Chapter 323

Judy’s POV

Whatever Taylor had said made Gavin’s demeanor completely change. One minute he was holding me and peppering my temple with soft kisses, and the next he was sitting up straight, his entire body rigid. I could feel the tension rolling off him in waves, and it put me on alert.

I sat up with him, trying to figure out his expression. He was quiet as he listened to whatever Taylor was saying; his face became stony.

“The Moon Gem belongs to my mother,” he said through my teeth. “It’s always been an important family heirloom. Why the fuck would she auction it??”

There was a pause, but I knew whatever Taylor was saying wasn’t an answer because I could see the frustration, confusion, and anger on Gavin’s face. I could feel his emotions as if they were my own.

“Clear my schedule for this Saturday. I’m going to that auction,” Gavin said, a harsh bite in his words. “I’ll be damned if I allow Levi that gem.”

Without another word, Gavin hung up the phone. His grip on the phone was so tight, his knuckles grew white; I almost worried that he would break his phone before he finally released it, allowing it to fall on the bed.

I rested my head on his arm, not wanting to be too invasive, but I also really wanted to know what had my mate so upset. I knew he didn’t love the fact that Levi was so close to his territory and that he’s apparently after his family heirloom, but that shouldn’t cause this amount of anger? Should it?

I never had an enemy like this before, so I guess I wouldn’t really know.

“You don’t have plans Saturday evening, do you?” He suddenly asked, his voice controlled.

“No, I don’t think so,” I told him, raising my brows. “Why?”

“I need you as my date to the auction,” he said, his eyes finding mine, and I could see the storm cloud in his gaze.

I nodded without hesitation.

“Of course,” I tell him.

His eyes soften slightly as he reaches his hand out and takes mine.

“Thank you,” he said softly.

“What’s the Moon Gem?” I found myself asking, hating how his body tenses from the question.

He dropped his gaze from mine.

“It was passed down to every Alpha of the Silver Crescent pack,” he said, his eyes still avoiding mine. “My father died before he could pass it to me, and my mother never felt right to pass it to me on his behalf.” He said those words almost bitterly, and I could feel the pure pain he felt.

It tore at my heart; I wanted to make things better for him, but I wasn’t sure how.

“But she feels right auctioning it?” I asked, disbelief clouding me. I never liked his mother… or rather, she never liked me. She always thought he’d pair better with Daisy, his late wife’s sister. Despite his attempts to cut the ties with Daisy, his mother was relentless and barely stopped after she found out about Gavin and me. Though at the time, we were only sleeping together, she didn’t know that.

“I’m not sure what compelled her to do it,” he muttered, that angry resentment returning to his expression. “But I need to make sure Levi doesn’t get his hands on it.”

“Why? What would happen if he got his hands on it?” I asked. “Other than you losing something sentimental, because I know there’s more to it.”

His eyes met mine, and I could see the torment in them. He was in a battle with his thoughts, wondering if he should tell me… or if he should continue to hide this important element in an attempt to keep me safe.

“That gem gives him a lot of power,” he finally said after a long pause. “He could potentially take over the pack.”

“What?” I gasped. “You can’t be serious…”

Gavin looked away.

“It’s said to hold the souls of our ancestors. The one to whom it was passed down is the true Alpha.”

“But you’re the true Alpha,” I said without hesitation. “You’ve always been the Alpha… You are the most powerful Lycan in the world. There’s no way you aren’t the true Alpha.”

“I might be part of the Lycan chairmen, but my father was the last real Alpha of the Silver Crescent pack. That’s how it’s always been,” Gavin said with a slight shrug. “My mother never passed it to me.”

“Gavin, that’s Ludacris. A gem isn’t what makes you a true Alpha…” I told him, shaking my head. “Your heart does, not to mention your blood. This pack is yours.” I put my hand on his shoulder in a reassuring gesture.

“It’s not just a symbol, Judy,” he told me, turning his body so he was completely facing me now. His eyes poured into mine, rendering me speechless. “It’s the power. The ancestors from all the great Alphas before me are in this gem. I could feel the power just from being around it. My mother kept it in her lockbox the entire time. My father always said that he’d pass it to me once I’d chosen a proper Luna for the pack, but I never could, and he died before it ever happened. My mother has been wanting the same thing, except she always has a luna in mind… someone I don’t even want to think about right now,” he spoke through his gritted teeth.

“Daisy Baldwin?” I asked, already knowing the answer before his subtle nod.

“Yeah… Melissa’s sister. My mother thinks a Baldwin is a proper Luna, but she’s obviously mentally ill,” he muttered, rolling his eyes at that last part. “She won’t give me the gem until I do wants… but now it seems she’s given up.”

“Hence the auction,” I whispered. “So, she’s doing this because you’re with me…”

“It seems that way,” he told me. “But I don’t want you to think I’d give you up for the gems because I would never do that. I’m never going to marry Daisy. I’m never going to be interested in her.”

“How does your mom know about us?” I asked, looking up at him. “She has to know something, doesn’t she?”

“I’m not sure,” he said, his fists clenching. “That’s exactly what I want to figure out. I have a feeling someone might have told her.”

“But we were so careful,” I said, shaking my head. “Nobody knows about her except for our inner circle, and not even everybody knows yet. None of our friends would betray us.”

“I’m not saying they would,” he told me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, making my cheeks flush. “But we can never be too careful. Being a powerful Lycan chairman and you being a Gamma competition victor, there are always eyes on us. It’s no surprise that my mother got word of our relationship before we officially told anyone.”

My cheeks flushed.

He was right; there were always eyes on us, but to think that private information about me and Gavin got sent to a woman who can’t stand me and would rather have Gavin with someone else. I shuddered at the thought and bit back an angry growl as my wolf surged forward.

As if Gavin knew what I was thinking, a small smile formed on his lips. He kissed the bridge of my nose.

“Easy, girl,” he said, speaking to my wolf. “I’m yours.”

It settled her, and it settled me.

“So, what are we supposed to do?” I asked him. “We obviously can’t let him get his hands on that gem.”

“Which is exactly why we are going to that charity event,” he told me. “There’s no way in hell I’m letting him or anyone buy my family heirloom.”

I nodded.

“I’ll do what I can to help you. I mean, we are in this together after all,” I told him. He looked at me for a long moment, and I could feel his love and gratitude, but I could feel something else as well… hope.

“Will you come with me to see my mother later this evening?” He asked. “Before the party, that is… I need to speak with her about why she’d auction off the Moon Gem, and I want to tell her about us as well while we are there.”

My cheeks flushed.

“She’s not going to take it well… your mother hates me,” I reminded him.

“It doesn’t matter what she thinks,” he said without hesitation. “Plus, she most likely already knows, considering she’s auctioning off the heirloom. But I still would want her to hear it from my mouth that it was true. No matter her reaction, you are still mine, and I am still yours. Nothing will change that.”

He brought his lips to mine and gave me a sweet kiss that took my breath away. I melted into him, feeling a smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

“Okay,” I tell him. “Yes, I’ll come with you tonight.”

He grinned.

“Good,” he said just as he stood up. “Now, let’s get dressed and face the inevitable.”