Chapter 258

Gavin’s POV

As the car pulled up to the charity event, I knew I had to put my game face on. I hadn’t been able to sleep in the last couple of days since my interaction with Judy. I could still fucking taste her on my lips from that night a week ago and she had the audacity to tell me it wasn’t her… that I didn’t have her in my arms. I knew she was lying to me; she was easy to read, but I couldn’t figure out why she was lying.

The morning after that night kept flooding my brain, how I woke up naked in bed with Rachel lying beside me. Though my body had her scent on me as well, and the markings covering both our necks were from one another, I knew the delicate taste of Judy that remained on my tongue.

Her scent lingered in the room, despite how many times Rachel sprayed her perfume around the place.

“You seem lost in thought,” Rachel said, sitting beside me in the car. “You’ve been distant these last few days. Is everything okay?”

I looked at her, the woman I used to be so desperately in love with, but all I feel right now is resentment. Resentment over the fact that she returned in the first place. Resentment because it was her, I woke up next to that morning, and not the one I truly wanted it to be. My wolf stirred in agreement, a strange reaction for him to have. No one I had ever dated or slept with had ever appeased my wolf other than my late wife, Melissa. But that was because she was my true mate. Judy was the first woman he actually seemed fond of and protective of.

It was no shock that he still couldn’t stand Rachel, even more so now.

“I need this event to go well. Some important shareholders will be there,” I tell her, trying to distract myself from the pending doom I felt in my chest.

“Have I let you down when it comes to business meetings?” He asked, remembering how she kicked ass during the business dinner last week at the Grand Casino Hotel. “We’ve got this in the bag. Just trust me, Gavin.”

She draped her arm through mine and gave me a smile. It was a familiar smile, filled with a tender warmth that used to make my heart skip a beat, but I didn’t feel the same warmth and love and love I once did for her.

She was someone I was planning on marrying; I bought the ring and planned out the perfect proposal. Then the tragedy struck, and I mourned her like I mourned my late wife. I was devastated at the time of her death, and I thought I would never find anyone to love again. I swore off love because it seemed that whenever I fell in love, bad things happened to them. It seemed as if I cursed.

I should be thrilled that it isn’t the case; that Rachel was alive and that my love for her wasn’t the cause of her unfortunate death. But I didn’t feel any of that stuff. My mind kept drifting back to the doe-eyed beauty I left pressed and breathless against the side of my home.

Rachel took my silence as an agreement, and a smile lit her face.

“I won’t let you down,” she assured me. “You have my word. I have a lot to make up for. I mean it when I say I’m in it for the long haul. I’m here to stay.”

My wolf growled deep in my chest, but I suppressed it, not wanting her to see how much my wolf truly despised her. Instead, I turned my attention to my window, watching as the crowds grew thicker and the car began to slow.

We were arriving at the event, and I could already see the paparazzi swarming the place. Crowds of people who weren’t invited to the event, or who couldn’t afford to purchase tickets, were also outside, trying to get a glimpse of the important wolves. Their phones clutched in their hands as they eagerly waited to snap pictures and take videos. I had members of my Elite Force on watch, keeping the crowds at safe distances.

Taylor stopped the car and walked around to the back seat to open the doors for us. I was the first to get out of the car, and then I held my hand out for Rachel to take, helping her out of the car too. I fully intended on releasing her hand, but she clutched me like a vise, refusing to let go.

Sighing, I went with her through the crowds and towards the front door. I could hear the questions of the paparazzi and the flashing of the cameras. They were all inquiring who Rachel was and if she was my new girlfriend. I didn’t justify them with an answer; they would twist it no matter what I said.

Rule number one of this lifestyle: never speak to the paparazzi during unplanned interviews.

One of the people in the crowd reached out to touch Rachel, getting a little too excited in her presence. I pulled Rachel closer to me, putting a hand on her waist, and guided her the rest of the way to the crowd. Rachel didn’t seem to mind the closeness; she beamed and gave me a bright smile, which I ignored.

My only focus was to get us inside safely.

Once we were inside, I released my hold on her as if she had bruised me.

She frowned when she noticed the distance between us.

“May I take your coat?” Someone asked Rachel, pointing at the shawl around her shoulders, covering her dress.

Rachel nodded, her eyes never leaving mine as she handed him the shawl. He went to put it with the other coats in the closet.

As always, the charity event was held in the most elegant fashion. Wait staff went around with champaign flute offerings to guests; hors d'oeuvres were being brought around on platters. It was a black-tie event, so everyone was dressed in the most elegant fashion. There was also music being played in the background; classical retakes of popular songs to appease the younger generation.

The hostess of the event, Elana Michalson, stood at the center of attention; her short curls bouncing around her features and her green dress hugging her figure, making most of the men drool at her feet. She had been the hostess of these charity events for years, and they’ve always been a success. Her husband is one of the top Alphas, and they both come from rich families. Elana also descends from strong Alpha blood, making her an Alpha female, though she takes on the role as a Luna to support her husband, Alacar Michalson of the Blue River pack.

“Should we get a drink?” Rachel asked as she too took in the scenery around her.

“We need to say hello to Elana first,” I informed her. “She’s the hostess after all.”

I went towards Elana, who was entertaining a few other guests with tales of her recent travel, making them laugh at her witty commentary and colorful storytelling. Rachel stood behind me, a bit hesitant in her movements, but she followed me, nevertheless.

Elana noticed me approaching, and her face lit up as she excused herself from her current conversation.

“Alpha Landry,” she greeted as she approached me. She kissed both sides of my cheeks as she often did in greeting. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“I’ve never missed any of your events, Elana,” I remind her. “And I’ve told you before, call me Gavin.”

She was one of the few I allowed to call me by my given name instead of my title or formal last name. Given our history and how she had been there for me and my family countless times, I owed her a great debt. I’m not sure I would have been able to find Matthew when he was 1 year old if it weren’t for Elana’s help during the search.

“It’s really good to see you,” she said, pulling back to look up at me. “You look well, how are things at home? Are the kids good?”

I nodded.

“They aren’t much kids anymore,” I told her. “Irene turns 21 soon, and Matt is turning 8, but he’s acting like he’s in his 20s. He’s wise beyond his years and just completed his first shift.”

Elana’s eyes widened.

“How is that possible?” She asked. “It’s never been known for anyone ot shift that early in life.”

“I know; I’m still not sure myself, but we are handling the best we can,” I told her.

Her eyes found Rachel, who was standing behind me.

“And who is this?” Elana asked, raising her brows.

“This is Rachel,” I introduced. “An old friend.”

Rachel frowned at my introduction, but then she plastered on a fake smile and shook Elana’s hand.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Rachel said.

“Likewise,” Elana replied, eyeing Rachel suspiciously. She opened her mouth to say something, but the murmuring in the distance caught her attention, and her eyes narrowed before widening. I was about to turn to see who caught Elana’s attention, but then I smelled her.

Her scent wafted through the room, rooting me to the ground. My wolf was immediately alert as his senses grew stronger.

It was Rachel’s words that confirmed my suspicions.

“What is she doing here??”