Chapter 346

Judy’s POV

“You’re asking me to take over Levi’s territory? W… wouldn’t that make me a chairman?” Lukas asked, his eyes wide with shock.

“Yes, it would. There is an empty chair now, and it’s yours if you want it,” Gavin told him. His tone was surprisingly gentle, and his eyes were compassionate.

“What about school, though? I’ve worked so hard to get to this point, and it feels like it’s for nothing if I’m just given the title because of my uncle,” Lukas said, his concerns valid.

“That isn’t the reason you are given the title, Lukas. Sure, Mica put in a good word for you and opened up the idea of that option, but I went through your successes, in and out of school; I’ve seen your resume, I’ve spoken to your professors… You are more than qualified for this position. Your uncle isn’t the reason for this offer; your work ethics, experience, and morals are what make you the best candidate. You know what you need to do to get ahead, and I admire that. When I told you to stay away from Judy and threatened your scholarship, you backed down without a fight, and I knew it killed you on the inside.”

At that point, Gavin put an arm around me and pulled me close to him.

“It meant a lot that you obeyed my wishes and respected my mate. It would be an honor if you accept this position. Of course, you can finish school and get your degree before you officially take on the role… but the position is yours when you are ready for it.”

Lukas looked like he wanted to cry; he was suppressing a happy cheer, and it made me smile. I teared up watching the many emotions crossing his face. He looked at me, a glimmer of excitement in his gaze, and I couldn’t help but smile at him. He looked back at Gavin and held out his hand to shake it, squaring his shoulders and trying to look just as important and powerful.

It was oddly endearing.

“It would be an honor to accept this position as a Lycan Chairman, Alpha Landry,” Lukas said, his tone no longer wavering.

Gavin nodded and took his hand in a firm handshake to seal the deal. Then, like a young boy, he grinned.

“I’m going to call my mom,” he said, making me burst out laughing as he rushed away. Gavin smiled too, watching him disappear around the corner.

“That was a nice thing you did for him,” I said, leaning against him, basking in the warmth and comfort he brought me.

“Yeah, well… I feel like I kind of owed him after scaring him so badly,” Gavin admitted. “But I do think he’s the best candidate for the position, and he’ll do way better than Levi ever did.”

“You really think so?” I asked, peeking up at him.

He looked down at me, bringing his lips to mine.

“Yes,” he whispered against my mouth. “I really do.”

For a moment, I let myself melt into him. I loved him so much, and my heart was so full, I thought it was going to explode.

“Dad, Judy… they are serving the meals,” Irene said as she walked towards us. “We need to take our seats.”

I nodded and followed Irene back to the reception area, sitting beside Gavin at the wedding party table, right next to my best friend, who looked stunning in her dress. It wasn’t the same dress as the one she wore for the ceremony; this one was off white and shorter… but it was just as beautiful. It was created for her to wear during the reception for easy movements and to show off her killer body.

“I’m starving,” Nan admitted as the staff started to serve the food. “I hadn’t eaten in like 2 days.”

“What, why?” I asked, staring at her with wide eyes.

“I was worried I wouldn’t look good for the wedding and fit in the dress,” she admitted. “I know Sabrina could have fixed it, but I was really scared. I just wanted to look perfect.”

“Nan, you’ve always looked perfect,” I assured her.

She smiled at me, but her attention was drawn to the plate that was placed in front of her.

“Finally,” she breathed.

A plate was placed in front of me and initially, it smelled really good, but there was something on the plate that gave me a nauseous feeling in the pit of my stomach. I swallowed it down, though, not wanting to ruin the event.

I mainly just played with the food on my plate as I listened to the chatter all around me. Glasses clinked as speeches were made, and tears were finally shed. Now that the main event was over, Irene didn’t mind the crying… in fact, she was crying herself. Chuck was holding her and gazing down at her as she let herself cry in his arms.

Everything was so beautiful, and for the most part, the food was delicious…well, the food that I managed to swallow down without gagging.

It was like the baby was refusing to eat to stomach whatever it was that was on my plate.

“Are you okay?” Gavin asked, staring down at my almost untouched plate.

“Yeah, I guess I’m not as hungry as I thought,” I told him, not wanting him to worry and cause a fuss in the middle of Nan’s wedding.

“You haven’t eaten all day,” Gavin told me, his brows furrowed. “I can tell when you’re lying.”

“How did you know I hadn’t eaten all day?”

For a moment, he looked a bit sheepish.

“I’ve had Irene keeping tabs on you,” he admitted. “I hadn’t been here in 8 days, and I was worried. Can you blame me? You’re my pregnant mate…”

He looked so cute when he admitted this that I couldn’t help but lean in and kiss him sweetly on the lips.

“I love you,” I whispered against him. “You have nothing to worry about… It’s okay.”

“Now it’s time for the maid of honor to make a speech!” Irene announced, clinking her fork against her glass. She smiled at me, winking.

I had prepared a speech, but suddenly, all the words were washed out of my head. Nan was watching me, expectantly, and I took in a deep breath before standing.

I cleared my throat, the room falling silent as all eyes turned in my direction. As I stood, Gavin took hold of my hand, a show of silent support, and suddenly, my worries melted away.

“Hey everyone… most of you already know me, but for those of you who don’t, I’m Judy… the bride's best friend. Nan had been my best friend for my entire life… she’s my family. She was there for me when no one else was… she’s been through so much in her life and for so long, I was the only one she could turn to. But now, she has Chester, and I watched Nan’s walls crumble down around her. Chester makes her shine in a way that I had never seen before… his love for her is clear, and I couldn’t be happier that they finally found one another. Not only are they fated mates, but they are soul mates as well… they are everything…”

My voice trailed off for a moment as Nan leaned into Chester, his arms draping around her protectively. I could feel their love for each other, and it was intoxicating. It also almost made me a little sad to watch their affection. I always saw myself getting married in this lifetime… I thought once I found my mate, he would mark me and then marry me because he couldn’t see himself with anyone else… I thought he’d make it known that I was it for him.

“Nan and I used to talk about our futures growing up…” I said, my voice a bit softer as the memory surfaced in my mind. “We’d always say we’d have a combined wedding and get married at the same time…” My hand suddenly felt weak in Gavin’s grip as I fought the tears. “Even though I couldn’t be by her side and get married to her… I’m so honored to be by her side as her maid of honor and be here to support her every step of the way. I just hope you know, Nan, that I will always be here when you need me. No matter where life takes us…”

My words are stopped by a choking sob that escapes me. Nan reaches out and pats my arm affectionately, tears glistening in her eyes.

“I love you, Nan,” I told her. “You will always be my sister.”

“I love you too,” Nan replied. “Always and forever.”

I raised my glass, which was filled with apple juice.

“To Nan and Chester,” I said, pausing as everyone echoed my cheer.

I took a sip of my juice as I sat back down. There was a small round of claps before the meal continued, everyone chatting away as they ate their food. I stared down at my barely touched plate, that sick feeling returning to my belly. I took a deep breath, steadying my racing heart and swallowing down the bile that threatened my throat.

I felt Gavin’s eyes on me and the worry that was coursing through him, but I couldn’t look at him… not right now… not while I was fighting to keep the small amount of food I kept down.

I quickly stood to my feet.

“I need to use the restroom,” I said and darted out of the room without another word.