Chapter 345

Gavin’s POV

Nan and Chester walked hand in hand as their song played; Chester wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling up at him with all the love and admiration that her heart could carry. They did make a wonderful couple; Chester had been helping her with her cooking business, and I spoke to Patrick already, apparently, he was planning on funding her to help her run her restaurant.

“She’s my best employee. I was going to tell her afterwards,” Patrick told me, his eyes traveling to Nan from across the room. “I’ve tasted her cooking, and she’s incredible in the kitchen. She deserves a chance at making her dreams a reality.”

Patrick shrugged in his usual manner, shoving his hands in his pockets. I knew Patrick was a softy at heart, and he’d never let Nan or anyone he took under his wing struggle. Nan didn’t grow up with a family; the only family she had was Judy and her family. Patrick knew this and treated Nan as if she were his daughter.

“You’re a good man,” I said, squeezing his shoulder. “She’s lucky to have you in her corner.”

“It seems she has a lot of people in her corner,” Patrick said, looking around the room at the gathering. “Don’t tell her just yet, though; I want the funding to be a surprise. I even have the place picked out for her. Chester knows and has been helping me set things up.”

I nodded.

“Well, if you need extra help, let me know. I’ll be happy to do it.”

Patrick nodded in return before returning to his table. I turned to look at Judy, who was seated with the rest of the wedding party, her eyes fixed on Nan and Chester as they danced in the center of everybody.

I had to admit, the place looked gorgeous. It was a nice-looking place, considering it was the most popular resort in the territory, but Irene certainly outdid herself. I honestly had no idea she was this good at wedding planning; she had always wanted to be a clothing designer. She had her own brand and everything, but I wondered if maybe event planning was her true calling. She hadn’t created a new line in a long time; she said she was taking a small break from designing clothes… but she had no problems planning this gorgeous wedding.

She sat with Chuck, someone I’m still getting used to. He recently came back from his own pack to see Irene and be there for the wedding Irene spent months planning. They have a long-distance relationship right now; Chuck was just named Alpha of his own pack in Jeremy’s territory, and there had been talks about him taking Irene back with him. I wasn’t sure how I felt about my daughter being in someone else’s territory, but I knew I couldn’t keep her away from her mate.

I started back towards the wedding party table, back to my own mate, my heart swelling as I neared her.

“Alpha,” I was stopped when Sampson approached. “Your daughter outdid herself; this is incredible. Nan is very lucky to have the Landry’s support.”

I nodded.

“I’m glad you were able to come, Sampson,” I said in return, glancing over his shoulder at Lucy, who trailed behind him. She beamed up at me; her smile lighting her face.

“We are just happy to be invited,” Sampson replied, taking his mate's hand.

“You’re Nan’s Alpha. Of course you’d be invited,” I told him.

My eyes found Lukas, who was seated at his own table; he kept his gaze fixed on his empty plate. The meals hadn’t been bought out yet and wouldn’t until the ned of the first dance. I could already smell the food in the kitchen, and I knew it was all of Nan’s favorite dishes that she had cooked herself at one point or another.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I said, excusing myself from Sampson and Lucy.

As much as I wanted to sit by my mate and bask in her nearness, there was something else I needed to do first.

Lukas didn’t see me coming at first, not until I was right beside him. His entire body tensed, and he looked up at me, his eyes wide, and I saw the panic in his expression. His face had gone pale almost immediately, and it was almost funny.

“WE need to talk,” I told him, leaving no room for arguments.

“I… I swear I hadn’t gone near her since earlier,” Lukas said, holding his hands up in defense. “I promise I wouldn’t go against you, Alpha. You have nothing to worry bout. Judy and I were only friends… nothing more…”

“Just come with me,” I said, my tone low as I turned away and started to walk in a more secluded area.

I felt Lukas behind me, and I also could sense his anxiety; it was bringing me joy, and I had to stifle a laugh.

I also felt Judy’s curiosity and worry; she noticed me taking Lukas away, and I knew it wouldn’t be long before she followed us.

Once we were far enough away, I turned to look at him.

“I swear, nothing happened between Judy and me… neither of us would cross that line and—”

I held up my hand to silence him.

“Let me speak,” I said, my eyes narrowed. “I know we didn’t get off on the right foot, and I’m aware that it’s mainly my fault. I reacted before asking questions… even before I realized Judy was my mate, I was possessive over her. I thought of her as mine before I could admit to myself, and seeing you make her smile made something break inside of me… I took it out on you, and for that, I apologize.”

Lukas opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it, his eyes wide with alarm. He was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“Uh… thank you?” He said, his brows furrowed. “I appreciate the apology, Alpha. But it’s not necessary. I understand, and I will keep my distance.”

“Normally, I would have agreed with you about keeping your distance, but sadly, you are Judy’s friend, and she’s been upset about losing you from her small circle. I just ask that you aren’t alone with her and you keep your hands to yourself,” I warned, my eyes narrowed.

His eyes grew wide.

“Y…yes, Alpha. I promise, I won’t touch her. T… thank you,” he stammered, bowing his head to me.

“That is, if you even have time for a friendship,” I stated casually. “There is something else I’d like to discuss with you.”

He looked confused and was about to reply, but Judy’s voice cut through; her panicked sound made me turn to look at her, my wolf on edge as her anxiety grew even more.

“Please don’t hurt him,” Judy said, rushing towards us, her heart beating so loudly that I could hear it without being near her. “Nothing happened between us, Gavin, and I’m not sure how many times I have to tell you.”

She had tears in her eyes; her hormones had been all over the place today, and it made me smile. I loved my pregnant mate, and I wanted to pull her into my arms and tell her just how much I loved her, but that was going to have to wait for right now.

“Actually, he told me that we can be friends. I just can’t be alone with you, and I have to keep my hands to myself, which is completely understandable,” Lukas said, giving a nervous laugh.

Judy’s eyes widened.

“Wait, you told him we can be friends?” Judy asked, amazed in her tone. “Seriously?”

I nodded.

“Yes,” I replied. “Your friendships are important, and for reasons I don’t know, Lukas is important to you. I don’t want to take that away or be the reason for your tears.”

Her eyes welled up with even more tears, proving my point. She wrapped her arms around me, hugging me close.

“I love you,” she whispered. “Thank you.”

I held her tightly in return, not wanting to let her go; she smelled so good, and my wolf was in complete bliss being in her presence.

“Alpha, you said there was more you wanted to discuss?” Lukas asked, taking me out of my thoughts.

“Oh yes,” I said, turning to look at him. “There was something I wanted ot discuss with you, Lukas. Your uncle and I have been talking—”

“If this is about school, I have been working hard. Please don’t get my scholarship revoked…” Lukas rambled nervously.

I remembered my earlier threat to get his scholarship revoked if he continued to hang around Judy. I stifled a smile as I shook my head.

“You misunderstand; this isn’t about your scholarship. As you know, Levi is in prison until the unforeseen future, and his territory is without a Lycan… After a back and forth, your uncle suggested perhaps you would make a good fit. You are majoring in politics after all, and apparently you’ve always shown interest in your uncle's career.”

Judy gasped, her eyes wide as she stared between me and Lukas.

“W…what?” Lukas asked, his eyes wide and his expression just as shocked.

“I’m asking… would you want to take over Levi’s spot as a Lycan chairman, and take over his territory?”