Chapter 286

Judy’s POV

Today was going to be a long day. I already knew it from the moment I woke up to the moment I did my rounds around the pack. I hadn’t told Sampson or anyone about my pregnancy yet, and the thought filled my chest with dread. I knew the second I did he would strip me of my gamma title and maybe even make me return to my home… back to him. But I couldn’t go back to him, no matter how hard I wanted to. I hated that I wanted to… I hated that I missed him. But he made his choice, and it wasn’t me. He was expecting a child and marrying another woman; I needed to keep my distance and pretend to be happy for him, because that was what Gavin wanted.

Sampson mentioned having a meeting this after and I needed to attend, and I wasn’t looking forward to this. Honestly, I didn’t want to be around a lot of people. I wanted to be by myself and just wallow in self-misery, but until I told Sampson the truth, that wasn’t an option. I was still very much an Elite Gamma warrior, and I needed to be on my A game. I couldn’t show any signs of weakness… I had to pretend I wasn’t carrying a baby in my belly.

I stared at myself in the mirror, frowning at my flat belly. In a couple of months, I would start to show, and I wouldn’t be able to hide it any longer. I also couldn’t keep putting this baby in danger… I had to tell Sampson. But maybe it could wait a little bit longer? Maybe I could wallow in this denial period for a bit… at least until I’m ready to spill my secret. Or until Lucy spills it for me.

Sighing, I finished getting dressed.

I spent most of the morning patrolling around the pack neighborhoods, trying to help people clean the debris and rubble out of their yards. I wanted to do something productive while keeping myself safe as well. Sampson wanted me to take it easy for the day after being caught in the explosion, but I didn’t want to feel useless.

“There you are, Judy,” one of the packmates said as I emerged from the pack’s dumpster area. I had dirt all over my clothing and sweat dripping down my cheeks after a morning of cleaning and lifting heavy items. “The Luna had been looking for you. The meeting in the yard is starting soon, and she wants you to accompany her.”

I nodded.

“Thanks,” I said to her as I started to walk by. “You’ll be there too, right? I think it’s a mandatory pack meeting.”

She nodded.

“Yes, I’ll be there. I just need to get my kids, and we’ll be there shortly,” she told me.

“See you later then,” I tell her as I continue on my way.

It didn’t take long to reach the packhouse; the meeting was being held in the courtyard out back. It was big enough to hold the entire pack and then some. There was a stage area where the Alpha typically stood to speak with the pack during meetings.

Outside the packhouse was busy with a flurry of packmates nervously preparing for the meeting. Tensions were high after the recent attacks, and my wolf was getting caught up in the anxiety. Something about her behavior today had been off; she’s been anxious, like she’s waiting for something to happen. Typically, I would trust her instincts, but since finding out I was pregnant, I wasn’t sure if her behavior was for real cause or because she was about to be a mom.

As I walked, my eyes scanned the area until I spotted the familiar Lucy standing nearby. She was talking to somebody, her body language showing that she was nervous as she tucked a long strand of blond hair behind her ear. Was she blushing?

I wanted to laugh; she can be such a flirt sometimes.

As I stepped forward, my wolf surged. I had to internally retrain her, pushing her back.

That was strange, I thought to myself.

“Oh, there you are!” Lucy said happily, finally noticing me. “I was just introducing myself to Alpha Landry. Come over here!”

My entire body froze at her words. My eyes flickered to the man she was speaking to, and everything around me faded away.

Gavin stood in front of her, his eyes showing shock as he stared at me. His mouth opened slightly like he was about to say something, but then he closed it. My face was heated, and my heart was pounding against my chest.

His hair was messy in a way that I could tell he’s been running his fingers through it; he wore a pair of dark jeans that made his ass look amazing and a button-down dress shirt which he had the sleeves rolled up halfway on his forearms, making his muscles pop.

How was it possible that he looked even better than he had a few weeks ago?

Besides how incredibly delicious he looked, he also looked exhausted. The light in his eyes that was once there was completely gone; he had dark circles beneath his eyes, revealing his sleepless nights.

I couldn’t help but wonder if I was the reason for those sleepless nights… but then I brushed that thought away. Of course I wasn’t. He was marrying another woman and having her baby. There was no way he was awake at night thinking about me…

The thought made me feel sick to my stomach.

“Judy, come here,” Lucy said, rushing towards me and looping her arm through mine. She pulled me closer to Gavin, my heart pounding so heavily in my chest, I was surprised she couldn’t hear it. “Have you met Alpha Landry? He’s the most powerful Chairman in the world. Even more powerful than Alpha Levi.”

I wasn’t sure what to say; my mouth wouldn’t work.

Gavin seemed to have noticed the look in my eyes, almost like I was pleading with him not to say anything.

He nodded.

“It’s good to meet you, Judy,” he said… speaking my name like a silent prayer, a song for only my ears.

“Judy is our newest Gamma. She just got here a couple of weeks ago, and she’s already made such an impact.”

“You’re the one who won the competition, are you not?” He asked, acting as if he had never met me.

It was probably better that way; I didn’t want Lucy to know about my past with Gavin. I worked hard to keep her from finding out anything about where I came from or about who I had been with. I could only imagine what she’d say if she found out that the baby I was carrying was Gavin's.

“Yes,” I said, pleased that my voice didn’t betray me.

“You did well. This pack is lucky to have you join their team.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat; though his words sounded genuine, I could hear the hint of hostility in his tone. His eyes never left mine, and they said all that was needed to be said.

I had left. And I didn’t bother to say goodbye to him… or Matthew.

“We are very lucky indeed,” Lucy said with a smile, resting her head on my shoulder. “Come on, Judy. Let’s get to the meeting. Alpha Landry, it was very good to meet you.”

He nodded at her, but he didn’t walk away, and his eyes remained on me. I wanted to ask him what he was doing here; had he known I was here? Was he looking at me? I hoped he didn’t notice me glancing at his hand as we walked past him… he wasn’t wearing a ring, which meant he wasn’t married. Or maybe he wasn’t the type to wear a wedding ring.

I mean, it’s only been a couple of weeks, so maybe they hadn’t tied the knot yet.

I wanted to vomit.

I couldn’t believe Gavin was actually here… in Redcliff.

I reached the yard where everyone was gathering, my heart in my throat. I joined the rest of my team, Marlo was standing in front, and when he saw me, he gave me a short nod. I nodded back as I stood beside Spencer.

“You okay?” He asked, his eyes narrowed as he studied my face. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that; my entire body was on fire, and I thought I was going to pass out. Without even looking up, I knew Gavin was nearby. My wolf was all focused on him… I couldn’t smell him, which meant he was wearing the masking spray, as were most in this pack.

My eyes flickered around until I spotted him up front, speaking with Alpha Sampson. Gavin’s eyes traveled to me briefly before readjusting his attention to Sampson. My face was burning as our eyes met for that short moment.

Sampson stood on stage, clearing his throat and gaining the attention of literally everybody. Lucy stood beside him as the Luna, her eyes finding mine, and she winked. I smiled at her in return.

Sampson started the meeting by explaining the recent situations with the attacks and how he wants everyone to remain safe and to report to him if they notice any suspicious activities. He explains how each and every packmate will be spoken to personally; he didn’t say that they suspect that someone is helping the rogues, but he didn’t have to say it. From the way he was speaking and his body language, it was obvious.

He then went on to introduce Gavin Landry and Beta Taylor, whom I was now just noticing. I also recognized some of the gamma warriors who were mingled with the Redcliff Gammas. They were part of Gavin’s pack despite them being mixed in with us.

Gavin gave a small speech about his goals and why he chose to help us. Something about wanting to stop the threat before it becomes a problem for his territory. I was only half paying attention; I was too busy trying to keep myself from passing out. I couldn’t believe he was here…

Finally, Sampson announced that we are going on patrol and he’s taking teams out to patrol beyond our borders. Anytime we have to go beyond our borders, it means we’ve entered rogue territory, which is dangerous, especially now that we are being targeted.

“The first team that is going on this evening will be Marlo’s team,” Sampson said, glancing at Marlo.

My eyes grew wide, and I locked onto the eyes of a startled Lucy. Before I could stop her, she was already whispering something quickly to Sampson, whose face twisted from curious to utter shock.

“What?” He asked. “How do you know this?”

My heart was pounding in my chest as she whispered something else to him.

He turned to Adien, who stood near Taylor.

“Get me Dr. Jasper, immediately,” he said through his teeth.

Aiden nodded and went to find Dr. Jasper in the crowd. I was standing, shocked, by what was happening. Lucy was now refusing to meet my eyes; her eyes downcast, and I knew…. I knew what she had done.

“Judy Montague,” Sampson said, his eyes narrowed as he glared at me. “Get to my office immediately.”