Chapter 123

**Chapter 123**
**Judy’s POV**

I could feel my cheek swelling from the force of the hit, and blood was dripping from my lip. The moment he noticed the blood on my face, I saw the horror in his eyes.

He quickly let go of me and took a step back, raising his hands in a gesture of peace.

But as he held his hands up, I flinched. I could see the hurt flash in his eyes, and it made my heart ache.

“Judy… I’m-” he started to say.

“Wait,” I interrupted, my voice shaky.

“Don’t touch me,” I said through clenched teeth. My voice sounded strange to me.

“I’m… I’m so sorry…” he replied, covering his face with his hands. “I didn’t mean to hurt you…”

“Just leave…” I said, trying hard not to cry until he was gone.

He didn’t make me wait. Without saying another word, he turned and ran away from me. As soon as he was out of sight, I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer.

I let myself break down. Tears streamed down my cheeks, stinging the cut on my lip. I touched my swollen cheek with my fingers and winced in pain. Luckily, no one saw me like this, but I knew I couldn’t stay there much longer.

I rushed out from the back patio. I didn’t even think about going back inside. I wanted to say goodbye to Irene, but I knew that as soon as she saw my face, she would start asking me questions. I wasn’t ready for that.

I couldn’t answer those questions right now. My whole body was shaking as I walked around the front of the building.

Walter was my ride, and there was no way I was going to find him and ask him to take me home.

I reached into my purse and took out my phone. I was about to call for an Uber when I suddenly heard someone say my name. My entire body froze.

“Judy?”

I recognized that voice as if it were my own. I turned to see who was calling me.

I was really scared to face him right now. I couldn’t stop the tears from running down my cheeks. I kept my back turned to him, not wanting him to see me like this, feeling so weak.

I heard the car door open and then shut. Soon, I knew he would be right there.

I was surrounded by a familiar scent as I felt his hands on my shoulders.

Electricity surged through my body from his touch, and I hated that I was so drawn to him.

“What happened?” Gavin asked.

His dark tone was brewing. He knew I was upset without even looking at me. How did he know?

As only my sniffles filled the air, he turned me around. The concern in his eyes quickly changed to shock when he saw my face.

I looked at him, and he saw my face. His eyes moved over my swollen cheek and the cut on my lip. I could see the anger in his gaze.

“Who did this to you?” he asked, his voice tight with tension.

“It was…,” I started to reply, but the words got stuck in my throat.

“I don’t care,” I whispered, wiping the tears from my cheeks. “I just want to go home.”

“Was it my nephew?” he asked, ignoring my wish to leave.

**Chapter 1**

When I didn’t answer, he continued to speak.

He let out a low growl. He already knew the answer without me having to say anything. Gently, he took my chin and lifted my head so that my eyes were locked onto his.

“I will never let him hurt you again,” he said firmly.

He spoke slowly, making sure I understood every word. I looked into his eyes for what felt like a long time before I finally nodded.

Then, he leaned in and gently kissed me. My heart skipped a beat.

My wolf was alert, every part of her on edge. His kiss felt like everything I had ever wanted, yet it was so familiar. In that moment, I realized he was the same man I had kissed before, in my dreams. I thought to myself, if he still had his mask on…

He looked just like Walter. It was a strong family resemblance, and I felt silly for not realizing it sooner. My heart raced as his tongue brushed against my bottom lip, as if asking for permission to come closer.

I gave him permission by parting my lips. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close, kissing me as if his life depended on it. The pain in my cheek and lip slowly faded away, and I felt a rush of warmth.

I couldn’t tell if it was him healing me or if it was my wolf, but either way, I didn’t want him to stop. I wanted… no, I needed more of him.

**Gavin’s POV**

After kissing Judy on the dance floor, I felt a rush of emotions.

I walked up to the host of the Gala and handed her my donation check. After saying my goodbyes, I decided to leave. I didn’t want to stay any longer, especially after seeing Judy leave with Walter, holding hands.

My driver had already left, so I knew I had to make my way home on my own.

I wasn’t expecting to leave so soon, but I knew Taylor was close by and would arrive faster than my driver. So, I decided to call him and asked him to pick me up instead.

It didn’t take long for Taylor to get there.

Taylor knew better than to ask me any questions right now. Just as we were about to leave, I spotted Judy walking down the street. She was coming from the back patio, hugging her trembling body with her arms. It looked like something was bothering her.

She had been crying.

In that moment, I realized I wasn’t going anywhere without her.