Chapter 93

Gavin’s POV

I thought I picked up Judy’s scent a moment ago. I hadn’t been able to speak with her since this morning due to being so busy today, but I told Irene to text her and let her know that the tutoring session was moved to a new location, then I decided to just cancel it for the day because the film crew needed the space for their meeting, and they wanted to examine the training grounds for the movie.

I thought Leroy would have taken her home right after school, so I was surprised when I picked up her scent. I was about to go check and see if she was here, but Chanse was talking my ear off the entire meeting, and it made it difficult to leave. Not to mention Skyla was clinging to my arm like she had a right to touch me. I kept shimmying my arm away from her grasp, hoping she would get the hint, but the more I resisted her, the more determined she got. My wolf didn’t particularly like her touch, and he was snarling in my head the entire time she sat beside me.

I had to block him out before he lost control and did something we would both regret. As soon as the meeting ended, several long hours later, I was the first to leave the room. I wanted to call Judy and see if she was at the villa. But just as I reached into my pocket to grab my phone, I heard my name from behind me.

“Alpha Gavin,” Chanse called after me before I got too far away.

I sighed, stifling a groan, as I turned to face the director.

“Yes?” I asked, trying to compose my annoyance.

“I was thinking, how about you take Skyla to dinner tonight? She could use a break and some time away from the rest of us,” he told me.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

“And why would I do that?” I asked him.

“Look, I’m worried about her. She’s lost a lot of weight and isn’t eating like she used to. I know she cares about her body because she’s a model and an icon… but I still want her to be healthy. I wouldn’t want that for my sister, Kylie, and I don’t want that for Skyla. She seems to like you, and I think it would do her some good to get out for a little while and take a break. I’m sure you can get her to eat a proper meal and take care of herself a little better.”

I ran my fingers through my hair, not caring that I was messing it up.

“I kind of have something I need to do—” I started to say.

“Please, Alpha. I know I’m asking a lot, but she’s fragile and I don’t want to see her hurt herself,” Chanse pleaded. “She looks up to you… she always has. I’m sure you can help her.”

I sighed; I couldn’t exactly say no to that, especially because I needed to live by example, being a Lycan Chairman and all.

“Okay, yeah, I’ll take her to dinner,” I murmured.

Chanse looked pleased and smiled at my answer.

“Excellent,” he said, clapping his hands together. “I’ll let her know. Thank you, Alpha.”

He bowed respectfully before retreating to the parlor to tell Skyla the news. I sighed and glanced at the time; it looked like I wasn’t going to be able to go to the mansion tonight.

I grabbed my phone and brought up Judy’s contact. After I pushed the “call” button, I pressed the phone to my cheek and waited for an answer that never came. I frowned and glanced at the screen, hanging up before it made me leave a message. I decided to text her instead.

Me: Hey, sorry, I won’t be able to come over tonight. But I’ll try and swing by tomorrow. Hope you had a good day.

I reread the message, not fully satisfied with it, but it’ll do. I pressed “send” and waited a few minutes for her to reply.

She only sent me a thumbs-up emoji. I furrowed my brows.

Was she upset with me about something?

“Oh, hi Daddy,” Irene said as she walked down the stairs. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I murmured, my eyes still fixed on my phone. I shook the thought of Judy being mad out of my head and looked up at my daughter who was still descending the stairs. “Did you see Judy earlier today?”

She frowned at my question and bit her lower lip.

“Yeah, she came here,” she said softly. “She wasn’t feeling good, so she left.”

My frown deepened; she was fine this morning. What happened so suddenly that she had to leave due to illness?

“I thought I told you to tell her the tutoring session was canceled?” I reminded her.

“Oh, sorry, Dad. I thought you said that session was only moved,” she murmured. “I told her the session had been moved. But when she got here, she said she wasn’t feeling well and then left. That’s all I know…”

Something wasn’t sitting right in the pit of my stomach, but Irene had no reason to lie to me, so I nodded.

“Okay,” I murmured. “Thanks. I’m having dinner with Skyla tonight, so I won’t be home till later.”

“Sure, Dad,” Irene said, her eyes lighting up. “Have fun!”

I walked past her and up the stairs so I could get dressed for my dinner. Within the hour, we were ready to go. Skyla changed into a dazzling red dress that hugged her thin body perfectly and amplified her breasts. I knew she was doing it on purpose, but it rubbed me the wrong way.

I texted Judy again before I left and told her that I hoped she felt better and to call if she needed anything. I didn’t mind stopping by with whatever she might need… it went unanswered though which made me worry even more.

I shouldn’t be worried about her like this… it wasn’t in my nature. Yet, I couldn’t seem to get her out of my head, even while I was at dinner with Skyla.

“Alpha Gavin, you seem distracted,” Skyla said, staring at me from across the table. She picked up her wine and took a sip. “Is everything okay?”

“Sorry,” I murmured as I took a sip of my own wine. “I just have a lot on my mind. I’m very busy lately.”

“I can understand that,” Skyla said, batting her lashes. “I’ve been super busy too. It’s nice to get out though and get away from it all. Thank you for taking me to this lovely restaurant. It’s perfect and just what I needed. I’m sure you needed to get out too, being a busy Lycan and all.”

I nodded.

“It is nice to not be doing any work right now,” I lied.

In truth, this was more work than my actual work. But I couldn’t say that to her, so I decided on a lie. She seemed to have bought it because she smiled and relaxed in her seat.

“I’m so glad to hear you say that,” she said softly, reaching over the table and touching my arm gently. “Because I’m hoping we can spend more time together.”

I pulled my arm away subtly and leaned back in my seat, taking another sip of wine.

“It’s not often that I have this free time,” I told her. “I’m not sure it would be possible.”

“I’m busy too,” she confessed. “But I’ll make time for you. I’m really enjoying myself and I think you are enjoying yourself too. We could have a little fun and get to know each other even better. Two busy souls, finding comfort in one another.”

Before I could reply, the waiter returned with our meals. We didn’t finish the conversation; we ate in silence. I hoped she had forgotten about the conversation, but as we left the restaurant, she reached over and grabbed a hold of my hand.

“I don’t want the evening to end,” she said in a hushed tone as she stepped closer to me, her breasts pressing against my arm. “How about we take a walk under the stars and talk about life? It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date and—”

I stepped away from her, forcing her arms to drop to her sides and off my body.

“This wasn’t a date, Skyla,” I told her, a little more harshly than I anticipated. “I’m sorry if you got the wrong idea but—”

“Of course not, but I was hoping that maybe this could have turned into one,” Skyla said quickly. “I’m not stupid, Gavin. I knew this wasn’t a date when we started, but I also know that there’s a connection between us.”

“This was merely a casual outing at best,” I told her, my frown deepening.

She opened her mouth to reply, but a flash of light stopped her. She turned to see a couple of men with cameras pointed at her.

“Skyla Sinclaire? Are you on a date with Gavin Landry?”

“Skyla who are you wearing? Your dress is lovely!”

“Skyla what’s your relationship with Alpha Landry? Are you a couple? Or are you just friends?”

Skyla was momentarily stunned, as was I. I thought she would have told them that this was nothing more than a casual outing as we had just discussed, so I was shocked when she stepped closer to me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

She smiled at the camera, winked, and then she kissed me!