Chapter 259

Gavin’s POV

It was as if time had completely stopped. I turned, willing my body to cooperate and move. The second I did, I almost wished I could turn back around, but I couldn’t. My eyes were glued to her.

Judy.

She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my entire life. Her long hair was curled perfectly and draped around her shoulders and down her back in delicate waves that made me want to run my fingers through it. The dress she wore looked like it was made for her, hugging her every curve perfectly. It was elegant, leaving no mystery of what lay underneath the fabric. I felt a surge of jealousy and panic for a moment, knowing that other men would also be looking at her body in the same way that I was looking at her body.

Her long legs seemed even longer with the heels she was wearing, and I had to fight the urge to go to her and run my fingers up her smooth skin. She wore makeup, which I never liked when she did because it hid her true beauty, but the makeup she wore this time almost highlighted her natural beauty. I knew from the handiwork that Irene took part in doing her makeup. My daughter had always been good at matching colors and giving makeovers.

Not that Judy needed a makeover, but still, she was stunning.

Irene stood next to her, a proud smirk on her lips as she scanned the room, noting how the men and even most women were drawn to Judy’s beauty. I felt my stomach twist at the thought of them looking at her like that, and I had to fight the urge to pull her away and hide her from their sight.

My wolf didn’t hate that idea; in fact, he was almost encouraging it.

“Gavin?” I heard Rachel saying from beside me, drawing me back to the present moment.

“Hmm,” I said without taking my eyes off Judy.

“I asked what she is doing here,” Rachel repeated, folding her arms across her chest.

I didn’t like the way she was asking, like I had something to do with Judy’s presence. It was accusatory, though she was trying hard to hide it. I could hear a hint of insecurity in her voice that irked me.

“She must have come with Irene,” I told her, my voice kept in a low murmur.

Rachel swallowed; her eyes narrowed as she stared at Judy.

“Well, in that case, we should go and say hello,” she suggests, draping a protective arm through mine.

I glanced at her fingers wrapped around my bicep before my gaze lifted to meet hers. I didn’t like her touch, and my wolf wanted to rip her head off at the thought of her thinking touching me like this was okay. But I couldn’t make a scene at an event like this, and plus, I truly was trying to regain my friendship with Rachel. Even if I didn’t find her romantically appealing anymore, that didn’t mean I hadn’t missed her as a friend. She was a good friend to me before we became serious.

At least, I thought she was a friend.

Turns out she was only using me to get information for her boss, Levi Churchill.

But I made a promise to her and to myself that I wouldn’t hold that over her head. She was a new person now; she had faced the consequences of her actions, and she was filled with remorse. I wasn’t going to punish her for something that happened so long ago and was irrelevant now.

Realizing she’s still waiting for my response, I gave her a short nod before my eyes landed back on Judy. I wasn’t sure if she saw me or not, but she was in the middle of speaking to an older gentleman who had taken notice of her. Irene was also talking to him, but his sole attention was on Judy. She looked a bit uncomfortable, and the way her cheeks flushed pink at whatever he was saying made her look younger and more adorable.

I swallowed down the emotions that bubbled in my chest.

We walked towards her, Rachel trailing behind me, her energy all over the place. My eye remained glued to Judy as I approached. She didn’t notice me until I was nearly in her face, her breath catching in her throat, and her body tense.

I saw her delicate throat tense as she swallowed, trying to keep her own emotions in check. Goddess, she was even more beautiful up close. Her scent was wrapped around me like a silk blanket, pulling me in.

I loved the way her body reacted to me; the way her breathing quickened along with her heartrate; the way she nervously fiddled with her fingers, not knowing what to do with them. The way she nibbled on the corner of her lip, drew my attention to plump and very kissable mouth. The way her eyes darkened and dilated as she stared at me, her doe-like features growing larger by each passing second.

“Hey, Dad,” Irene said, breaking through the tension that had built between us. “Want to give her some space? You’re kind of towering over her a bit.”

Irene’s words were like a reality check; I realized I was indeed towering over Judy and making a scene out of the situation.

The man who had been speaking to Judy, I recognized him as Gregor, Elana’s father. He was a former Alpha before he passed the title down to his Son after his retirement.

“Alpha Landry,” Gregor greeted, holding out his hand for me to shake.

I never had bad blood with the guy; I liked him just fine. He was well off and was a fierce and respected Alpha. I never had issues with him…. Until now. The way he looked at Judy, eating her up with his eyes, made me want to rip his head off.

“Gregor,” I greeted him informally, making his ears twitch. “Good to see you again.”

He nodded, his posture tense as he cleared his throat.

“I was just about to ask Miss Judy for a dance,” he told me, offering Judy his hand.

She stared at it with wide eyes, looking uncomfortable.

“I’m sure she’ll join you for a dance later. Judy and I have some matters to discuss,” I spoke before I could stop myself, I took a hold of Rachel’s hand and at first, she lit up like a Christmas tree, a smile lighting her face. But then I brought Rachel’s hand to Gregor’s outstretched hand, shocking them both. “Have you met a good friend of mine, Rachel?”

“I… I don’t believe we have,” Gregor stammered, a bit uncertain as he stared at Rachel.

I nodded.

“She’s the reason I was able to seal the deal with the shareholders last week. I’m sure you’ve heard of the Landry Corporation expansion, a deal so big that it’ll take my company to new heights?”

Gregor’s eyes grew wide; any wolf with rank had heard about this deal by now, so I wasn’t surprised when I saw recognition flash through his eyes.

“Yes, of course, Alpha,” Gregor said, nodding his head. “Are you saying this woman was the reason for that deal closing?”

I nodded.

“I couldn’t have done it without her,” I explained. “I’m sure you’d love to pick her brain about how she did it. Join her for a dance and speak to her personally.”

Gregor nodded as he closed his hand around Rachel’s. Her face paled as she looked up at me, and I saw a flash of hurt in her eyes.

Don’t get me wrong, I felt bad about pawning her off to the old man, but I needed some space from her constant presence, and I would do just about anything to keep Gregor from looking at Judy with that type of longing.

“You can’t be serious,” Rachel murmured, her breath.

“It’s just one dance,” I assured her gently. “And then we will have that drink you suggested.”

She swallowed, her eyes searching mine for any hint of deceit. Finding none, she finally nodded and turned to Gregor.

“I would love that dance,” she told him politely.

He nodded, a happy smile lighting up his wrinkled features as he pulled her along with him to the dance floor where others danced elegantly with their partners.

“I’m going to get a drink,” Irene said, excusing herself as she walked towards the bar.

The second she was gone, I turned to Judy, her eyes were fixed on mine.

“Dance with me,” I told her. It wasn’t a question or a suggestion, but she blinked, her movements hesitant.

“W…what?” She stammered, finally finding her voice.

“You heard me,” I told her, grabbing hold of her hand and pulling her towards the dance floor.

My hand held hers, entwining our fingers, while my other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against my body. I could feel every curve, every breath, and every beat of her heart.

When I spoke, my voice was low and almost dangerous, my lips brushing across her ear deliberately, wanting her to feel the warmth of my breath against her cheek.

“Whose attention are you trying to attract, Miss Montague?” I asked, pulling her even closer if possible. “Because I’m about to gouge out every single eyeball in this room who looks at you.”