Chapter 140

**Chapter 0140**

**Gavin’s POV**

I felt a rage like never before when I saw Ethan’s family tormenting Judy. It was overwhelming, and I was shocked at how I managed to keep my cool in that moment. Staying calm was a challenge, but I knew I had to think clearly. I couldn’t let my anger take over.

As I watched them, I couldn’t believe how cruel they were being. Judy didn’t deserve this. I wanted to step in and defend her, but I hesitated. I needed to find the right moment to act.

Every insult they hurled at her felt like a dagger in my heart. I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to confront them right there. It was hard to watch, but I told myself to stay strong for Judy. She needed someone to stand by her side, and I was determined to be that person.

I took a deep breath and prepared myself for what I would do next.

I didn’t really want to go to the barbeque, but Judy begged me to let it go for now. I wasn’t going to leave without her. I watched her chatting with a few girls her age, and she seemed to be having a good time.

Her cheeks turned bright pink, and I could tell she felt uncomfortable. I focused on their conversation, using my Lycan hearing to tune in, completely ignoring what Raymond Cash was saying next to me.

“It must be really embarrassing for you to watch your fated…”

“Mate with another she-wolf,” one of the girls said.

“I’m surprised you even showed up,” the other girl replied.

I let out a small growl, which seemed to surprise the group at the table I was sitting at. It caught their attention.

I snapped back to reality and noticed people staring at me. I cleared my throat and managed a smile.

“I’m sorry,” I said as I stood up. “If you’ll excuse me for a minute.”

I wasn’t sure what to do, but I couldn’t just sit there and watch Judy feel embarrassed by the hurtful things those bullies were saying. I walked towards them as they kept talking, and without thinking, I stepped in.

I put my arm around Judy’s shoulders.

“Ladies,” I said, making their jaws drop, “if you don’t mind, I’m going to steal Miss Montague.”

“A… Alpha Gavin Landry?” one of them asked, surprised.

Judy stammered, her eyes wide as she looked up at me. “I… It’s an honor…”

I stared at her without saying anything, feeling indifferent.

The other girl glanced between Judy and me, her expression curious.

“I didn’t know you and Judy were friends,” she said, raising her eyebrows.

Judy opened her mouth to speak, but I interrupted her.

“My relationship with Miss Montague is not your business,” I said firmly. “If…”

“I hope you’ll excuse us,” I said.

I didn’t wait for Judy to argue. I grabbed her hand and pulled her with me back to the table where I had been sitting. She stared at me, her cheeks turning bright red.

“I could have handled that,” she said, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

“I’m sorry,” she said, looking at the ground as we walked.

“You shouldn’t have to,” I replied softly.

We sat down at the table, and I slid a plate of food towards her. She started to nibble on the food without saying a word.

“Is everything okay?” Raymond asked, glancing between Judy and me.

I nodded.

“As a Lycan, I have to notice everything happening around me,” I explained. “I could…”

I heard the girls being disrespectful, so I decided to step in and offer my help.

“I’m sorry, Alpha,” I said. “This isn’t the impression I wanted you to have during your first visit to my home.”

“I assure you, it’s not always like this.”

I nodded as I took a sip of my wine.

“If my daughter is going to marry into this family, I need to build some trust between us. If I can’t trust…”

“How can I trust you with my daughter?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

“You can trust us,” he said confidently. “I will prove that to you, Alpha.”

“I’d like to see you try,” I murmured.

“We won’t let you down,” Raymond said confidently.

I nodded in agreement.

We kept talking for the next hour, and soon, people began to leave the party.

“I’m…

“Going to take off,” Judy’s mother said to her. “Are you coming home with me?”

Judy looked at me for a moment before turning to her mother.

“I have to work tonight,” Judy replied. “I’ll just catch an Uber.”

Judy looked at her mother, who nodded and then wrapped her arms around her in a warm hug.

“Think about what we talked about earlier,” her mother whispered. “We will talk more about it later.”

Judy felt curious about the conversation they had. What were they discussing?

I knew it wasn’t my place to interfere.

Judy looked a bit uneasy, but she nodded and watched as her mother walked away. I couldn’t help but notice Judy staring after her, looking a little lost in thought. I realized this was my chance to step in.

had reached her limit for the day.

“I should be going too,” I said as I stood up. I glanced over at Judy. “Let me give you a ride.”

She seemed relieved by the offer.

Judy was about to protest, but then she changed her mind and gave me a quick nod instead.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“Aren’t you going home with your mother?” Meredith asked, raising her eyebrows.

Judy shook her head.

“I have to go to work,” she explained.

“Oh, I didn’t know you were working,” Meredith said with a frown. “What do you do?”

“I’m a tutor,” she replied.

“I tutor a child in Alpha Landry’s pack. That’s why he’s going to give me a ride,” Judy said quickly.

Meredith glanced at me for a moment, then looked back at Judy and nodded. She didn’t seem completely convinced, but she went along with it.

It wasn’t our job to convince her of anything.

**Chapter 140**

“Let’s go,” I said to Judy as I started to walk away.

“Thank you for coming, Alpha. It was a pleasure to meet you,” Meredith said.

She hurried over to me and said, “I wish I could say the same.”

I murmured back, “I wish I could say the same,” which surprised her.

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