Chapter 16

**Chapter 0016**
**Judy’s POV**

I was shocked to see Ethan standing in front of me, next to Irene. In that moment, my wolf instinctively retreated deep into my mind, hiding away from even me.

“Ethan,” I started to say.

“Irene,” she said again, gently touching his arm. He was too busy glaring at me with dark eyes to notice that his fiancé was trying to get his attention. But as soon as she touched his arm, he blinked a few times, as if something had suddenly clicked in his mind.

He finally looked at her and noticed the worry on her face.

“Do you know this woman?” she asked again.

“Uh, no,” he replied, shaking his head and clearing his throat.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m not sure what just happened. I’ve never met her before.”

His words hit me hard, like a slap in the face. After two years together, this is how it felt – like we were strangers.

Irene still looked confused. I could see it on her face.

I was shocked and hurt, unable to say anything. My eyes were locked on Ethan as he comforted his fiancé. Seeing them together felt like my heart was bleeding.

“Ethan was probably just surprised that I brought a woman,” I thought.

“Back to my home,” Gavin said, stepping in to help.

I snapped back to reality and finally looked away from Ethan to focus on Gavin. He remained calm, his eyes fixed on Ethan as he spoke.

Irene looked at me, her eyes suddenly filled with understanding. She turned her full attention to me, and I noticed her blue eyes sparkled with curiosity and an unexpected kindness.

“My father never brings his girlfriends home,” she said, her voice soft but clear. “So I wasn’t sure what to expect.”

Ethan looked confused. Irene noticed and wanted to help. “I’m sorry for the strange introduction,” she said, trying to ease the tension. “I’m Irene Landry, and this is my fiancé, Ethan Cash.”

Irene forced a smile, not wanting to give the wrong impression. She understood that this was a new situation for both of them. It wasn’t Irene’s intention to make things awkward; she just wanted to introduce herself and Ethan properly.

Ethan was a cheater, but she seemed like a sweet girl. I figured the least I could do was make an effort, especially since I would be around for a while to tutor Matt.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said.

“I’m Judy Montague,” I said carefully.

“Montague?” she asked, frowning. “That last name sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before?”

“My father is Reggie Montague,” I replied.

“I answered, ‘The Delta of the Redmoon pack.’”

“Oh, right!” she exclaimed, but then her face turned pale. “I’ve heard what happened with his company. I’m so sorry.”

“I understand,” she said.

I nodded. I really didn’t want to talk about my family’s problems, especially the issues related to the woman my best friend left me for.

She sensed that my silence meant I wasn’t comfortable discussing this topic. So, she changed the subject.

Irene cleared her throat and looked up at her father.

“Dad, where did you meet this amazing young woman? I didn’t know you were in a new relationship,” she said, placing her hands on her hips. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m not in a relationship with Miss Montague,” Gavin said sharply. “She’s Matt’s new tutor.”

Irene’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Another tutor?” Irene asked, curious. “How many is that now?”

“40?” Gavin murmured. “But I believe this one will be different. Your brother seems to like Judy. I’m hoping she’ll stick around for a while.”

“A tutor, huh?”

Ethan looked into my eyes and said, “Isn’t that something?”

There was something in his gaze that made me feel uneasy. He seemed almost hopeful and excited when he found out that I wasn’t here as Gavin’s girlfriend, but just as Matt’s tutor.

Gavin then cleared his throat.

Gavin glared at Ethan, his dark eyes full of intensity.

“You should think about setting a wedding date,” he said firmly. “You need to make sure that neither of you has any other commitments and that you’re both truly devoted to each other.” He kept his gaze locked on Ethan as he spoke.

Ethan turned pale when he heard Gavin’s words. I realized they had a double meaning. Gavin knew about my past with Ethan and that I was his destined mate. His words felt like a warning. The way Ethan looked at him showed he understood too.

Irene smiled and wrapped her arm around Ethan’s.

“Oh, we are definitely devoted to each other,” she said with a big smile. “Ethan is the best guy I’ve ever been with. Did I even show you…”

“What did he buy me?” she asked.

She carefully untangled herself from Ethan’s arms and reached into the collar of her dress. She pulled out a beautiful golden necklace with a purple pendant, surrounded by small diamonds. It was the exact same necklace she had seen in the store.

Last year, I saw something amazing in the window of a high-end jewelry store. It was incredibly expensive, and I really wanted it. I asked Ethan several times if he could buy it for me, but he always brushed me off and ended up getting me something else instead.

Once upon a time, there was a group of friends who loved to go on adventures together. Their names were Alex, Mia, and Sam. They often explored the nearby woods, seeking out hidden treasures and secret paths.

One sunny day, Alex suggested they visit the old oak tree at the edge of the forest. The tree was known for its unique carvings and mysterious stories. Excited, Mia and Sam agreed, and off they went.

As they walked, they chatted about all the fun things they might find. When they reached the tree, they were amazed by the intricate designs carved into the bark. They spent hours examining each carving, imagining the tales behind them.

Suddenly, Sam spotted something shiny on the ground. It was an old compass! They couldn’t believe their luck. The compass seemed to point in a direction they hadn’t explored before. With hearts full of curiosity, they decided to follow it.

As they ventured deeper into the woods, they discovered a hidden path lined with colorful flowers. The path led them to a sparkling stream, where they found a perfect spot to sit and share stories.

The day turned into an unforgettable adventure that brought them closer together. They realized that sometimes, the best treasures are the memories they create along the way.