Chapter 329

Judy’s POV

“I need you to call that auction and find out who put that gem on the list,” Gavin said, taking hold of my hand and guiding me out of his mom’s room.

“You don’t really think she’d steal it, do you?” Donna asked, trailing after us. I could hear the worry in her voice, and I started to feel bad. If she was truly deceived by Daisy, it meant everything she knew was a lie.

“That’s what we need to find out,” Gavin said as we made our way down the stairs. “Regardless, Judy and I are going to that auction on Saturday. We can’t let anybody get to that gem. But I need you to find out the truth about Daisy. I’ll send Taylor over in the morning, and you can investigate it tomorrow. But call the auction tonight and see if you can get the gem pulled. It belongs to you, so that might be enough to retrieve it.”

Donna nodded as we stopped at the front door. She looked uneasy; her mind clouded with thoughts.

Gavin turned to look at his mother.

“I know this wasn’t your fault,” he told her gently. “But we need to remain calm if we want to figure this out. There’s no use in dwelling on what can’t be controlled.”

She looked up at him, tears filling her eyes, and then she nodded slowly.

“I’m so sorry…” she whispered. “I had no idea.”

“I know.”

She then looked at me, more tears filling her eyes.

“Are you really carrying my grandpup?” She asked me, much to my surprise.

I put my hand on my belly, feeling my nerves jostling.

“I am,” I told her.

Gavin put an arm around me, pulling me close to his side, a show of affection and protection that made me melt.

She stepped closer to me, making Gavin tense, though the look in her eyes was anything but vicious.

A small smile tipped the corner of her lips.

“Thank you for being there for my son when I was too blinded,” she whispered.

I nodded slowly, feeling my heart swelling.

She blinked away the tears in her eyes, and then a stoic expression surfaced on her face as she turned to her son.

“We’ll get it back,” she said, determined.

Gavin nodded in response. He gave his mom a gentle kiss on the cheek before he took hold of my hand and pulled me out of the manor.

“Where to now?” I asked him as we hurried towards Erik’s waiting car.

“We have a party to get to,” he told me. “And tomorrow, we figure everything else out.”

I nodded.

I wasn’t really in the mood for a party tonight, but I wanted to see my family and friends, and plus, I wanted to support Sampson and Lucy while they introduced themselves officially as the new Alpha and Luna of the Redmoon pack. They deserved that much at least.

I was expecting the Redmoon pack to show up at the packhouse, but I wasn’t expecting a majority of the Silver Crescent pack to be there as well. My mouth nearly dropped when I saw how huge the party was. We could hear the music playing before we even pulled up to the packhouse. People were outside in the front, the back, and all inside.

I looked at Gavin nervously, not used to this number of people all in one place. He gave me a reassuring smile and squeezed my hand as he helped me out of the car.

“Come on,” he said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and keeping me close to his side.

As soon as we started to pass the crowds of people, eyes turned in our direction. It was surreal having everyone bow as we walked by them; I knew it had nothing to do with me and everything to do with Gavin, but still, but association, it still felt surreal. Gavin didn’t let me go the entire time, not even when we were inside.

I immediately spotted Nan and Chester; Nan was holding Emalyn in her arms, and Chester was staring admiringly at her. Her diamond engagement ring glistened on her finger, catching the light from the chandelier that hung high on the ceiling.

My parents were with Sampson and Lucy, introducing them to a few other packmates. Lucy spotted me and she smiled, excusing herself from Sampson’s side to join me.

“Hey, you came!” She came, wrapping me in her arms. Gavin reluctantly released me so I could embrace my friend.

“Of course I did. Did you really think I’d miss this?” I asked her, hugging her back tightly.

“There are so many people here. I didn’t expect this outcome when we sent out a notice about the party,” she breathed. “Two packs are in this packhouse right now. It’s insane.”

“They wanted to welcome the new Alpha and Luna,” I told her. “It’s been a while since the Redmoon pack had anyone, and they are excited.”

“I think it’s more than that. I think they are mainly here for you,” she told me, making me raise my brows. “We set up an entire stage in the back. We are preparing for a speech. We were hoping that Alpha Landry would say a few words…”

She looked up at Gavin with a hopeful expression, and he nodded.

“Yes,” he answered. “I did have an announcement I wanted to make anyway, so this works out well.”

He wraps his arm around me again, pulling me close.

Lucy beamed. She already knew that I was pregnant and back with Gavin, but she didn’t know I was mated to him. I had my hair down, covering my mark, and Gavin’s shirt collar covered his mark.

We spent some time going around and speaking to some of the packmates. I received quite a few hugs, mostly from family and friends. I ate some food, and Gavin made sure that I drank plenty of water, knowing that I needed to take care of my body for the sake of our baby.

“We should get ready for the announcement,” Gavin said into my ear, making my cheeks heat.

I nodded as I peeked up at him.

“Okay,” I say.

He placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me out the back door. We were greeted by some others as we stepped onto the back patio. Gavin nodded at them but otherwise said nothing as we walked down the steps and towards the stage.

Some workers were still setting things up, but for the most part, there was enough space for everybody in the space, and I grew nervous knowing they were all going to be looking at me and Gavin.

“Hey,” Gavin said, his hand coming up to cup my cheek. “Breathe. It’s going to be okay. What do you think is going to happen?”

“An uproar,” I told him, nibbling on my lower lip. “What if they aren’t happy with me being their future Luna?”

“Are you kidding me?” He asked. “They are going to be thrilled. They already know you’re a badass and you’re mine… that’s all that matters.”

I felt myself relaxing, and I nodded slowly.

Not long before, the entire outside was filled with everybody. They were all eagerly waiting to get a glimpse of their new Alpha.

Sampson stood on the stage with Lucy by his side; both looked like a dream couple, and I was envious of the connection that they shared. I wondered if Gavin and I would share the same connection, or if we already do.

“Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to celebrate with us today. My mate, Lucy, is very happy to be here despite the horrific circumstances that led us here. I speak for the remaining Redcliff pack when I say that adjustments are tough, and the loss we faced is something we wish on no one. I know with certainty that my mate is here with a heavy heart, but we are grateful for the chance to start fresh and put the past behind us. Until we arrived, we didn’t know what it was like to have a Lycan who was a constant source, and I must say, it’s nice to have that kind of assistance. This territory is lucky to have Alpha Landry as their Lycan, and I’m honored to be personally chosen by him to be the Alpha of the Redmoon pack. I’ve only been here for a couple of days, and the first day was spent in solitude, mourning the pack and the land we had lost. The second day, we spent settling in and exploring the land. Now, today, we introduce ourselves as your new Alpha and Luna. There are some changes that will take place starting today that I will go over with you, but let me introduce myself. I am Sampson Olivier, and this beautiful woman beside me is my mate, Lucy Oliver.”

There was an eruption of applause, making Lucy blush as she clung to Sampson’s side. I clapped as well, proud to see my friend the center of attention.

“Though this party is to welcome us as your Alpha and Luna, it’s also so the Redcliff pack can officially meet the Redmoon pack, and the true merger can begin,” Sampson continued. “It’s also to welcome home a beloved member of the Redmoon pack and a recent asset to the Redcliff pack, Judy Montague.”

He paused when the applause erupted even louder, making me blush.

“Before we get into anything else, Alpha Landry would like to say a few words,” Sampson announced, stepping aside and joining in on the clapping and cheers.

Lucy grinned at me and gave me a bright smile.

Gavin squeezed my and reassuringly and was about to step forward, towards the stage, but halted when the sounds of gunfire were heard in the distance. Everybody grew ghostly quiet, and my stomach turned when I heard screaming.