Chapter 403

**Chapter 403**

**Judy’s POV**

“Well, isn’t this cozy?” Harper said loudly enough for everyone in the restaurant to hear. I quickly turned to see what she was looking at, and so did everyone else. My eyes widened in surprise as I took in the scene.

Nan sat at the table, looking tense, while Chester was seated right in front of her.

My heart raced in my chest.

I knew that Nan and Chester were going on a date tonight. I was part of the reason Nan said yes to going out with him.

I didn’t expect to see them at this restaurant. I certainly didn’t think Harper would show up and spoil everything for them.

“Harper, what are you doing here?” Chester asked. His voice was low and tense, full of warning.

I had never heard Chester so angry before. He was usually a happy and carefree guy, but this time he sounded really furious.

“What am I doing here? What the heck are you doing here? I barely…”

“After not seeing you for the last two weeks, I find out you’re on a date with another woman?” Harper growled, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

I raised my eyebrows at her words. She knew that Chester had found his mate, and that was a big deal.

Chester made it clear to Harper that they were not in a relationship. He had told her this before, so I wasn’t sure why she seemed confused. I could see the shock on Nan’s face as she listened to them talk.

I sat across the restaurant, my heart breaking for her.

“I ended things with you weeks ago,” Chester said, reminding her of their recent breakup. “Who I date now isn’t your concern. It never has been… you were the one who made the choice.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with finality.

was just a casual fling. His words were sharp and aimed at hurting Nan, hoping to make him feel better about his own choices.

I could see through his act. It was clear he wanted to downplay how much he cared for Harper, but it didn’t work. Nan felt the sting of his words, and I could feel the tension in the air.

It was just supposed to be a casual thing, nothing more than sex. But for Nan, it felt completely different. I could see her face turn red, and she was struggling to hold back tears. It was clear that she wanted to cry, even though she was trying her best to keep it together. Chester didn’t notice what was happening.

Chester was too busy arguing with Harper to notice what was happening around him.

“We’ve broken up before, and we always get back together,” Harper said. “Chester, I love you. I choose you as my mate. When are you finally going to open your eyes and see that?”

Harper’s words hung in the air, filled with hope and frustration. She wanted Chester to understand how much he meant to her.

“Choose me too?” Harper asked, her voice filled with desperation.

I couldn’t take my eyes off Nan. Her face was turning red, and she flinched at Harper’s words. People around us gasped in surprise.

“I will never choose you as my mate,” Nan declared firmly.

Chester growled, his frustration clear as he spoke to Harper. “When will you get that through your head?” He was visibly angry and desperate to get her away from whatever trouble they were facing.

Harper, feeling overwhelmed, replied, “It isn’t fair!” Her voice was filled with emotion as she tried to express her feelings.

“Why her?” I asked, feeling a mix of confusion and hurt. “I know she’s your mate, but I have been by your side for years. I stood by you when your mother passed away. I was there when you graduated from culinary school. I even helped you land the job at the Landry.”

I stood by your side while you brought home every woman you wanted. You were with them, but I hardly blinked an eye. I knew that at the end of the day, you always came back to me. Even after you found your partner, I still felt that connection between us.

“Even after you went on a date with another woman, you still slept with me that night,” she said.

Nan flinched with every word, but Chester was too caught up in his argument to see the pain she was feeling. She was desperate to make him understand how much he was hurting her.

“Is that Nan?” my mother asked, finally noticing the girl sitting with Chester at the table.

“Yeah,” I whispered. “She found her mate.”

“Oh, that poor girl,” my mother said, her voice filled with concern.

My mother whispered, “Finding her mate and then having this happen.”

I nodded in agreement as I focused back on the scene that Harper was creating.

“I’m the one who has always been there for you, Chester. You told me…”

“I was the only one who truly understood you,” Harper said through her tears. Nan tried hard not to cry, but I could feel her heart breaking. It hurt me to see her like this.

“You told me that you could see yourself…” Nan began, her voice trembling as she struggled to hold back her emotions.

“Long-term,” I said.

“I was drunk when I said that,” I quickly added.

“It doesn’t matter!” Harper shot back. “Drunk words are sober thoughts spoken out loud. You meant what you said, Chester. I could see it in your eyes. You love me.”

“Don’t!” Chester snapped, his wolf instincts ready to take over. “You have no idea what you’re talking about!”

“The hell I don’t!” Harper shouted back. “I know you better than anyone, especially better than this hussy!”

# Chapter 404

**+25 BONUS**

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Chapter 404

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This is Chapter 404.