Chapter 237

Judy’s POV

I wanted to leave, despite Gavin’s protests. I didn’t want to go home though. So, after a back and forth, he decided to bring me to the mansion. Now that Sammy and Ethan had been caught, he figured it was safe enough for me to return to the mansion and stay with Irene.

She was overly thrilled to see me.

On our way, I texted Nan and gave her a briefing of what happened, so I wasn’t surprised when she met me there and wrapped me in her arms. I was majorly confused about the events of today and my wolf’s reaction to Ethan and Sammy. She felt betrayed all over again, not just by our mate this time, but someone she thought was a friend. Her instincts were usually better than that, but in this case, we were wrong about being able to trust her.

I felt manipulated and lied to and all I really wanted to do was curl up on the couch with a couple of people I knew I could trust and vent about it.

Gavin didn’t want to leave me at first, but after he saw that I was surrounded by friends, he relaxed.

“I’m a phone call away if you need anything,” he tells me, his voice was kept gentle.

As he left, I couldn’t help but stare after him. I was a bit confused about what our relationship was now. I didn’t get why he’s been so tentative with me, and I wondered if it’s because he was feeling the same way I was feeling. I knew at the start that Gavin Landry doesn’t’ do relationships. At least not since the passing of his wife, Irene’s mother. I knew what I was getting into, and I had to respect that, but when he treated me like this… like I was made out of glass and he had to protect me, it was hard for me to remember those boundaries.

“So, Sammy was the villain this whole time?” Irene asked, a frown marring her lips as she cradled Emalyn. She looked comfortable with the baby in her arms and the baby looked even more comfortable and content in Irene’s arms.

“Apparently,” I murmur.

“So, what exactly was she looking for? You only mentioned that Ethan wanted her to find something that you don’t even have,” Nan said, her brows furrowed.

I nodded in response.

“Yeah, apparently when you get signed on as a member of the Elite Force, you get a company phone,” I said thoughtfully.

Irene’s eyes grew wide.

“Yes, all the Gammas in the Silver Crescent pack have them,” she explained. “It holds top secret information concerning the company. Information that has to be protected at all costs and it’s the Elite Force that’s in charge of protecting those secrets. Access to that phone could mean the downfall of the Landry Franchise.”

My heart weighed heavily as I listened to Irene’s explanation. Now it was making sense as to why they were so desperate for that phone and why she was snooping through my things. They automatically assumed that Gavin offered me a position on the team and that I would have accepted.

I felt sick to my stomach at the very thought of them using me like that. I wrapped my arms around my body, trying to hold myself together as I thought about what had happened.

“They were in a relationship,” I murmured, which was something I hadn’t told to either of them yet.

Nan nearly choked on her drink and Irene almost dropped the baby; thankfully she didn’t… but it was a close call.

“What??” They both gasped.

“What do you mean they were in a relationship?” Nan asked, her brows furrowed; Irene was too stunned to speak.

“I mean I saw them kissing,” I murmured. “He mentioned making her his Luna and she batted her lashes, swayed her hips, put him in his place because he seemed to have forgotten who he was speaking to, and then he pressed her to a tree and kissed her passionately.”

Irene looked pale as she stared at the baby, a grim expression marring her perfect features.

“How many women does he need to have?” She whispered, her tone trembling slightly. “Does he plan to get her pregnant too?”

“The important thing is that Ethan switched his alliance to Levi,” I told her. “Which means he can and will be banned from your father’s territory, despite the fact that his family are the Betas of Redmoon.”

“So, if Ethan is banished, then who’s going to be the next Alpha of Redmoon?” Nan asked. “Gavin already has a ton of responsibilities and he’s currently the acting Alpha of our pack.”

It was true, the Silver Crescent pack and the Redmoon pack have kind of merged into one pack with Gavin being the Alpha. It’ll be that way until the Redmoon is appointed an Alpha. I do feel better though knowing Ethan is out of the running.

“Now that Sammy is no longer a factor, will my father let you move back in?” Irene asked. “I could use some extra help with this baby. I mean Gamma Erik has been helpful… but I need another girl for assistance.”

“What about the maids?” I asked.

She rolled her eyes at the idea before her eyes were fixed on me.

“They are usless unless it’s about housework. They don’t know a thing about babies. They are just as clueless as I am,” she murmured.

“Well, I’ll be happy to help whenever I’m here,” Nan said with a shrug. “I don’t mind.”

“I can help too. I don’t know if moving in is a good idea right now, but I’ll definitely be around to help you too, Irene. You aren’t expected to take care of his baby by yourself. You shouldn’t be expected to take care of his baby at all. It wasn’t right for Stella to do this to you.”

Irene nodded.

“My dad is trying to find someone to adopt her,” she said softly. “He told me this arrangement is temporary.”

I nodded, assuming as much. I doubted Gavin would want his daughter to be a single mother, hidden away in his mansion, with her ex’s baby.

“Well, until that happens, we’ll be happy to help you,” I assured her.

She smiled thoughtfully as she looked between the two of us.

“I’ve never had a group of friends before,” she whispered, her eyes welling with tears. “I’m so thankful for you girls.”

“Well, you got us,” Nan said, returning her smile. “For life.”

…..

Third Person POV

“Alpha, your daughter is here.”

Leaning back in his seat, a scowl on his face, he nodded at his subordinate.

“Let her in,” he murmured, waiting as his daughter stepped into the office, her eyes downcast, already knowing the reprimand she was about to receive. She didn’t bother saying anything, knowing he would speak when he was ready. “You’ve disappointed me, Samantha. You failed in your mission.”

“I’m sorry, Father…” Sammy murmured, tears welling in her eyes. “I’m not cut out for this kind of assignment. You should have given the assignment to Chrissy.”

“Chrissy doesn’t make friends as well as you do,” Levi muttered, thinking about his oldest daughter. She was popular and had plenty of friends, but she gets them by being ruthless and unstoppable. She flaunts her money around as if it was a part of her personality. That’s not someone Judy Montague would want to be friends with. Samantha on the other hand had a kindness to her; she was humble and had a lighter aura. She was someone that Judy would trust without a second thought.

“I ruined the friendship…” Sammy said, nibbling on her lower lip. “She will never speak to me again.”

Just then, a woman walked into the office; her piercing eyes penetrating through Levi and a smirk decorated his handsome features. He holds his arms out to her, and she goes to him almost immediately, sitting her figure on his lap. Sammy had seen her before and knew that she was his father’s mistress.

“Lila darling, I might be using you again after all,” he told the woman, nuzzling his face in her neck, peppering a kiss where he plans to one day mark her. A shiver ran through her spine and her perfectly plump lips tipped upward into a smile.

“Anything,” she told him.

It made him grin, knowing he could make her do whatever she wanted.

“The first plan to get the information didn’t work,” Levi explained to her, his eyes darting to Sammy. Her cheeks burned as she stared a the ground, shame crossing over her features. “But that wasn’t the only plan. My second plan is to get Judy out of his pack and make her switch allegiance. She had become Gavin’s weakness, removing her from Gavin’s life will leave an opening for an attack on his business. There will be mistakes made, and I’ll be there to unlock his deepest secrets.”

The woman, Lila, chuckled.

“I’m happy to do my part,” she purred, leaning down to brush her lips across his. “Give me some time and I’ll have her packing her bags in no time.”