Chapter 499

Judy's POV

The thought of Gavin with another woman physically hurt. The thought that he was so in love with her that he was planning on proposing, nearly destroyed me. My wolf's reaction came out of nowhere; I had to restrain her as she pushed forward, wanting to go for a run to release some of this pent-up tension. The reaction was confusing for her as well and she didn't know how to respond to the fact that Gavin was once in love with someone else.

My stomach ached at the very thought, and I had to take steady deep breaths to calm myself and my wolf.

Irene studied me for a long while, trying to figure out how I was feeling and gauging my reaction.

"That was a long time ago though," she told me, trying to sound reassuring. "He's different ow. He's almost back to being that happy self again. Even Matt's noticed it and we know it's because of you, Judy."

I looked at her, frowning. I wasn't sure what to say to that; my mind was still wrapping around the thought of Gavin with another woman, loving her... proposing to her... losing her.

He must have been so heartbroken.

I wonder if he would talk to me about her if I asked... then again, was it my place o ask him anything?

Irene reached over and took a hold of my hand.

"I wasn't telling you this so you can doubt yourself, I'm telling you this, so you know that if he doesn't' warm up to you right away, it's not your fault. It's not that he doesn't care... or won't ever fall in love again, it's just that he's afraid to fall in love. Everyone he fell in love with eventually dies. He probably thinks he's cursed or something."

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I met her eyes.

"Is he cursed?" I asked.

She let out a laugh and shook her head.

"No, of course not," she assured me. "My father is just very typical. But I can tell he cares about you, even if you can't tell."

"You think so?" I asked, hating the vulnerability in my tone, but I needed to know. Was there a chance for Gavin and me? And would she be okay with it if there was.

"Yes," she replies. "I think there's real potential between you two. You could be the woman that knocks him off his feet and makes him fall in love all over again."

This time, it was my turn to let out a laugh.

"And you'd be okay with that?" I asked her, raising my brows.

She thought about it for a moment and then she shrugged, giving me a sly smile.

"I mean, I wouldn't love losing a bet to Matt," she teased. "But I think I'll be okay with you and my father living happily ever after. But I never call you mom." She crink her nose at the very thought That would be way too weird."

I laughed even louder this time.

"Don't worry; I agree. I'd never call you mom. Way too weird," she told her, making her laugh as well.

She stands and joins me on the couch, wrapping her arms around me and hugging me close.

"I'm so glad we had this talk. I think it was long overdue. I could see the tension between you and my father for so long and I knew it was only a matter of time before it eas brought up," she told me, resting her bead on my shoulder.

"So, you're giving us your blessing then?" I asked with a smile.

She nodded.

"Yes, I am... As would Matt if he knew," she said, her tone growing a bit sad at the very thought of Mathew. "Do you think he'll ever not hate me?"

I rest my head on top of her head.

"He doesn't hate you, Irene," I assured her. "He'll be okay. Once his wolf calms down, he'll come back to you, and you'll resume your brother and sister relationship as usual. It

won't last forever."

"I hope not,” she whispered. "What I did was awful... I could have killed him, and I was the reason one of the maids was banished and most likely killed by a rogue. I'm not a good person."noveldrama

“Just because you did a bad thing, doesn't mean you are a bad person,” I told her. "We all make mistakes."

“Mine cost lives... and it almost cost the most important life in my life... my brother."

I loved that, despite Matt not being her biological brother, Irene still thought of him as a brother.

"But he's alive and that's all that matters. That's all we should be focusing on."

She was quiet for another moment as she processed my words before she nodded slowly.