Chapter 85

**Chapter 0085**

“He met your cousin,” Max said quietly.

Walter raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Irene was pretty, but she couldn’t compare to Judy. It felt odd that Ethan’s wolf would…

Walter couldn’t believe that someone would choose to be with Irene when his true soulmate was right there the whole time.

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Walter said, shaking his head.

“I don’t really get it either,” Max agreed. “But he met Trene and…”

Max looked surprised. “The next thing anyone knew, he was proposing to her.”

“Couldn’t you find out why?” someone asked.

“There’s nothing written about it,” Max replied. “So, if there is a reason, he’s keeping it to himself.”

Walter frowned deeply and scowled. He didn’t need Max to explain Ethan’s motives; he already understood. It was clear. Irene was the daughter of Gavin Landry, the most powerful Lycan Chairman in the region.

Ethan dreamed of becoming an Alpha. To achieve this, he thought the best way was to connect with Gavin through his daughter.

But the idea of leaving his destined mate for such a plan made Walter feel nauseous. He couldn’t believe that Ethan would consider sacrificing something so important.

Judy was left wondering if Ethan had left her just to gain power. Did Irene realize she was just a pawn in her fiancé’s games?

Walter knew he couldn’t tell her the truth. It would only hurt her. So, he stayed silent.

Matt wasn’t going to let Ethan hurt Judy anymore. She needed someone to protect her, and he was determined to be that person.

“Irene, are you done with tutoring already?” Irene asked as Matt walked into the kitchen.

Sweat dripped down his forehead from the sparring lessons he had just completed.

Irene sat at the counter, enjoying some fruit. Next to her, Ethan was scrolling through his phone. They had spent most of the night arguing about the date and how he had been staring at her.

Judy had been watching David for most of the evening. He kept staring at her, and when she confronted him about it, he quickly made up an excuse. After some back-and-forth arguing, Irene finally decided to believe him. She thought about how much she loved him and wanted to trust him.

more than anything, she wanted to be with him. She would do anything, even if it meant hurting herself. She was too tired to argue any further, so they decided to drop the topic.

The next evening arrived, and they spent the whole day together.

Wedding planning was in full swing, and the big day was coming up fast. There was still so much to do.

“Yeah,” Matt said as he took a water bottle from the fridge. “Judy and Walter are going on another date tonight.”

Ethan’s attention was suddenly caught.

“Are they going on another date?” he asked, surprised.

Matt nodded. “Yes,” he replied. “He’s taking her to a night gallery.”

“She just left to get dressed,” Irene said.

“I’m glad he’s taking a liking to her,” Irene added, thinking it over. “They both could use some good people in their lives. Maybe we could do a double date sometime.”

“Does your father know that Walter is taking Judy out?” Ethan asked, ignoring Irene.

Matt shook his head. “He isn’t home yet,” he replied, opening a water bottle and taking a long sip. After he finished, he looked back at Ethan.

Ethan capped the water bottle and turned to look at his friend. “Walter said he’ll talk to him later about it. But who knows? Dad can be scary.”

“I’ll be right back,” Ethan said, standing up.

“I need to use the restroom,” Ethan said.

Irene nodded and began chatting with Matt about Judy and Walter. As soon as Ethan left the room, he headed straight to the parlor. He was trying to catch a whiff of Judy’s scent. Maybe he could find a clue about her.

He needed to stop her before she left so they could talk in private. Her scent was faint, which made him think she might not be at the villa anymore.

But she couldn’t have gone far; she had just been there a moment ago.

“Wait!” he called out, hoping she would turn back to him.

“Going somewhere?” a deep voice asked from the corner of the parlor.

Ethan froze and turned to see Walter leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest.

“Where I go isn’t your concern,” Ethan replied, trying to keep his cool.

Walter stepped away from the wall and approached Ethan. “I know who you’re looking for,” he said through clenched teeth. “Tell me, Ethan, does my cousin know you’re ditching her to find someone else?”

“Another woman?”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” Ethan said, his eyes burning with anger.

Walter scoffed. “Don’t I?” he replied. “Irene might not know where you’re going, but I do.”

“Does she know that Judy is your fated mate? And that she’s just a pawn in your little game?”