Chapter 295

Gavin’s POV

I woke up alone this morning.

I’m not the type of guy who wakes up in bed alone after a night of sex. Not that I often have nights of sex… but still, women don’t typically sneak away from me. I reached over, my eyes still closed and groggy from sleep, and touched the cold bedsheets beside me, realizing Judy wasn’t in bed with me. It was enough to pry my eyes open and look over at her side of the bed, only to find it empty.

I scowled as I sat up.

Had she seriously left me? What the actual fuck??

I got up and grabbed my clothes before heading into the shower. Her bathroom was cute; it was smaller than what I’m used to, but it smelled like her, so I relished in it. Her lavender soap was sitting on the edge of the shower, and her rose-scented shampoo and conditioner sat on the shelf. She had a purple loofah and a couple of washcloths as well.

The shower was dry, giving me the indication that she didn’t bother showering this morning. She was in such a rush to leave me that she skipped a shower. The thought sent my mind into a spiral, and my wolf let out a low growl.

I turned on the shower and stepped inside; it had nice water pressure, though it’s not as good as the pressure in my villa… I had to remind myself this was a small condo, not my villa or even my mansion.

Once I finished showering, I turned it off and stepped out, wrapping a towel around my waist.

I glared at myself in the mirror; why the fuck would she leave without saying anything? It didn’t make any sense; I thought we had a good night last night, but perhaps I was mistaken.

I brushed my teeth and styled my hair. Then I got dressed and sprayed some cologne onto my body, making her bathroom smell a little bit like me as well. A small claim that I didn’t realize I was doing.

Once I got dressed, I decided to head to the packhouse. I thought about calling for a ride, but once I stepped outside, it was nice enough to walk. It’s not like the packhouse was far and the pack was small… very small.

When I reached the packhouse, Judy’s scent was strong. I knew right away that she was here, and I had to suppress a growl as aggravation attacked my chest.

I stepped into the packhouse and ignored the stares I was getting; I was used to it, considering I am a Lycan wolf.

“Alpha Landry,” a familiar voice said from nearby. I looked to my right to see Luna Lucy walking towards me. She had a wide smile on her lips upon seeing me. “I never got a chance to thank you for that incredible speech you gave last night. You made the pack feel better and safer, and that’s the only thing I really want for my packmates.”

I raised my brows; she didn’t seem like someone who would truly care for her pack. She seemed like someone who cared more about money and jewelry. She was clearly very materialistic and thrived on the things she could get versus the things she could do.

I also wasn’t blind to the fact that she was a pretty woman and looked good on Sampson’s arm.

“I only spoke the truth. We’ll do what we can to keep the pack safe,” I assured her.

“We are lucky to have you here,” she said kindly. “It’s refreshing. It’s not like our own Lycan Chairman cares enough to come here. He hasn’t been here in years.”

I frowned.

“Years?” I asked, stunned by her words. “It’s not right for a Lycan to abandon one or more of their packs for years.”

She shrugged noncommittally.

“We are used to it,” she admitted. “Alpha Levi doesn’t care about the packs that don’t service him.” Then, as if she said something she wasn’t supposed to, she clamped her lips shut and a small blush crept up her cheeks. “Sorry… I shouldn’t have said that.”

I shake my head and hold up my hand.

“It’s not a problem,” I tell her. “I get it.” Most know about my rivalry with Alpha Levi, but I wasn’t going to bring it up to her at this moment. The less I spoke about the matter, the better it would be. I wasn’t going to feed the gossip mill, and something told me that Lucy liked the gossip.

She nodded.

“Are you here to speak with Sampson?” She asked. “He’s in his office speaking with Judy.”

My wolf bristled at the mention of Judy.

“Yes,” I lied.

“I’m sure he won’t mind the interruption,” she told me, pointing towards his office down the long hallway. “He’s talking to Judy about her future in the pack.”

I frowned.

“A future in the pack?” I asked, raising my brows. Judy didn’t have a future in this pack; I was taking her home the second I was done here. She was going to live with me in the villa and raise our baby near our families. I’ll eventually give her a position in the Elite Gamma Force so she can pursue what she’s worked so hard for.

Lucy nodded.

“Yes,” she replied. “I talked to him about it last night. He wants to offer her a position on his force after her maternity leave. He’s allowing her to stay in the pack for as long as she wants.”

Anger coursed through me; he knew that Judy was the mother of my future baby. Why the fuck would he offer her such a position knowing I was planning on taking her home with me? I wanted to ask Lucy, but something told me to keep that to myself for right now.

“I need to speak with him,” I said through my teeth, my jaw tightened.

Lucy noticed the expression on my face, and she frowned. She nodded, though, and stepped out of my way, not saying a word about my sudden sour mood.

I walked past her and towards the office door. Just as I reached the door, it opened and Judy stood in front of me. She gasped and clutched her chest, her eyes wide when she noticed me standing in front of her.

Not really the reaction I was expecting from the woman I just slept with.

“Gavin?” She said, her breathing slowing once realization dawned on her and she registered that it was me and not some serial killer. “W…what are you doing here?”

The stammer didn’t go unnoticed, and it made my eyes darken. I knew Sampson was seated at his desk, watching our exchange with quiet eyes, though I paid him no attention.

“The question is, what are you doing here?” I asked, my tone controlled and low. “You should be lying in bed and in my arms right now.”

Her cheeks grew adorably red, which went straight to my cock.

“I uh… had some stuff to take care of this morning,” she told me, worrying her bottom lip.

My eyes narrowed at her.

“Stuff?” I asked, a challenge in my voice. “What kind of stuff pulled you out of my arms?”

She swallowed, drawing my eyes to her beautiful throat and neck.

“I… I needed to speak with Alpha Sampson,” she told me, her eyes downcast. It was clear she was nervous, probably not wanting to tell me about Sampson’s offer.

I smirked at her as I stepped closer, knowingly moving into her personal space. I felt her body tensing slightly, but she didn’t move away. I reached my hand up to cup her cheek, making her head move upward so her gaze would meet mine.

I stared at her for a moment longer, my thumb tracing her bottom lip, making it quiver from my touch.

“Why did you leave me?” I whisper.

She was quiet for a moment longer, letting out a shaky breath.

“I told you…” she whispered back. “I had business… I—”

“The truth, Judy,” I demanded, my tone low and for her ears alone, even though I knew Sampson could hear everything with his Alpha wolf hearing. I drew out every syllable in the words I spoke, my eyes darkening as I poured my gaze into hers.

“I needed space,” she admitted. “I needed to think.”

“And you couldn’t do that with me.” It wasn’t a question.

She nibbled on her lower lip, a nervous habit that she has.

“No, I couldn’t,” she said. “I needed to process my own thoughts.”

“What is there to process?” I asked, my tone showing a hint of vulnerability, something I’ve tried hard to suppress. My thumb strokes her cheek absentmindedly.

“Everything,” Judy whispered.

Before I could speak, Sampson cleared his throat and stood to his feet.

“I was actually just speaking with Judy about her future in the Redcliff pack,” Sampson told me. “I told her that her job will remain after her maternity leave, but of course, I need your permission first, considering she is carrying your baby, and she is part of your territory, so she’s your wolf despite her current location.”

I looked at him, my eyes brewing. He was a good Alpha and a great man for that. A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips.

“Is that so?” I asked.

He nodded, and I looked back at Judy, who looked majorly uncomfortable.

“So, it’s up to me then?” I asked, trying to hide my amusement.

“Yes, Alpha,” Sampson replied simply, making Judy’s face turn even redder.

After a beat of awkwardness, I finally spoke.

“Then my answer is no,” I replied. “She’s not staying in this pack. She’ll be coming home with me… where she belongs.”