Chapter 239

Judy’s POV

The thought of Gavin with another woman physically hurt. The thought that he was so in love with her that he was planning on proposing, nearly destroyed me. My wolf’s reaction came out of nowhere; I had to restrain her as she pushed forward, wanting to go for a run to release some of this pent-up tension. The reaction was confusing for her as well and she didn’t know how to respond to the fact that Gavin was once in love with someone else.

My stomach ached at the very thought, and I had to take steady deep breaths to calm myself and my wolf.

Irene studied me for a long while, trying to figure out how I was feeling and gauging my reaction.

“That was a long time ago though,” she told me, trying to sound reassuring. “He’s different ow. He’s almost back to being that happy self again. Even Matt’s noticed it and we know it’s because of you, Judy.”

I looked at her, frowning. I wasn’t sure what to say to that; my mind was still wrapping around the thought of Gavin with another woman, loving her… proposing to her… losing her.

He must have been so heartbroken.

I wonder if he would talk to me about her if I asked… then again, was it my place o ask him anything?

Irene reached over and took a hold of my hand.

“I wasn’t telling you this so you can doubt yourself, I’m telling you this, so you know that if he doesn’t’ warm up to you right away, it’s not your fault. It’s not that he doesn’t care… or won’t ever fall in love again, it’s just that he’s afraid to fall in love. Everyone he fell in love with eventually dies. He probably thinks he’s cursed or something.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I met her eyes.

“Is he cursed?” I asked.

She let out a laugh and shook her head.

“No, of course not,” she assured me. “My father is just very typical. But I can tell he cares about you, even if you can’t tell.”

“You think so?” I asked, hating the vulnerability in my tone, but I needed to know. Was there a chance for Gavin and me? And would she be okay with it if there was.

“Yes,” she replies. “I think there’s real potential between you two. You could be the woman that knocks him off his feet and makes him fall in love all over again.”

This time, it was my turn to let out a laugh.

“And you’d be okay with that?” I asked her, raising my brows.

She thought about it for a moment and then she shrugged, giving me a sly smile.

“I mean, I wouldn’t love losing a bet to Matt,” she teased. “But I think I’ll be okay with you and my father living happily ever after. But I will never call you mom.” She crinkled her nose at the very thought. “That would be way too weird.”

I laughed even louder this time.

“Don’t worry; I agree. I’d never call you mom. Way too weird,” she told her, making her laugh as well.

She stands and joins me on the couch, wrapping her arms around me and hugging me close.

“I’m so glad we had this talk. I think it was long overdue. I could see the tension between you and my father for so long and I knew it was only a matter of time before it eas brought up,” she told me, resting her head on my shoulder.

“So, you’re giving us your blessing then?” I asked with a smile.

She nodded.

“Yes, I am… As would Matt if he knew,” she said, her tone growing a bit sad at the very thought of Mathew. “Do you think he’ll ever not hate me?”

I rest my head on top of her head.

“He doesn’t hate you, Irene,” I assured her. “He’ll be okay. Once his wolf calms down, he’ll come back to you, and you’ll resume your brother and sister relationship as usual. It won’t last forever.”

“I hope not,” she whispered. “What I did was awful… I could have killed him, and I was the reason one of the maids was banished and most likely killed by a rogue. I’m not a good person.”

“Just because you did a bad thing, doesn’t mean you are a bad person,” I told her. “We all make mistakes.”

“Mine cost lives… and it almost cost the most important life in my life… my brother.”

I loved that, despite Matt not being her biological brother, Irene still thought of him as a brother.

“But he’s alive and that’s all that matters. That’s all we should be focusing on.”

She was quiet for another moment as she processed my words before she nodded slowly.

“I guess so,” she whispered. “I just hope he’ll one day see it that way too and I can return home.”

That was another reason she had to stay in this mansion; she couldn’t be around matt right now without his wolf going insane and trying to rip her throat out for betraying them. She nearly tried to kill him just to get rid of me and that was something Matt’s wolf wasn’t going to forget. But maybe one day he’ll be able to let it go and live in peace with her again.

One could only hope.

A knock on the door broke us from our thoughts. I frowned as I lifted my head and looked at Irne.

“Were you expecting someone?” I asked her.

She shook her head, wiping her eyes from the tears that escaped.

“No,” she replied.

I stood and went to the door; I glanced through the peep whole and the second I saw who it was, a big smile lit up my face. I pulled the door open and opened my arms for Tabby to run into them.

“Hey!” she said, hugging me tightly. “Heard you were staying here tonight and thought I’d come join.”

“I almost forgot you were in town,” I admitted. “With everything going on this last day or so, my head is in a complete cloud.”

“I don’t blame you,” she told me. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing about Sammy. She was banished from the pack and forced to return home to her father. I wonder if he’s going to be pissed.”

“I’m sure he will be,” I told her, guiding her into the house.

Just as I was about to shut the door, Chuck and Shirley appeared.

“Didn’t think we wouldn’t come too, did you?” Shirley asked as she walked into the mansion.

“What are you guys doing here?” I asked with a laugh as I shut the door behind them.

“We leave tomorrow to return to our pack,” Chuck explained. “Figured we’d stop by and spend one last night with you.”

I was grateful to them and glad that I got to see them. We went through the competition together; they were my friends for life now.

Irene’s eyes immediately went to chuck and her cheeks flushed at the sight of him. I made a mental note to ask her about that later; it was obvious that there was something going on there.

Chuck grinned at her as he went to the couch. Ignoring them, I turned to Tabby and Shirley.

“I’m really glad to have you here. I’m also grateful that you came when you did and warned me about Sammy. If it weren’t for you, she’d probably still be here.”

Tabby shrugged.

“I’m just glad we were able to help you,” she said thoughtfully. “I would hate to think you were in any kind of danger.”

“I just can’t believe Sammy was capable of doing something like that,” Shirley said, shaking her head. “She seemed so sweet at the competition.”

I heard Irene giggling at something Chester said, and his grin only grew wide as he spoke to her; both keeping their tones low so we couldn’t hear. I couldn’t help but smile at her; it was nice to see her with someone other than Ethan. Chuck seemed like a good guy, and I doubt he would play her like Ethan had.

I made another mental note to ask Shirley and Tabby more about him later. I only knew him from the competition, but to them… he was pack.

“So, where’s this baby I’ve been hearing about?” Tabby asked. “It’s all anyone talks about over at the villa.”

“Sleeping,” I told them.

I got each a glass of wine and caught them up on pretty much everything. After we were done talking, I noticed that Irene and Chuck were gone.

My eyes widened as I looked around for any sign of them.

Shirley rolled her eyes, already knowing what was going on.

“What’s wrong?” I asked. “Where’d they go?”

“Most likely to her room,” Shirley said, shaking her head. “I swear the only reason he came here is for her.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

Tabby chuckled.

“Chuck is convinced that Irene is his mate,” she explained. “His wolf is going crazy over her, and he’s been wanting to see her again since the competition.”

“Weird… Irene didn’t mention anything about that. Wouldn’t she feel it too?” I asked.

“Maybe she just doesn’t know what it should feel like,” Tabby suggested. “I heard that happens sometimes.”

Just as I was about to ask more about that, the door opened and I turned around, my eyes wide when I saw Gavin walking into the room, his eyes darting around until they landed on me.

Oh hell…

How was I going to explain to him where his daughter was?