Chapter 357

Judy’s POV

“Gavin Landry,” Zachary said as he stood, drawing my attention from the old woman and to the mysterious man in front of us… the urban legend himself. “It’s been a long time.”

“It has,” Gavin replied, nodding his head slowly. “I was surprised when I received the invitation to join you and your family for dinner. I hope you don’t mind, I extended the invitation to my mate.”

“Of course not. The more the merrier,” Zachary replied, his eyes finding mine and holding them for a bit too long, giving me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. “I wasn’t aware you took a mate.”

“It’s fairly new,” Gavin explained, draping an arm around my waist to keep me by his side. I wasn’t going to complain about that.

Zachary’s gaze dropped to my belly for a moment before lifting and meeting my eyes once again.

“Seems that’s not all that’s new,” he said, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. “I suppose congratulations are in order.”

“Thank you,” Gavin replied, tightening his hold on me. “I apologize if we are a bit late. Took longer than expected to get here.” I knew Gavin was trying to steer the conversation away from me and our baby. I was appreciative of that because I wasn’t sure how long I could handle Zachary Blackwell staring at me.

Zachary’s eyes flickered to Gavin.

“You aren’t late at all. Right on time,” he retorted. “Dinner will be served shortly. Please, take a seat.”

He motioned for a couple of empty chairs that sat side by side. Gavin walked along with me towards the chairs, and we both gingerly sat down, feeling more than a little awkward. His hand found mine under the table, and I felt relieved that he wasn’t letting me go. It’s like he knew that I needed his touch to get through this dinner.

Or maybe he needed mine.

“I’m not sure if you met my family, but this is my wife, Selene,” Zachary said, nodding towards the gorgeous woman who sat beside him.

“I’ve heard plenty about you, Alpha,” Selene said, nodding her head slightly. “You are more handsome in person, I must say.”

I felt my wolf growing anxious over her words, and I had to bite back a growl. I had to remind my wolf that now was not the right time or place. Gavin's hand squeezed mine reassuringly, and at that moment, I knew he was tuned into my feelings. I felt my wolf relaxing from his attention.

Gavin didn’t bother responding to her; he just nodded politely.

“And this is my son, Emmet, and daughter Lila,” Zachary continued.

“Charmed,” Lila said, a sly grin spreading across her face. Clearly, she hasn’t told her father that she already knew us and wondered why that was. The poisonous way she stared at us made my chest tighten.

Emmet only nodded; he looked disinterested in this conversation as he scrolled through his phone.

“Emmet,” Zachary said through his teeth. “We are at the dinner table. Put the phone away.”

Emmet glanced up at his father with a frown.

“It’s important,” he murmured.

“So is time with your family,” Zachary retorted, clearly trying to keep his cool.

Emmet’s frown was deep.

“Noah isn’t here,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “If it’s so important, shouldn’t he be here as well?”

“Noah has other arrangements this evening,” Zachary said, his eyes never leaving his son’s. “You are present… so be present.”

After a moment of what seemed like a silent conversation between the two, Emmet finally put his phone down and folded his hands in his lap.

Zachary, looking satisfied, relaxed his shoulder and turned to Gavin.

“I apologize for my eldest son’s absence. Noah is very busy and couldn’t make it this evening.”

“It’s okay,” Gavin said. “He’s always been quite busy. I understand.”

I wasn’t aware that Gavin even knew Noah Blackwell. I only knew their names and their ranking in the family. Though Lila Blackwell had been a mystery since her birth, almost like she’s been hidden within the manor walls for all these years, only allowing her brothers and parents to shine until recently.

“I’m sure soon you two will be able to catch up. You were always close growing up,” Zachary replied.

I raised my brows at Gavin, who glanced at me briefly before turning back to Zachary.

“We’ve both aged,” Gavin replied. “I’m not looking to regain a childhood friendship I once had.”

“Of course,” Zachary said, the corner of his lips twitching slightly as if he found Gavin almost amusing but trying not to show it. After a moment, Zachary cleared his throat. “Do you remember my mother, Esme?”

He motioned for the old woman who sat beside Lila. Her eyes were still transfixed on me, though she hadn’t said a word. My heart thudded against my rib cage… it was the same woman as in my dreams. Only in my dreams was she a little younger, and she wasn’t in a wheelchair. But there was no mistaking… it was the same woman with the same piercing blue eyes and looking directly into my soul.

“Of course,” Gavin said, nodding at the old woman. “It’s good to see you again, Esme.”

The woman, Esme, looked at him briefly, but didn’t say a word as her eyes drifted back home. I looked around, wondering if anyone had noticed this, but to my surprise, it was as if she were hardly there.

“She still hasn’t spoken a word,” Zachary said, almost thoughtfully, as he stared at the glass of red wine that sat in front of him. “Not since the day Lila was born.”

“Have you seen a healer? Perhaps something is wrong with her vocal chords.”

“We’ve seen many,” Zachary answered. “No One knows what is wrong or what to do to fix it. There’s nothing medically wrong; they all say she’s as healthy as a horse. She’s just mute.”

A mute?

I glanced at the woman in shock; if she was mute, then how did she speak to me in my dreams? Maybe that was the only way she could communicate… but if that were the case, then why did she choose to communicate with me? Who was this woman to me?

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Gavin replied. “My father had said wonderful things about Madam Esme.”

At the mention of Gavin’s father, Zachary’s eyes noticeably darkened until thye were practically black. A coldness fell upon the room, and I shivered. Gavin’s hold on my hand tightened as if he could feel it as well.

“Your father… right,” Zachary murmured.

“I suppose that’s the reason why we are here, am I right?” Gavin asked. The tension was so thick, it could be cut with a knife.

“Can't we enjoy our meal first before we speak of business?” Selene asked, raising her eyes at her husband, who met her gaze with a hard one of his own.

“Is there business to speak of?” Gavin asked. “I assumed you invited me here to ask some questions regarding the gem.”

Zachary tensed at his words. He cleared his throat before his eyes met Gavin’s.

“This was more for business than anything. But yes, I do have questions as well. However, as my wife said, it should wait until after we enjoy our meal.”

As if on cue, servants ghosted in with dishes I didn’t recognize: dark breads fragrant with anise, meat seared almost blue, a wine that looked like garments dissolving. I reached for water and kept my hands still to hide the tremor.

Fruits, vegetables, and many other dishes were also served, and my mouth started to water at the sight of them all. I realized I hadn’t eaten since this morning, and both my baby and I were starving.

“Please, enjoy the meal,” Zachary said as he put food onto his own plate. “The cooks worked hard to prepare these dishes for this evening.”

Instead of putting food on his own plate, Gavn started to put food on mine. The gesture warmed my heart. The way he looked at me made my heart skip a beat, and I couldn’t help but smile at my mate.

“How long have you two been together?” Selene asked as she sipped her wine.

“We’ve known one another for a couple of years,” Gavin replied. “But we recently mated a few months ago.”

I nodded in agreement as I took a bite of the juicy and delicious meat on my plate. I practically moaned as the flavors hit my taste buds.

“It hasn’t hit the news yet,” Selene said. “You must be keeping it a secret.”

“We haven’t had a proper ceremony or announcement yet,” Gavin explained. “But it’ll happen soon.”

“Will there be a wedding as well?”

“Yes,” Gavin answered, giving me a small smile.

He started to put food onto his own plate.

“It’s wonderful to see blooming love. Isn’t it, darling?” Selene asked her husband, a twinkle of something I couldn’t figure out in her eyes.

He hummed in agreement as he took a bite of his food.

“Love that can overcome all,” Lila remarked, smiling as our eyes met. “Such a rarity these days.”

My eyes shifted to her chest, where I noticed something gleaming; my heart dropped. It was the moon gem… the one stolen from Gavin’s mother. I wondered if Gavin had noticed it as well. I glanced at Gavin, who hadn’t even bothered looking at Lila, as if the thought of looking at her made him sick.

I opened my mouth to say something to him… though I wasn’t sure what I could say in front of everyone. Maybe something to get his attention. But before I could, the doors opened, drawing my attention to the entryway.

“Sorry for the interruption,” a deep and dark voice said. “Is it too late for me to join for dinner?”

My heart nearly stopped in my chest.

Noah Blackwell.