bJudy’s /bPOV

“Gavin Landry,b” /bZachary said as he stood, drawing my attention from the old woman band /bbto /bbthe /bmysterious man in front of us… the urban legend himself. b“/bIt’s been a long btime/b.b” /b

b“/bIt has,” Gavin replied, nodding his head slowly. “I was surprised when I received bthe /bbinvitation /bbto /bbjoin /byou and your family for dinner. I hope you don’t mind, I extended the invitation to my bmate/bb./bb” /b

“Of course not. The more the merrier,” Zachary replied, his eyes finding mine and holding them bfor /bba /bbbit /btoo long, giving me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. “I wasn’t aware byou /bbtook /bba /bbmate/bb./bb” /b

“It’s fairly new,” Gavin exined, draping an arm around my waist to keep me by his side. I wasn’t bgoing /btoin 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. b“/bI suppose congrattions are in order.”

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

Zachary’s eyes,flickered to Gavin.

“You aren’tte 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 bif you /bmet 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 bsay/bb./bb” /b

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 ce. Gavin’s hand squeezed mine reassuringly, and at that bmoment/bb, /bbI /bknew he was tuned into my feelings. I felt my wolf rxing from his attention. fnb296 Latest content published on find(?)ovel/fnb296

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

b1/3 /b

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

“Charmed,” L 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 nced 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 hisp.

Zachary, looking satisfied, rxed 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 ckwell. I only knew their names and their ranking in the family. Though L ckwell 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 nced 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?b” /b

He motioned for the old woman who sat beside L. 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. 1