Chapter 566

Gavin's POV

After my phone conversation with Irene, I left the hospital and went straight to the graduation ceremony. Though there were still lingering graduates celebrating with their friends and family, Judy's scent was long gone. It seemed that she didn't stick around for the after-party.

I cursed and planned to just go to her house, but I stopped when I saw Beta Taylor approaching. He looked mournful as he stared at me, noticing my tense posture, the regretful look in my eyes.

"I know you care about her, but we have more pressing stuff to address right now, Alpha," Taylor told me, using his professional tone so I knew he was all business. I knew he was right; that news article is ruining me. Now my entire territory is about to be aware that Rachel is pregnant, and they will assume that the baby is mine, just as the article and video attached to the article insinuate. I felt a rage like never before boiling through me as my fists clenched.

“Judy can't see that article,” I told him, my tone leaving no room for arguments. "It would destroy her if she thought for a second, I got another woman pregnant. Especially after the night we had a couple of weeks ago. I can't let that happen. She doesn't deserve that."

"And what if you did get her pregnant?" Taylor asked, his brows raising. "We don't exactly have proof otherwise."

"The baby isn't mine," I said through my teeth. "I didn't touch her..."

She had markings all over her body, and your scents were intermingled," Taylor reminded me, stating the obvious.

I let out a low growl, my wolf surging forward as I glared at him.

He took a step away from me, knowing it was not the time to push me. He took a deep breath and held his hands up in defense.

"Look, I'm just saying, you need to be prepared. It's probably better if you leave Judy alone for right now until you know for sure. The last thing you want is to get her hopes up that the two of you can be something and then break her heart... again. She's been through enough and doesn't need any more of this."

I hated that Taylor was right; Judy didn't need me courting her right now. She

needed security. I needed to get rid of Rachel and her constant presence before I pursue Judy and make a future with her.

The thought came suddenly, and I paused before walking back to my car.

A future with her?

Is that what I wanted?

Even as I thought about it, my wolf rumbled with approval, something that hasn't happened since meeting Melissa, my fated mate.

"What's the plan?" Taylor asked before I could leave.

I had no idea what the fucking plan was, and it aggravated me.

"I'm going back to the hospital," I murmur. "I need to play the part as an expecting father, so Rachel and the pack don't think anything is amiss. Meanwhile, I need Monty to hurry the fuck up with that security footage. I'm going to schedule a paternity test for the baby on the next ultrasound. I don't want Rachel knowing about it because she could pull some strings and get the test results manipulated. So, give your mate a heads up about that."

Taylor nodded.

"Okay, I'll let her know," Taylor said thoughtfully.

I left without another word, my head whirling with thoughts. Rachel was asleep when I got to her room. I stared down at her sleeping face, a face that used to mean so much to me... watching her sleep was always something I enjoyed doing back when we were together. But now, it felt like nothing to her. I only felt resentment and a little unsettled. It was clear that I didn't trust her. I hated that her presence had disturbed my life so deeply that I'm losing someone important to me. I hated that I was hurting Judy for this woman.

"Oh, you've returned," Eliza Pierce said as she walked into the room. "I was just doing my night rounds."

"Have you spoken to Taylor?" I asked, keeping my tone low so as not to wake up Rachel.

Eliza nodded and glanced at Rachel as well before meeting my eyes.

"I'll make it happen," she said simply. "In the meantime, you should get some rest

as well. Do you want me to grab you another bed so you can sleep, Alpha?"

I shook my head.

"I'm fine in the chair. I don't think I can sleep much."

She nodded, and then her eyes flickered to the clipboard she was holding.

"The news report was taken down," she informed. "I'm assuming that was your doing?"

Almost immediately after Kelsey left

the hospital earlier, I contacted

Gamma Derek and had him deal

with the news story. I wasn't surprised that the articles have been taken down, wiped from existence.

"Yes," I told her.noveldrama

She nodded, though it looked as if there was something still on her mind.

"Out with it," I ordered, losing my patience.

Ine

"It's just that I think the damage had been done, Alpha. So many had already seen it... I've heard that the alert went off during the graduation ceremony and-"

A low growl escaped me.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" I asked her, my eyes piercing her.

She swallowed, but she stood her ground.

"If you were hoping that you got rid of the story before a certain someone saw it...

You are mistaken. She saw it, Alpha."