Judy’s POV By the time I pulled into the parking space in front of the villa, the villa’s lights were a soft scatter of gold across the stone. It shouldn’t have been like warmth. It looked like a stage set waiting for its actors. I already figured that Gavin wasn’t going to be here, but my wolf still whimpered at the loss of him. She needed her mate right now; our world seemed to have turned upside down today. Finding out about my birth mother and her potential fate nearly destroyed me. I wondered what family she came from… what family I came from. Whoever they were, I wondered if they knew I still existed and if they wondered about me in the same way that I wondered about them. I told myself that I was fine. That the drive back had helped, that breathing with my hand on my belly had helped, that putting distance between me and everything that I found out had helped. But the moment I stepped into the manor, greeted by Adam, who gave me a small head nod, my mind went back to that kitchen table. There was one thing I knew for certain: I was part of a family that was so powerful it made my birth mother run and then hide me with the Montagues. She was so afraid that she willingly gave me away. The lump in my throat was tough to swallow, and my hands trembled no matter how many times I tried to calm them. “Is anyone home?” I asked Adam, who remained perched at the doorway as he always was. “Only Irene,” he replied. “Master Matthew is at school, and Alpha Landry is at his office. But he’ll be home within a couple of hours.” I nodded, hating how vulnerable I felt at that moment. I went into the kitchen, and the kitchen staff, who were in the middle of speaking in hushed whispers, stopped the moment I entered. They paused, glancing at me with forced smiles, and bowed their heads in my direction. “Good afternoon, future Luna,” one of them said, quickly bowing her head. “There’s a plate of food prepared in the fridge if you are hungry.” I wasn’t hungry, but I smiled politely. “Thank you,” I told her. “But I think I’m just going to make myself some tea.” “Allow us to make you tea,” another staff member said quickly as she rushed to grab a mug. “It’s okay,” I said a little too quickly. “I can do it myself. Honestly, it’s fine.” “Oh, but Madam, it's our job,” she insisted. I stepped towards her, putting my hand on the mug that she was now holding. I gave her a small smile, trying to look like I had my shit together and not at all like I was falling apart on the inside. “Truly, I’d like to do it myself,” I told her. After a moment, she nodded and stepped back. I boiled water, my hands craving the work, and stood at the counter while the kettle built itself towards a scream. I was wildly aware that I was being watched, but I tried not to pay them any attention. When the kettle finally whistled, I poured the hot water over a teabag because that’s what you do when your brain is loud… You make something simple happen, and you keep your hands busy. The mug warmed my palms; I breathed in steam. It didn’t help, but maybe that was because there were still eyes on me despite their best efforts to keep busy in the kitchen. Cleaning and preparing for a later meal. I took the tea into the back parlor and curled on the end of the couch where I’d learned the perfect angle to watch the fire without getting overheated. The lights were dim; the scene of Gavi on the floor over my knees pressed against the loneliness, and I couldn’t quite hold back. I told myself to let the day go; I told myself that I was safe and loved and I had everything I wanted in life… so why didn’t it seem like enough? Why did I feel so lost? I set the tea down on the coffee table and placed my hands over my belly, feeling the light fluttering of my baby. Warmth spread through my body; I was going to be a mom… I couldn’t imagine ever being so afraid of something that I would willingly give up my baby. “I would never walk away from you…” I whispered. “We are in this together. You’re my entire heart…” Tears burned my eyes, and I had to blink them away. The last thing I needed was for someone to walk in and see my blubbering like a baby. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see a text from Gavin; I couldn’t help the smile that tipped the corner of my lips. Gavin: Might be a little late tonight. I can pick up dinner on my way home if you want to dismiss the staff early. Me: Can we do pizza? The thought of having comfort food sounded perfect, and my stomach growled at the thought of it. I glanced at the time. It was nearing 2 pm; maybe I should have taken the staff up on a snack. I could go into the kitchen and grab some food, or maybe I could run to the packhouse and see Chester. I knew that’s where he was working this afternoon. Nan was busy with her restaurant, and I didn’t want to bother her, plus she would probably end up at the packhouse later anyway because she helped there as well. Now that she was fully staffed, she was able to take some time off and spend time at the packhouse to help out with certain meals and events. I could use a friend right now, and I need someone else to talk to. My phone buzzed again, and I already knew it was Gavin before I saw his name flash across the screen. Gavin: Pizza sounds great. Just let me know what everyone wants, and I’ll grab it on my way home. Before I could reply, he sent another text. Gavin: Did you speak with your parents? Me: Yes, we can talk when you get home. Gavin: Good news or bad news? I let out a breath. Me: Heavy news. Gavin: Are you okay? Me: Again, we will talk when you get home. It’s a lot to say over text message, and I’m still processing it myself. Gavin: Okay. I love you. I couldn’t help but smile at his words; no matter how many times he tells me he loves me, my heart will also flutter in my chest. Me: I love you too. I shoved my phone back into my pocket, downed the rest of my tea, and stood to my feet. I needed to get out of here and go to the packhouse. I was going to go crazy if I remained in this villa any longer. But just as I started to leave the parlor, I heard a voice in the hallway, heading towards the stairs. The footsteps were hurried, and the voices carried in frantic, almost hysterical waves. “Why can’t you just listen to me for like 5 minutes!” “Because what you are saying is fucking crazy! Just leave me alone, Erik.” “What you felt for him wasn’t real. Can’t you understand that? He was never your mate in the first place. I’m your mate!” “Then why don’t I feel it? Why doesn’t my wolf recognize you as her mate??” “Because you are too heartbroken over that loser to see what’s right in front of you. But if you just give me a few minutes to explain, you’ll see that I’m right.” I tried to get closer, trying to figure out who he was talking to. Her voice was so familiar, but I couldn’t figure out where I had heard it before. It didn’t help that she was crying and her words were rushed out. “I’ve been over this over and over again… my heart cannot take any more of this. Why can’t you people just leave me the hell alone!” “I’m not the same as them, Irene!” Erik all but shouted, and at the sound of Irene’s name, I stumbled out of the parlor and into the hallway, drawing both their attention to me. Erik stared at me with wide eyes, and Irene just looked pained, not at me, but at the situation. She looked like a caged animal; her arms wrapped around her legs, and her bottom lip trembling as she tried desperately not to sob. But I could see the pain in her eyes and the desperation to escape. “Go upstairs,” I tell her. “We still need to talk—” Erik tried to interject, but I held up my hand, proud that my hand didn’t shake with pent-up nerves. “Upstairs, Irene,” I tell her. Her shoulders visibly relaxed, and she gave me a nod before she retreated up the stairs. Erik looked like he wanted to chase after her, but I stepped in front of him, folding my arms across my chest. “You don’t understand,” he said through his teeth. “You’re right; I don’t,” I said, raising my brows. “I’m heading to the packhouse, you’re going to drive me, and on our way, you’re going to explain to me what the fuck is happening.”