wasn’t there before. I wondered what it was; I wanted to know what was in his head.

Matt nodded, his eyes showing how exhausted he was.

“You should get some sleep,” Gavin told him, running his hands through Matt’s mess of hair, a very fatherly affection that took me off guard. Gavin wasn’t the affectionate type, especially with Matt and Irene, so it was a nice change.

“Okay,” Matt said softly.

“I can give you something to help you rest,” Eliza said, looking up from her clipboard. I had completely forgotten she was there, and her voice startled me for a second.

Matt nodded as Gavin tucked him in bed, making sure he was comfortable.

Once Eliza gave him the medication, she turned to Gavin.

“Can we have a word in the hallway?” She asked him.

He nodded, and then his eyes found mine.

“Can you stay here with him for a minute?” He asked, his eyes showing a hint of vulnerability that tugged at my heart.

“Of course,” I answered.

He gave me a grateful look before retreating to the room behind Eliza.

I looked at Matt, who was watching me curiously; his eyes were even more tired since the medication was starting to kick in, but something was hanging onto him, keeping him awake.

“You really should try to sleep,” I told him, sitting at the edge of his bed. “You’ve been through a lot today, and you need as much rest as possible.”

“Do you think my wolf will ever forgive her?” Matt whispered, his eyes searching mine. “He’s so mad… I can feel it. He submitted because an Alpha told him to… but he wants to kill her, Judy. He hates her for what she did…”

I gave him a sad smile.

“I think over time he will learn to forgive her,” I told him honestly. “It’s not something to rush, though. You just found out something devastating, and it’s going to take time. You need to sit with it for the time being, but also remember that there are people who love you and will always be there to protect you.”

He was quiet for a long while, and then he sighed.

“You know what’s funny?” He said, his eyes looking away from me for a moment before looking back at me. “I’m mainly just angry because she tried to frame you…”

My heart pinged at his words.

“You are?” I asked.

He nodded.

“You’re the best thing that ever happened to this family, Judy. Because of you… I’m better at combat and defense… I’m better at school… I’m making my dad proud, and he’s home a lot more. He smiles and is happy. It’s like we are a real family.”

“You’ve always been a real family, Matt,” I told him.

He shook his head.

“It was never like that before. Before, my dad was never home… he never smiled. He treated us like we were his employees. But now that’s all changed, and it’s because of you…” He told me. “So, the thought of Irene almost ruining that…”

He closed his eyes as his emotions started to get the best of him. It helped that the sleep medication was relaxing him and making him sleepy, but I could tell his wolf was on edge at the very thought.

“It makes me and my wolf angry,” he whispered.

I put my hand on top of Matt’s and gave him a reassuring smile.

“No matter what happens, no matter what has happened or what would have happened, nothing would ever change between us, Matt. I would find a way to stay in your life. I’ve grown to adore your family. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

He was quiet for a moment as he processed my words.

“Can I ask you something?” He asked, his eyes finding mine.

“Of course, you can ask me anything,” I told him.

He let out a yawn, and I knew it wouldn’t be long before sleep overtook him.

“Do you love my father?”

My heart hammered in my chest at lightning speed. I glanced at the small window next to the door that looked out into the hallway, and I saw Gavin having a serious conversation with Eliza. His body was tense as he listened to everything she was saying. Despite the tension, I couldn’t help but notice how amazing he looked. There was never a bad moment when it came to his looks, and I couldn’t help but bite my lower lip as I sized him up and down. But it was more than that; these last couple of weeks had shown me that Gavin does have good intentions. That date we went on… how he stood up for me during that dinner party at his mother’s house… all the time we’ve been intimate with one another; even how he calms my wolf without even trying.

There were so many emotions that have been bubbling up throughout these last few weeks but with Matt’s heavy question weighing on my shoulders, I wondered if the feelings that are bubbling consist of love.

Matt’s eyes were now closed; he was asleep before he could hear my answer and a part of me felt bad. I wondered if he was going to remember that question when he woke up next.

Gavin stepped into the room after his conversation with Eliza, and his expression softened when he saw Matt sleeping.

“Thank you,” he told me softly as he reached his hand over to me to take. I took his hand without hesitation, our palms and fingers fitting perfectly against one another, and a spark of electricity coursed through my body, making goosebumps stand tall on my arms.

I met his gaze, my cheeks flushing as Matt’s question sat between us, visible to me, but invisible to Gavin.

“Of course,” I said… my tone came out breathier than I meant it to.

After a moment of studying my face, a small smile formed on his handsome face.

“Ready to go?” He asked. “I wanted to be alone with you for a bit tonight.”

My cheeks flushed at his words, and I nodded, letting me pull me towards the door. He kept his hand in mine as he walked backwards, a smirk on his lips, before he turned and walked forward.

Back to Matt’s question… did I love his father?

The answer was simple…

Yes.