Chapter 682

Judy's POV

Gavin's body tensed at the sound of his mother's words; his hand gripping mine tightly. He turned to look at her; she stood in the archway of the sitting room, her arms folded across her chest. She wore a gorgeous evening gown, making me think she was just heading out. Her hair was perfectly curled and tied up into a bun, and her makeup looked professionally done.

Her perfectly trimmed brows were knitted together as she stared at the two of us, her eyes occasionally drifting to the hand that Gavin was grasping as if his life depended on it.

I wasn't surprised by her rude voice or that I wasn't welcomed into her home. But I was there for Gavin, so I kept my lips clamped shut, hating that my cheeks were growing red.

"Watch how you speak about her, Mother," Gavin said, a dangerous edge to his voice. "Don't forget whose property this really is. Judy is here as my guest, and you'll show her respect."

She pressed her lips together until they were nothing more than a thin line.

"So, that's how this is going to be?" She asked, narrowing her eyes at her son. "You are threatening me for her now? Are you seriously trading a Baldwin for this?"

I blanched at her words, but Gavin didn't release my hand.

"There was nothing to trade. Daisy was never an option for me, and I'm not sure how much more I could make that clear," Gavin said, his tone firm and leaving no room for arguments.

"She's a Baldwin... the same bloodline as your mate!" Donna said, a snarl to her tone. "Why wouldn't you want to stick to the same bloodline. Plus, they are a powerful and rich family. What more could you possibly want? What could this woman offer you that Daisy couldn't?"

"Melissa stopped being my mate the day she was taken from this world. The bond shattered immediately," Gavin said, speaking in a low and guarded tone. It made my heart squeeze painfully in my chest, and yet still, he hadn't let go of my hand. It was reassuring in a way to know that he was still present with me, despite speaking about the past with his mother. "Just because Daisy shares the same blood as her doesn't make her remotely close to being my mate. Melissa and Daisy couldn't stand each other, and she would never want me to get with her sister in the first place. But regardless of that, there's nothing between Daisy and me despite what your wishes."

"That's because you haven't given her a proper chance yet," Donna said stubbornly; she was relentless and clearly not giving up. "You could learn to love her and choose her as your mate. You could be a powerful couple."

"I'm not doing this with you again,

Mother. I will say this for the final

time: I will not take Daisy as my

mate. She will never be my anything,noveldrama

let alone my Luna. I know

not

what you want to hear, but the fact of the matter is, Judy is my second chance mate, and she will be the one by my side at the end."

I gawked at him; I wasn't expecting him to just come right out and say it. But he shamelessly told his mother the truth without sugar coating it. Her eyes grew large as she stared at him and then at me. I saw the darkness swirling in her gaze and the anger flashing across her face as she clenched her fists.

"What the fuck did you do to my son, you fucking bitch!" She hissed, and before I could say anything or react, she was inches in front of me, swiping her hand

across my face, and the sting of her slap nearly sent me spiraling.

I tasted the copper blood from my split lip, and she raised her hand to slap me again. Only this time, Gavin could react and was in front of me

within a second. His aura was е strong, and I could feel his anger rotting off him in waves. He was gripping his mother's hand, squeezing tightly, making her face go pale as she stared up at her son. Her eyes were staring at him like she was staring at a stranger, barely recognizing the man in front of her.

"G... Gavin... you're hurting me," she said through her gritted teeth as she tried to break free from his grip.

"Lay your hands on my mate again, and you'll know what real pain feels like," he said through his own teeth. I knew it was his wolf speaking, and a shudder ran through me; he sounded so deadly and serious in that moment.

Her eyes grew larger, almost comically so.

"I'm your mother," she bit out. "How could you—"

"I don't care who you are. Hurt her again, and I'll do much worse to you," he said,

interrupting her before she could say a word. "Apologize."

She gawked at him; his eyes were non-blinking, and his face was serious.

"I refuse," she spat out, a venomous bite to her words.

"Apologize now!!" He roared, his voice deep but controlled. I felt his Lycan powers wash over him, and I knew she felt it too because, despite her resistance, her eyes darted to me.

"I'm sorry for striking you, Judy," she said, and I knew it pained her to speak those words.