Chapter 50

**Chapter 50**
**Judy’s POV**

All three of them were looking at me. Irene and Matt had smiles on their faces, while Gavin wore a frown.

I stood in front of them, my eyes wide and my heart racing.

My heart was pounding hard in my chest. I didn’t know what to say to excuse myself from this situation. There was no way I could have dinner with Gavin and his family.

“I really should go,” I finally said, trying to find the right words to get out of it.

Matt was sputtering, pointing over my shoulder at the door. He let out a strange, nervous laugh that felt a bit desperate.

“Please, Judy,” he said, grabbing my arm tightly. “I really want you to stay.”

“It would be nice to have…”

“I agree,” Irene said, her eyes shining with a glimmer of hope.

She was really eager to make friends, and she was determined to find them however she could. I looked up at Gavin, hoping he would understand her need for connection.

“Can you please say something to help me out here?” he asked. But he just sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He looked at Irene and then at Matt before turning to the maid who had just walked in at his command.

“Set an extra plate,” he instructed.

“for Miss Montague,” he ordered.

My heart sank deep into my stomach.

“Yes, Alpha,” the maid replied, bowing her head in respect. She hurried off toward the kitchen.

Gavin then turned to look at me, his expression serious.

I looked at him, my eyes wide in disbelief. His face was blank, and I couldn’t believe he had just done that. It was obvious from his expression that he didn’t want me to stay. So, why was he making me?

I wanted to ask him why he was acting this way, but the words caught in my throat.

I didn’t want to make a scene in front of Matt. He was so excited, jumping up and down because I was joining him and the others for dinner. I didn’t want to spoil his happiness. I could tell that Gavin was likely thinking the same thing.

Matt’s happiness and excitement were rare. I would feel terrible if I was the reason his smile disappeared.

“This is so exciting!” Irene said, clapping her hands.

“Come on, Matt. Let’s get ready for dinner,” Irene said.

Matt nodded and walked with Irene toward the kitchen, leaving me alone with Gavin. I quickly turned and glared up at him. My lips were pressed tightly together, and my eyes were filled with frustration.

He looked troubled. He pretended not to see me, glancing everywhere but in my direction. This only made me angrier.

“What was that?” I asked him, placing my hands on my hips and continuing to glare at him.

“What was that?” he asked, pretending to be clueless.

I rolled my eyes at his act.

“Why would you ask the maid to set an extra plate for me?” I said, feeling frustrated.

He finally looked at me, and I could see the coldness in his eyes.

“Because you are joining us for dinner,” he said in a low, threatening tone. I was startled by his sudden change in attitude, and I took a hesitant step back.

“I haven’t seen a smile on Matt’s face in a long time, but for some reason, he likes you. So, for his sake, you’re going to stay for dinner, and you aren’t going to complain.”

I opened my mouth…

to protest, but then he quickly closed it. He was right; I couldn’t be the reason Matt was unhappy. So, I nodded curtly and turned away from him, walking towards the kitchen.

But then, he grabbed my arm to stop me.

“Stop me before I go too far,” I said. His touch was gentle but firm, making me feel safe. A warm sensation spread through my body from his contact, and I felt goosebumps rise on my skin.

—

**Chapter 25: Bonus**

**00:50**

My heart raced as I felt his arms around me.

My heart skipped a beat when I turned to face him. I caught my breath, realizing how close he was standing to me. His scent surrounded me like a tornado, and I felt captivated by his presence.

For a moment, it seemed like he had forgotten what he wanted to say to me. He looked at me, his lips slightly parted, and his dark eyes filled with intensity. Then, his gaze dropped to my lips, and I thought he might lean in to kiss me.

I wanted him to kiss me. Did I really want that? I bit my lip, already deciding that I did. I wanted to kiss Gavin Landry.

But just then, it was like he snapped back to reality. He let go of my arm and straightened up.

I blinked a few times, snapping out of the trance I was in. I looked up at him, feeling my cheeks get warm.

“It’s just dinner, Judy,” he said gently. “Don’t think this changes anything.”

He walked past me and headed straight for the kitchen, not even looking back. I reached up to touch my cheek, which felt burning hot. I cleared my throat, trying to focus on what was happening around me instead of getting lost in my thoughts.

I took a deep breath and followed him into the kitchen.

Irene and Matt were already sitting at the table. In front of their seats, there were two more plates. One was at the head of the table, and the other was nearby.

I felt a tight knot in my stomach when I realized where I was supposed to sit… right next to Gavin.

It seemed like Gavin noticed it too. As he walked toward the table, he let out a small sigh. The whole atmosphere felt tense.

The dining room smelled amazing, filled with the scent of delicious food. My mouth started to water as I realized I hadn’t eaten all day. I had been busy visiting my father in prison and then rushing here to tutor Matt. Between those two events, time had just slipped away from me.

Once upon a time, in a small town, there lived a girl named Lily. She loved exploring the woods behind her house. One sunny afternoon, she decided to venture deeper than ever before.

As she walked, the trees grew taller and the sounds of nature surrounded her. Birds chirped happily, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves. Suddenly, she spotted a strange glow coming from behind some bushes. Curious, Lily approached it.

To her surprise, she discovered a hidden clearing filled with colorful flowers and a sparkling stream. In the center of the clearing stood a beautiful, shimmering portal. Lily felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped closer. What adventures awaited her on the other side? With her heart racing, she reached for the portal, ready to discover new worlds and meet new friends.

And so, Lily’s journey began, filled with wonder and mystery, as she prepared to step into the unknown.