Gavin’s POV It felt like somebody slid a blade through my ribs the moment Judy told me she was going back to the Blackwell manor. My wolf was immediately growling in my mind’s eye… his protective instinct activated. “There’s no way I’m letting my mate go back to that manor, Judy,” I said, the finality in my tone leaving no room for arguments, though I should have known she would have tried anyways. “I have to find answers, Gavin,” she told me, her eyes pleading with me to understand. “If I don’t… I might never find out the truth about my family.” “What makes you think that they have answers to your questions? Why do you think they know anything about your family?” “Because Selene came to me today and told me about a dream she had,” Judy blurted, her eyes fixed on mine. My blood went cold. “Selene Blackwell was here? At my packhouse? On my property??” She all but rolled her eyes. “Does that seriously surprise you? She’s a Blackwell; they play by their own rules. You, out of everyone, should know that,” she tells me, and I knew she was right. They had been quiet for a long time, but I knew they truly did not play by the same rules as everyone else. “Why was she here?” I asked, my eyes narrowed. “She told me she had a dream about me and she needed me to know about it,” she explained. “It was something about me wearing the Moon Gem and how someone… a shadow… tried to take it, but it burned them. I need to find out more… because I have a feeling her dream is somehow connected to mine.” I let that process for a moment. “What more can you find out that she hadn’t already told you? Why must you go to their manor tomorrow?” She nibbled on her lower lip, and she looked away from me. I was instantly on high alert from her sudden distance. I stepped in front of her again, catching her eyes. “Judy, tell me what’s going on. I can feel that there’s more to this story. Something else is wrong.” She let out a breath before her eyes met mine. “There is something wrong,” she told me softly. “I want to take Luna lessons…” I blinked, confused by her statement. “What?” “Some of the she-wolves around the pack have been talking about how I won’t make a good luna, and I told Irene about it. That’s why we are here… Irene was teaching me some lessons.” I stared at her, dumbfounded, and for the first time since arriving at the packhouse, I finally noticed what she was wearing. She looked like a proper businesswoman, and my eyes grew wide. “Who has been talking about you?” I asked, my mind racing. “Please don’t make me say…” she all but pleaded. “I don’t want or need anyone to get in trouble over this. It’s just something I need to deal with. I’m going ot be their Luna and they are worried about my capabilities…” “Then I’ll put a stop to their worries,” I said through my teeth. “Tell me who they are.” “Please, Gavin…” she said, her hand reaching out to touch my arm. “I don’t want there to be any problems. Let me deal with this myself. Besides, they are right. I’m not qualified to be a Luna. I never thought I’d be one, so I was never trained for it. Ethan, my former mate, was a Beta, and I knew he wanted to be an Alpha one day, but I never really thought he’d ever be one. I was trained as a gamma, and that’s what I always set my mind on. This whole Luna thing is new to me, and everyone around here can see that. There’s no harm in learning a thing or two.” “You don’t need to wear pearls to be a good Luna, Judy,” I told her, staring at her jewelry and then down at her business-like attire. “You are perfect the way you are, and if they can’t see that—” “I love that you think so,” she said quickly, cutting off my words. “But if you are the Alpha of the largest pack and the strongest Lycan in the world. I need to step up my game… for you and for this pack. I want to be the best. Again, there’s no harm in some lessons. Not to mention it’s a good distraction for Irene. We both could use the distraction.” I let out a breath as I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Okay…” I finally relented. “If you feel like you need to take these lessons, then I won’t stop you.” She gave me a relieved smile, her shoulders dropping slightly. “And tomorrow, I’m going to the Blackwell manor. I need to find out more information. Plus, Selene told me she can help me with my Luna lessons.” I frowned, not liking the idea of her going to the Blackwell manor, but I knew from the look in her eyes that there was no stopping her. She was my stubborn little mate, and once she had her mind set on something, there was no changing it. That was part of what I loved so much about her. “You don’t step foot on Blackwell property without me,” I told her with finality. “Then come with me,” she said without hesitation. “I’d feel better if you were there anyway.” “Okay,” I said with a nod. “We’ll leave tomorrow for the manor, but the second I sense something is wrong…we leave.” Her smile grew wide, and she leaned over to kiss me deeply. I let her kiss linger, enjoying the taste of her a bit longer before pulling back. By the way,” she said, nibbling on her lower lip. “I might have told Irene that I had an appointment with Eliza tomorrow because I didn’t want to tell her that I’m going ot see Selene. So, we’ll have to make an appointment so I don’t look like a liar.” The seriousness on her face was enough to make me laugh out loud. ….. The drive to the Blackwell estate felt longer than it was. The roads wound through the dense trees, mist curling low along the asphalt. Judys sat beside me, staring out he window, chewing on her lip like she was working through a hundred thoughts she wasn’t ready to share. It was mid-morning, the day after she told me about going to the manor. A part of me hoped she would have changed her mind by now, but I knew it was wishful thinking. “You don’t have to do this today,” I found myself saying, hoping to convince her not to. “Yes, I do,” she said with a soft tone. “If I wait, I’ll talk myself out of it.” I understood that kind of ear; the kind that grew teeth when ignored. But still, I hated this place. It gave me an eerie feeling that even I couldn’t ignore. I parked the car and we both got out at the same time, my eyes scanning the perimeter. The manor hadn’t changed much since the last time I saw it—massive stone pillars, sprawling gardens that looked more like stage scenery than nature. The place screamed wealth, but underneath it, I could still smell the same rot of arrogance. The door opened automatically as we neared; the butler stood tall and bowed his head in our direction. “Alpha Landry, Luna Landry.” Judy flushed at the title, but she didn’t correct him. There was nothing to correct after all; she was going to be my Luna. Just as we stepped into the manor, Selene Blackwell came into view. “Judy, it’s so good to see you. I’m glad you could make it,” she said, kissing each of Judy’s cheeks lightly before pulling back. “I hope you are prepared for your lessons today. We have much to cover in such a short time.” Judy nodded and held up a small bag she carried; it contained a dress and some heels. She didn’t want to wear them for the drive because they were comfortable. I told her she didn’t need to dress a certain way if it wasn’t comfortable, but she still insisted. “I’m excited to learn from you,” Judy said politely. “I hope you don’t mind that I brought Gavin with me.” Selene chuckled. “Not at all,” she said, turning to look at me with a polite head nod. “I assumed you’d be coming anyway. Male wolves are very protective of their mates.” I nodded. “I’m glad you understand.” Her smile widened before she turned to Judy. “Let’s head into the back parlor, and we can discuss today's lessons in detail,” she suggested, looping her arm around Judy's. They started to walk, and I followed after them, but I stopped when I heard my name. “Gavin Landry, I’m glad to see you again so soon after our meeting,” Zachary said as he walked towards me. “Have you thought more about what I had said?” “I’m afraid I’m not here for you. I’ve come to accompany my mate while she takes lessons from your wife,” I told him, my eyes narrowed. “Oh, of course,” Zachary said with a light laugh. “Selene did tell me about these lessons today. I must apologize for my wife intruding on your territory yesterday. It wasn’t discussed with me.” He gave Selene a pointed look, and she just shrugged. “It’s okay,” I said, meaning it. “Do you have a few minutes to talk though? I want to say a few more things that I didn’t get a chance to during our last meeting.” I frowned and looked over at Judy, who was watching me; she gave me a small smile. “I’ll be fine for a few minutes,” she told me. “Honestly, it’s okay. Go ahead.” I stared at her for a moment longer before I nodded; I didn’t want to leave her alone in the hands of Selene Blackwell, but I trusted Judy, and I knew she could take care of herself in the next few minutes if it came down to it. Plus, I was intrigued about what more Zachary had to say.