Judy’s POV The drive home was much quieter than I had expected. When Gavin dropped the bomb about the Blackwells’ lying to us, I wasn’t sure what to think. Selene didn’t seem like the kind of woman who would straight up lie to me. I also didn’t think Zachary would be bold enough to lie, but Lila… I wouldn’t put it past her. Something about it didn’t seem right to me, but I didn’t argue with him. I just got into the car and let him close the door behind me. He gave the manor one last lingering look before he, too, got into the car and drove us away. His hands were clutching the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles were growing white. I wanted to ask if he was okay, but I couldn’t get the words out of my mouth. It’s not like I was afraid of him, but I could tell he needed a moment to gather his thoughts. I just didn’t think it would take the entire hour drive back to the Silver Crescent pack, and even a little longer as we reached the villa and got inside. Gavin took his time taking off his suit jacket, hanging it up, and then kicking off his shoes. We were in our bedroom, and I was watching him with an earnest expression as he unbuttoned his shirt, his abs becoming visible to me, and my mouth nearly on the ground. I couldn’t seem to look away from him, which was a normal reaction, honestly. He was a distraction, and my wolf couldn’t wait to get him naked again. No matter how many times we’ve had him, it’ll never be enough. He turned to look at me, his eyes finding mine, and the earnest expression he was sporting only moments ago softened, and I could see the lingering concern in his eyes. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” I finally asked him, my voice coming out raspier than I meant. He let out a breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “I saw Lila and Daisy together,” he said, making my heart stop in my chest.“Daisy Baldwin?” He nodded. “They were looking at the Moon Gem and it was glowing rather brightly,” he explained. His brows pinched together as he remembered what he had seen. “Lila touched it and it burned her.” I let out a breath like I had been punched in the stomach, the dream I had came crashing into my memory. It was the same thing in my dream as well; I was told that it would only be accepted by the one it belonged to and would burn anyone who tried to mess with it. But that didn’t make any sense because that magic was supposed to belong to Lila. She was the daughter that they took the magic from… so why wouldn’t the gem recognize her as such? “What’s wrong?” He asked, eyeing me carefully. “It just doesn’t make sense. Why would something that belongs to her burn her?” I asked, shaking my head like I was trying to shake away the thought.“Because it doesn’t belong to her. They lied to us. I doubt it even belongs to the Blackwell family. My father was probably the one who was telling the truth the entire time, and they turned on him,” he muttered, the anger and resentment clear in his eyes. “What if they didn’t know?” I found myself asking. “How could they not know this?” Gavin asked, shaking his head. “She’s their daughter.” “But what if she isn’t?” I asked before I could think better of it. I immediately clamped my mouth shut, regretting my words. Gavin furrowed his brows. “What are you saying?” He asked. “Of course she is. Unless you think they are lying about that, too?” I shook my head. “I was thinking maybe there was a mix-up at the hospital,” I said, wrapping my arms around myself. “Like maybe Selene’s baby isn’t the same baby she brought home.”“Why would you think that?” “Selene told me that when Lila was born, she was as healthy as a horse, but then a day later, she had a sudden heart condition. It’s just strange for that to happen out of nowhere. Right?” “It’s strange, but not unheard of,” Gavin said, watching me carefully. “And Lila looks nothing like her family, don’t you think?” I asked. “Her whole family has dark hair, and she has blonde.” “We don’t know their entire family line. There could be blondes somewhere in her family tree,” Gavin suggested. “That doesn’t mean Lila isn’t her daughter.” “The Moon Gem is supposed to unleash its magic on the rightful owner of said magic, but it hasn’t released it to Lila,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him. “Don’t you think that’s weird. I mean, you obviously do, or we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” Gavin sighed and stepped closer to me. He put his hands on my shoulders and traced a pattern with his thumbs on each side of my neck, sending a warmth throughout my entire body and making me lean into him. “Maybe so,” he replied after a short pause. “I’d like to believe that over the fact that they’ve been lying to us. I’m not really sure how we can know for sure, though. Maybe I’ll agree to Zachary’s terms and keep him as close as possible.” “You’re thinking about agreeing to the merger?” Gavin sighed as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into him; my protruding belly kept us separated slightly. “He’s scared,” Gavin said, almost thoughtfully. “There’s something or someone he’s afraid of, and I’m not entirely sure what it is. He mentioned that his enemies are now coming after him and his family, now that he’s no longer in hiding, and rumors are circulating everywhere. I think maybe they need us.” My heart squeezed. “Enemies…” I said softly. “Do you think they could be the same ones that my birth mother was afraid of? Her family?” “What makes you think that?” “I don’t know,” I said, my cheeks flushing slightly. “It’s just all so weird, and I’m not sure how any of it connects, but I have that nasty feeling that it does. I also have a feeling that Esme might know, and that’s why she’s not speaking.” Gavin was quiet for a long while as he let that information process. “We shouldn’t jump to conclusions.” I nodded, knowing he was right, but I still had a nasty feeling in the pit of my stomach. “Did you know that Zachary had a sister?” I asked. “I vaguely remember Coraline,” he remarked. “I think she and my father had a thing for a long time before he met his mate. She came around once in a while, but then she just stopped appearing.” “She was the one who put the magic in the Moon Gem,” I told him. “Selene told me as much. But she hadn’t seen or heard from her since. She’s not sure what happened or why Cora decided to cut ties with the family, but it really hurt Zachary.” “You think she might have more information?” I nodded, nibbling on my lower lip. “Yes, I do,” I admitted. “I think it’s worth checking it out. It’s a lead, and it could lead us in the right direction.” “What are we even looking for here, Judy?” Gavin asked, pressing his forehead to mine. He sounded so defeated and worried all at the same time. “Why are we making this our business when it’s clearly not?” “Because I’m having strange dreams that connect to Esme Blackwell, that’s why,” I told him. “And because Lila was born in the same hospital as me, around the same time. My birth mother was running from someone, and to protect me from that someone, she gave me away to people she had just met. Yes, they are a wonderful family, and I love them more than anything, but the truth of the matter is… my mother didn’t know them. She had just met them, and she trusted them enough to give me to them. She figured it was a better fate than the one I would be given if I were to stay with her. None of this is a coincidence…” “You’re right,” he said after a moment of pause. “It is all very strange. I’ll look into it and see if I can find any traces of Cora. Then, we can go from there. But you don’t do anything without me, understand? You’re in a fragile state right now, and I won’t have you running around and putting yourself in danger.” I smiled up at him as I pressed my lips to his. “I would never put myself or our baby in danger,” I assured him as I wrapped my arms around his neck. He pulled me even closer, his kiss deepening and his tongue sliding into my mouth, tasting me. I hummed with satisfaction, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. I wanted to be as close to him as possible, and at this moment, it didn’t seem like I could get close enough. Just as he was about to lift me, there was a knock on the door, effectively stopping whatever was about to happen.I groaned. I didn’t want to be interrupted right now, but it was too late. Gavin chuckled as he pecked another kiss on my lips, and then he released me. He went to the door and opened it only to find Irene standing on the other side. “Hi,” she said, nibbling on her lower lip. I could tell she’s been crying, and my heart squeezed painfully in my chest. “Sorry to bother you…” “It’s okay, Irene. Everything okay?” Gavin asked. She looked uncertain for a moment, and then she let out a breath. “I just need a distraction. I was wondering if Judy wanted to do some more wedding planning?” I smiled. “I would love to.”