Chapter 493

Gavin's POV

It was almost like her scent had vanished from pack property. We were able to track her to the forest line, but then suddenly it was gone completely. Though, I thought I smelled a bit of Ethan as well which wasn't surprising. If they were in cahoots with one another, it meant Sammy couldn't be trusted and I needed to get rid of them both from my pack.

I couldn't exactly kill Sammy because she was the offspring of a powerful Lycan. Killing her would only start a war that we weren't prepared for. Too many lives at stake to risk it. Ethan on the other hand, I wasn't entirely sure what his deal is. I would like more than anything to kill him, but if I my suspicions are true, he's switching his alliance to Levi Churchill and if I killed him, that could also start a war.

I prowled the edge of the forest, where we lost Sammy's scent. I remained in my human form, sniffing the air and trying to get a hint of that scent, but instead, I smelled something else. A calm and flowery scent that made my wolf's ears perk deep within me.

I turned my head just in time to see Judy's small wolf breaking through the clearing of the forest. My brows furrowed at her hurried pace. I could practically see the pain etched in her eyes and her aura had darkened drastically since the last time I saw her in her wolf form. It was clear to me that something had happened that seriously hurt her wolf and suddenly, my protective instincts had flared.

My own wolf surged forward, wanting to shift and go to her. I pulled him back, not sure why the sudden reaction he had towards seeing her distressed wolf form.

Without much though, I ran towards her, my wolf itching to be released but I remained in my wolf form. Her eyes darted to me, and I swear saw a hint of relief in them as she ran straight towards me, her strides quickening.

I knelt to the ground, opening my arms for her run into them. She wasted no time, her wolf form colliding with my human form. My arms enclosed around her; it still amazed me how small she was, and yet I knew what she was capable of. She might be a runt, but she was strong and fast.

I ran my fingers through her fur, trying to soothe her wolf who was trembling. "Shift," I ordered. "Please, shift..."

Her wolf still trembled, a small whimper escaping her lips. I held her closer, trying to convince her to shift into her human form and just as she started to shift back, her entire body went limp.

My heart stopped, she completely shifted back into her human form, her body going limp against my body.

"Shit," I cursed as I cradled her in my arms.

I immediately checked her pulse and found it still beating, though her breathing was shallow.

"Alpha?" I heard Derek rushing towards us.

Immediately my head whipped

around to glare at him, a snarl on his

lips as my wolf's protective instincts

on fire. He and I were in full

agreement; we didn't want anyone to see Judy like this... not while she was completely naked. Seeing the glow in my eyes from my wolf, Derek's tracks slowed, and his eyes grew wide.

"Get a blanket from the car," I ordered, my Alpha aura penetrating the air.

Derek nodded and without

hesitation, he turned and ran

towards the direction of the car. Inoveldrama

held Judy even tighter, my face nuzzling her neck, taking in her sweet scent, trying to calm myself and my wolf. She looked peaceful, though there was a slightcrease between her brows. I rubbed her forehead with my thumb, trying to soothe her.

Whatever happened seriously had her and her wolf shook and I wasn't going to stop until I found out what it was.

Derek returned moments later with a blanket. I snatched it from him, snarling at

him to avert his eyes and back off. I didn't need to use words for him to know what

I wanted, and he quickly turned his back.

I wrapped Judy in the blanket and stood to my feet with her still in my arms, holding her to my chest.

"Join Beta Taylor and the others. Search the forest," I ordered Derek. "I'm taking her back to the villa."

"Yes, Alpha," he said before he hurried towards the tree line.

I went towards one of the waiting cars; my driver, Leroy, quickly got out and opened the back door. I nodded at him as I slid into the seat, still cradling Judy.

"Take us back to the villa," I demanded, my tone etched with worry.

"Yes, Alpha," he replied, shutting the door before rounding the car and getting into the driver's seat.

Once we returned to the villa, I took Judy up to my bedroom and laid her on the bed. I sat beside her, running my fingers through her hair. Her face had gone pale and my heart lurched at the sight. I worried about what had happened out there and what caused her to become like this.